This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Did you know that eating beans is beneficial for healthy weight management?
Turns out beans and other legumes like lentils are an incredible food. They have pretty much everything you need to lose weight and restore health; plus they’re inexpensive and easy to prepare. They provide an excellent source of protein and fiber, as well as a variety of micronutrients and phytochemicals.
According to research by Dan Buettner, author of The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest (affiliate link), beans are one of the foods most associated with longevity.
Eating beans and other legumes is also associated with a slimmer waistline and can help lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and some forms of cancer.
Table of Contents
- Beans for Weight Management
- How Many Points are Beans on Weight Watchers?
- Favorite WW Bean Recipes for Healthy Weight Management
- Favorite Easy Healthy WW Friendly Black Bean Recipes
- Favorite Easy Healthy WW Friendly Pinto Bean Recipes
- Favorite Easy Healthy WW Friendly White Bean Recipes
- Favorite Easy Healthy WW Friendly Garbanzo Bean (Chickpea) Recipes
- Favorite Easy Healthy WW Friendly Lentil Recipes
Beans for Weight Management
If you are interested in dropping pounds or just maintaining a healthy weight, beans and legumes are one of the best foods you can add to your diet. Good news for Weight Watchers!
A study in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that people who ate beans regularly had a 22% lower risk of obesity and were more likely to have a smaller waist than people who didn’t eat beans.
One possible explanation for this is that beans are high in soluble fiber, which slows digestion and makes you feel full longer. People who eat beans and other legumes are less hungry compared with people who eat low-fiber foods with the same amount of calories. Legume eaters also tend to consume fewer calories later in the day. Talk about a WIN-WIN!
How Many Points are Beans on Weight Watchers?
A 1/2-cup serving of most beans without added sugars have 0 WW Points.
Favorite WW Bean Recipes for Healthy Weight Management
Wanting to eat more beans but not sure where to begin? Here are some of our favorite easy tasty WW friendly bean recipes that are sure to please.
You’ll find a huge selection of appetizers, dips, soups, stews, chilis, salads, skillets and even dessert using a wide variety of beans including black beans, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, white beans and lentils. Enjoy!
Favorite Easy Healthy WW Friendly Black Bean Recipes
Appetizers, Dips, Nachos, Salads, Soups, Burgers Main Dishes, Desserts and More Featuring Black Beans, All with WW Points.
Cheese and Black Bean Nachos Recipe
A lighter, healthier version of a classic, these cheesy black bean nachos made lighter are hard to beat.
View Recipe
Vegetarian Black Bean Burgers Recipe
Black beans, rice, guacamole and salsa is always a winning combination. Make your Monday meatless with this satisfying burger.
View Recipe
Black Bean Mango Salsa Recipe
Simple and delicious, this black bean mango salsa is versatile too. Each serving has just 58 calories, 0 WW Points and is Simply Filling.
View Recipe
Cauliflower Rice and Beans Recipe for Two
A lighter, healthier alternative to traditional rice and beans, this cauliflower rice and beans recipe makes 2 generous servings and will work with WW Simply Filling.
View Recipe
Slow Cooker Caribbean Black Beans with Mango
Easy and delicious, low fat and full of fiber, these slow cooker caribbean black beans were a hit with everyone who tried them.
View Recipe
Creamy Chili-Corn Soup with Chicken and Black Beans
A hearty easy healthy and delicious soup that comes together in minutes while tasting like it simmered much longer. The secret? Canned creamed corn, black beans, and diced tomatoes.
View Recipe
Easy 4-Ingredient Black Bean Corn Soup
Simple and delicious with just 4-ingredients this soup is a winner, especially when time is of the essence!
View Recipe
Southwestern Shrimp and Black Bean Salad Recipe
A simple, yet zesty, low fat Southwest shrimp black bean salad perfect for a light and healthy lunch or dinner.
View Recipe
Mom’s Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup with Black Beans Recipe
I have Mom to thank for this tasty Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup with Black Beans, which she adapted from a Kraft recipe.
View Recipe
Cumin-Scented Black Beans and Quinoa Recipe
A satisfying, easy, healthy and delicious side dish or vegetarian main dish with only 2 Weight Watchers Points.
View Recipe
Black Bean Brownies Recipe
Low-fat, rich and fudgy black bean chocolate brownies that are as quick and easy as they are delicious.
View Recipe
Southwest Quinoa and Black Bean Skillet Recipe
This easy one-pot vegetarian meal can be made as spicy, or mild, as you like!
