What are pulses?
Depending on when you were in elementary school, you might remember this vegetable subgroup by its former name, “legumes (or beans and peas).” Pulses are the edible seeds of plants in the legume family. Pulses include Beans (e.g., kidney, pinto), Peas (split peas, black eyed peas), and lentils (red, yellow, etc).
What are pulses’ nutritional benefits?
Pulses contain a lot of protein
Pulses are included in many diets around the world as a good source of low fat protein. They can be a replacement for animal protein, packing a large amount in each serving.
Pulses are a good source of fiber
In addition to their high protein value, pulses are a good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber can help control blood cholesterol and glucose levels. Insoluble fiber promotes movement of material through your digestive system.
Pulses provide important nutrients
Pulses contain many vitamins and minerals such as iron, potassium, folate, magnesium and zinc. These nutrients are vital to the body’s healthy development, disease prevention, and general wellness. They are not produced naturally in the body, so it is important to get these nutrients from the food we eat.
How do pulses benefit the environment?
Growing pulses may create less greenhouse gas emissions.
The use of nitrogen fertilizers in all crop production causes greenhouse gas emissions. Interestingly, the production of pulses requires less nitrogen fertilizer because they pull nitrogen from the air and soil, creating their own fertilizer.
Growing pulses requires little water
Pulses use just one-tenth of the water required to produce animal proteins. Pulses also extract water from a shallow depth, leaving the water deeper in the earth for other crops. Because they are shallow crops, they grow even in drought or dry conditions.
They promote healthy soil
After they are harvested, pulses leave behind nutrients like nitrogen and beneficial microbes for the next crop.
Food Services with Ensemble Foods
More and more consumers are realizing the benefits of adopting a plant-based diet, according to the International Food Information Council 2021 health survey. Even folks who eat meat are looking to at least reduce the amount of animal protein they eat, either for personal health or environmental reasons. The demand for protein alternatives is on the rise and Ensemble Foods can help you create delicious menus for these customers.
Click here for more information on the Ensemble Foods’ range of products.
References:
USApulses.org (n.d.) About Pulses https://www.usapulses.org/consumers/about-pulses
Usapulses.org (n.d) Meet Pulses: The Sustainable Superfood https://www.usapulses.org/consumers/resources/sustainable/1113-meet-pulses-the-sustainable-superfood/file
Foodinsight.org (n.d.) Food and Health Survey https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6458ff4e4c09271b0bb99bf6/64652a99676a019d741b84bd_IFIC-2021-Food-and-Health-Survey.May-2021-1.pdf
The contents of this blog are for educational purposes only. They are not intended to offer personal medical advice. Please seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
