Noord Residents Discover Lentils, Eggs, Tofu Beat Daily Meat

Residents across Noord picked up 18 percent more dried beans and legumes last month than in the same period of 2025, according to sales tracked at three central grocers.

The change tracks with summer training schedules for local cycling clubs and the push from city wellness groups to keep energy steady during longer daylight hours. People who run the paths along the Noord Canal or join group workouts at the old dockyards report needing reliable protein that does not require heavy cooking after evening sessions.

Stocking up on local streets

The Noord Weekend Market on Docklands Avenue opens at 8 a.m. Saturdays and carries 25-kilogram sacks of chickpeas and red lentils from regional growers. A short walk away on Park Lane, the Healthy Plate Program at the Noord Community Centre runs free tasting sessions every Tuesday evening where staff demonstrate how to prepare egg-based frittatas and edamame salads for under five euros per serving. Both locations accept the city’s wellness discount card that knocks 10 percent off plant-protein staples.

Numbers behind the shift

Data released on 1 July by the Noord Public Health Office showed average daily protein intake from non-meat sources rose to 38 grams among adults aged 25 to 45, up from 29 grams two years earlier. At the same time, the average price for a kilogram of minced beef at Noord butchers reached 14.80 euros, while a kilogram of dried lentils sat at 2.90 euros. The report also noted that participants in the community centre classes maintained muscle-recovery markers within normal range despite the lower meat intake.

Anyone starting this week can pick up a 500-gram bag of split peas at the market, boil them with local onions and herbs, then portion the results for three lunches. The centre posts updated shopping lists every Monday on its noticeboard for those who want to repeat the same pattern through the rest of July.