Bean Preferences Vary by Acculturation Level among Latinas and by Ethnicity with Non-Hispanic White Women

Abstract

With high levels of protein, fiber, folate, iron and other micronutrients, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends eating beans for optimal nutrition. Low-income women are at greater risk of nutrition-related health disparities. Use of beans may change among Hispanic women (Latinas) during acculturation, but few studies exist that describe specific preferences of this important traditional food. Preserving or promoting beans in the diets of all low-income women could improve dietary quality. The study objectives were to describe consumption frequency, purchasing patterns, and attitudes toward dry and canned beans, by acculturation level among Latinas and by ethnicity with non-Hispanic White women. Survey data were collected from 356 women (µ 32 y ± 9 y; 81% Latina), who were enrolled in, or eligible for, a federal nutrition assistance, or unemployment, program in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Participants had positive attitudes toward beans overall. Less acculturated and bicultural Latinas bought dry beans more often than their peers. Price was considered important in canned bean selection for Non-Hispanic White women, and less acculturated Latinas had poorer attitudes toward canned. Awareness of these attitudes and preferred traits of low-income women suggests ways to message populations to maintain or increase bean consumption. Negative views of canned beans by Latinas should be investigated further. Inclusion of canned beans in nutrition assistance programs may benefit those unfamiliar with preparing dry beans.

Pulse Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Cooking Experience of Midwestern US University Students

“…As with the college students in this study, other research supports that most people have a positive attitude toward beans/pulses, like the taste of them, and purchase both dry and canned [18,28,[36][37][38][39]. Black beans, lentils, pinto beans, and chickpeas were the most common types of pulses cooked, which is similar to pulse popularity found in other studies in North America [11,18,19,28,36].…”

“…Similar research conducted with participants of an older age and greater ethnic/racial diversity than the Midwestern US college students showed higher pulse consumption rates. Eighty percent of Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White women in Iowa [ 28 , 42 ], 89% of Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White women in Arizona [ 36 ], and 79% of low-income White, Black, and Hispanic men in Arizona [ 37 ] reported consuming beans at least 2–3 times per month. Just over half of adults ≥65 years old in a Canadian study reported consuming beans on a daily or weekly basis [ 39 ].…”

“…Knowledge of dry pulse preparation for these college students in the Midwestern US was lower compared to some other US studies. Eighty percent of low-income men and 90% of low-income women in Arizona [ 36 , 37 ] reported knowing know how to prepare dry beans. Florida participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) were confident in their ability to cook dry beans [ 38 ].…”

“…Preparation knowledge may differ due to the older age or greater racial/ethnic diversity of samples in previous studies compared to the college student sample in this study. These differences highlight the necessity of identifying cultural and situational norms for pulse consumption [ 28 , 36 ].…”

Development of a Nutrition Environment Assessment Tool for Latino Ethnic Stores

“…Latino foods, such as beans, corn tortillas, lean meats, and fresh fruits and vegetables, are considered healthy and recommended by the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) [11]. The inclusion of these foods in an adapted NEMS-S may more accurately describe Latino markets and food environments [12][13][14][15].…”