Foods containing pulses (i.e. lentils, peas, beans, chickpeas) are digested slowly and result in a slow, sustained rise in blood sugar levels, which has the benefit of providing muscle with a prolonged source of energy. Pulse-based foods therefore have potential to improve endurance exercise performance. Pulses are also high in fibre and other “bioactive” ingredients which might improve blood cholesterol levels and therefore promote heart health. Objectives: The purpose of our research was to assess the effect of a one-month diet involving increased pulse food consumption (i.e. two pulse-based meals per day) on performance and health of soccer players during their playing season. In addition to the two pulse-based meals per day, players were given a pulse-based sport nutrition concept bar (the “Megabite”) before their soccer games. Players were assessed during the games by tracking the amount of distance they were able to run using a global positioning system. Results during the pulse-based diet were compared to soccer games played during a month when players were on their regular diet and given a commercially available non-pulse sport nutrition bar before games. Blood was also collected before and after each diet phase for assessment of cholesterol levels. Results: Players were able to run 7% greater distance for a given time played during games while they were on the pulse-based diet. The pulse-based diet also lowered total cholesterol to high density lipoprotein level (a marker of heart disease risk) by 25%. Conclusions: A pulse-based diet is a healthy strategy for improving performance in soccer players.