Lentils Are a Tasty and Great Health Choice
I use my slow cooker to make lentil soup. It provides a great fragrance to the house during the day and a healthy, protein and fiber boost. Here are Lentil’s health benefits:
One cup (198 grams) of cooked lentils contains roughly:
- Calories: 230
- Protein: 17.9 grams
- Fiber: 15.6 grams
- Folate (vitamin B9): 90% of the RDI
- Manganese: 49% of the RDI
- Copper: 29% of the RDI
- Thiamine (vitamin B1): 22% of the RDI
Lentils can help reduce blood sugar compared to other foods. A study of more than 3,000 people found that those with the highest intake of lentils and other legumes had the lowest rates of diabetes. Some studies have shown that lentils benefit gut health by improving bowel function and slowing the rate that the stomach empties, which could help with digestion and prevent spikes in blood sugar.