1. A legume is any plant in the Fabaceae family that would include its leaves, stem, and pod.  Pulses are the dried, edible seeds of legumes.  All pulses are legumes, but not all legumes are pulses.
2. Legumes contain protein and fiber and are generally low in fat.  Legumes, as a part of a balanced diet, can help lower chronic disease risk such as heart disease or diabetes.
3. If consuming legumes cause gas or bloating, try incorporating 1/8 cup at a time into your diet to help your body get used to them.  Black beans and red lentils tend to be more easily digested.  If preparing dried beans, soak them in water for 3 hours, then dispose of this water, prior to cooking them to make digestion more comfortable.

For more information, check out our full presentation here.