Beef is a great source of protein, zinc, niacin, iron, B12 and selenium.

Dry beans like pinto beans and navy beans will supply all these nutrients except for B12, and you will need more servings of beans to reach the nutrient levels found in one serving of beef. Our Vegetarian Guide has a lot more information and articles about vegetarian diets.

Some people have a difficult time with beans and they feel "gassy" when they eat dry beans. This can be solved by taking digestive aids meant for this problem, or by starting out with smaller servings of beans and increasing the serving sizes gradually. Over time, your digestive system will adapt to the amount of beans in your diet and the beans will cause less gas.