Lentils are brimming with fiber, which is crucial to satisfying your hunger and reducing your appetite. This food is rich in soluble fiber, which also lowers blood cholesterol as it gives you that full feeling you need to avoid temptation and help with weight loss.
Not only that, but because they boast a bevy of nutrients, lentils are finally gaining the recognition they deserve as a great source of low-fat protein, making them the perfect substitute for meat. They are in the legume category and can be considered a vegetable or a protein, but not both at the same meal. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggest eating about three cups of legumes each week to maintain a healthy diet.
1. Lower Cholesterol – Lentils help to reduce blood cholesterol since it contains high levels of soluble fiber. Lowering your cholesterol levels reduces your risk of heart disease and stroke by keeping your arteries clean.
2. Heart Health – Several studies have shown that eating high fiber foods like lentils reduces your risk of heart disease. Lentils are also a great source of folate and magnesium, which are big contributors to heart health. Folate lowers your homocysteine levels, a serious risk factor for heart disease. Magnesium improves blood flow, oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. Low levels of magnesium have been directly associated with heart disease, so eating lentils will keep your heart happy!
3. Digestive Health – Insoluble dietary fiber found in lentils helps prevent constipation and other digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulosis.
4. Stabilized Blood Sugar – Adding to the many benefits of fiber, soluble fiber traps carbohydrates, slowing down digestion and stabilizing blood sugar levels. This can be especially helpful for those with diabetes, insulin resistance or hypoglycemia.
5. Good Protein – Of all legumes and nuts, lentils contain the third-highest levels of protein. 26 percent of lentil’s calories are attributed to protein, which makes them a wonderful source of protein for vegetarians and vegans.
6. Increases Energy – Lentils increase steady, slow-burning energy due its fiber and complex carbohydrates. Lentils are also a good source of iron, which transports oxygen throughout your body and is key to energy production and metabolism.
7. Weight Loss – Although lentils include all these beneficial nutrients like fiber, protein, minerals and vitamins, they are still low in calories and contain virtually no fat. One cup of cooked lentils only contains about 230 calories, but still leaves you feeling full and satisfied.
Cooking method- Take a big plate and put lentils in it and then inspect and separate the damaged seeds, stones and other foreign matters. Rinse the left seeds under the running water for instant cooking or soak them in water for one night or some hours. This will cut down the cooking time efficiently. It will also remove the substances that can cause indigestion.
Cook lentils in a slow cooker on a stove or gas. Different forms of this lentil take varied times to get cooked. For example, yellow split peas may take around 15-20 minutes while green or red lentils may just take 10-12 minutes. You can add sauteed spices, like onion, garlic and ginger, to the cooked lentils. This will increase their flavor. Add chillies and salt as per your taste. Enjoy eating this daal with rice or wheat flatbread, chapatti or roti.