Health Benefits: Pulses

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Pulses, dried peas, beans and lentils are rich in protein, high in minerals and fiber, good sources of B complex vitamins and very low in fat.
They are excellent examples of the complex carbohydrates that are now being recommended to us by experts on all sides, from cardiologists to slimming specialists.
Pulses have been the staple diet of races the world over, often in close association with grain foods, lentils and barley, rice and beans, pasta or couscous and chick peas are typical pairings.
These instinctive combinations have been shown to maximize protein consumption, since they contain a better balance of the eight amino acids essential to human life.



Pulses can be tough on digestion, however, and hence windy food, make sure you cook and soak them for the length of time specified in the recipes.
And flavor them with herbs and spices such as bay, coriander, cumin, fennel and garlic, which helps counter flatulence.