Do you start each day with a warm cup of soya bean milk? Does your child love baked beans on toast? If so, you're already a fan of pulses!

A pulse is an edible seed that grows in a pod. They are a great source of protein for vegetarians and bring a lot of added flavour and texture to everyday meals.Examples of pulses are baked beans, red, green, yellow and brown lentils, black eyed peas, garden peas, chickpeas, broad beans, kidney beans and butter beans.Pulses are low fat, high fibre, no cholesterol, low glycemic index, high protein, high nutrient foods. They are also a good source of iron and a suitable dietary choice for those suffering from health issues such as diabetes, heart disease or coeliac disease. In addition, pulses - when cooked in healthy ways with less fat, can help people with weight control as the high fibre content helps us to stay full. The fibre in pulses may also help to lower blood cholesterol so they are also good for your heart. If you eat some pulses, include some food such as as peppers or dark green vegetables or a drink rich in vitamin C (such as orange juice) with your meal to help you absorb the iron, as t\he type of iron found in pulses is harder for the body to absorb compared to that found in meat.

So many pulses are yummy just cooked and eaten as they are. These include chickpeas, kidney beans and black-eyed peas (not the hiphop group!) Some are great eaten fresh, such as green peas. You can add pulses to your soups, stews, porridge and sauces for added texture and flavour. Cooked pulses are also great in salads - mix some chickpeas or kidney beans with fresh greans and a little olive oil, mustard and vinegar for a high-fibre, high protein appetiser.

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