I'd guess rice & lentils might be cheaper (especially since they be can bought in bulk & stored), more nutritious, more readily available world wide and more sustainable.
It's important to account for the fact that plant foods often come with antinutrients (lectins, phytates, oxalates) which block absorption of vitamins. Most plant sources also supply only incomplete amino acid profiles.
Also, plant foods often have their vitamins amounts listed in the form of precursors and not the bio-available kind that your body can utilize without a conversion process. So, iron in spinach? It's not heme-iron, so it's not so great when you consider the above along with a high oxalate payload. Vitamin A in carrots? It in carotinoids such as beta-carotine rather than retinol which is the format your body uses. Your body prefers bioavailable forms of vitamins and nutrients, rather than spending energy converting to usable formats.
This is why animal foods are so hard to beat for nutrient density. E.g., herbivore animals graze on plants, converting the nutrients into animal-appropriate formats and fuller-spectrum proteins.
From what I've read, the fiber guidelines are basically made-up and not based on any formal nutritional controlled studies. When you think about it, fiber is literally undigestible plant material. It seems a bit strange for your health/body to depend on consumption of something which cannot be digested.
There's plenty of articles about fiber, here's just a short list I just found.
https://www.pharmacytimes.com/news/how-fiber-helps-prevent-c...
https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/Dietary_fi...
I've never heard of anyone dying from lack of fiber. Have you? Is there a medical condition for this?
I'm sure that some hunter gatherers ate plants containing fiber. We are omnivores and able to get calories from many different sources depending on availability in our environment. That still doesn't mean that fiber is a necessity or requirement.
A more objective view of the science is:
“...the interactions between meat, gut and health outcomes such as CRC [colorectal cancer] are very complex and are not clearly pointing in one direction... Epidemiological and mechanistic data on associations between red and processed meat intake and CRC are inconsistent and underlying mechanisms are unclear... Better biomarkers of meat intake and of cancer occurrence and updated food composition databases are required for future studies.”
"This article reviews the physiology of ingestion of fiber and defecation. It also looks into the impact of dietary fiber on various colorectal diseases. A strong case cannot be made for a protective effect of dietary fiber against colorectal polyp or cancer. Neither has fiber been found to be useful in chronic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome. It is also not useful in the treatment of perianal conditions. The fiber deficit - diverticulosis theory should also be challenged. The authors urge clinicians to keep an open mind about fiber. One must be aware of the truths and myths about fiber before recommending it.
... a strong recommendation cannot be made for a protective effect of dietary fiber against colorectal polyp or cancer. Despite a lack of evidence however, current recommendations are still to increase dietary fiber. In the latest position statement of the American Dietetic Association[3], increasing dietary fiber is still promoted to protect against colon cancer despite stating that there is no proof of efficacy in this regard ... Whilst it is not the intention of the authors to totally discourage fiber in the diet and the use of fiber supplements, there does not seem to be much use for fiber in colorectal diseases. We, however, want to emphasize that what we have all been made to believe about fiber needs a second look. We often choose to believe a lie, as a lie repeated often enough by enough people becomes accepted as the truth. We urge clinicians to keep an open mind. While there are some benefits of a diet high in natural fiber, one must know the exact indications before recommending such a diet. Myths about fiber must be debunked and truth installed."
Dr. Zoë Harcombe - 'What about fiber?' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KrmpK_Lckg
> I eat fruit most days, but not too much and because I like it, not because I think it is good for me. I eat a lot of vegetables/salads – locally grown/in season wherever possible. [...]. I do eat starchy carbs – just not daily. I enjoy porridge (plain oats and whole milk) – especially in the winter. I like brown rice and (veggie) curries/chilli.
https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Zo%C3%AB_Harcombe
Even if you don't believe in or care about any health benefits fiber may have, two benefits are immediate after eating them: they fill you up and make you feel full without containing any energy which helps mediate calorie consumption, and they make bowel movements easier, at least if you drink enough water. I believe most people would feel better if they ate more fiber instead of red meat and fries.
Eat as much fiber as you like. I don't think it's necessary to eat fiber to be healthy, but if you like it, eat it.
Also, I was under the impression that the vast majority of lectins are removed during preparation/cooking of plant foods
Are Vegetarians Healthier than Omnivores? A Soho Forum Debate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qDYl4zHmAg
Google said: a rhythmical throbbing of the arteries as blood is propelled through them, typically as felt in the wrists or neck.
edit: No need for the downvotes guys, I was genuinely curious. I bet not everyone knows pulses are legumes. Also OP used "pulse" in the singular, which most people (I think?) understand as the definition I pasted from Google.
When I'm extra lazy I also like Trader Joe's pre-spiced cans of black beans too.
* https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-pressure-cooker/
* https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-electric-pressure-coo...
* https://www.amazon.com/Pressure-Cooker-Perfection-Foolproof-...