Last updated on 8-8-2025 by Laïla Boulbayem
Why do we study dietary patterns of the population?
- What we eat and drink has a direct impact on our health and well-being. By studying dietary patterns in the population (What foods are eaten? At what frequency? By whom?), we can identify areas for improvement and make informed decisions to promote better diets. This knowledge helps address the risk of diet-related diseases and supports the development of healthy, sustainable food systems.
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The current page is focused on general consumption of pulses. More information on the comparison of the habitual intake of pulses with dietary guidelines can be found here.
How do we study the consumption of pulses?
- The consumption of pulses was assessed, overall and for different population groups, using data from two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls. Trained interviewers recorded twice, on two non-consecutive days, all the foods and drinks that participants had consumed on the previous day using a specialised computer program (GloboDiet®).
- The mean consumption of pulses (in grams per day) was calculated using the average consumption, over the two recall days of each participant. Since mean distributions are skewed, comparison between population subgroups should be interpreted with caution.
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In addition to the 24-hour recalls, participants (or parent in case of children) also completed a Food Frequency Questionnaire: they reported how often they consumed a specific food or food group in the last 12 months. On this page, we present the frequency of frequency of pulses consumption using the following categories: “Never”, “less than once a week”, “1 time per week”, “2-4 times per week”, “5-6 times per week” and “once a day or more”.
- The detailed methodology can be found here.
What is included in the group of “pulses”?
- The results obtained on the basis of data from 24-hour food recalls include:
- Pulses such as lentils, chickpeas, brown beans, white beans, soy beans, etc.
The results linked to data derived from the Food Frequency Questionnaire include:
- Pulses and pulse-based spreads such as hummus, lentil paste, bean dips, etc.
KEY RESULTS
The mean pulse consumption is 4 g per day in the population aged 3 years and older
The frequency of pulse consumption is similar for men and women
The proportion of persons never eating pulses is the highest among children (43%) and the lowest among young and middle-aged adults (26%)
The mean pulse consumption is more important for individuals with a high level of education (7 g per day) than for those with a medium (4 g per day) or (3 g per day) low level of education
Individuals in Flanders and Wallonia have on average similar levels of pulse consumption
By sex
Mean consumption of pulses (g/day) in the population aged 3 years and older, by sex, Belgium: 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Mean consumption refers to the population mean consumption, calculated from the individual mean consumption over two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls.
- The mean pulse consumption is 4 g/day in the population aged 3 years and older.
- The mean consumption of pulses is 4 g/day among women and 5 g/day among men.
Frequency of pulse consumption in the population aged 3 years and older, by sex, Belgium: 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- 43% of the population consumes pulses less than once a week and 30% of the population never consumes pulses.
- There are no differences in pulse consumption frequency between men and women.
By age
Mean consumption of pulses (g/day) in the population aged 3 years and older, by age, Belgium: 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Mean consumption refers to population mean consumption, calculated from the individual consumption over two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls.
- Older adults (65 years and above) do not include those residing in care facilities, hospitalised individuals, or those who would have required significant assistance during interviews (e.g., people with cognitive impairments).
- The mean consumption of pulses is 5 g/day for individuals aged 18-39 and 40-64 years, compared to 3 g/day for children aged 3-9 years, adolescents aged 10-17 years and older adults aged 65 years and above.
Frequency of pulse consumption in the population aged 3 years and older, by age, Belgium: 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Older adults (65 years and above) do not include those residing in care facilities, hospitalised individuals, or those who would have required significant assistance during interviews (e.g., people with cognitive impairments).
- 43% of children never consume pulses, which is higher than the proportions in adult age groups (aged 18 and above).
- In contrast, the proportion of adults consuming pulses less than once a week is higher (42% of adults aged 18-39 years, 45% of adults aged 40-64 years, 46% of adults aged 65 years and above) than that of children (34%).
- More adults aged 18-39 years (11%) and 40-64 years (10%) than children (6%) consume pulses 2 to 4 times per week.
By educational level
Mean consumption of pulses (g/day) in the population aged 3 years and older, by educational level, Belgium: 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Mean consumption refers to population mean consumption, calculated from the individual consumption over two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls.
- The educational level is calculated at the household level by considering the highest diploma obtained by: (i) the respondents or their partner for adults (aged 18 years and above), or (ii) the father and mother (or carer, if applicable) for children and adolescents (aged 3 to 17 years). However, for simplicity, we refer to the educational level of individuals rather than the educational level of their households.
- Individuals with low and medium levels of education have a lower mean pulse consumption (3 g/day and 4 g/day, respectively) than those with a high level of education (7 g/day).
Frequency of pulse consumption in the population aged 3 years and older, by educational level, Belgium: 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- • The educational level is calculated at the household level by considering the highest diploma obtained by: (i) the respondents or their partner for adults (aged 18 years and above), or (ii) the father and mother (or carer, if applicable) for children and adolescents (aged 3 to 17 years). However, for simplicity, we refer to the educational level of individuals rather than the educational level of their households.
- The proportion of individuals never consuming pulses decreases with increasing education level: from 39% among individuals with a low education level, to 26% among those with a medium education level and 18% among those with a high education level.
- Individuals with a high level of education are more likely to consume pulses once a week or 2 to 4 times a week, compared to individuals with medium and low levels of education.
By region
Mean consumption of pulses (g/day) in the population aged 3 years and older, by region, Belgium: 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Mean consumption refers to population mean consumption, calculated from the individual consumption over two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls.
- Brussels is excluded from the regional comparison due to an insufficient number of participants, but is included in the national data for Belgium.
- The mean pulse consumption is similar in Flanders and in Wallonia (3 g/day and 4 g/day, respectively).
Frequency of pulse consumption in the population aged 3 years and older, by region, Belgium: 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- Brussels is excluded from the regional comparison due to an insufficient number of participants, but is included in the national data for Belgium.
- The highest frequency of pulses consumption in both regions is less than once a week.
- Individuals in Wallonia are less likely to consume pulses 2 to 4 times a week than individuals in Flanders.
- There are no regional differences in the frequency of pulse consumption.
Please cite this page as: Sciensano. Food Consumption: Pulses, Food Consumption Survey 2022-2023, June 2025, Brussels, Belgium, https://www.sciensano.be/en/results-national-food-consumption-survey-2022-2023/food-consumption/pulses