Pulses (beans, peas, lentils and chickpeas) are healthy foods that contain twice the amount of protein as cereals, are very high in fibre, key vitamins and minerals like folate and iron and are low in fat. Canada is the world’s largest producer and exporter of lentils and peas, and Alberta produced 34 per cent of the pea crop and 12 per cent of beans in 2010. Current consumption of pulses in Canada is low due to a lack of pulse-based convenient food products. An approved health claim can drive interest in development of food products with particular ingredients as seen with oat beta-glucan. Experts agree that existing evidence for the cholesterol-lowering effects of pulses is particularly strong for beans, but more studies are needed to show the effects of peas, lentils and chickpeas are comparable to beans. In this study, people with high levels of blood cholesterol will consume 90 grams of either beans or peas every day for six weeks to determine the effects of pulse consumption on cholesterol lowering. Results from this study will be used to substantiate a health claim for beans and other pulse crops in the future.