8 Different Lentils That Are Good For Your Health

 


Ever wandered down the grocery aisle and felt overwhelmed by the range of lentils on the shelf? Lentils are part of the legume family and most commonly associated with Indian cuisine. But the history of lentils can be traced back to different ancient civilizations — from Egyptian to Greek. They used them for medical and cooking purposes, mainly because of two reasons: they are versatile and extremely nutritious.   


Lentils aren’t just one type fits all. There are different types of lentils, each with a unique nutritional profile. Now let's take a deeper look into 8 different types of lentils and their nutritional value. 

Urad Dal 

Urad Dal, also known as black gram, is an extremely nutritious lentil, most-popularly consumed in India. It’s a star ingredient brimming with nutrients such as protein, fat, vitamin B, iron, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Its rich nutritional content is known to aid digestion, improve skin health, boost energy, and be the perfect nutritional package for pregnant women. 

Toor Dal 

Toor Dal is a staple ingredient in Indian cuisine, especially South Indian - you won’t ever find an Indian pantry without Toor Dal. It’s rich in folic acid, fiber, protein, minerals, magnesium, phosphorus, and B vitamins that are known to regulate blood pressure, boost energy, regulate diabetes, and support digestive health. 

Masoor Dal

Masoor Dal is an internationally-loved pulse that is easy to cook, and you don’t necessarily need to soak these lentils before boiling them. It has the third-highest protein content of all plant-based food. 1 cup of Masoor Dal has 19 grams of protein, which is 31% of the recommended daily requirement. It’s also rich in phosphorus, fiber, protein, and calcium that are known to strengthen bones, support heart health, and boost immunity.  

Chana Dal

Chana Dal is one of the world’s first cultivated legumes and a superfood for pregnant women. It’s also one of the most versatile lentils and can be used to make dal, used as a thickening agent, and to make chutneys. Chana Dal is an excellent source of proteins, folic acid, antioxidants, and minerals that help maintain and produce red blood cells, support heart health, and prevent spinal cord and brain defects in the baby. 

Moong Dal

Also known as Mung Beans, Moong Dal is a small green legume that cooks quickly. These lentils contain protein, fiber, folate, vitamins, calcium, and minerals that help produce and maintain new cells, reduce the damage done by free radicals, build immunity, prevent folic acid deficiency in pregnant women, which helps prevent neural tube defects in babies. 

Green Vatana

Green Vatana is dried green peas and a must-have in your pantry because they are low in fat, can be easily incorporated into any recipe, are available year-round, and have a long shelf life. These lentils are rich in fiber, B-vitamins, phytonutrients, protein, and essential minerals that help lower cholesterol, regulate blood sugar levels, and lower blood pressure. 

At first glance, lentils can seem overwhelming and difficult to cook. But once you learn more about them, you’ll find that they’re one of the best and easiest ingredients to cook - and they pack a nutritional punch. You can add them to just about anything and can cook at least 5 completely different dishes with just one lentil! 

Danfe Foods has 100% pure and natural lentils that are free from GMOs, pesticides, preservatives, or any harmful ingredients. So if you’re looking to incorporate more plant-based protein into your meals, we’ve got you covered!

Location: United States

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