The benefits of lentils for pregnant women, possible harm, how to eat

Is it possible to eat lentils during pregnancy?

While carrying a child, the expectant mother often has dietary restrictions for various reasons related to health conditions.

But lentils during pregnancy are one of the products that are very difficult to do without without depriving the unborn baby of essential elements and vitamins. Therefore, a woman expecting a child needs to get acquainted with this representative of the legume family and make it part of her diet.

The wonderful properties of lentils

The statement that pregnancy, the most important stage in the life of every woman, is beyond doubt. The expectant mother wants to see her child smart, healthy, beautiful, and the long period of gestation is colored with pleasant thoughts about expecting a miracle.

But along with various reasons, the health of a pregnant woman and her unborn child is greatly influenced by good nutrition. It must be said that lentils are completely undeservedly relegated to the back shelf by our women.

Everyone knows peas and beans and they prepare very tasty dishes from these legumes. But lentils, like the stepdaughter of an evil stepmother, often end up on the margins. Many, even experienced housewives, do not pamper such an important product with their attention. And in vain.

Lentils, and these are not big words, are a real storehouse of essential vitamins and microelements necessary for the expectant mother and for the construction and formation of all body systems of the unborn baby.

Beneficial properties of lentils for the pregnant woman's body

If we talk about the main advantages of lentils, then they are:

Successfully fights constipation.
Increases immunity, helps to escape from vitamin deficiency, containing vitamin C.
Containing potassium, magnesium, zinc, and iron, they normalize the functioning of the nervous system and cardiovascular system, strengthen the heart muscle, and increase hemoglobin.
The presence of folic acid in lentils prevents abnormalities in the development of the neural tube in the fetus and promotes the proper formation of the spine.
And, as a rule, pregnant women are prescribed folic acid supplements during this period. Lentils are rich in this substance, so the expectant mother should definitely eat dishes from this valuable product 2-3 times a week.
The presence of vitamin B5 improves cerebral circulation, preventing headaches.
And the presence of tryptophan in lentils, which is converted into serotonin in the body, helps a pregnant woman cope with stress, improving her mood.
The high fiber content allows the expectant mother to not experience difficulties with the gastrointestinal tract, get rid of constipation, promoting regular bowel movement.

Lentils are also distinguished by a whole list of microelements that are important for building the cells of a growing baby. Just 100 g of lentils contain a daily dose of silicon, molybdenum, and magnesium. The presence of selenium, potassium, and phosphorus is slightly below the daily norm.

To prevent low hemoglobin levels, iron-rich lentils are recommended to be consumed with vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C for complete absorption.

Such an impressive list of the wonderful qualities of this crop certainly shows that lentils for pregnant women are simply necessary, and a rare product can compete with it in its irreplaceability for use during this crucial period for a woman.

Possible harm from lentils

Like any other product, lentils have their shadow sides and you need to pay attention to them.

Women with gastrointestinal problems and diseases need to listen to their body.
If you suffer from increased gas formation or nausea, then you will have to eat this type of legume less often or completely eliminate it from your diet.
Lentils are also not recommended for pregnant women with kidney disease.
And women who are overweight need to be a little more careful due to the high calorie content of lentil dishes.

Lentil porridge for pregnant women

For expectant mothers for whom lentils are not contraindicated, the simplest dish that does not require long preparation is lentil porridge. It's very easy to prepare.

Cooking lentil porridge

Soak the lentils for 20 minutes. After soaking, drain the old water and add new water. Boil the lentils until the consistency of porridge. And, when it is almost ready, add to it a pre-prepared mixture of onions, carrots, and butter.

The mixture can be prepared in any suitable manner. You can simmer it a little on the stove, or you can cook it in the microwave.

And a wonderful dish for expectant mothers is ready!

Source: https://mama-news.ru/materinstvo/mozhno-li-chechevitsu-pri-beremennosti.html

How is the product useful for weight loss?

The glycemic index of the product is 30. When losing weight, nutritionists recommend eating foods with low glycemic index. This is from 10 to 40. Lentils are great for this.

It’s good to eat lentil porridge in the morning, as it will be filling, moderately high in calories, and healthy. Cereals contain molybdenum, which promotes faster processing of carbohydrates, as well as fiber, which gives us a long-lasting feeling of fullness.

If you want to lose weight, then you should limit yourself to some “goodies”. Do not eat fried, flour, sweets, spicy, fast food. Drink up to 2 liters of liquid per day, give preference to greens, fruits, and vegetables. You can sit on such a lentil mono-diet for no more than 5 days.

Why lentils are useful during pregnancy: 2 types of wonderful plants

It is so customary that for lunch or dinner in our area they usually eat meat and a side dish for it. At the same time, many people prefer porridge, beans or potatoes as a side dish. Buckwheat, pasta, potatoes, rice, peas, pearl barley and wheat are the main dishes that are prepared as a complement to meat.

However, sooner or later this list gets boring and you want something unexpected. To diversify your diet, you don’t have to buy any exotic products; you can use what’s available in every supermarket. Lentils are an excellent option for preparing the main dish.

