Beans and pulses are a great source of protein, which makes them an important part of any diet. Botanically speaking, all beans are pulses, and also include lentils and peas. These legumes are high in protein, fiber, and minerals, and are comparatively cheaper as well. In this article, let us look at when we should ideally consume beans and pulses.
For your lunch
Pulses are a great source of lean protein and ample minerals. Naturally, they provide you with a lot of energy, something that begins to dip by the time you are at lunch hour. So, eating beans and pulses for lunch makes complete sense, given that they will provide you with healthy calories that are just enough to let you carry on through the rest of the day. Besides, beans and pulses are very filling, which makes them the perfect food if you are watching your weight and don’t want to snack on unhealthy calories between lunch and dinner.
For your dinner
Beans and pulses are very good as dinner options as well. Dinner should be the lightest meal of the day, which makes beans ideal. They are low in fat and highly fibrous; so, even small portions are very filling, and you will not feel those hunger pangs in the middle of the night. The high fiber content also makes beans and pulses very easy to digest, which is perfect because metabolism slows down at night. Apart from this, beans are known to aid sleep.
Weight watchers
Beans and pulses are high in protein and fiber, which makes them greatly beneficial in building muscles. They are also very filling, so you will be unlikely to reach for high calorie snacks to satisfy your mid-morning or midnight cravings. Plus, it builds muscles, which makes it absolutely perfect for weight watchers and body builders alike. Considering how slimming it is, you can certainly keep a delicious lentil salad as part of your mid morning snacks, too, and not feel any regret while reaching for it.
After a workout session
A lot of energy is spent during a rigorous workout session, which means you must get some back in order to keep moving for the rest of the day. Beans and pulses pack in a lot of protein and important minerals, which means they can replenish most of the nutrients you lost during the workout. Besides, beans and pulses build muscle, so they will aid in your fitness program if consumed as the meal after a workout session.
Life post-40
While beans and pulses are great at any time, they are a great source of required nutrients once you hit 40. As we grow older, we need fewer calories, but we still need nutrition. Beans, pulses, and legumes are a great source of nutrition that would not beef up the calorie count.
Beans and pulses are extremely beneficial, both from the standpoints of nutrients and economy. They are low in fat, and also much less expensive than traditional protein sources like meats and dairy. It is important to include them in our daily diets, especially if you are a vegetarian or vegan. Unless you are suffering from an illness that prohibits you from consuming beans, do have some with your daily meals.