I agree. Beans are definitely in the "plus column," foods that are good for you. Lots of fiber and good nutrients, with no bad things.

My doctor recommended oatmeal, as high-fiber foods serve to flush cholesterol directly out of your body. Beans would serve the same purpose, for the same reason.

As you mentioned, beans are cheap.

I've got a bean pot, and will soon be assembling the ingredients to make my home-made baked beans.

Harry

Whoa, Harry & Steve! You guys are giving me a headache! LOL!

I have done a great deal of reseach (mostly personal) on cholestrol. I was driven to this by "accidentally" discovering that my own was over 800, some 30 years ago! This is a genetic flaw, basically an overactive liver. My conclusions:

1) Excercize is the NUMBER ONE most effective method for decreasing LDL & increasing HDL levels. Thirty minutes, three times a week doesn't cut it. I log in nearly 15 hours of aerobic activity, per week. Most people will not make this commitment, and therefore resort to drugs.
2) Diet can improve cholestrol in the bloodstream (by about 5-20%). It is not the first line of defense, except in borderline cases. Most cholestrol is generated by your liver.
3) Trans Fat is not the enemy, unless you have a french fry weakness. Reducing it can't hurt.
4) Drugs should be the very last resort! In my newly detected condition, I was popping Lipitor like it was candy (I didn't know any better). I came very close to requiring a liver transplant (it simply stopped working).
5) Using only excersize, I lowered my levels to under 270. I discovered a natural herb called "Red Yeast Rice," (a Chinese condiment), about 20 years ago. It has a nearly identical molecular composition as Lipitor, but occurs naturally in nature and has no side effects. My doctor has put ALL of his cardiac patients on RYR.

My cholestrol has been under 180 for 20 years. I pretty much eat whatever I desire.

Kraken, it's not your "cholesterol" (LDL) that really matters. It's your HDL, good cholesterol that is the key. Risk factors are figured by total cholesterol over HDL cholesterol.

HDL is absolutely the key. I have doubled my HDL, from 22 to 41 by banning trans fats from my diet. Lipitor does nothing to raise HDL.

It is scientific fact that trans fats (partially hydrogenated oils) raise LDL (bad cholesterol) and lower HDL (good cholesterol). When you understand how risk from cholesterol is figured, you will acknowledge how damaging trans fats are.

There is also proof out there that trans fats do more damage than just ruin cholesterol numbers, including interfering with dilation of arteries, and direct damage to brain function.

Harry

I would refer you to my rule #1. I nearly tripled my HDL with excercize. I don't "ban" anything from my diet. My body pretty much tells me what it wants (or sometimes craves). When I cook, I do seek to use healthy alternatives, when taste does not appreciably suffer.

And, in some cases, salmonella!

I used to not buy the Smucker's peanut butter because it was much more expensive than the other brands. One day I decided to buy it because my grandmother always ate it. I'll never switch away from Smucker's now! Once, out of curiosity, I tried some of my roommate's JIF. Big disappointment. The Smucker's is so much better (and with a name like Smucker's, it HAS to be good...)

Ok, we need a base recipe now!

What with the other talk of beans -- I'm going to have to make chili before the weather gets too warm...