8 Best & Healthiest Legumes You Can Eat

Lentils

Packed with protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals like folate, iron, and manganese, lentils are versatile and come in various colors like green, brown, and red.

Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans)

These are incredibly versatile and can be used in salads, curries, or even roasted for a crunchy snack. They're rich in protein, fiber, and several vitamins.

Black Beans

A staple in many Latin American dishes, black beans are loaded with protein, fiber, and antioxidants like anthocyanins.

Kidney Beans

Another popular legume, kidney beans are an excellent source of plant-based protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals.

Chickpeas (Lima Beans)

Also known as butter beans, lima beans are creamy and buttery in texture. They're high in protein, fiber, and several essential nutrients like manganese, folate, and potassium.

Split Peas

These are commonly used in soups and stews and are rich in protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals such as folate, manganese, and copper.

Green Peas

While technically a legume, green peas are often considered a vegetable. They're rich in protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals like vitamin K, vitamin C, and manganese.

Soybeans

Soybeans are one of the few plant-based sources of complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids. They're also rich in fiber, vitamins minerals and phytonutrients.