Consumer research shows that less than half of Americans consider beans to be a vegetable. In fact, beans are a nutrient-rich vegetable -- providing more fiber and protein than any other vegetable. And, beans are good-to-excellent sources of eight nutrients that many people don't get enough of in their diet.

The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans 1 recommend that people consume 3 cups of legumes, such as beans, each week. But, most people would need to triple the amount of legumes they eat to meet this recommendation. This section features several resources to help you educate consumers that beans are a nutrient-rich vegetable that can easily be enjoyed as part of a healthy and delicious diet.