Tag: Beans and corn

The long-standing dietary myth that you must combine specific plant foods in a single meal to get "complete" protein has been thoroughly debunked by modern nutrition science. So, are beans and corn a complete meal, and what does this popular pairing offer for your health?

People in the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica have a significantly lower middle-aged mortality rate than many other regions, a phenomenon often linked to their diet. This exceptional longevity is attributed to a combination of lifestyle factors, with the traditional diet playing a crucial role. So, what do people in Nicoya eat to achieve this remarkable health and lifespan?

Historically, many cultures have relied on the combination of corn and beans for sustenance, a practice notably perfected by Native American agricultural traditions. This tradition is rooted in a nutritional principle: while individually incomplete, together, do beans and corn make a full protein by supplying all essential amino acids.

In the Blue Zone of Nicoya, Costa Rica, residents boast some of the world's highest life expectancies, with a traditional Mesoamerican diet forming a cornerstone of their remarkable health. This powerful nutrient combination starts with breakfast, a daily ritual built around fresh, whole foods like fortified corn tortillas, black beans, and local fruits. What do Nicoyans eat for breakfast and how does this simple, time-tested meal fuel a healthy, long life?

Decades ago, a misconception about consuming plant proteins led many to believe that beans and corn together make a complete protein, requiring consumption within the same meal. This was based on an outdated theory, and modern nutritional science provides a much more nuanced and flexible approach to plant-based eating.