Dry Legumes Research Articles

Physicochemical and sensory properties of vegetarian pasta produced with pea (Pisum sativum) protein powder

Dry legumes are frequently preferred as a protein source in plant-based diets. In this study, the production of "pea pasta" with the addition of pea protein powder was aimed. Moisture, ash, protein, weight loss, volume, and cooking time characteristics of the pasta were examined. Additionally, the sensory properties of the produced pea pasta and its effect on individuals' satiety were investigated, and the results were evaluated. In all sensory analyses, the pasta sample containing 10% pea protein powder was the most preferred among 8 different criteria. It was observed that the satiety lasted longer when consumers consumed pasta containing 10% pea protein powder compared to the control pasta consumption.

Studies on Physicochemical Properties of Rice Bean (Vigna umbellata) Starch: An Underutilized Legume

Starch is a reserve carbohydrate present in plants. It is an important component for maintaining various quality attributes like texture, consistency, thickening in the food industry. The aim of the present study was to isolate starch from a legume named jack bean that is not very much famous and considered as underutilized-legume. The isolated starch was studied for various physicochemical properties. One-way analysis of variance was used in this study. The starch was isolated as a white powder from the dry legume by using standard method and the starch yield was observed to be 25.79%. Legume starch was further assessed for the chemical composition. The moisture, ash, fat, protein, fiber and carbohydrate content were 9.56%, 0.35%, 0.21%, 0.69%, 0.33%, and 89.19% respectively. The apparent and total amylose content was 37.62% and 40.83% with least gelation concentration at 6% of starch gel. Starch was further assessed for functional properties. The leached amylose displayed a rise in content from 6.56% to 9.50% with the corresponding increase in temperature from 65°C to 95°C that may affect gelatinization properties of starch. The water absorption capacity was 3.60 g/g while oil absorption capacity was 3.54 g/g. Further, the emulsion stability and emulsion capacity of native starch was 79.00% and 68.33% respectively that showed good stability of emulsion. Similarly, the swelling power and solubility of rice bean starch increased with the increase of temperature from 55-95°C. However, the opposite trend was observed for an increase in starch concentration from 1-4%. The effect of different concentrations at 6, 8 and 10% on freeze-thaw stability and storage studies showed that the expelled water decreased with the rise in starch concentration up to three consecutive storage days while no change was observed later during frozen gel storage. It showed good freeze thaw stability of starch. This underutilized legume attracted more attention from researchers due of its affordability and ease of availability. In dry farming circumstances with limited soil fertility, the legume yield consistently. Thus, this neglected legume that has minimal agronomic development but many qualities is a good substitute for starch. However, thorough study on the unique functional properties and other qualities of starch from rice bean has not been carried out. The results of this underutilized legume starch can provide opportunities to starch researchers and to the food industries that are frequently using conventional sources of starch from cereals, tubers and rhizomes.

GPER binding site detection and description: A flavonoid-based docking and molecular dynamics simulations study.

Flavonoids, a phenolic compounds class widely distributed in the plant kingdom, have attracted much interest for their implications on several health and disease processes. Usually, the consumption of this type of compounds is approximately 1 g/d, primarily obtained from cereals, chocolate, and dry legumes ensuring its beneficial role in maintaining the homeostasis of the human body. In this context, in cancer disease prominent data points to the role of flavonoids as adjuvant treatment aimed at the regression of the disease. GPER, an estrogen receptor on the cell surface, has been postulated as a probable orchestrator of the beneficial effects of several flavonoids through modulation/inhibition of various mechanisms that lead to cancer progression. Therefore, applying pocket and cavity protein detection and docking and molecular dynamics simulations (MD), we generate, from a cluster composed of 39 flavonoids, crucial insights into the potential role as GPER ligands, of Puerarin, Isoquercetin, Kaempferol 3-O-glucoside and Petunidin 3-O-glucoside, aglycones whose sugar moiety delimits a new described sugar-acceptor sub-cavity into the cavity binding site on the receptor, as well as of the probable activation mechanism of the receptor and the pivotal residues involved in it. Altogether, our results shed light on the potential use of the aforementioned flavonoids as GPER ligands and for further evaluations in in vitro and in vivo assays to elucidate their probable anti-cancer activity.

