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Refried beans, canned, fat-free

Legumes Per 100 g · Per 100g serving

Refried beans, canned, fat-free is a legume at 79.0 calories per 100g. This legume is a useful source of fiber, virtually fat-free. Legumes are among the most nutrient-dense plant foods, providing protein, fiber, folate, iron, and potassium. They are a staple protein source in many traditional diets worldwide. Our database tracks 75 nutrients for this food, plus glycemic index, environmental footprint data.

79.0
Calories
kcal
5.3
Protein
g
0.45
Fat
g
13.5
Carbs
g
4.7
Fiber
g

Top Nutrients

💎
Sodium
350 mg
23% DV
💎
Iron
1.6 mg
20% DV
💎
Copper
0.16 mg
18% DV

Data for 75 of 150 tracked nutrients

Nutrient Fingerprint

How this food scores across key nutrient categories, as a percentage of the daily recommended value per 100 g. Based on USDA DRIs for adults.

Complete Nutrient Profile

Macronutrients 10
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Water SR78.7g
2%
Calories SR79.0kcal
Energy (kJ) SR332kj
Protein SR5.3g
10%
Total Fat SR0.45g
Carbohydrate SR13.5g
10%
Fiber SR4.7g
12%
Total Sugars SR0.61g
Starch SR8.7g
Ash SR2.0g
Minerals 10
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Calcium SR34.0mg
3%
Iron SR1.6mg
20%
Magnesium SR38.0mg
10%
Phosphorus SR111mg
16%
Potassium SR344mg
10%
Sodium SR350mg
23%
Zinc SR0.65mg
6%
Copper SR0.16mg
18%
Manganese SR0.33mg
14%
Selenium SR5.7µg
10%
Vitamins 31
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Vitamin A (RAE) SR0µg
Vitamin A (IU) SR0IU
Retinol SR0µg
Beta-Carotene SR0µg
Alpha-Carotene SR0µg
Beta-Cryptoxanthin SR0µg
Lycopene SR0µg
Lutein + Zeaxanthin SR0µg
Vitamin C SR0.90mg
1%
Vitamin D SR0µg
Vitamin D (IU) SR0IU
Vitamin E SR0.04mg
0%
Beta-Tocopherol SR0mg
Gamma-Tocopherol SR0.99mg
Delta-Tocopherol SR0.05mg
Alpha-Tocotrienol SR0.02mg
Beta-Tocotrienol SR0mg
Gamma-Tocotrienol SR0.01mg
Delta-Tocotrienol SR0mg
Vitamin K1 SR2.0µg
2%
Thiamin (B1) SR0.03mg
2%
Riboflavin (B2) SR0.01mg
1%
Niacin (B3) SR0.36mg
2%
Pantothenic Acid (B5) SR0.20mg
4%
Vitamin B6 SR0.11mg
9%
Folate SR57.0µg
14%
Folic Acid SR0µg
Folate (food) SR57.0µg
Folate (DFE) SR57.0µg
Vitamin B12 SR0µg
Choline SR20.3mg
4%
Fatty Acids 9
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Saturated Fat SR0.09g
Monounsaturated Fat SR0.04g
Polyunsaturated Fat SR0.29g
Trans Fat SR0g
Cholesterol SR0mg
Omega-3 ALA SR0.15g
10%
Omega-3 EPA SR0g
Omega-3 DPA SR0g
Omega-3 DHA SR0g
Individual Fatty Acids 12
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Butyric Acid (4:0) SR0g
Caproic Acid (6:0) SR0g
Caprylic Acid (8:0) SR0g
Capric Acid (10:0) SR0g
Lauric Acid (12:0) SR0g
Myristic Acid (14:0) SR0g
Palmitic Acid (16:0) SR0.07g
Stearic Acid (18:0) SR0.01g
Linoleic Acid (18:2) SR0.13g
1%
Omega-6 LA SR0.13g
Omega-6 GLA SR0g
Linolenic Acid (18:3) SR0.15g
Other 3
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Caffeine SR0mg
Theobromine SR0mg
Alcohol SR0g

Nutrient Density Score

The NRF9.3 score measures overall nutritional quality per 100 kcal. It rewards 9 nutrients to encourage (protein, fiber, vitamins A, C, E, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium) and penalizes 3 to limit (saturated fat, added sugars, sodium). Higher is better; negative scores indicate the food is high in limit nutrients relative to its beneficial content.

52
NRF9.3 Score
Good · per 100 kcal
Poor (<0) Moderate Good Excellent (100+)

NRF9.3 index: Fulgoni et al. (2009), J Nutr 139(8). DVs based on FDA 2020 reference values.

Nutrient Interactions in This Food

Nutrients in this food that enhance or compete with each other during absorption.

✔ Synergies — nutrients that help each other

Vitamin B6 + Magnesium●●

Vitamin B6 may enhance intracellular magnesium accumulation. Combined supplementation has shown greater benefits for stress and anxiety than magnesium alone.

Pouteau et al., PLoS One, 2018

Vitamin B6 + Folate●●

Vitamin B6 is a cofactor in folate-dependent one-carbon metabolism. Together with B12, these three nutrients regulate homocysteine levels.

Selhub, J Nutr Health Aging, 2002

⚠ Antagonisms — nutrients that compete

Zinc vs Copper●●●

High zinc intake induces metallothionein in enterocytes, which traps copper and blocks its absorption. Prolonged high-dose zinc can cause copper deficiency.

Prasad et al., JAMA, 1978; Fosmire, Am J Clin Nutr, 1990

Zinc vs Iron●●

Zinc and non-heme iron compete for the same intestinal transporter (DMT1). High doses of one can reduce absorption of the other when taken simultaneously.

