The document discusses the importance of pulses in meals provided by Akshaya Patra, India's largest mid-day meal program. It notes pulses provide essential protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber that support growth in children aged 5-18. Pulses also promote satiety and lower risk of cardiovascular disorders. Akshaya Patra serves meals with pulses daily to children across India to ensure their healthy development and reduce disease susceptibility.

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Why are pulses an
important ingredient in
meal?
The Akshaya Patra Foundation

2. The Akshaya Patra Foundation © 2017
Children’s charity Akshaya Patra has set examples of quality nutritious meal which is ideal
to be served to growing children in Bangalore and across the country. Being India’s one of
the top NGOs running a mid-day mealprogramme, the organisation focuses on serving
wholesome food to school children. This NGO strictly abides by the dietary norms as stated
by the Central Mid-Day Meal Scheme.
A human body grows remarkably fast between 5 and 18 years of age. When this growth is
stunted during childhood, the body becomes more susceptible to diseases. So it’s important
to ensure that the children are fed with the right diet. The charity organisation from
Bangalore is working in line with this consideration on a large scale across the country.
The ensure the meal is of top quality, the organisation uses pulses in all of its nutritious
meals that are being served every school-day. This sends out a strong message for
including pulses in every day meals. These benefits are:
1. Sufficient intake of Protein
The meals provided by Akshaya Patra consist of pulses liketoordal, fortified soy dal,
urad dal, cow pea, moong dal, green gram, sprouts, etc.It is a known fact that protein
is an essential building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin and blood. It helps in
building and repairing tissues. For ambitious students like Lakshmiwhostudies in a

3. The Akshaya Patra Foundation © 2017
school supported by the charity organisation in Bangalore, these healthy meals are
really a boon. The top NGO also makes people aware of these benefits as it
encourages them towards donating or charity fundraising.
2. Fulfilled with essential vitamins and minerals
Pulses are a source of the necessary vitamins and minerals which are good for
overall health. Minerals such as iron, potassium, magnesium, zinc and vitamin B
(folate, thiamine and niacin) are found in pulses. The beneficiaries get to consume
such meal though our School-lunch Programme. Various donations and charity
fundraising help us procure the ingredients through which we can ensure quality
meal for the children.
3. A satiating meal
While pulses are low in calories (260-360 kcal/ 100 g dried pulses), they are high in
fibre and complex carbohydrates, which means that they are slowly digested and
give a feeling of satiety. Pulses promote a steady, slow-burning energy while their
iron content helps to transport oxygen throughout the body, which boosts energy
production and metabolism.
4. Lower risk of cardiovascular disorders
If consumed in appropriate quantity, pulses can help in fulfilling as much as 60% of
the daily value of fibre required for the body. The fibre in the pulses is known to
improve heart health. Pulses are also rich in potassium which can lower blood
pressure by counteracting the effectsof sodium. The children studying in
government and government-aided schools of Bangalore and in other cities are
receiving a healthy diet every day served by this charity. This ensures that they
grow up with a lower risk of cardiovascular disorders.
So, gift new hopes and dreams to the children and contribute to their well-being by
engaging in charity fundraisingactivities. Donate today or fundraise for the cause.
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