Green peas are a cheap and nutritious food and a low-fat addition to any meal. Cooked peas contain significant quantities of vitamin K, manganese, vitamin B-1 and vitamin C. Additionally, peas are a great source of dietary fiber. Either frozen or canned, peas are packaged in a convenient form for quick cooking.

As the name suggests, large lima beans are a supersized version of the pale green legume. Up to an inch long, they have a mild flavor and creamy, buttery texture. Lima beans pack a nutritious punch, as well. One 1/2-cup serving provides 5 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein with no fat or cholesterol.

Cooking pea pods is not necessary since they are sweet and crisp when served raw, but some recipes call for them to be served hot.

Understanding the difference between the cannellini and kidney beans can help you decide if a substitution is possible, depending largely on the recipe you are using and how the beans are prepared. The beans have some similarities that make them interchangeable in some dishes.

When you set about making an old-fashioned bean dish, you'll likely reach for white beans. White beans have been used for centuries as a nourishing staple, even today when fresh foods are always available it's comforting to have a bag or can of white beans on hand.

Lentils are part of the legume family and packed with important nutrients. In the United States, many vegetarian and health conscious individuals use lentils as a source of protein for their meals. In India, lentils are widely consumed and often eaten daily.

Red kidney beans, a common addition to bean chili and other dishes, is a nutritious vegetable, full of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Despite this, there are health risks associated with eating them.

Green beans are a common vegetable that is widely available and generally inexpensive, so it's not difficult to add this food to your diet. Raw green beans provide a wide array of important nutrients, ranging from dietary fiber to the mineral fluoride.

Some people don’t enjoy vegetables’ taste -- with canned peas high on many least-favorite lists. Since vegetables are an important part of a balanced diet, look for a way to make the peas more palatable, especially for young children. A few household items can help improve canned peas’ taste.

Lentils are small legumes, also known as “pulses,” that are high in fiber and protein and low in fat. Common varieties of lentil include black, brown, green and red. Lentils are typically sold in dried form and are hard like little pebbles before the cooking process begins.

Similar to the kidney in shape and color, kidney beans provide a variety of minerals and vitamins, and so are generally beneficial for your health. If your kidneys are healthy, kidney beans can -- when consumed as part of a balanced diet -- contribute to your kidney health.

When choosing which carbohydrates to eat, two factors to consider are a food’s glycemic index and glycemic load. These metrics assess how quickly and how strongly your blood sugar rises after eating a particular food.