Lentils Nutrition Information

Lentils are a legume, one of the first cultivated foods. Lentils have to be sorted (to eliminate small stones), rinsed, then boiled, and take only about half an hour to prepare.

Fiber

Fiber lowers cholesterol levels and helps stabilize blood sugar. A cup of cooked lentils averages over 20g of fiber in both its soluble and insoluble forms.

Folate

Lentils contain folate, which lowers the amount of artery-damaging homocysteine levels in the blood. Folate is the naturally occurring form of folic acid, recommended for all women of child bearing age to prevent neural tube defects in their babies.

Protein

Lentils are an excellent source of protein, lacking only methionine to be considered a complete protein. They do contain the essential amino acids phenylalanine, valine, tryptophan, threonine, isoleucine, lysine and leucine.

Iron

Lentils provide a healthy source of iron for women who may experience deficiency due to menstruation. The iron in lentils is not accompanied by the fat and calories of iron obtained through red meat sources.

Caloric Content

Cooked lentils have approximately 230 calories per cup. Their fiber fills you up, helping you eat less and consume fewer calories at a meal.

References

• Lentils
• Lentil Facts
• Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Folate

Resources

• Super Foods For Your Healthy Lifestyle