Legumes are a category of vegetables that includes beans, lentils, and peas. In many parts of the world, legumes are an important basic food. They usually do not cost much, and they are full of protein, vitamins, and minerals. People in the United States and Canada generally do not eat many legumes. Instead, they spend a lot of money on meat. Meat has protein, too, but it also has a lot of unhealthy fat and cholesterol. In fact, many North Americans would be healthier if they