Serena Marie, RD, and I discuss why beans are great for gut health and how to introduce beans into your diet. Remember: Beans are not a good choice for fueling, because you don't want to be running for the bathroom. We talk about how the fiber in beans is a better choice than the fiber in a grain such as quinoa. She also discusses how to cook beans and what she eats the night before a marathon. When you have the option, it’s a better choice to have cooked beans rather than canned beans. Side note: Beans really don't have much protein in them, and when you look at the difference between protein and carbohydrates, they’re not the best choice. This was a podcast episode dedicated to our vegan friends who eat a lot of beans. Soak beans for four to six days until they sprout, and then you can eat them raw. --- If you’re running the Chicago Marathon, please save the date for the evening of Friday, October 9th. Serena Marie, RD, and I are planning something special.  The best way to stay in touch is to head over to www.therunninglifestyle.com and register for the 5 Questions to Ask Yourself To Start or live the Running Lifestyle.