Navy Beans

🫘 What Are Navy Beans?
Navy beans, also known as haricot beans, are small white legumes with a mild flavor and creamy texture. They are commonly used in soups, stews, and baked bean dishes. Navy beans provide plant-based protein, fiber, and minerals such as magnesium and iron.

🤔 Why Might a Sensitivity to Navy Beans Occur?

Sensitivity to navy beans may occur due to naturally occurring compounds such as:

• Lectins: Plant-based proteins that may be harder for some individuals to process.

• Oligosaccharides: Complex carbohydrates that can ferment in the gut and contribute to gas or bloating.

• Phytic Acid: A naturally occurring compound that can make digestion more difficult for sensitive systems.

• Fiber Content: Navy beans contain a blend of soluble and insoluble fiber that may be challenging for some people to digest.

🛠️ What Can I Do About It?

• ❌ Avoid navy beans for 8 weeks and monitor how you feel.

• 💧 Soak and fully cook beans if reintroducing later to help reduce naturally occurring plant compounds.

• 📓 Track your symptoms during the avoidance period.

• 🔄 Slowly reintroduce navy beans after 8 weeks to reassess your tolerance.

• 🌱 Use alternatives that may be easier for you to digest.

💊 Supportive General Supplements

You may consider:

• Digestive Enzymes: Support the breakdown of complex carbohydrates.

• Probiotics: Encourage balanced gut flora.

• L-Glutamine: Supports gut lining integrity.

• Activated Charcoal: May help bind gas-producing compounds.

🌟 Why Might I Have a Sensitivity to Navy Beans but Not Other Beans?

• Lectin Variation: Different beans contain different lectin levels.

• Unique Oligosaccharides: Navy beans contain specific fermentable sugars that may be harder to digest than those in lentils or chickpeas.

• Fiber Blend: Navy beans have a distinct mix of soluble and insoluble fiber.

• Preparation Differences: Some beans are more commonly sprouted or fermented, reducing naturally occurring compounds.

🍽️ Popular Dishes Containing Navy Beans

• Baked beans

• Navy bean soup

• Bean salads

🍽️ Alternatives (if tolerated)

• Lentils

• Chickpeas

• Black beans

• Sweet potatoes