View Recipe
Favorite Easy Healthy WW Friendly Pinto Bean Recipes
Appetizers, Dips, Nachos, Salads, Soups, Burgers Main Dishes, and More Featuring Pinto Beans, All with WW Points.
Instant Pot Pinto Beans Recipe
Almost easier than canned. Use this Instant Pot recipe to make your favorite beans in minutes.
View Recipe
Roasted Acorn Squash with Pinto Beans Recipe
This recipe proves you don’t need meat to serve a fabulous dinner. This hearty vegetarian dish will convince any meat-lover to go veggie.
View Recipe
Easy Turkey Pinto Bean Burritos Recipe
Easy, healthy and satisfying, these Weight Watchers Turkey Pinto Bean Burritos will quickly become a family favorite.
View Recipe
Slow Cooker Chicken and Pinto Bean Tostadas Recipe
Simple, healthy and delicious, this slow cooker chicken and pinto bean tostada is one of those easy dump and go crock pot recipes perfect for busy days.
View Recipe
Slow Cooker Baked Bean Soup Recipe
Super simple with just 5 ingredients, this slow cooker baked bean soup is easy, healthy and deliciously satisfying.
View Recipe
Slow Cooker Moroccan Baked Beans
Nicely spiced and aromatic, Crock Pot Moroccan Baked Beans go perfect with grilled meats and vegetables.
View Recipe
Easy Tex-Mex Turkey and Pinto Bean Chili
The Tex-Mex winning combination of chili, chocolate and cumin won’t disappoint. Light yet flavorful, this recipe makes enough for a crowd.
View Recipe
WW Slow Cooker 3-Bean Turkey Chili Recipe
A super-simple, basic, no frills recipe, this slow cooker 3-bean turkey chili is a winner at our house.
View Recipe
Slow Cooker Baked Beans
New England Style Slow Cooker Baked Beans, cook up hearty, satisfying and delicious.
View Recipe
WW Vegetarian Slow Cooker Two-Bean Burritos Recipe
This simple and delicious Weight Watchers Slow Cooker Burritos Recipe is a fresh and healthy way to satisfy a Mexican craving for a lot less calories and points than your favorite Mexican restaurant meal.
View Recipe
Mini Bean and Cheese Bites
Mini Bean and Cheese Bites are the ideal appetizer, anytime treat or game day snack with only 75 calories per serving (3 mini phyllo shells)
View Recipe
Easy Crock Pot Refried Bean Dip Recipe
Crock Pot Refried bean dip, a light and delicious way to enjoy your next party without packing on the pounds!
View Recipe
Favorite Easy Healthy WW Friendly White Bean Recipes
Soups, Salads, Stove Top and Slow Cooker Main Dishes, and More Featuring White Beans (AKA Great Northern or Cannelini Beans, All with WW Points.
Summer Tuna and White Bean Salad
Almost any bean will work in this salad and canned are fine. My favorites are our classic white "coco" provencal beans, however cannellini, garbanzos and black beans work very well too.
View Recipe
Slow Cooker White Beans Recipe
My new favorite way to cook dried beans is in the slow cooker. Make a big batch and then store them in small containers in the freezer to use in salads, soups, stews, pastas and dips.
View Recipe
Butternut Squash, Kale and White Bean Soup Recipe
Three highly nutritious foods come together in this tasty one pot vegetarian meal in a bowl, lending it vibrant color and flavor. For a fitting accompaniment, try toasted baguette or crostini spread with goat cheese.
View Recipe
Slow Cooker Italian Pork and White Bean Stew (WW Friendly)
This Italian slow cooker pork and white beans stew is easy, healthy, hearty and delicious. Perfect when the weather turns cool.
View Recipe
White Bean and Sausage Soup with Escarole
With Italian-style chicken sausage, tons of veggies, beans, and escarole, this low calorie soup is sure to make your belly warm, full, and happy. Substitute escarole with any leafy green of your choice if you prefer.
View Recipe
Slow Cooker Creole White Beans with Chicken Recipe
Easy, healthy, satisfying and flavorful, we really enjoyed these slow cooker Creole White Beans with Chicken recipe. It’s one we were happy to eat several times during the week. Serve in a bowl like chile or over rice.