THE VARIABILITY OF THE TOTAL POLYPHENOLS CONTENT AND THE ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY IN THE VARIETIES OF SELECTED LEGUMES

The goal was to determine the variability of the total polyphenols content and the antioxidant activity in varieties of selected dry legume seeds, which were obtained from the soil of Piešťany. The soil in the Piešťany locality had a neutral soil reaction and was moderately humic. Of the risk elements, the total cadmium content exceeded the limit value by the Law No. 220/2004, but did not exceed the threshold value by the European Commission (2006). In the case of mobile forms of lead, the limit value by Law No. 220/2004 exceeded by 180%. The determination of the heavy metal content in legumes was performed using a flame AAS (instrument Varian AA Spectr DUO 240FS/240 Z/UltrAA). Based on the obtained results, we found the achievement of limit value of lead in 3 varieties of chickpea (Maškovský Bagovec, Kráľová from Krajová and Bušinský) and in 3 varieties of beans (Albena, Luna and Sina). For all 3 types of legumes, the difference between the individual varieties was statistically demonstrated when determining the total polyphenols content and the antioxidant activity values. Between species has been confirmed a statistically significant difference. The order of legumes based on the average decreasing content of total polyphenols is lentil>chickpea>bean and on antioxidant activity lentils>beans>chickpeas. The dependence of antioxidant activity on the total polyphenols has been confirmed in lentil varieties, in the case of chickpeas this relationship is statistically insignificant and a lower mean dependence was determined in beans.

Effect of fibrolytic enzyme supplementation on growth performance and nutrient utilization in Surti goat kids fed legume straw-based diet

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of exogenous fibrolytic enzyme (EFE) supplementation on growth and nutrient utilization in Surti goat kids for a period of 90 days. Eighteen kids (4 to 5 months of age, 7.41±0.61 body weight) were allotted to three treatments (6 each), as control (T1) and supplemented (T2 and T3). The kids were fed roughages comprising green Napier hybrid and dry legume straws (Pigeon pea, Cajanus cajan) with required amount of concentrate to fulfil the nutrient requirements. Supplementation of EFE was carried out in T2 and T3 @ 1.0 lakh and 1.5 lakh IU each of cellulase and xylanase per kg dry matter intake per animal per day, respectively. Nutrient intake was comparable; however the nutrient digestibilities of nutrients and fibre fractions were improved (p<0.05) on enzyme supplementation. Nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus was positively balanced; however levels were similar (p>0.05) among the treatments. Total body weight gain, average daily gain and feed conversion ratio was significantly (p<0.05) improved in T2 and T3. Increase (p<0.01) in the concentrations of total volatile fatty acids, total N and trichloroacetic acid precipitable nitrogen was observed on enzyme supplementation. Blood biochemical characters showed an increase in glucose and total protein values with decrease in serum urea level in T2 and T3, while triglycerides and cholesterol were comparable. Daily feed cost was higher (p<0.05) on supplementation but economic efficiency (Rs./kg gain) was not affected. Thus, it was concluded that supplementation of EFE improved the digestibility of nutrients, growth and feed conversion ratio without affecting feed intake and economics of feeding.

The Effects of Dietary Pattern on Metabolic Syndrome in Jiangsu Province of China: Based on a Nutrition and Diet Investigation Project in Jiangsu Province.

Metabolic syndrome, a complex group of metabolic disorders of energy use and storage, is considered as an important determinant risk factor for many cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to examine the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and dietary pattern among adults in Jiangsu Province of China. Data were from three rounds of cross–sectional nutrition and diet investigation projects in Jiangsu Province of China, which were conducted in 2002, 2007, and 2014 by Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention. A total of 13,944 participants with complete food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) were eventually included in this study after further data screening. The 2009 Joint Interim Statement for China was used to define metabolic syndrome. Three distinct dietary patterns were identified by factor analysis: the modern dietary pattern (rich in pork, poultry, vegetables, seafood, pastry food, other animal meats, fruits, milk and its products, soft drink, whole grains, nuts, and seeds, but low in wheat), vegetable oils/condiments/soy products dietary pattern (rich in vegetable oils, other condiments, salt, soy products, and fruits and low in dry legumes), and modern high–wheat dietary pattern (rich in wheat, tubers, fruits, and other animal meats, but low in rice). Higher intake of the modern dietary pattern and modern high–wheat dietary pattern were positively associated with metabolic syndrome in both unadjusted and adjusted models by genders, whereas higher intake of the vegetable oils/condiments/soy products dietary pattern had a negative relationship with metabolic syndrome in both unadjusted and adjusted models by genders (p < 0.05). Our study recommends reducing the consumption of animal meat products, especially processed meat products, and replacing animal oils with vegetable oils as the main supply of daily oils. Furthermore, more prospective and experimental studies are needed to confirm the relationship between dietary patterns and metabolic syndrome.

