Have you heard the word “pulses” used when talking about food? You may already be eating pulses without realizing it! But what exactly are pulses, and how are they different from legumes?
What Are Pulses?
Pulses are the edible, dried seeds of plants in the legume family. They grow in pods and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Common examples include chickpeas, lentils, dry beans, and dry peas.
Pulses are distinct from fresh legumes because they are harvested when the seeds have matured and dried. Their low moisture content allows them to be stored for long periods, making pulses an affordable and convenient pantry staple.
Pulses are eaten around the world and are valuable sources of protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making them an important part of many traditional diets.
Are Pulses Healthy?
Yes! Pulses can be an important part of a healthy, balanced diet.
Pulses provide protein and fiber while generally being low in saturated fat. The fiber in pulses can help support digestive health and may help you feel full longer. Including pulses in meals is also a great way to add plant-based protein and important nutrients to your diet.
Try adding pulses to soups, salads, stews, casseroles, or tasty grain bowls. They can also be used as a protein-rich ingredient in many meatless meals.
What Are Legumes?
You may be wondering: If pulses are legumes, what is the difference?
Legumes are a larger group of plants that produce seeds in pods. This group includes beans, peas, lentils, chickpeas, peanuts, and soybeans.
For example, a dried chickpea is a pulse, while a fresh green pea is a legume but is not considered a pulse.
What Are Lentils?
Lentils are small, lens-shaped edible seeds that belong to the legume family. They are also classified as pulses.
Lentils are valued for their protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They come in several varieties and colors, including brown, green, red, yellow, and black. Their different colors and sizes can add variety to meals in both flavor and appearance.
Lentils grow in pods on relatively small, bushy plants. When the pods mature and dry, they are harvested and opened to obtain the seeds. Lentils are used in cuisines around the world, including those of India, the Mediterranean region, and North America.
The word “lentil” comes from the Latin word lens, which refers to their characteristic lens-like shape.
Add Pulses to Your Plate
Pulses are versatile, nutritious, affordable, and easy to keep on hand. Whether you choose lentils, chickpeas, dry beans, or dry peas, there are many ways to enjoy them.
Try adding chickpeas to a salad, lentils to a soup, or beans to chili or a grain bowl. You may be surprised by how easy it is to incorporate pulses into your meals!
The next time you hear the word “pulses,” remember: these small seeds can provide big nutritional benefits. Add pulses to your meals as part of a balanced and healthy diet.
Want to learn more? Check out my UF/IFAS Extension Family and Consumer Sciences food blog series.
Chickpeas: A Healthy Legume – https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/browardco/2026/07/27/chickpeas-a-healthy-legume/
Papaya: A Nutritional Powerhouse – https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/browardco/2026/06/03/papaya-a-tropical-nutrition-powerhouse/
Green Beans: Love the flavor- https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/browardco/2025/09/15/green-beans-love-the-flavor/
Brighten Your Plate with Blueberries – https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/browardco/2025/07/07/brighten-your-plate-with-blueberries/
Pineapple- A tropical treat full of flavor and fun – https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/browardco/2025/07/03/pineapple-a-tropical-treat-full-of-flavor-and-fun/
Terrific tomatoes-Flavor, nutrition and versatility – https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/browardco/2025/05/27/terrific-tomatoes-flavor-nutrition-and-versatility/
Beets: Delicious Beets – https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/browardco/2025/05/20/beets-delicious-beets/
An Apple a Day – https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/browardco/2024/12/13/does-an-apple-a-day-really-keep-the-doctor-away/
Eggs Are a Good Source of Protein – https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/browardco/2024/09/13/eggs-are-a-good-source-of-protein/
Onions – https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/browardco/2024/06/27/onions-onions-onions/
Avocados – https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/browardco/2024/05/01/delicious-avocados/
Bananas – https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/browardco/2024/04/17/go-bananas-on-national-banana-day/
Dietary Fiber – https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/browardco/2023/07/05/dietary-fiber/
Watermelon – https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/browardco/2023/07/05/sweet-and-tasty-watermelon/
Strawberries – https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/browardco/2023/03/27/enjoy-seasonal-strawberries/
Pumpkin – https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/browardco/2022/10/26/celebrate-national-pumpkin-day/
Vitamin C – https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/browardco/2022/05/04/orange-juice-is-one-good-source-of-vitamin-c/
Follow a rainbow for good health – https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/browardco/2022/03/01/follow-the-rainbow-for-good-health-during-nutrition-month/
Vitamin C – https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/browardco/2020/01/21/star-fruit-a-source-of-vitamin-c/
Pumpkins – Decoration or food? – https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/browardco/2018/10/22/pumpkins-decoration-or-food/
Mango Season – https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/browardco/2018/08/10/its-mango-season-in-south-florida/
UF/IFAS Extension, Food is Medicine. https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/food-is-medicine
Brenda Marty Jimenez, MHM, RDN, LDN, FAND is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian with a Master of Science in Human Resource Management. Her professional areas include disease prevention, nutrition, wellness promotion, and food safety. She is a UF/IFAS Extension Agent IV in Broward County, Florida.
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.
An equal opportunity institution.
5
