According to Van Camp, which claims to be the best-selling brand of pork and beans in America, the idea for this food combination originated in 1861, with the Van Camp family. The dish has beans, pork, tomato sauce and seasoning. Pork and beans are a good source of fiber.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, a 1-cup serving of pork and beans has almost 14 grams of fiber. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends adult women get 25 grams daily, while adult men need 38 grams. Pork and beans have no fat and are a good source of protein, with about 13 grams in 1 cup. Pork and beans, however, are also high in sodium, with 1,047 milligrams per cup. The Institute of Medicine recommends consuming no more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium daily, with 2,300 milligrams as the absolute maximum.