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Are refried beans healthy? Dietitians on the Mexican staple

Nbcwashington · · 703 words · By Aryelle Siclait; TODAY
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What to know about Are refried beans healthy? Dietitians on the Mexican staple

Beans are a reliable pantry staple ideal for maximizing nutrient intake.

Claims checked 19
Techniques found 0
Topics 0

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center86%
Right14%

7 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Beans are a reliable pantry staple ideal for maximizing nutrient intake.

Why it matters

These affordable legumes, which come in many types and forms, deliver plant-based protein, fiber, complex carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, and typically require minimal prep time.

Common ground

Many cultures around the world have their own spin on bean-forward dishes.

Perspective signals

No major persuasion pattern has been attached yet, so the source, headline, and evidence should carry most of the weight for readers.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/health/are-refried-beans-healthy/4097736/

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 19 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

schedule Pending 9
check_circle Corroborated 6
help Insufficient Evidence 2
verified Verified By Reference 1
report Misleading 1
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Claim 1: “A serving of refried beans, says Soto, provides 19% of your recommended daily value of iron, 20% of your recommended intake of magnesium, 16% when it comes to potassium and 13% for zinc, essential for immune function.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 2: “Refried beans with the highest sodium and fat content will likely be in the packaged form at the store.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 3: “Beans are packed with important nutrients including fiber, essential to digestion and staiblizing blood sugar and cholesterol, protein for satiety, and folate, which plays a role in cell health and metabolizing protein.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 4: “Because of their texture, refried beans are softer and a more easily digested alternative to regular beans, adds Palinski-Wade.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 5: “Refried beans are a soft, mashed bean dish usually served as a side dish or filling.”
CORROBORATED
Web search results confirm that refried beans are described as a soft, mashed bean dish. They are also commonly served as a side dish or filling, as noted in recipe and health articles.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — In home cooking, refried beans are often served as a side dish accompanying a larger meal or rolled in a tortilla to form a bean burrito. In the United States, refried beans are most commonly made fro…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refried_beans
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web search NEUTRAL — “Refried beans are a soft, mashed bean dish usually served as a side dish or filling,” Erin Palinsky Wade, registered dietitian and author, tells TODAY.com. “ (They) are made by cooking beans, mashing…
https://www.today.com/health/diet-fitness/refried-beans-heal…
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web search NEUTRAL — Get the recipe for Quick Refried Beans at http://allrecipes.com/recipe/220642/quick-and-easy-refried-beans/ In this video, we'll show you how to make homemad...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKhP6P3WXQI
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Claim 6: “When deciding what fat to use for the frying, keep in mind that it's best to limit saturated fats in your diet, typically found in beef, poultry, coconut oil, palm oil and pork.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 7: “A diet high in sodium can also contribute to high blood pressure and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 8: “Vegetarian alternatives use vegetable oil.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results provide instructions and context for making vegetarian or vegan alternatives, specifically recommending the use of vegetable oil or olive oil to replace lard.
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web search NEUTRAL — A fat: Traditional refried beans are made with lard for richness. To replicate that in a vegan refried beans recipe, use dairy-free butter or more olive oil. Bell pepper: Finely diced and sauteed with…
https://plantbasedonabudget.com/vegan-refried-beans-frijoles…
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web search NEUTRAL — Yes, you can use canned beans with their liquid. You will need to add additional liquid (broth or water) to add to the beans when refrying them. How do I make vegan or vegetarian refried beans? Simply…
https://www.lemonblossoms.com/blog/refried-beans-recipe/
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web search NEUTRAL — S U B S C R I B E- http://bit.ly/SubItsMandarin|| S O C I A L S ||INSTAGRAM: @imamandacastilloTIK TOK: @imamandacastilloTWITTER: @itsmandarinREFRIED BEA...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgW4Qbu0X04
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Claim 9: “Refried beans are simply beans cooked differently. They will have the same nutritional value as any other bean you eat," Soto explains. "Like any other cooked bean, the nutrition changes based on the ingredients added during cooking."”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 10: “Beans are a reliable pantry staple ideal for maximizing nutrient intake.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that beans are nutrient-dense sources of fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals, making them reliable pantry staples for maximizing nutrient intake.
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web search NEUTRAL — The 7 Healthiest Beans to Eat, According to Dietitians Beans are a nutrient-dense and versatile plant-based source of fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals. Find out which ones we love and why.
https://www.eatingwell.com/article/8061834/healthiest-beans-…
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web search NEUTRAL — Beans and legumes offer health benefits as sources of fiber, important vitamins and minerals, and vegetarian protein. Discover the 9 healthiest beans and legumes.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/healthiest-beans-legume…
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web search NEUTRAL — Much evidence supports the health benefits of consuming a plant-based diet and increasing the intake of legumes. A high intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes (beans), nuts, and seeds is …
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4608274/
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Claim 11: “Typically, however, Palinkski-Wade says a 1-cup serving of canned refried beans provides: - 130-234 calories - 5-13 grams protein - 4.78 grams fat - 32.4 grams carbohydrates - 1.28 grams sugar - 5-10 grams fiber”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 12: “Despite the name, they're only fried once.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results explicitly state or imply that refried beans are fried only once, contradicting the idea of frying them multiple times.
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web search NEUTRAL — Refried beans are also popular in many other Latin American countries. In this dish, after being boiled and then mashed into a paste, the beans are fried or baked (though they are fried only once). Th…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refried_beans