View Recipe
40 Best WW Burger Recipes – Beef, Turkey, Seafood and Vegetarian
View Recipe
WW Crock Pot White Beans and Shrimp Recipe
This Weight Watchers Crock Pot White Beans and Shrimp, from their One Pot Cookbook, is an easy, healthy and delicious dinner perfect any time of year.
View Recipe
Chicken Flatbread Pizza with Salsa Verde, White Beans and Corn Recipe
A tasty, easy healthy way to satisfy a pizza craving, this tex-mex inspired chicken flatbread recipe with salsa verde, white beans and corn will keep you from feeling hungry for hours.
View Recipe
Chicken White Bean Salsa Soup Recipe
A quick and easy low fat chicken soup using just a handful of ingredients that's surprisingly satisfying.
View Recipe
WW Friendly Tuna and White Bean Salad Recipe
Tuna and white beans make a great summer lunch or light dinner. Serve it on a bed of greens or with thinly sliced garden fresh tomatoes and crusty bread.
View Recipe
Slow Cooker Bean Cabbage Soup Recipe
This slow cooker bean and cabbage soup is easy, healthy and satisfying with just 198 calories, 0 WW Points and works with the old Simply Filling technique.
View Recipe
Favorite Easy Healthy WW Friendly Garbanzo Bean (Chickpea) Recipes
Dips, Salads, Soups, Main Dishes, and More Featuring Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas), All with WW Points.
Smoked Paprika Chickpeas with Fennel and Mint
Try this colorful medley as a main course or serve alongside grilled fish for a meal that is high in protein and bursting with flavor.
View Recipe
Vegetarian Passover Chickpea Salad
This vegetarian salad works well during the holidays and is also a welcome quick addition year round to meals.
View Recipe
Weight Watchers Chickpea and Feta Salad Recipe
A Mediterranean-inspired salad that’s delicious on a bed of greens or as a satisfying side dish, this is another one of those winning Weight Watchers Recipes from the Weight Watchers Weekly.
View Recipe
Chopped Greek Salad Recipe
An easy, healthy and delicious variation of one of my favorite salads of all time – Greek Salad – this one chopped with chickpeas for added protein.
View Recipe
Red Beet Hummus Recipe
Even if you don’t like beets, there’s a good chance you’ll like this slightly sweet & salty red beet hummus!
View Recipe
WW One Pot Vegetable Chickpea Curry Recipe
This quick and easy one-pot vegetable curry is an easy, healthy 0 Points dinner perfect for vegetarians and vegans, or anyone looking for a low calorie meal idea!
View Recipe
Favorite Easy Healthy WW Friendly Lentil Recipes
Soups, Stews, Chilis, Skillets Dinners and More, Featuring Lentils, All with WW Points.
WW Slow Cooker Vegetarian Lentil Chili
Simple and delicious Vegetarian Lentil Chili you make in the crock pot. With just 101 calories and Zero WW Points per serving, it's the ideal guilt-free meal.
View Recipe
Slow Cooker Lentil Stew with Chicken Sausage Recipe
This slow cooker lentil stew with sausage is a deliciously simple slow cooker soup your whole family will love.
View Recipe
Spicy Red Lentil Soup with Lemon Recipe
Lighter, brighter and quicker to make than other legume soups, this spicy red lentil vegetarian soup with lemon is one of my favorites.
View Recipe
Mom’s Simple Hearty Lentil Sausage Stew Recipe
This simple sausage stew with lentils is deliciously satisfying and good for you too.
View Recipe
Camilla’s Lemony Lentil Quinoa Salad Recipe
This lemony lentil quinoa salad is light yet substantial. It will work as both a side dish and light lunch or supper.
View Recipe
WW Italian Beef and Lentil Slow Cooker Stew Recipe
Easy, healthy and delicious this hearty Italian Beef and Lentil Slow Cooker Soup is one of my favorites.
View Recipe
Savory Slow Cooker Brown Rice and Lentils
This easy, hearty, and flavorful savory slow cooker brown rice and lentils was a surprise hit with the whole family when I made it recently.
View Recipe
Slow Cooker Vegetarian Barbecue Lentils Recipe
3-Ingredient slow cooker barbecue lentils, an easy, hearty and deliciously satisfying meatless meal your family will love.
View Recipe
Tabbouleh Soup with Lentils and Bulgur
All the ingredients of a great tabbouleh and lentils turned into a hearty, satisfying soup!
View Recipe
Southwest Quinoa and Black Bean Skillet Recipe
This easy one-pot vegetarian meal can be made as spicy, or mild, as you like!
View Recipe
