Food Facts: All About Pulses

What are pulses?

    Pulse crops are the seeds of legumes used as food. They include peas, beans, lentils, chickpeas and soybeans and are part of the Meat and Alternatives Group of Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating.

Where did the word "pulses" come from?

    One theory suggests that the word "pulse" is derived from the Latin word "Puls", for a thick soup and that the use of pulse crops is thought to date back 10,000 years. Another theory believes that "pulse" was derived from the word "puls" meaning "lens-shaped". Considering the look of lentils, this theory may be correct. Either way, with the growing demand for healthy food choices by an ever increasing number of heath conscious consumers, pulses are a good fit to developing an overall healthy eating pattern.

Did you know?

  • 1 cup of baked beans contains more fiber than 1 cup of all-bran cereal
  • 1 cup of cooked peas, beans, or lentils provides more potassium than a banana
  • cooked pulses can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months
  • adding a pinch of ginger or using the overnight soak method and discarding the soaking water may help reduce gas problems for some consumers.