Lentils are a great source of:
- Fibre: One half cup (125 mL) of cooked lentils has almost 8 grams of fibre, which, is about 30 percent of what you require for the day. Eating a diet high in fibre helps lower cholesterol, reduces your risk of heart disease and makes your digestive system happy!
- Potassium: Bananas are often touted as being high in potassium, which they are. But did you know that a 1/2 cup (125 mL) of cooked lentils has over 350 mg of potassium, which is 10 percent of your daily requirement and the same amount as a large banana. Potassium is essential for maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance and, therefore, helps to regulate blood pressure.
- Folate: Lentils are high in folate (folic acid) a B-vitamin(9) that is instrumental in cell development and repair and is especially important for pregnant women as it helps prevent neural-tube defects such as spina bifida. One half cup of cooked lentils is 45 percent of your daily requirement for folate!
- High Protein, Low Fat: Half a cup (125 mL) of cooked lentils contains 115 calories and less than half a gram of fat. It also has 9 grams of plant-based protein, which is almost 20 percent of the protein you require for a day!
- Blood Sugar Control: Lentils have a low glycemic index value which means that when you eat them they are digested slowly and don’t spike your blood sugar levels. This is good for people with diabetes or at risk of developing diabetes. It is also helpful if you are trying to lose weight!