Holiday stress starting to ramp up and you can feel your heart racing. You made it through Thanksgiving but now you’re in the 2-week stretch until the Christmas and Hanukah holidays. With parties, shopping, kids and family activities, baking, holiday cards to mail… have you checked your pulses today? Nope, we’re not talking heart rate here. Read on!
Did You Get Your Pulses Today?
Chickpeas or black beans in your salad will steady blood sugar and help with weight loss.
Pulses are part of the legume family, but the term “pulse refers only to the dried seed. Dried peas, edible beans, lentils and chickpeas are the most common varieties of pulses. Pulses are very high in protein and fiber, and are low in fat. And, like their cousins in the legume family, pulses are nitrogen-fixing crops that improve the environmental sustainability of annual cropping systems.
- 100 calories worth of pulses can make you feel about 1/3 more full than 100 calories from another food!
- Research shows that just 3/4 cup of pulses a day can help with weight loss
- Pulses have a low-glycemic index, making for steady blood sugar instead of crashing when hunger for higher-calorie foods
- Try substituting pulses for other protein foods like meat for the health benefits
When you’re having a salad, throw some black beans or chickpeas on for an added health benefit – you’ll feel full longer for the busy days ahead, and you won’t crave that pop of sugar mid-afternoon when you’re flagging. Track your Fitbit as I’m sure you’re knocking down some serious steps and add more pulse foods. You might just be shedding a few pounds too. Good practices for this busy season!
Early preparation can be key to making life easier this month. Try to make a few recipes in advance for ease and health. You can get extra mileage out these with having lunch and dinner dishes ready to go. Here are a few easy and delicious recipes that might help give you a leg up:
- Try this recipe for a delicious French lentil soup. Click here!
- Here is a recipe for a wonderful Mediterranean lentil salad. Click here!
- Lastly, a recipe for my husband’s favorite quinoa salad, in two parts. Click here for part 1, and here for part 2!
Have fun with your friends and ask them if they’ve checked their “Pulses” lately!
Peace and Good Health this Holiday Season!
Sources:
Allrecipes.com
Clean Eating Magazine
Epicurious.com
If you “Like” this post, I’d be thrilled if you’d share it.
DEC
