Are you looking for a healthy and delicious addition to your meals? Look no further than 1/2 cup (120 g) Cut Green Beans French Style! With only 20 calories per serving, these green beans are a great way to boost your nutrition without sacrificing taste.

In addition to being low in calories, green beans are also a great source of fiber, vitamins C and K, and minerals like iron and calcium. Incorporating them into your diet can have numerous health benefits, from improving digestion to boosting bone health and immune function.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at French-style green beans, including their nutritional value, how to prepare and store them, and creative ways to incorporate them into your meals.

What are French-style green beans?

French-style green beans, also known as haricots verts, are a thinner and more tender variety of green beans compared to their regular counterparts. They have a delicate flavor and crisp texture that makes them ideal for salads, stir-fries, and roasting. While they are often sold fresh, you can also find frozen or canned French-style green beans that are just as nutritious and versatile. When selecting fresh green beans, look for ones that are bright green in color, firm to the touch, and free of blemishes or discoloration.

Nutritional value of 1/2 cup of green beans

A 1/2 cup (120 g) serving of French-style green beans contains approximately: - 20 calories - 4 grams of carbohydrates, including 2 grams of fiber and 2 grams of sugar - 1 gram of protein - 0 grams of fat - 10% of the daily recommended value of vitamin C - 8% of the daily recommended value of vitamin K - 6% of the daily recommended value of iron

How to prepare French-style green beans?

There are many ways to prepare French-style green beans, depending on your taste and cooking preferences. Here are some popular methods: - Blanching: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, add the green beans, and cook for 2-3 minutes until crisp-tender. Drain and immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. This method preserves the bright green color and crunch of the green beans. - Roasting: Toss the green beans with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes until tender and slightly charred. This method enhances the natural sweetness and nuttiness of the green beans.

Health benefits of green beans

Green beans are a nutrient-dense food that can provide a range of health benefits when consumed as part of a balanced diet. Here are some of the most notable benefits: - Improve digestion: Green beans are high in fiber, which can help regulate bowel movements and prevent constipation. - Boost bone health: Green beans are a good source of vitamin K and calcium, which are essential for building and maintaining strong bones.

How to store green beans properly?

To keep your green beans fresh and flavorful for longer, follow these simple storage tips: - Store them in a plastic bag or container in the fridge, away from fruits like apples and bananas that release ethylene gas and can cause the beans to spoil faster. - Use them within 3-5 days of purchase, or blanch and freeze them for later use.

How to incorporate green beans in your diet?

Here are some delicious and creative ways to add French-style green beans to your meals: - Salads: Toss blanched or roasted green beans with cherry tomatoes, red onion, feta cheese, and a vinaigrette dressing. - Stir-fries: Stir-fry green beans with garlic, ginger, and your choice of protein like chicken, tofu, or shrimp, and serve over rice or noodles.

Other ways to cook green beans

In addition to blanching and roasting, there are many other ways to cook green beans that can bring out their flavor and texture: - Sauteeing: Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, add minced garlic and green beans, and cook for 5-7 minutes until tender and slightly browned. - Grilling: Brush green beans with olive oil and seasonings, and grill them on a preheated grill pan or outdoor grill for 5-7 minutes until charred and tender.

Green beans vs. other vegetables

While green beans are a great choice for adding nutrients and variety to your diet, there are many other vegetables that offer similar benefits. Here are some comparisons: - Green beans vs. broccoli: Both are high in fiber, vitamin C, and folate, but broccoli has more vitamin K and calcium, while green beans have less calories and carbohydrates. - Green beans vs. asparagus: Both are low in calories and carbs, and high in fiber and vitamin C, but asparagus has more vitamin K and folate, while green beans have more iron.

Tips for selecting good quality green beans

To ensure that you get the best-tasting and most nutritious green beans, keep these tips in mind when shopping: - Look for beans that are bright green in color, firm to the touch, and free of blemishes or discoloration. - If buying fresh, choose beans that are thin and tender, with small seeds and no bulges or bumps.

Green beans recipes you can try

Ready to start cooking with green beans? Here are some tasty and easy recipes to get you started: - Garlic Green Beans: Saute green beans and garlic in olive oil until tender, and season with salt and pepper. - Green Bean Casserole: Mix green beans with cream of mushroom soup, milk, fried onions, and spices, and bake in the oven until bubbly and golden.