What is the difference between dried beans and canned beans

A third issue to consider is the control you have when you start with dry beans, specifically over the amount of sodium in the final dish. You can drain and rinse canned beans to remove about 40 percent of the sodium. You can also buy lower sodium versions of many canned bean products. Rinsing beans also has another beneficial side effect; it can make you less gassy. If you are choosing your beans solely on nutrition, dried beans are the clear choice.

But, we so seldom make these decisions in a vacuum! And really, n othing beats the ease of canned beans. The real takeaway here is that beans are a healthy choice, regardless of whether you buy dried or canned.

So buy, soak, and cook or open, rinse, and cook! And look for one of these Clean Plates-approved brands:. Photo Credit: Harald Walker. Dried Beans vs. Canned Beans As mentioned above, studies indicate that canned beans are more robust nutritionally speaking. Both dried and canned beans are filled with nutrients that promote good health. They're especially high in fiber, for example, which keeps you feeling full to help with appetite and weight control, and helps keep your digestive system in good working order.

They pack a hefty amount of folate, too, which is a B vitamin that's especially important to women of childbearing age due to the role it plays in preventing neural tube defects. Dried and canned beans are also a good source of iron, which is needed for the production of healthy red blood cells. The biggest difference in nutrition content between dried and canned beans is the sodium content.

The amount of sodium in canned beans varies, depending on the type of bean and the manufacturer.