Nutrient-rich... Low-fat.... Soil-boosting.... Hunger-fighting. That's right, we're talking about beans. While you might not think of them as such, beans (technically called "pulses") are the heroes of the food and agriculture world in a number of ways that they don't get credit for. We think it's time to change that!
A pulse = a leguminous crop harvested for dry seed. Common pulses include:
Nutritionally, beans really are a magical fruit, but often they're not given much nutritional credit. Some of that comes down to stigma. According to the FAO, many pulses are considered to be a "poor man's food" and are often replaced by meat once people can afford it. Not to mention...they make you toot. Some pulses contain special kinds of sugars called oligosaccharides. When these sugars hit the small intestine, well, you know the rest.
But it's time to give beans another try. Not only are pulses easy to prepare, but they can also be used as a meat alternative in many dishes. They are rich in complex carbohydrates and packed with protein meaning that they will keep you full longer than processed grains and will supply your body with slow-burning energy.
Pulses boost soil fertility and shrink a farm's carbon footprint by convert atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogen compounds that can be used by growing plants. Additionally, some bean crops can free soil-bound phosphorous, reducing the need for fertilizer.
There are a lot of different types of pulses. This broad genetic diversity means that beans are already adapting to the harsh effects of climate change. Many varieties can handle heat stress and don't require chemical fertilizers, which contribute to climate change.
Pulses bring growers high prices that are two to three times as much as cereal crops like wheat and corn! But, here's the catch: we're buying fewer beans than we used to. In 1970, we were eating 17 pounds of beans per person each year. By 2006, consumption was down to 13 pounds.
A few tips for shopping smart and getting the healthiest foods for your buck.
