Beans are a nutritious food commonly used as a side dish or in salads, soups and casseroles. Vegetarians often use beans combined with a starch like rice as an alternative complete protein source. You can expand your bean use by making bean flours and using them in place of regular wheat flour.

Red kidney beans, although safe to eat when properly cooked, should not be eaten raw or partially cooked, because of the naturally occurring toxin Phytohaemagglutinin. Kidney beans belong to the bean genus within the pea family, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Your intestines are home to trillions of microorganisms that help you digest food, aid your immune system and perform important metabolic functions.

Fresh purple beans, with their gorgeous hues ranging from violet to aubergine, contrasting dramatically with a green interior when cut, have enticed many a farmer's market shopper. These pretty beans have also disappointed anyone who thought that their color would remain when cooked.

Although intense workouts are required for bodybuilding success, your nutritional intake is also of primary importance. To improve your body composition, you need to choose nutrient-rich foods that can fuel your training sessions and help you recover from them.

Lentils belong to the legumes class of vegetables that also includes peas and beans. Lentils, like their cousins, are low in fat, contain no cholesterol and offer high amounts of potassium, magnesium and folate, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Dried bean curd, also known as dried tofu or kyadofu, is tofu that has been freeze-dried to extend its shelf life. Dried bean curd sheets are typically sold in sealed packages, and are commonly available in health food stores in the United States.

Canned green peas are probably not the first item to spring to mind when you think of wholesome, nutritious foods. However, canned peas -- although not quite as healthy as their fresh or frozen counterparts -- still pack a nutritional punch.

Great northern beans are a type of white bean that is available year-round in dried form in most markets and grocery stores. Great northern beans have a delicate flavor and are commonly used in soups and stews.

Orange lentils are a little smaller than their green and brown relatives, but they're the lentil of choice for thickening vegetarian soups and sauces. Orange lentils give you a small window of time between crunchy and mushy, so you have to time their cooking if you want to eat them as a stand-alone dish.

Peruano beans are mild beans from Mexico that are light cream, buff or yellow, with a mild taste and creamy texture. They can be used in any recipes that call for navy, canellini or pinto beans. Although the beans are a common ingredient in Latin American cooking, they originated in the Andes Mountains in Peru.

Soy is a natural source of many essential nutrients, and it can usually be a healthy addition to a balanced overall meal plan. Examples of soy-based products include tofu, miso, soymilk, soy burgers, soybeans and edamame.