Pulse-based Foods for Alleviation of Negative Consequences of Sedentary Behaviour
The hypothesis is that consumption of pulse-based foods (i.e. containing chickpeas, lentils, and split peas) during the workday will improve insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, blood lipids, body composition, and blood pressure in sedentary office workers.One-hundred office workers from a university campus will participate in a cross-over study where they will be randomized (i.e. assigned by chance) to receive pre-packaged pulse-based lunches and snacks to replace their usual lunches/snacks during the work day OR to continue consuming their usual diets for two months. After the first dietary intervention, they will undergo a 1-month "wash-out" and then participate in two months of the opposite dietary intervention. The main outcome to be assessed is change in glucose and insulin (i.e. blood sugar control) determined during an oral glucose tolerance test. Secondary outcomes include changes in body composition, lipids, and blood pressure. During the pulse-based diet phases, participants will be supplied with a ready-to-eat lunch and two snacks to eat during each workday. These will contain a total of 150g/d dry weight (250g/d wet weight) pulses
Start: May 2019