The Wonderful World of Pulses
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Are you up to speed with the fact that 2016 is the Year of Pulses? The United Nations determined that this should be the year "to heighten awareness of the nutritional benefits of pulses as part of sustainable food production aimed towards food security and nutrition".
And, here are just a few of the many reasons they are rightfully regarded as super foods from a health and weight maintenance perspective:
rich in vitamins and minerals
excellent source of plant protein
high in both soluble and insoluble dietary fibre
improve blood sugar regulation
help to control hunger and appetite
rich in protective plant chemicals
contain valuable amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids
The general recommendation for improved health, protection against disease and weight management is 4 to 8 cups (800 to 1600g) per week and the huge variety of beans, peas and lentils available to us makes including them in our daily diet a bit of a no-brainer.
NB: IF YOU ARE A PULSE-VIRGIN, GO SLOW IN THE EARLY STAGES TO AVOID 'WINDY' EPISODES! YOUR DIGESTIVE SYSTEM WILL SOON GET USED TO THEM IF YOU PERSEVERE...
Try some of my soups, stews and salads to get you onto the pulse-road (click on the images to download the recipes) and please send over any delicious concoctions that are already part of your regular diet so we can all share in the year of pulses experience!