Food Security and Nutrition in Mozambique: Comparative Study with Bean Species Commercialised in Informal Markets

In Mozambique (South-eastern Africa), Phaseolus vulgaris and Vigna spp. are important staple foods and a major source of dietary protein for local populations, particularly for people living in rural areas who lack the financial capacity to include meat in their daily dietary options. This study focuses on the potential for improving diets with locally produced nutritious legumes whilst increasing food security and income generation among smallholder farmers. Using bean species and varieties commercialised as dry legumes in the country, it sets out to characterize and compare the chemical properties of Phaseolus vulgaris and Vigna spp. among the most commercialised dry legume groups in Mozambique. The principal component analysis showed a clear separation between Phaseolus and Vigna species in terms of proximate composition, whereas protein content was quite uniform in both groups. It concludes that the introduction of improved cultivars of Phaseolus vulgaris and Vigna species maize–legume intercropping benefits yield, diets and increases household income with limited and low-cost inputs while enhancing the resilience of smallholder farmers in vulnerable production systems affected by recurrent drought and the supply of legumes to urban informal markets.

Phytate, iron, zinc, and calcium content of common Bolivian foods and their estimated mineral bioavailability.

There is a scarcity of information on mineral and phytate content in plant‐based foods in Bolivia. This study aimed to analyze iron, zinc, calcium, and phytate content and estimate the mineral bioavailability of foods consumed in Chapare, Bolivia. Minerals and phytate were analyzed, and bioavailability was estimated in 17 food samples. Leafy vegetables and green legumes had the highest mineral content, followed by pseudocereals. Estimated mineral bioavailability was low for cereals, dry legumes, pseudocereals, and flaxseeds foods mainly due to phytate content. But estimated zinc bioavailability for black cornmeal, yellow corn, and dry peas was moderate. Strong correlations (p < 0.01) were found between the three minerals, while phytate correlated negatively to iron, zinc, and calcium. To get an overview of the estimated mineral bioavailability of plant‐based diets, we have included foods, from the same area, analyzed in a previous study where the evaluated diet covers 80% of RNI for iron and zinc, but <40% of calcium. In conclusion, leafy vegetables and green legumes had the highest contents of minerals and the lowest phytate content of the foods analyzed in the study. The usage of processing strategies and dietary diversification to reduce phytate content would significantly improve estimated mineral bioavailability in plant‐based diets.

Analysis of Hardening/Softening during Cooking in Dry Legumes and Influence of Soaking Treatment

Analysis of Hardening/Softening during Cooking in Dry Legumes and Influence of Soaking Treatment

Expansion and diversification of the gibberellin receptor GIBBERELLIN INSENSITIVE DWARF1 (GID1) family in land plants

Here we uncover the major evolutionary events shaping the evolution of the GID1 family of gibberellin receptors in land plants at the sequence, structure and gene expression levels. Gibberellic acid (gibberellin, GA) controls key developmental processes in the life cycle of land plants. By interacting with the GIBBERELLIN INSENSITIVE DWARF1 (GID1) receptor, GA regulates the expression of a wide range of genes through different pathways. Here we report the systematic identification and classification of GID1s in 54 plants genomes, encompassing from bryophytes and lycophytes, to several monocots and eudicots. We investigated the evolutionary relationship of GID1s using a comparative genomics framework and found strong support for a previously proposed phylogenetic classification of this family in land plants. We identified lineage-specific expansions of particular subfamilies (i.e. GID1ac and GID1b) in different eudicot lineages (e.g. GID1b in legumes). Further, we found both, shared and divergent structural features between GID1ac and GID1b subgroups in eudicots that provide mechanistic insights on their functions. Gene expression data from several species show that at least one GID1 gene is expressed in every sampled tissue, with a strong bias of GID1b expression towards underground tissues and dry legume seeds (which typically have low GA levels). Taken together, our results indicate that GID1ac retained canonical GA signaling roles, whereas GID1b specialized in conditions of low GA concentrations. We propose that this functional specialization occurred initially at the gene expression level and was later fine-tuned by mutations that conferred greater GA affinity to GID1b, including a Phe residue in the GA-binding pocket. Finally, we discuss the importance of our findings to understand the diversification of GA perception mechanisms in land plants.

