May 27, 2026
A new scientific tool designed to measure adherence to the latest Planetary Health Diet recommendations reinforces the growing importance of pulses among the key food groups — for both human and planetary wellbeing.
Scientists continue to position pulses among the foods expected to shape the next generation of climate-conscious dietary patterns.
A new paper published in The Lancet introduces an updated way to measure adherence to the Planetary Health Diet — and pulses remain one of its central pillars.
The study presents the new “EAT–Lancet Index 2.0” (ELI 2.0), a scoring system designed to evaluate how closely diets align with the latest recommendations from the EAT–Lancet Commission for both human and planetary health.
Among the 15 major food groups included in the index, pulses stand out as one of the seven “emphasised” categories. The updated framework recommends a target intake of 75 grams per day for pulses — including beans, lentils, chickpeas and peas — with higher consumption contributing to better adherence scores. The recommended intake for pulses remains aligned with previous EAT–Lancet guidance, reinforcing the long-term role these crops are expected to play in sustainable food systems.
The paper reinforces the growing scientific consensus around pulses as nutrient-dense foods capable of supporting healthier diets while helping reduce the environmental footprint of food systems. Beans, lentils, chickpeas and peas are recognised for their high protein and fibre content, while also requiring fewer natural resources than many animal-based protein sources.
Pulses / Planetary Health Diet / EAT-Lancet Index 2.0 / sustainable diets / food systems sustainability
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