Families planning several homemade lunches
If you can cook in advance, a large bag of dried pulses can be used for several meals. Just remember to allow time for soaking and cooking, as directed for the product you choose.
Who are these sizes for?
Parents making lunch on the day
For a salad, hot meal or side dish without any advance soaking, pulses that are already cooked are a better choice when time is short.
Households mindful of ingredients and allergens
Compare the ingredients, salt content, allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings, especially when switching from plain pulses to a mixture or ready meal.
What should you look for?
For school holiday lunches, first decide whether you can prepare ahead or need a quick meal. Then compare the quantity you can actually use and the ingredients in the product you choose.
Large bag of dried pulses
Choose this: if you want to make several lunches from one pack.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to soak or cook them according to the product instructions; a large bag doesn’t mean lunch is ready straight away.
Pulses that are already cooked
Choose this: to quickly make a salad or serve alongside a meal.
Bear in mind: quantities vary depending on the tin, jar or multipack; the number of containers alone doesn’t tell you how many portions you’ll get.
Ready meal with pulses
Choose this: when lunch needs to be ready in a few minutes.
Bear in mind: it’s a different recipe and serves a different purpose from a bag of plain pulses. The 250 g Bjorg quinoa and chickpea dish contains wheat bulgur, among other ingredients.
| What to consider | What to check | Relevant to |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation time | Check whether the product is dried, already cooked or a ready meal, then read the instructions. | If I’m deciding what to have for lunch on the day, I want to avoid needing to soak anything in advance. Around 42% of consumers would make speed their top priority. |
| Quantity for several meals | Compare the net weight, drained weight if given, and the stated number of portions. | If I’m planning several lunches, I want to divide up the contents without choosing based on the container size alone. For around 33% of consumers, planning quantities would be a priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients, salt content, allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the label. | When I’m sharing a meal with people who have dietary requirements, I need to check the exact recipe rather than go by its name. Ingredients would be the top consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming a large bag of dried pulses is ready to serve
A bag of dried chickpeas can be used for several meals, but you’ll need to plan ahead. E.Leclerc’s instructions for its chickpeas include soaking them overnight.
If you’re making lunch on the day, choose pulses that are already cooked, or cook the dried pulses in advance according to the pack instructions.
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Comparing only the number of containers
A tin, multipack, bag of dried pulses and ready meal don’t provide the same usable quantity or level of preparation.
Before deciding whether a size will suit several lunches, check the net weight, drained weight if shown on the label, number of portions and type of product.
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Judging the ingredients by the name of the pulse alone
A chickpea-based dish may contain other ingredients: Bjorg’s quinoa and chickpea recipe includes wheat bulgur. Allergen and ‘may contain’ warnings can also vary from one product to another.
Read the label on the product you’re buying, even if you’ve bought it before.
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Decanting a large bag without checking the container
Auchan’s 1 kg bag of dried chickpeas should be stored away from heat and moisture before opening. A biscuit tin isn’t automatically suitable for storing the contents once they’ve been decanted.
Check that the container is clean, dry, suitable for food contact and seals properly. Keep the packaging details too, including the best-before date and preparation instructions.
Retailers and brands to consider
Carrefour
Worth comparing if you’re looking for ready-cooked chickpeas in different pack sizes.
- Carrefour’s range includes products in 265 g, 420 g, 530 g and 680 g sizes, as well as a pack of 3 × 200 g.
- Check the product and its availability at your chosen store or collection point.
E.Leclerc / Bio Village
An option for comparing organic green lentils sold by weight with dried chickpeas.
- The Bio Village listing gives France as the origin of the main ingredient in the green lentils featured; E.Leclerc’s chickpea listing includes preparation instructions.
- Check availability at your selected store or Drive location, as well as the instructions for each product.
Auchan
Useful for distinguishing a large bag of dried pulses from pulses sold ready to use.
- Auchan’s dried chickpea listing gives a pack size of 1 kg, 13 portions per pack, and storage and preparation instructions.
- Tins, jars and bags of dried pulses serve different purposes: compare their ingredients and preparation instructions.
Lidl / Goldensun
A range of organic dried pulses to look into if it’s available when you’re shopping.
- The Goldensun page features lentils, split peas, haricot beans, chickpeas and kidney beans.
- The offer viewed was dated and linked to Lidl Plus, so check which products are available when you shop.
Aldi / Fleurs des Champs
Worth considering if 500 g is a better fit for your planned lunches than a large stock-up.
- Aldi’s page features 500 g packs of green lentils or haricot beans.
- Check the size and instructions on the product you choose, as well as its in-store availability.
Bjorg
Worth considering for a ready meal with pulses rather than a large bag of dried pulses.
- Bjorg says its 250 g quinoa and chickpea dish is ready in 2 minutes.
- The recipe also contains wheat bulgur, so compare the ingredients if you’re looking for pulses on their own.
Joybuy products for these lunches
These products let you compare chickpeas for a quick lunch with several large bags of pulses for planned meals. Choose according to the preparation time and the quantity you actually need.
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GÜNES VADIS Chickpeas 820 gr
For putting together a quick lunch with chickpeas that are already cooked. Check the drained weight on the packaging to plan your portions, and read the label if lupin is an allergen you need to avoid in your household.
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TRS Red split lentils 2 kg
A 2 kg bag to consider for several home-cooked lunches. Check the cooking instructions before planning your meal; the Joybuy listing for this product mentions that it may contain traces of gluten and nuts.
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Afroase Black-eyed beans 1 kg
For lunches prepared in advance: allow for the stated soaking time of 6 to 8 hours. The stated cooking time of 45 to 60 minutes is for making soup; check the instructions and allergen warnings on the packaging.
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TRS Mung Dal 2 kg
A 2 kg size to consider for several home-cooked meals. Check the preparation steps on the packaging before deciding when to serve lunch; this product is labelled as possibly containing traces of gluten and nuts.
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Afroase Light Red Kidney Beans 1 kg
A 1 kg bag to consider for several meals featuring light red kidney beans. Before planning how to prepare them, read the soaking and cooking instructions, along with the allergen warnings on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a ‘family pack’ will be enough for several lunches?
Compare the net quantity, drained weight if given, and stated number of portions with the meals you’re planning. Also check whether the product is dried pulses, pulses that are already cooked or a ready meal: the same quantity won’t serve the same purpose.
Can you make lunch quickly with dried pulses?
Yes, if you choose pulses that are already cooked, so you don’t need to soak them first. For dried chickpeas, follow the pack instructions: the E.Leclerc listing used as an example recommends soaking them overnight, then cooking them in a saucepan for up to 1 h 30.
What should I check if someone in my household needs to avoid certain allergens?
Check the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the exact product you’re buying. The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that allergens must be highlighted on the labels of pre-packed food in France; the Bjorg quinoa and chickpea dish mentioned here contains wheat bulgur, among other ingredients.
What information should I compare on a pre-packed food label?
When choosing between different sizes, check the product name, net quantity, ingredients, allergens and nutritional information. The DGCCRF also states that products carry either a use-by date or a best-before date, depending on the product; keep this information if you decant a large bag.