Fingers on the Pulses
The UK Climate Change Committee recommended that we should be eating more plant-based foods in order to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions to Net Zero.
One of the easiest ways to do this can be to add more pulses in to our diets.
Pulses, which include various beans, peas, lentils and chickpeas, have multi-faceted benefits. They are not only more sustainable but are also healthier more affordable than meat.
Sustainability
Each kilogram of beef produces 39kg of greenhouse gas emissions. A kilo of dairy cheese produces 15kg. One kilo of beans, pulses and peas produce just 1.1kg.
Health
Pulses perform strongly on many nutrition indicators. They contain lower amounts of saturated fat, calories and salt as well as the highest amount of fibre.
Affordability
You can buy 500 grams of red kidney beans for as little as 10p. Compare that to 500g of chicken breast from a supermarket: Even when on member price offer it’s hard to find for less than £3.
The Flexitarian website has a section dedicated to recipes using pulses.
Today I learned what TIL means (had to look it up!)