Hard Cap Espresso Machine Extraction of Polyphenolic Compounds from Pulses

A hard cap espresso machine was employed for the extraction of polyphenolic compounds from food samples as dry legumes and pulses. 100 mg of ground dry sample was mixed with a dispersing agent and placed in a refillable stainless steel capsule with a borosilicate filter. A complete polyphenol extraction was achieved by using 150 mL ethanol 50 % (v/v) in water and determined by Folin-Ciocalteu spectrophotometric method. The method provided a limit of detection of 0.4 mg g&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;. The whole extraction procedure was achieved in less than one minute using the mild extraction conditions of 72°C and 19 bars given by the domestic machine. Fifteen varieties of food samples (3 lentils, 6 beans, 5 chickpeas, and 1 sorghum) were purchased in Spanish and Tunisian markets and analyzed by the proposed procedure. Obtained results were compared with those found by a reference extraction method based on ultrasound-assisted extraction, being statistically comparable. The content of polyphenolic compounds in the analyzed commercial samples varied from 4.6 to 5.5 mg g&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; for lentils, from 3.4 to 5.8 mg g&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; for beans, from 2.2 to 3.5 mg g&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; for chickpeas, and 3.0 mg g&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; for sorghum.

Polyphenols: Potential Use in the Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases.

Polyphenols are bioactive compounds that can be found mostly in foods like fruits, cereals, vegetables, dry legumes, chocolate and beverages such as coffee, tea and wine. They are extensively used in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD) providing protection against many chronic illnesses. Their effects on human health depend on the amount consumed and on their bioavailability. Many studies have demonstrated that polyphenols have also good effects on the vascular system by lowering blood pressure, improving endothelial function, increasing antioxidant defences, inhibiting platelet aggregation and low-density lipoprotein oxidation, and reducing inflammatory responses. This review is focused on some groups of polyphenols and their effects on several cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, oxidative stress, atherogenesis, endothelial dysfunction, carotid artery intima-media thickness, diabetes and lipid disorders. It is proved that these compounds have many cardio protective functions: they alter hepatic cholesterol absorption, triglyceride biosynthesis and lipoprotein secretion, the processing of lipoproteins in plasma, and inflammation. In some cases, human long-term studies did not show conclusive results because they lacked in appropriate controls and in an undefined polyphenol dosing regimen. Rigorous evidence is necessary to demonstrate whether or not polyphenols beneficially impact CVD prevention and treatment.

Kinetics of Cooking Presoaked and Unsoaked Dry Legumes: Analysis of Softening Rate of Soybeans and Red Kidney Beans

Kinetics of Cooking Presoaked and Unsoaked Dry Legumes: Analysis of Softening Rate of Soybeans and Red Kidney Beans

&lt;b&gt;Growing tropical forage legumes in full sun and silvopastoral systems

Growth was evaluated three tropical forage legumes in two cropping systems: silvopastoral system (SSP) and full sun. A completely randomized design was adopted in factorial three legumes (estilosanthes cv. Campo Grande (Stylozanthes macrocephala x Stylozanthes capitata), tropical kudzu (Pueraria phaseoloides (Roxb.) Benth) and macrotiloma (Macrotyloma axillare cv. Java)) x two farming systems, with 4 repetitions. A eucalyptus SSP already deployed, with spatial arrangement of 12 x 2 m between trees was used. Legumes were planted in January 2014 a uniform cut being made in May 2014. The court assessment was carried out 125 days after the uniformity cut. There was difference for mass production of dry legumes (PMMSL) between cultivation systems, evidencing increased productivity in the farming full sun. The macrotiloma showed higher PMSL (5.29 kg DM ha-1 cut-1), while the kudzu obtained the lowest yield (3.42 kg DM ha-1 cut-1) in the sun growing full. The cultivation of legumes in SSP increased the levels of mineral matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber. The shade provided by the SSP caused a reduction in the mass of dry matter production, but also altered the chemical composition of the studied legumes.

