Whenever we go to a Mexican restaurant, ordering a side of refried beans sounds like the best idea, as they offer a great flavor and a nice texture to complement pretty much any meal. Besides, refried beans are a true Mexican dish that might be considered the most popular one by far. Therefore, we can’t miss the chance of having such a delicious option as a side. Besides their taste, refried beans can be quite healthy, as they are a rich source of fiber and important micronutrients. This is how you can keep your refried beans healthy without losing their delicious flavor.
There are different recipes out there for refried beans, as it happens with Mexican food, but the main ingredients to use include pinto or black beans, salt, spices, and bacon fat. These last two, salt and fat, are what can make our dish become unhealthy, so we should ideally stay away from them. If we have an excess of sodium in our diet can increase our risks of suffering from hypertension. Saturated fats like lard and bacon fat, on the other hand, will increase our levels of LDL cholesterol, which is the bad type of cholesterol.
In order to keep our beans as healthy as possible, all we need, then, is to keep them free of salt and saturated fat. On itself, a plate of refried beans is a truly healthy option, one which we should add to our diet. They are very rich sources of vital nutrients, such as protein and fiber. These nutrients can help us keep our weight under control, as they will give us the feeling of being satisfied, so we don’t end up overeating throughout the day. Besides, pinto and black beans also come with many beneficial minerals, like magnesium, phosphorus, and iron, which are essential to our body.
Regardless of whether we buy them at a restaurant, canned, in a box, or even we make them ourselves, we need to pay attention to different aspects so that we know we are on the healthy side. If we buy canned or boxed refried beans, we should check the labels and see how much sodium and saturated fats they contain. However, when we order them at a restaurant, they should have the nutritional information available online or on-site. If they don’t, ask the waiter how they prepare refried beans.
When it comes to refried beans, the best way to enjoy them is by preparing them at home. The recipe is really simple, and this is not a dish that requires a lot of preparation or that takes a long time to be ready. At El Pollo Norteño, we cherish that homemade feel and flavor that makes you feel at home. Don’t miss out on our famous Frijoles Refritos and order a side of them to complement your chicken.