Somewhere along the way, beans got a bad reputation, but boy, are they coming back strong. I’ve been on the bean side of TikTok lately, and I must say, I am fully here for it.

Beans used to be the punchline of jokes. I can still hear my Grandpa joking about them. Beans were the food people apologized for eating. The thing we pretend we don’t like until we’re tired, hormonal, inflamed, or broke. Then suddenly, beans become a lifeline.

I’ve always loved beans, even as a young child. I loved it when my mom made chili so much that I learned how to make it myself at a very young age. When my mom wouldn’t make it, I would cook it on my own or with my brother, who was only sixteen months older than me.

I remember being in Grade 1, making chili with my brother, cutting mushrooms, onions, and green peppers, and slicing my finger badly. I had to go to the hospital to get stitches. I almost cut my finger off if it weren’t for the bone I hit. I still have the scar today.

As a kid, and still now, I loved canned beans in sauce with molasses. Simple, comforting, and familiar.

My mom also used to cook butter beans with leftover ham. I never tried them back then because I didn’t like the smell. She loved them and always cooked them after a ham dinner. I loved the ham dinner, but when she cooked those beans for hours afterward, I wanted to move out of the house. That said, I would absolutely try butter beans now, just not with ham.

I live with my son and daughter-in-law now, and they are vegetarians. I agreed not to cook or even bring meat into the house. Eggs, dairy, and honey are allowed, so I’ll cook and eat meat elsewhere. This has actually given me the perfect opportunity to experiment with beans and legumes in many different ways.

I didn’t set out to become someone who talks about beans this much, but midlife has a way of humbling you. Perimenopause cracks you open, shakes your hormones like a snow globe, and forces you to look at food differently, not as comfort or control, but as support.

Beans showed up quietly. No flashy marketing. No superfood hype. Just steady, grounding nourishment that asks for very little and gives a lot back. When I started watching BeanTok, I dove deeper and learned so much that I never knew before. I honestly understand Jack and the Beanstalk on a different level now.

Beans and the Body: Calm Over Chaos

When estrogen starts fluctuating, your whole system feels it. Mood, sleep, joints, gut, brain, blood sugar, appetite, and patience are all affected.

Beans help smooth some of that chaos.

They’re rich in fiber, plant protein, minerals, and phytonutrients that support hormone balance, especially during perimenopause and menopause. Some legumes contain phytoestrogens, which are gentle plant compounds that don’t override your hormones but can help soften the sharp edges when estrogen dips.

They don’t fix everything, but they support everything. That alone makes them worth a try.

Sometimes that support is enough, and sometimes we also need extra help from prescription hormones. I like to explore natural approaches too. I’m still fighting to get my hormones properly tested, but that’s a topic for a different blog. Let’s get back to the beans.

Beans, the Gut, and the Art of Going Slow

Let’s address the elephant in the room.

Personally, I don’t find that beans make me gassy, but I’m also not eating two cups a day like some of the women on TikTok.

Yes, beans can cause gas. No, that doesn’t mean they’re bad for us. It usually means the gut is adjusting.

Beans feed beneficial gut bacteria, and those bacteria need time to adapt. Starting slowly is key. Half a cup at a time, then gradually more. Once digestion finds its rhythm, bloating often eases, digestion improves, hormones metabolize more efficiently, and cravings calm down.

A supported gut changes everything, and beans help build that support quietly and steadily.

Beans Keep Me Full in a Way That Feels Respectful

Perimenopause hunger can feel unhinged. One minute you’re fine, and the next you’re ready to eat the pantry door.

That’s not a weakness. That’s biology.

Beans help bring things back into balance. The combination of fiber and protein keeps blood sugar steady, energy even, and hunger less intense. I feel nourished, not stuffed, not deprived, and not constantly negotiating with myself.

Beans don’t spike. They don’t crash. They don’t demand perfection. They simply do their job.

My Bean Era Is About Simplicity

This season of my life isn’t about extremes. It’s about ease, sustainability, and peace.

Beans fit that energy perfectly. They’re affordable, versatile, shelf-stable, and easy to build meals around. They stretch meals and support long-term health.

A pot of lentils, a bowl of soup, or a scoop of chickpeas added to something already cooking is often all it takes. I especially love chickpeas in Indian dishes or tossed into a salad.

That’s the magic.

Why Beans Feel Personal Now

Beans connect me to something older than trends. They remind me of kitchens where food mattered, of meals that fed families without complication, and of cultures that understood nourishment long before nutrition labels and wellness buzzwords existed.

In a phase of life where so much feels uncertain, beans feel grounding, reliable, and steady. They don’t promise transformation overnight, and maybe that’s why I trust them.

Final Thoughts from My Bean Era

I’m not eating beans to be perfect. I’m eating beans to feel better and because I genuinely love them.

I eat them to support my hormones, to care for my gut, to steady my energy, and to choose nourishment over noise.

I believe in BEANS possibilities.

This probably won’t be my last word on beans. There are so many different kinds and so many recipes I still want to try.

I’ll eventually do videos on beans, too.

Disclaimer: This is personal commentary, reflection, and opinion. I don’t fact-check everything, and this isn’t professional advice. Please verify anything important independently and seek professional advice if needed.