Legume Protein Isolates for Stable Acidic Emulsions Prepared by Premix Membrane Emulsification

Proteins originating from dry legumes are not that much used in food formulations, yet, they are interesting components from a sustainability point of view, and could have interesting functional properties, e.g. for emulsion preparation. Therefore, this work focuses on the potential of the water soluble part of pea, chickpea and lentil protein isolates under acidic emulsions (pH 3.0) using a novel mild technique: premix membrane emulsification. Pea proteins (PP) and chickpea proteins (CP) lower the interfacial tension in the same way as whey protein isolate (WPI), which suggests that they could facilitate emulsion droplet formation similarly as WPI, while lentil proteins (LP) are slightly less effective. It is possible to make oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions with an average droplet diameter (d4,3) of ~5 μm after 5 cycles in the premix system. The droplet size distribution of the emulsions remained constant during one day of storage, indicating that legume proteins are able to form and kinetically stabilize O/W emulsions. CP and PP exhibited emulsifying properties comparable to those of WPI, whereas LP is slightly less efficient, therewith indicating the great potential and that pea and chickpea protein isolates hold as emulsifiers in acidic food formulations.

Occurrence of Foodborne Pathogens and Molds in Turkish Foods

A survey of the occurrence of food pathogens like Salmonella, Listeria, Escherichia, Clostridium, Bacillus and Staphylococcus analyses were performed on 301 food samples from 8 different food categories such as dry legumes, milk products, meat products, fish, frozen foods, deserts, nuts and vegetables and fruits. Yeast and mold analyses were also performed on 364 food products from 9 main food categories such as dry legumes, milk products, meat products, seasonings, deserts, nuts, bee products, bakery products and dried fruits produced in Turkey. S. aureus and Salmonella were the most prevalent (1.33%) of the six isolated pathogens. The species Cl. perfringens, L. monocytogenes and B. cereus were detected with the ratios of 1.00%, 0.66% and 0.66%, respectively. Total yeast and molds occurrence were 1.65% and 9.06%, respectively. Pathogens were detected in cream cheese, spinach, strawberry and cod fish most prevalently, whereas dried fig, chilli pepper, hazelnut and bakery products were determined as foods prone to the growth of molds. The results of this study suggest that faecal contamination of water needs to be prevented, and the production and storage conditions of food materials should be improved. These findings have implications for the use of these surveillance data in developing evidence-based food policy.

Chickpea genetic resources to enhance production in changing climatic scenario

Chickpea is one of the dry edible legumes with best nutritional composition as it does not contain any specific major antinutritional or toxic factors. The seeds have an average of 23% protein and 80% of the crops’s nitrogen requirements are met from symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Chickpea has several desirable agronomic characteristics and it is one of the most heat and drought-resistant crop and suitable for production in low moisture and fertility soils. Chickpea remarkably predominates among other pulse crops in terms of both area and production in India. To meet with the ever increasing demand for new varieties with desirable traits, the genetic resources of chickpea are of immense value for the breeders. Due to rapid changes in the agro-ecological conditions throughout the world, the chickpea genetic resources comprising of wild species, old and primitive cultivars, land races endowed with superior gene complexes are being rapidly eroded. Efforts for augmentation of chickpea genetic resources were undertaken by importing the diverse germplasm from various parts of the world. The exotic introduction in chickpea comprises germplasm with resistance to various biotic and abiotic stresses and its wild species for utilisation in crop improvement programmes in India.

