Perceived Benefits and Barriers Surrounding Lentil Consumption in Families with Young Children.

Abstract

Plant-based diets are advocated for prevention of chronic diseases. Lentils are an inexpensive plant-based meat alternative. This study determined perceived benefits and barriers to lentil consumption and how they relate to the demographics and nutritional knowledge of caregivers and consumption habits in families with children 3-11 years of age. A self-administered questionnaire measuring nutritional knowledge and perceived benefits and barriers to the consumption of lentils was completed by 401 caregivers in a school setting in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The majority of respondents were 26-45 years of age (83%) and female (76%). Respondents associated lentils with health benefits (91%). The most frequently reported barrier associated with consumption pertained to family acceptance: "if my child liked lentils I would make them more" (76% agreement). More than half (58%) of respondents stated they "never or rarely" consumed lentils (low-consumers). Of low-consumers, top barriers included lack of knowledge on how to cook lentils and a belief that family members would not accept lentils. Future promotion strategies should address the top barriers to lentil consumption. An understanding of the perceived benefits and barriers surrounding lentil consumption will help formulate approaches to increase consumption of lentils as well as pulses.