Experts are urging people to adopt a certain high protein superfood into their diet as it could well mimic the benefits of Ozempic.
Although the medication isn’t officially cleared as a weight-loss treatment, plenty of Americans have still been using it in an attempt to drop weight, despite public guidance.
That said, there are many other ways to lose weight in 2026, and the long-standing approach of building meals around healthier foods remains one of the most common.
It’s also the route many doctors prefer when it comes to supporting long-term health.
Dieticians who spoke with the Daily Mail recently highlighted one budget-friendly ingredient that can slip into almost any menu.
Whether you choose baked beans, kidney beans, black beans, or soybeans, experts say beans may help with weight management while also supporting heart health.
Caitlin Beale, nutritionist and owner of Caitlin Beale Wellness, told the Daily Mail: “There’s no one ‘healthiest’ bean, as they are all nutrient-dense choices. In general, beans offer plant-based protein, fiber, complex carbohydrates, folate, iron, magnesium, potassium and polyphenols.
“Overall, all beans provide nutrients considered beneficial for health.”
Dr Catherine Metzgar also pointed to what regular bean intake could mean for the heart.
She told the Mail: “A big reason for this comes down to the type of fiber beans contain, especially soluble fiber. This type of fiber acts almost like a sponge in the digestive system. It binds to cholesterol and helps remove it from the body, which can lower LDL.”
Beans are also naturally high in potassium, which can support healthier blood pressure levels and may reduce the risk of a heart attack.
Beale added: “Beans also contain polyphenols and beneficial compounds that act as antioxidants and may help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.”
Beyond being a strong source of protein, specialists say beans—across the board—deliver substantial amounts of fiber, a nutrient many people struggle to get enough of.
“The fiber slows down how quickly your body digests and absorbs carbohydrates, which helps keep blood sugar levels more stable and can reduce those midday energy crashes and cravings,” Metzgar added.
Some of the most intriguing discussion centers on black beans, which researchers suggest may echo certain effects associated with drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy by potentially boosting GLP-1 levels, a hormone-glucagon prevalent in those popular drugs.
And finally, Beale noted: “Beans may also indirectly lower cancer risk by supporting a healthy weight, and excess body fat is linked with increased risk of multiple cancers.”