According to a study out of St. Michael’s Hospital, “Eating one serving a day of beans, peas, chickpeas or lentils could contribute to modest weight loss, a new study suggests. Eating about 3/4 cup (130 grams) each day of these foods known as pulses led to a weight loss of 0.34 kilograms (just over half a pound), in a systematic review and meta-analysis of all available clinical trials on the effects of eating pulses.”

Furthermore, “The meta-analysis looked at 21 clinical trials involving 940 adult men and women, who lost an average of 0.34 kg (0.75 pounds) over six weeks with the addition of a single serving of pulses to the diet–and without making a particular effort to reduce other foods. Pulses have a low glycemic index (meaning that they are foods that break down slowly) and can be used to reduce or displace animal protein as well as “bad” fats such as trans-fat in a dish or meal.”

“Knowing which foods make people feel fuller longer may help them lose weight and keep it off. ‘Though the weight loss was small, our findings suggest that simply including pulses in your diet may help you lose weight, and we think more importantly, prevent you from gaining it back after you lose it,’ Dr. de Souza said.”

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St. Michael’s Hospital. “Eating beans, peas, chickpeas or lentils may help lose weight and keep it off: United Nations and the Food and Agriculture Organization have designated 2016 as the International Year of Pulses.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 30 March 2016. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/03/160330135255.htm>.