The Delicious Health Benefits of Lentils

When you enjoy a warm bowl of lentils, you’re enjoying one of civilization’s oldest foods. First cultivated in the Near East, this healthy, plant based food has been enjoyed for over ten thousand years. And for good reason. Lentils are one of the healthiest sources of plant based protein around in addition to their other nutritional benefits. What are the health benefits of lentils?

The high protein content of lentil has not gone unrecognized by the vegetarian community. A one hundred gram serving of this legume has around twenty-six grams of protein. Although rich in amino acids, the standard building blocks of protein, it does lack two essential amino acids, isoleucine and lysine. This means that other protein foods with these missing amino must to be added to the diet to form a complete protein. This can be accomplished by eating lentils with brown rice or another protein rich grain. A single serving of lentils provides sixty percent of the daily quota for iron, a mineral that vegetarians often lack sufficient quantities of. If you’re vegetarian, lentils should be a standard in your diet.

Even if you don’t plan on adopting a vegetarian diet, you can still enjoy the many health benefits of lentils. Lentils are a powerhouse of soluble fiber, the kind that protects the heart by lowering cholesterol levels. Most people don’t get enough heart healthy fiber in their diet and lentils provide an easy way to add fiber. The same soluble fiber found in lentils also helps to moderate blood sugar levels and promote digestive health.

What about the nutritional profile of lentils? Lentils are good source of the B vitamins as well as essential minerals, including iron. If you’re not a frequent meat eater, lentils can provide a delicious heart healthy alternative to animal sources of protein and allow a little diversion from a meat based diet. You can enjoy an entire cup of lentils and take in only a little over two hundred calories. Lentils are helpful for weight loss since their high protein and fiber content promote a feeling of satiety. Just another of the many health benefits of lentils.

Lentils are quite diverse from a culinary standpoint. They come in a variety of colors and sizes with each type having subtle differences in taste and texture. Lentils can be used to make fragrant soups, chili’s, and stews; added to salads; made into high protein “burger” patties; and used as meat substitutes in tacos, burritos, and in “meat” loaf. Dried lentils are inexpensive and easy to prepare in a slow cooker. The internet is full of delicious recipes using lentils.

If you’d like to experience the many health benefits of lentils, pick up a package of dried ones the next time you’re at the grocery store. They’re a tasty and healthy food that won’t break your budget.