4 Ways Lentils Help with Weight Loss

Posted by Healthy Bitch Daily on Jan 15, 2013

Old Man Winter has you freezing your tits off. 

And while shivering may help you torch some calories (or getting busy with your boo under that warm down comforter), there's an easier way.

Add lentils to your diet.

These petite little beans that were once used as packing material are actually nutrition powerhouses—and they're a great way to fill up without filling out. Lentils have been around forever, and they were actually one of the very first foods to be cultivated. As part of a healthy diet, they can help curb hunger, steady your blood sugar and give you slow-burning energy.

1. Calories

Lentils are relatively low in calories, with one cup ringing up at about 230. And since 26 percent of the calories in lentils are made up of protein and only about 10 percent come from simple sugars, they're "good" calories from a nutritional standpoint.

2. Fiber

The incredibly high fiber content in lentils means they will not only fill you up, but they'll help you lower your cholesterol and ward off things like heart disease and diabetes. One cup of cooked lentils had 16 grams of fiber, which will help prevent ravenous cravings, keep you satiated and allow you to detoxify and "eliminate" properly.

3. Protein

Lentils have the third highest amount of protein in the plant world. Just one cup of cooked lentils provides you with 18 grams of protein, which also helps you maintain even-keel energy and burn calories efficiently.

4. Folic Acid

Lentils provide 90% of the recommended daily intake of folic acid, which helps to stabilize insulin levels (along with vitamin B12 and vitamin C) and use up protein—a must for burning fat.

Cooking 

Lentils don't need to be pre-soaked! They're easy to cook, and their subtle yet hearty flavor makes them complimentary to salads, soups, vegan burgers—the sky's the limit. Here's an easy recipe:

Rosemary Lentil Loaf

via Cheap & Simple Vegan

What You Need

2 cups of cooked lentils

1 cup of shredded sweet potato

1 cup of chopped celery

½ onion, chopped

1 cup of quick oats

3 cloves of garlic, minced

1 cup of tomato sauce

About 2 teaspoons dried crushed rosemary

Salt, to taste

How to Make It

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add tomato sauce and mix to combine, seasoning with more salt if desired. If mix seems too dry, add some more sauce. If too wet, add more oats.

Pack mixture in a bread/loaf pan and brush with some extra sauce.

Bake for about 35-45 minutes, or until loaf is heated through. Don’t burn it!

Have a good lentil recipe/favorite way to cook? Tell us in the comments section below!
Emily Harrison, Guest Blogger
Emily Harrison holds a B.A. in English Literature from Roger Williams University, and is currently working towards her Master’s degree in Holistic Nutrition with the University of Natural Health. Originally from Rhode Island, Emily currently calls St. Louis home where she spends her time playing with her three rescue dogs and writing screenplays. She is, however, making her way to Austin, Texas where she will start her business as a holistic sports nutrition consultant, continue writing screenplays and of course, write for HBD.