Editorial (Thematic Issue: “Dietary Polyphenols: Well beyond the Antioxidant Capacity”)

In the last decades epidemiological studies and associated meta-analyses have strongly suggested that long term consumption of plant foods (fruits, vegetables, cereals, dry legumes, and beverages like wine, coffee and tea) offers protection against development of oxidative stress related pathologies, such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis and neurodegenerative diseases [1, 2]. These results have prompted research to study polyphenols, following the discovery of their antioxidant and radical scavenger activities [3]. So, the antioxidant properties of polyphenols have been widely studied from the mid- 1990s, but the latest research indicates that the mechanisms of action of polyphenols go beyond the modulation of oxidative stress [3]. Polyphenols protective activity can be ascribed to their capacity of interact with cellular functions at different levels, such as affecting gene expression, protein synthesis and enzyme activities, binding to membrane or nuclear receptors as either an elective ligand or a ligand mimic. Recently, it has been also demonstrated the antibacterial activity of some polyphenols against multidrug-resistant bacteria [4]. The goal of this special issue is to present novel results about dietary polyphenols healthy properties, with particular attention to their mechanisms of action. On behalf of all authors, we hope that this issue of Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology will promote novel ideas and provide prospects for theirs scientific activity. Finally, we would like to thanks all the contributors and reviewer for their precious and valuable contribution in this issue.

Soluble carbohydrates in legume seeds

AbstractMature dry legume seeds may contain up to 30 different soluble carbohydrates. Sucrose is a major component of the total soluble carbohydrates; others include the raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs; raffinose, stachyose, verbascose) that are mono-, di- and tri-α-galactosyl derivatives of sucrose. Other galactosides may include α-galactosyl derivatives of the cyclitolsmyo-inositol (galactinol, digalactosylmyo-inositol and trigalactosylmyo-inositol),d-pinitol (galactopinitol A, digalactosyl pinitol A (ciceritol) and trigalactosyl pinitol A; and galactopinitol B; higher galactosyl oligomers of galactopintiol B have rarely been detected),d-chiro-inositol (fagopyritol B1, fagopyritol B2 and fagopyritol B3) andd-ononitol (galactosyld-ononitol and digalactosyld-ononitol). Small amounts ofmyo-inositol,d-pinitol andd-chiro-inositol may also be present. Raffinose, stachyose and verbascose increase late in seed maturation, with 70% of RFOs accumulating after maximum seed dry weight is attained. RFOs are mostly degraded during germination. Sucrose,myo-inositol,d-pinitol andd-chiro-inositol are synthesized in maternal tissues of some legumes and are transported to and unloaded by seed coats into the apoplastic space surrounding developing seed embryos. Free cyclitols may be 60% of total soluble carbohydrates in leaves and 20% in seed coat cup exudates. Increasing the supply of free cyclitols may increase the accumulation of their respective α-galactosides in mature seeds. Seeds with reduced RFO accumulation, but with normal to elevated concentrations of galactosyl cyclitols (including fagopyritols), have normal field emergence and are also tolerant to imbibitional chilling under laboratory conditions. Molecular structures, biosynthetic pathways, accumulation of soluble carbohydrates in response to seed-expressed mutations and the physiological role of galactosides are reviewed.

Nutritional status of children with an intellectual disability

The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional status of economically disadvantaged 7- to 18-year-old children with mild or moderate intellectual disability in Turkey. The research was conducted in Izmir. Children with mild or moderate intellectual disability with poor socioeconomic status and their families who applied to the Counseling Research Center between May 15, 2010 and June 15, 2010 constituted the sample. The sample consisted of 70 families. The data were collected by filling out questionnaires through face-to-face interviews, and height and weight measurements were also taken. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated. BMI percentile values were determined according to the curves used for Turkish children. Of the children, 70% (n=49) had normal weight, 5.7% (n=4) were underweight, 17.1% (n=12) were overweight, and 7.1% (n=5) were obese. Of the children, 61.4% consumed milk and milk products, 2.9% meat products, 34.3% eggs, 58.6% dry legumes, 61.4% vegetables, 62.9% fruits, 98.6% bread and cereal food group, 100% oil, and 11.4% oil seeds every day. A total of 42.9% (n=30) of the mothers stated that they use foods as a reward. In this study, we found that children did not consume enough animal protein sources, such as meat, fish, and chicken. Multifaceted studies should be undertaken to prevent obesity in children with intellectual disabilities. Planning social aids to the nutrition of economically disadvantaged children may be beneficial for the health of those children.