Bean sprouts are becoming increasingly popular and for good reason! They are super healthy. If you are not familiar with bean sprouts, you have come to the right place. Keep reading to learn about bean sprouts: the superfood you need to try.
What are bean sprouts?
Considered a superfood, you will typically find bean sprouts in Asian dishes like chow mein, ramen, and pad Thai. Made of about 90% water, bean sprouts are classified as a vegetable and therefore full of antioxidants and low in calories!
Are they healthy? Here’s the nutritional analysis.
Fresh bean sprouts are incredibly healthy, as they contain a high amount of antioxidants. This welcomes them to the superfood family! While canned bean sprouts are safer in terms of bacteria, they are not as nutritious as fresh bean sprouts.
When comparing nutrition facts, you will see that canned bean sprouts, such as La Choy, do not have any vitamins listed per serving. There is less than 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein. On a positive note, there is a low 10 calories per serving, which is 1 cup, and there are only 2 carbs. This makes it a great carb replacement option!
Fresh bean sprouts, like Jonathan’s Sprouts, have 22% of your daily vitamin C, along with 1 gram of fiber and 3 grams of protein per serving. There are 31 calories per serving, which is 1 cup. However, it is important to remember that some of the Vitamin C will degrade during cooking.
The conclusion: It is best to buy fresh bean sprouts, making sure you cook off all of the possible bacteria. However, do not discount the low number of calories and the convenience of canned bean sprouts for a quick carb substitute or extra crunch.
How can you eat bean sprouts?
If you purchase fresh bean sprouts, it is important to make sure you cook them long enough. Due to the moist conditions that they are grown in, raw bean sprouts have a high risk of carrying harmful bacteria. During proper cooking, this bacteria is eliminated. See this Sauteed Bean Sprouts Recipe by MelanieCooks for a beginner’s guide to cooking bean sprouts.
You may also choose to buy canned bean sprouts as a safer option, as the processing kills bacteria ahead of time. Or, you can try growing your own bean sprouts! This minimizes the risk of bacteria growth as it ensures they are the freshest.
Bean sprouts are popularly known for tasting the best in Asian cuisine. However, you can be creative with it. Try adding them to dishes for texture or in place of pasta, similar to zoodles. Another idea is to use them as a healthy side dish by simply sauteeing them. Without much flavor, there are endless opportunities to slip this healthy superfood into your diet!