SASKATOON — Protein-packed pulses have been popping up on more menus since the United Nations declared 2016 the International Year of Pulses — and that's good news to nutritionists.
Carol Henry, assistant dean of nutrition at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, says pulses were once thought of as the poor man's meat.
But Henry says chickpeas, dry beans, dry peas and lentils are a critical part of the food basket.
She says they're a vital source of plant-based protein and should be eaten as part of a healthy diet.
Henry says people should consider pulses as an alternative protein, which might be easier on their wallets as meat prices are expected to increase.
The Saskatchewan Pulse Growers' website says Canada is the world's largest exporter of pulses.
In 2014, Saskatchewan produced more than 95 per cent of Canada's lentil and chickpea crop, and nearly two-thirds of its pea crop.