[watwut]

The taste difference between rice or beans with nothing more in it (no vegetables, meat, etc) is pretty massive. Also, mac&cheese makes you more satiated then rice. Rice is mostly sacharids (no fat, no protein, no nothing) - so it gives you energy only for short time, then you are tired and need to eat again.

I know, because I cook/eat a lot of rice and beans. I have add a lot of fruits etc in between meals to feel good. The dirt cheap vegetarian foods people tend to suggest are not really foods you would eat long term without feeling hungry and tired a lot. With that in mind, I can see someone whose life generally sux to at least eat food that makes them less miserable.

Also, mac&cheese is quick cooking and beans are not when you cook them.

[Retric]

Rice and Beans needs to be mostly Beans to be filling. 30% Rice 70% Beans is tasty and filling where 70% Rice and 30% Beans is not.

It also has other health benefits: https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/94/3/869/4411867

[watwut]

Yeah, but I like bean soup with a lot of beans in it which has +vegetables+bacon. I did tried to make myself full from beans but mostly, but it does not really work and lasts shorter then normal meal with meat.

As in, it is ok lunch, but I am hunger in shorter time then with meat or say mac&cheese. Importantly, when I try to eat only that for 2-3 days, it does not work at all.