Rossander-Hulten et al., Am J Clin Nutr, 1991

Fiber vs Iron●●

Phytates in high-fibre foods (whole grains, legumes) bind non-heme iron and reduce its bioavailability. Soaking, sprouting, and fermentation reduce phytate content.

Hurrell & Egli, Int J Vitam Nutr Res, 2010

Fiber vs Zinc●●

Phytates in fibre-rich foods chelate zinc, reducing its bioavailability by up to 50% in high-phytate diets. This is a major concern in plant-based diets.

Sandstrom, Food Nutr Res, 1997

Potassium vs Sodium●●

High potassium intake promotes renal sodium excretion and attenuates the blood pressure–raising effect of sodium. A higher K:Na ratio is associated with lower cardiovascular risk.

Aburto et al., BMJ, 2013

How Cooking Changes Nutrients

Estimated percentage of each nutrient retained after cooking, based on USDA retention factors for the “Legumes (45-75 min)” food category. Values of 100% mean no loss; lower values indicate nutrients lost to heat, water, or oxidation.

Key insights
Vitamin C loses up to 40% when boiled (drained). Boiled (water used) retains 70%.
Thiamin loses up to 45% when boiled (drained). Boiled (water used) retains 65%.
Vitamin B6 loses up to 40% when boiled (drained). Boiled (water used) retains 70%.

Source: USDA Table of Nutrient Retention Factors, Release 6 (2007). Retention values are category-level averages — actual retention depends on cooking time, temperature, and water volume.

USDA Retention Factors

Glycemic Impact

The Glycemic Index (GI) measures how quickly a food raises blood sugar on a 0–100 scale. Glycemic Load (GL) accounts for typical serving size. Low GI < 55, Medium 56–69, High ≥ 70.

32
Glycemic Index
Low GI
8
Glycemic Load
Low GL (per 50g)
GI Scale 32
0 Low <55 Med High ≥70 100

GI data matched from: “Beans (estimated from category)” · ●● low confidence

Source: International Tables of Glycemic Index (Sydney University, 2021)

Environmental Impact

Environmental footprint per kilogram of food produced. Data represents the global average for the “Other Pulses” category.

1.8
kg CO₂e / kg
Low Impact
15.6
m² land / kg
Land Use
734
L water / kg
Water Use
9.8
g SO₂e / kg
Acidification
How this compares (GHG emissions)
Potatoes (0.5)Chicken (9.9)Beef (99.5)
Greenhouse Gas Emissions1.8 kg CO₂e / kg
Land Use15.6 m² / kg
Water Use734 L / kg
Eutrophication18.1 g PO₄e / kg
Acidification9.8 g SO₂e / kg
⚠️ Important context about this data
  • Global averages: These figures are production-weighted averages from a meta-analysis of ~38,700 farms across 119 countries (Poore & Nemecek, 2018). Actual impact varies enormously by farming method, geography, and supply chain.
  • System boundary: Cradle-to-retail only — does not include consumer transport, home cooking energy, or food waste.
  • Soil carbon not included: This data does not account for soil carbon sequestration. Some argue that well-managed regenerative grazing partially offsets ruminant emissions; however, full lifecycle accounting — including methane, land-use change, and the opportunity cost of using land for grazing vs. reforestation — typically makes the net footprint of ruminant meat higher, not lower. This is especially relevant in temperate grassland regions like Ireland.
  • Not gospel: This data is informational and illustrative. It is useful for understanding relative magnitudes, but should not be treated as precise measurements for any individual product or farm.

Source: Poore & Nemecek (2018), Science 360(6392). Meta-analysis of ~38,700 farms, 119 countries, 46 product categories.

Global Supply: Pulses

Top 10 countries by per capita supply of the “Pulses” food group (kcal/capita/day, 2023). This is food group–level data from FAO Food Balance Sheets, not specific to this individual food.

1.
Niger
450
2.
Burkina Faso
290
3.
Rwanda
273
4.
Ethiopia
199
5.
Norway
195
6.
Mali
181
7.
Kenya
175
8.
El Salvador
172
9.
Djibouti
169
10.
Kazakhstan
167

Global Supply Trend (1961–2023)

+2%
1961: 58 kcal2023: 59 kcal

Source: FAO Food Balance Sheets (2023). Supply = production + imports − exports − waste, converted to kcal/capita/day.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories are in Refried beans, canned, fat-free?

Refried beans, canned, fat-free contains 79.0 kcal per 100 grams, making it a low-calorie food. The energy comes from 5.3g of protein (27% of calories), 0.45g of fat (5%), and 13.5g of carbohydrates (68%). Carbohydrates are the primary energy source.

What is Refried beans, canned, fat-free most nutritious for?

The standout nutrient in Refried beans, canned, fat-free is Sodium, providing 350 mg per 100g (23% of the Daily Value). It is also a notable source of Iron (20% DV). Our database tracks 75 individual nutrients for this food, allowing detailed comparison across vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids.

Is Refried beans, canned, fat-free high in protein?

Refried beans, canned, fat-free contains 5.3g of protein per 100 grams. While not a high-protein food, it can contribute to daily protein needs as part of a varied diet.

How much fiber is in Refried beans, canned, fat-free?

Refried beans, canned, fat-free contains 4.7g of fiber per 100 grams — a moderate amount. This contributes to the recommended daily intake of 25-38g. Pairing with other fiber-rich foods like vegetables, legumes, or whole grains can help meet daily targets.

What is the glycemic index of Refried beans, canned, fat-free?

Refried beans, canned, fat-free has a glycemic index of 32, which is classified as low (≤55). Low-GI foods cause a slower, more gradual rise in blood sugar levels, which may be beneficial for blood sugar management. The glycemic load, which accounts for typical serving size, provides additional context for real-world blood sugar impact.