Dried beans are a versatile, affordable source of protein, fiber, starches, iron, B vitamins, potassium, magnesium and other essential nutrients. When you prepare dried beans from scratch, you can avoid the sodium and other additives that canned beans contain.

Chickpeas are probably best known for their starring role in the Middle Eastern dip hummus. These legumes, also known as garbanzo beans, can be used in a wide variety of ways – including in curries, stews, stir fries, salads and chilies.

A kidney bean allergy is rare, but you may be at greater risk if you’re allergic to other foods in the legume family. Peanuts and soy beans are two of the most common legumes that cause an allergic reaction.

Garbanzo beans, also known as chickpeas, are used in a number of Middle Eastern and African dishes. Like many beans, garbanzo beans contain healthy amounts of protein, as well as a number of other beneficial nutrients such as fiber.

The Black Eyed Pea restaurant is a casual dining franchise with locations in Tennessee and Texas. The Black Eyed Pea restaurant specializes in southern cuisine and comfort foods, such as cornbread and chicken fried steak.

Rice and beans are both nutritious yet inexpensive foods that, when combined, form a complete protein. Your body needs protein to build and repair tissue. Proteins are made up of building blocks called amino acids.

Refried beans can be a healthy food or an unhealthy food -- preparation makes all the difference. Refried beans prepared with animal fat can be high in cholesterol and saturated fat, while beans fried with a small amount of olive or canola oil can be relatively low in fat and cholesterol free.

Rich in protein, fiber and low-fat carbohydrates, pinto beans and other dried legumes deserve to feature more prominently in the American diet. Because they contain soluble fiber, a type of fiber that prolongs digestion, pinto beans cause only small fluctuations in your blood sugar.

Garbanzo beans, also called chickpeas, are used in many traditional dishes across the Middle East and East. These beans are full of protein, fiber and are loaded with vitamins and minerals.

Legumes are a type of edible seed pod that splits into two halves. Types of legumes include beans, lentils and peanuts. Versatile and nutritious, legumes provide fiber, folate, potassium and iron. Legumes are also recommended as a healthy alternative to animal-derived foods because of their high-protein content.

Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, have been cultivated for over 7,000 years and continue to be a source of protein for people around the world. Dried chickpeas are inexpensive, versatile and are easily incorporated into a healthy diet.

According to the University of California at Berkeley, boiled eggs and beans are high-quality proteins to include in your diet. A hard-boiled egg offers many benefits because it contains carotenoids, riboflavin, vitamin B12 and selenium. Beans are loaded with fiber, phytochemicals, antioxidants and vitamins.