E. louise@thehealthkick.co.uk T. 07557 343 896
Meet Beenie!
Leader of the Tiny Tums Bean Hub
Small bean. Big benefits!
Beanie is here to help early years settings discover the mighty little bean, from the nutrients that support growing bodies to delicious ways of getting more beans onto nursery menus.
More beans. More variety. More opportunities to nourish growing children.
Small but mighty!
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Brain food: Beans provide iron, which supports normal cognitive development.
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Happy tummies: Beans contain fibre, which can support digestive health.
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Growing bodies: Beans provide plant protein for growth and repair.
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Little environmental helpers: Pulses can be a lower-impact protein choice than many animal proteins.
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A whole bean family: Kidney beans, butterbeans, chickpeas, black beans, cannellini beans and lentils all bring something different to the menu.
Beanie's brilliant bean facts
Small beans, mighty nutrition!
They're also wonderfully versatile!
Beans, lentils and chickpeas bring so much to the menu. They provide plant protein, fibre and important nutrients such as iron and folate, all of which have a role to play in supporting healthy growth and development.
They can take centre stage in a delicious chilli, curry or soup, be blended into creamy sauces, or sit alongside familiar ingredients in family favourites. And introducing beans isn't simply about increasing fibre or replacing meat.
It's about building variety, encouraging food exploration and giving children opportunities to become familiar with a wider range of nutritious foods.
Beanie's Bean Scene
Why is Beanie so keen to be bolder with beans?
The early years are an extraordinary period of growth and development. But it's not just our bodies and brains that are developing, our relationship with food is taking shape too!
The foods children experience in their earliest years help shape their familiarity with different flavours, textures and ingredients. Offering a wide variety of foods, alongside positive, pressure free mealtime experiences, can help children become more confident and adventurous eaters.
With changes to school food standards on the horizon, including a greater focus on fibre-rich foods and plant-based choices, children are likely to encounter more pulses, beans and lentils as they move through education.
But why wait until school?
At Tiny Tums, we know that what children eat matters, but so does how they experience food. Through Beanie's Bean Scene, we're sharing recipes, brilliant bean facts and simple ideas to help families and early years settings make more room for these mighty little ingredients.
And that's why Beanie is so keen for us to be bolder with beans.
Because the more opportunities children have to explore different foods in their early years, the better placed they may be to approach new foods with curiosity and confidence as they grow.
The Keen Bean Pledge
Tiny Tums is proud to support early years settings taking part in the Keen Bean Pledge. Part of the ‘Bang in some beans’ campaign from The Food Foundation.
Want to take the Keen Bean Pledge but not sure where to start?
Working with Family First, we've already explored how beans feature across their nursery menus, established a baseline and considered how to increase their use in ways that are practical for nursery kitchens and appropriate for young children.
Because increasing beans isn't simply about adding more to the plate. It's about thoughtful menu planning, nutritional balance, variety and making sure children enjoy the food we provide.
Ready to bang in some beans?
Tiny Tums can help your nursery or nursery group understand where beans already feature on your menu, identify opportunities to increase their use and introduce delicious, nutritionally balanced recipes that work for your children and your kitchen team.
Support could include menu reviews, bean baseline calculations, recipe development, chef guidance and help setting realistic targets.
Download The Bean Scene
