Navy Beans

The name "Navy bean" is an American term coined because the US Navy has served the beans as a staple to its sailors since the mid-1800s. This name refers to small, dry white beans with an oval, slightly flattened shape. These beans belong to the family of legumes, and are considered an excellent source of fiber, which provides many health benefits, such as helping to maintain a healthy weight and lowering your risk of diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer. That same serving can also deliver 64 percent and 48 percent of the recommended daily value of folate and manganese, respectively. It is worth noting that vegetarians, who are naturally deadset against consuming meat, can turn to navy beans to supply them with protein, since a cup of these beans has 30 percent of the recommended daily value. Cooking-wise, you can use these beans to prepare delicious and nutritious white chili, or mix them with olive oil, sage and garlic and serve on bruschetta.