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Pulse Discovery Toolkit, a Multicomponent Nutrition Intervention for Preschool Children in Childcare Centers: Mixed
Hiwot Abebe Haileslassie1,2, Renee Ramikie1, Hassan Vatanparast1,3
1College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
Interactive Journal of Medical Research
|May 22, 2026
Summary
The Pulse Discovery Toolkit (PDTK) intervention aimed to increase preschool children's familiarity with and consumption of pulse-based foods in childcare centers (CCs). While not statistically significant, some improvements were noted, and the toolkit showed feasibility with minor recipe and lesson modifications.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Food Education
Background:
- Early childhood is critical for establishing healthy eating habits, including the introduction of novel foods like pulse-based products.
- The Pulse Discovery Toolkit (PDTK) intervention was developed to enhance preschool children's familiarity with and consumption of pulses in childcare centers (CCs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of the PDTK intervention on preschool children's knowledge, acceptability, and consumption of pulse-based foods.
- To assess the feasibility and acceptability of the PDTK intervention among early childhood educators (ECEs) and cooks.
- To compare the nutritional content and food group servings of PDTK recipes with standard childcare center recipes.
Main Methods:
- A 3-month intervention in two childcare centers (CCs) involving 50 children and 8 staff.
- The intervention integrated taste exposure and nutrition education through weekly lessons, a food service guide, and parent newsletters.
- Mixed methods were employed, including pre- and post-intervention knowledge tests, plate waste measurements, sensory evaluations, and interviews with ECEs and cooks.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant improvements in children's identification of chickpeas, beans, or peas were observed.
- Children consumed less intervention pulse-based recipes compared to regular recipes, with significant differences in total food consumption and protein content noted.
- High acceptability was reported for specific pulse-based recipes (refried bean wrap, lentil smoothie), and intervention recipes generally had lower energy, fat, and sodium content.
Conclusions:
- The PDTK intervention demonstrated feasibility in childcare centers, with positive feedback from educators and no reported barriers from cooks.
- Minor modifications to lesson age-appropriateness and recipe preparation ease are recommended for successful implementation.
- The PDTK holds potential for promoting regular pulse consumption among preschool children with necessary adjustments.
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