More Superfoods in Childcare

Pulses are legumes - beans, peas and lentils - that have been dried. If there were a REAL superfood class, pulses would be it:

They are

Gluten and cholesterol free

Low in fat and sodium

Low glycaemic index

Excellent source of plant-based protein

High in iron, potassium, fibre and folate

They also

Improve soil fertility through nitrogen-fixation

Need low amounts of water to grow

Have a long shelf-life (years actually) (1)

So, they are good for our health AND for the planet! And they are also cheap in comparison with animal source of protein, like meat.

Last December, I participated in a scientific conference and one of the presentations I watched was about the missed opportunities to increase protein intake in early childhood educational settings by increasing the use of pulses or legumes.

This particular study is currently ongoing, but preliminary results show that children attending early childhood services usually have too much fruit and dairy and not enough protein while in care. (2)

This is important because around 50%, over one million, of Australian children under five years of age attend these services on an average of 34 hours per week, and have half to two thirds of their daily nutrition intake while there. So, it’s our duty to make it count, right?

The study has also found that the main hindrance for more legumes-based meals being served to children was due to childcare cooks’ lack of knowledge and confidence to cooking with legumes and pulses. This may not be your case, but it was the main problem the researchers found when surveying childcare centres around the country.

This, of course, is to no cook’s fault. There isn’t enough specific training nor regulation to assure qualified childcare cooks are able to make the most of legumes and pulses in their menu creation and daily cooking.

World Pulses Day

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) observes 10 February as the World Pulses Day. And I think it is just fitting that we celebrate it by taking more actions to increase children’s intake of pulses and you can be part of it:

Have a look at your menu and see if there is any dish you can re-create by adding legumes. Or even substitute some or all meat with legumes in some recipes. Maybe using more dips made of beans and chickpeas. Increase the number of days you serve baked beans on toast. Note that all forms of legumes are equally nutritious: dried, fresh, canned and frozen. So, go crazy!

Our eBook CHILDCARE KITCHEN - Allergies & Intolerances Friendly Recipes for morning and afternoon teas has many suggestions like dips, soups, snacks, cakes made with legumes that may give your menu some pulsing. 😉

Also, check the amazing recipes on the website No Money No Time, created by the University of Newcastle to help people find information and inspiration to cooking more nutritious meals at home.

References

(1) World Pulses Day | 10 February – Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (https://www.fao.org/world-pulses-day/en). (Website, 2025)

(2) Exposing Young Children to Plant-Based Protein in Early Childhood Education Setting – A Missed Opportunity. Dr. Audrey Elford (NSA Conference, 2024)