Red kidney beans, a common addition to bean chili and other dishes, is a nutritious vegetable, full of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Red kidney beans are a variety of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), a legume native to Nigeria. The common bean is an important food crop, and a major source of protein throughout the world. Used in a variety of traditional dishes, kidney beans are usually eaten well cooked. Raw or improperly cooked kidney beans are toxic (1), but well prepared beans can be a healthy component of a well-balanced diet. Red kidney beans are mainly composed of carbs and fiber, but are also a good source of protein. Red kidney beans are rich in protein. Although the nutritional quality of bean proteins is lower than animal proteins, beans are an affordable alternative for many people in developing countries. In fact, Red kidney beans are one the richest plant-based sources of protein, sometimes referred to as "poor man's meat".