LIDOtips - Lentils

These legumes are wonderfully versatile, and absolutely delicious, as well as being particularly warming on a cold winter day.

That being said, they can be enjoyed just as much in a spring or summer salad. But more on that another time!

There is a wide variety of lentils available: green, brown, yellow, red, Puy and Beluga.

They are a fantastic source of protein and iron, so if you are vegetarian, or trying to consume less meat, these are a great addition to your diet. They are also packed with potassium, zinc and B vitamins.

Lentils have strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They are tied to a decreased risk in heart disease, and increasing levels of “good” HDL cholesterol. Being low in calories also means that they are a nutritious addition in a weight loss context.

You don’t need to soak them before cooking them, but we do recommend adding some cumin to the water you cook them in, to help make them less gassy!