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web search NEUTRAL — but beans only fried one time. How do I fry second time to make them reflied?It has always annoyed me that refried beans are only fried once. Should have just called them fried beans.
https://permies.com/t/111967/understanding-bean-recipe-refri…
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web search NEUTRAL — If you look up a refried beans recipe, it will most likely call for you to fry the beans once, not twice.At this point, the bean paste is traditionally fried (or baked), usually with lard or bacon. In…
https://www.mediterraneandietmealplans.com/blogs/recipes/unf…
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Claim 13: “Commercial versions of refried beans that come in cans or squeezable pouches “often use pinto beans, sometimes blended with other beans, oil, onion, garlic and seasonings,” says Palinski-Wade.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
Although the claim is attributed to a specific person (Palinski-Wade), no evidence was gathered from web search or Wikipedia to corroborate the specific details or the source's statement. Since no evidence was found, the claim cannot be confirmed or denied.
verified
Claim 14: “Refried beans, a Mexican staple adopted into Tex-Mex and Latin American cuisines alike, are no exception.”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
Wikipedia entries confirm that refried beans are a traditional staple of both Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisines. The sources also note that while they are staples, each cuisine has a different approach to making the dish.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Mexican-American cuisine is the cuisine of Mexican Americans and their descendants, who have modified Mexican cuisine under the influence of American culture and immigration patterns of Mexicans to th…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican-American_cuisine
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Refried beans (from Spanish: frijoles refritos, lit. 'well-fried beans') is a dish of cooked and mashed beans that is a traditional staple of Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisines, although each cuisine has a …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refried_beans
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Tex-Mex cuisine (derived from the words Texas and Mexico) is a regional American cuisine that originates from the culinary creations of Tejano people inspired in Mexican culinary traditions. It has sp…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tex-Mex
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 15: “Eating too much of this kind of fat can boost LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels, which can increase the risk of stroke and heart disease.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 16: “These affordable legumes, which come in many types and forms, deliver plant-based protein, fiber, complex carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, and typically require minimal prep time.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that beans are affordable legumes that deliver plant-based protein, fiber, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. One source also mentions the minimal prep time aspect.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Beans are a reliable pantry staple ideal for maximizing nutrient intake. These affordable legumes, which come in many types and forms, deliver plant-based protein, fiber, complex carbohydrates, vitami…
https://www.today.com/health/diet-fitness/refried-beans-heal…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — These plant-based foods are excellent sources of protein as well as fiber, folate, potassium, iron, and zinc. Nuts and seeds include almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, peanuts, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, su…
https://www.health.harvard.edu/diet-and-nutrition/high-prote…
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web search NEUTRAL — They provide plant-based protein, dietary fiber, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, while being naturally low in fat,” Angel Planells, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Acade…
https://health.yahoo.com/wellness/nutrition/healthy-eating/a…
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Claim 17: “Many refried bean recipes are made with lard, which is responsible for the food’s beloved richness.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that lard is a common ingredient in refried bean recipes and that it is credited with providing a rich flavor profile.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Many refried bean recipes are made with lard, which is responsible for the food’s beloved richness.Refried Beans Nutrition. “Because the ingredients can vary from one refried bean recipe to another, t…
https://www.today.com/health/diet-fitness/refried-beans-heal…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Surprisingly, most authentic refried bean recipes aren't vegetarian at all. The sneaky reason most refried beans aren't vegetarian-friendly is that they're fried in lard.
https://www.tastingtable.com/1566374/why-refried-beans-not-v…
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web search NEUTRAL — Can you make refried beans without lard? Yes, vegetable oil or even butter can be used. However, lard provides a richer, more traditional flavor profile that many cooks prefer. How do you make beans e…
https://santafe.villadelpalmarloreto.mx/conversations/mexica…
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Claim 18: “They are made by cooking beans, mashing them and then reheating them while adding a variety of seasoning and fat.”
MISLEADING
While the claim accurately describes the general process (cooking, mashing, reheating, adding seasoning/fat), the evidence is too general to confirm this specific sequence of steps as the definitive method. The process is described as 'cooked and mashed beans' (Wikipedia) and 'reheating them while adding a variety of seasoning and fat' (web search), but the claim presents it as a definitive, linear process without citing the source of the method.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — “Refried beans are simply beans cooked differently. They will have the same nutritional value as any other bean you eat," Soto explains. “Like any other cooked bean, the nutrition changes based on the…
https://www.today.com/health/diet-fitness/refried-beans-heal…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Hello my beautiful fam!! Welcome to the heart of my home, my kitchen!!!!! It’s another beautiful day and today we are taking it back to the bas...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fO5BosTSo6I
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web search NEUTRAL — Pinto beans make the best refried beans, since they’re so buttery. I recently crossed my refried black beans recipe with my pinto beer beans (both available in my cookbook) and ended up with these out…
https://cookieandkate.com/easy-refried-beans-recipe/
help
Claim 19: “But other renditions use black beans, pink beans or kidney beans.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was gathered from web search or Wikipedia to confirm that refried beans can be made with black beans, pink beans, or kidney beans. The claim remains unverified.
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.