Dry beans, lentils and peas are a popular and growing choice in the diet of Americans. Factors driving the growth in consumption of pulses include widespread interest in ethnic foods and changes in Americans' dietary awareness. As a group they are one of the most nutritionally-complete foods, inexpensive and widely available. High in protein, fiber and carbohydrates, and low in fat, these black beans, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, soybeans, lentils and peas have become a healthy and popular substitute for meat.