Diet and Nutrition

12 Foods You Should Eat Every Day

4. Black beans (the perfect excuse to eat breakfast burritos)

Black beans are a tasty source of protein, fiber, and numerous essential vitamins and minerals. Black beans contain selenium, a mineral not found in most other fruits and vegetables. Selenium is an antioxidant that reduces the risk of cancer. Selenium also reduces inflammation and might therefore be beneficial for people with chronic inflammatory diseases such as irritable bowel disease.

Black beans provide a healthy dose of iron, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, and manganese. Manganese is essential for maintaining our metabolism, bones, connective tissue, hormones, and blood sugar. Manganese is also crucial for the absorption of calcium and for proper nerve function and brain function. It has been used to treat arthritis, osteoporosis, and even PMS. Iron is crucial for energy, immune system function, and brain function.

Iron also helps keep the skin, hair, and nails healthy and strong. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia and severe fatigue. Women are especially at risk for iron deficiency anemia because of the blood lost during menstruation. Phosphorus maintains strong bones and healthy teeth, helps the kidneys filter waste, helps the body store and use energy, maintains a regular heartrate, and helps the body use and regulate other vitamins and minerals. Magnesium helps convert food into energy, improves athletic performance, regulates mood, supports brain function, reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes, reduces blood pressure in people with hypertension, and reduces chronic inflammation, which is associated with obesity, aging, and disease. Magnesium also helps with mood swings and other symptoms of PMS. Zinc is essential for a healthy immune system and proper cognitive function.

Black beans are a great source of fiber. High-fiber foods like beans help curb our appetites by making us feel full. High-fiber foods also promote regular bowel movements and reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.

Start your morning with a healthy—and delicious! —breakfast burrito with black beans. Onions, red bell peppers, eggs and/or egg whites, salsa, avocado, tomato, and of course, black beans are the perfect ingredients for a tasty and nutritious breakfast burrito to start your day right.