The first-ever World Pulses Day took place on 10 February 2019; this date will now be known as World Pulses Day every year going forward.

What are Pulses and Why are They Important?

Pulses include dried peas, lentils, chickpeas and beans. They are nutritious and sustainable sources of plant-based protein, a staple food for a healthier diet and planet.

People’s quest for alternative protein is driving innovation across several categories involving pulses, backed-up by a rise in vegan and vegetarian trends and an overall growth in meat-free food.

People want products with alternative sources of protein as they turn away from traditional meat sources. People also want to focus on protein and fibre content, sugar reduction and weight management.

Can we End Global Malnutrition?

But let’s not only look at our own health and diet but rather the levels of malnutrition around the world, which are still unacceptably high.

Ending global malnutrition is within our reach.

In fact, we have never been better placed to do it, as we have more knowledge and more data than ever before. But we must act now if we are to prevent a reversal in the progress that has already been made. This will require some critical steps to tackle the challenges we face.

The Global Nutrition Report

The Global Nutrition Report is the world’s foremost account on the status of malnutrition around the world. Each year it acts as a stock take on the world’s nutrition globally, regionally and country by country, as well as on efforts to improve it. It tracks progress on global nutrition targets, ranging from diet-related non-communicable diseases to maternal, infant and young child nutrition.

Pulses are the answer!

AGT Foods Africa

AGT Foods Africa produces a full range of pulses and speciality crops including lentils, peas, chickpeas, beans. They also produce food ingredients such as pulse flours, proteins, starches and fibres and spices.

Try this delicious recipe from AGT Food’s World Pulse Day event.

The Great Canadian Salad

Ingredients

1 cup (250 ml) cooked black beans
1 cup (250 ml) cooked green lentils
1 cup (250 ml) cooked chickpeas
1 ½ cups (375 ml) cooked pearl barley
1 bunch baby spinach
½ cup (125 ml) dried cranberries, chopped
2 Tbsp (30 ml) finely sliced green onion

Dressing

¼ cup (60 ml) apple cider vinegar
¼ cup (60 ml) canola oil
1 Tbsp (30 ml) whole grain mustard
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons maple syrup

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