This legume has a pleasant taste and wonderful texture, but, unfortunately, not many people know how tasty and healthy this product is. But eating lentils can bring many benefits, especially during pregnancy.

Let's talk about this amazing legume and figure out what its exceptional benefits are.

The benefits of lentils for women during pregnancy

Many people love legumes for their soft texture and rich flavor. However, for some reason, dishes made from peas and beans are more common than dishes made from lentils. But if you try to prepare this delicious product, you will no longer be able to refuse it.

Lentil beans have been found in the tombs of the pharaohs. Therefore, this plant is considered one of the first cultivated products.

Lentils are an environmentally friendly plant that does not accumulate toxins. It is rich in protein and other beneficial microelements, which is why it is loved by vegetarians. Expectant mothers should not give up lentils either, because they can prepare the female body for lactation and bring many benefits.

Benefits of lentils for pregnant women:

Lentils have a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract. It eliminates heartburn and constipation.
The large amount of vitamin B and other vitamins makes lentils an excellent remedy against vitamin deficiency. This legume is also useful for boosting immunity.
Lentils contain potassium. Thanks to this, it promotes the formation of new blood cells.
It is believed that lentils may act as a preventative against breast cancer;
This legume has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular and nervous system. This is due to the large amount of potassium and magnesium contained in it.
Thanks to lentils, serotonin is better formed, which is called the hormone of joy. This plant exerts this effect due to the tryptophan it contains.
Substances contained in lentils help slow down the aging process.
Normalizes blood pressure.
Porridge and lentil soup will not let you gain weight. This legume is considered a dietary product.
Lentils are incredibly beneficial for breastfeeding.

As you can see, lentils are incredibly useful not only during pregnancy, but also in everyday life. This side dish can be consumed in small quantities even by a nursing mother.

Red lentils: benefits and harms

Red lentils have a spicy taste and pronounced aroma. It cooks well, and therefore can be an excellent base for soups and purees. After cooking, it becomes soft and gets rid of the skin.

To make the lentils softer and cook faster, you need to soak them in cool water for half an hour.

Red lentils have many beneficial properties. It is much healthier than peas or beans.

Properties of lentils:

Red lentils help reduce blood cholesterol levels. This cleanses the blood vessels and reduces the risk of stroke.
Red lentils help relieve constipation. It also helps get rid of other digestive diseases.
Lentils contain large amounts of folic acid and magnesium, which are especially necessary for pregnant women. With a lack of these substances, various pathologies of the fetus are possible.
Red lentils can normalize blood sugar levels.
This legume also contains iron, which is easily absorbed by the body. Therefore, it is recommended to include lentils in your diet if you have low hemoglobin.

Like all foods, lentils have their drawbacks. It has properties that, if used incorrectly, can cause harm to the body.

Harm of red lentils:

Lentils, like all legumes, can cause flatulence. Therefore, this product is not very useful for people with intestinal diseases.
Lentils can speed up the formation of kidney stones. Therefore, if you already suffer from such a disease, consume lentils in very limited quantities.
If salts are deposited in the joints, you should also not overuse lentils. Otherwise, this plant may accelerate the progression of the disease.

In most cases, red lentils can only bring benefits to the body. However, if you have contraindications, then you should not abuse this product. But even in this case, you can afford to eat a small portion of lentils from time to time.

Green lentils: benefits and harm

Green lentils are in no way inferior to red ones in terms of the number of beneficial properties. This beautiful legume is harvested while still unripe, and therefore contains large quantities of soluble and insoluble fiber.

Not all expectant mothers know how beneficial green lentils are, but this type of lentil is considered the healthiest legume.

Green lentils are beneficial for everyone to include in their daily diet. This legume is especially necessary for those who are on a diet, fasting or pregnant.

Indications for consumption of green lentils:

Lentils literally have a healing effect on hypertension;
This legume is useful to use for symptoms of ulcers;
Lentils have a beneficial effect in the treatment of cholecystitis;
For pyelonephritis, you should also pay attention to this product;
Lentils are also useful for hepatitis;
Hepatitis can be cured using lentils.

Lentils are not a medicine, but they contain microelements that, in combination with medications, can help overcome a lot of diseases. Contraindications for green lentils are the same as for red ones. Here, these two types of legumes are absolutely no different.

Which lentils are healthier?

Many women who watch their diet ask: “Which lentils are healthier, red or green?” It is impossible to answer this question unequivocally, despite the fact that green lentils are recognized as the healthiest legume. However, both types of lentils contain a large amount of useful substances.

In addition to green and red lentils, orange legumes of this variety are sometimes displayed on store shelves. Such lentils are useful for bone injuries, poor nervous system and tuberculosis.

So, both types of lentils are equally healthy. We advise you to use both options. After all, red lentils look better in some dishes, and green lentils look better in others.

Which type of lentils is best suited for which dishes:

For salads, choose green lentils. It is more aromatic and stronger, and therefore less boiled.
Green lentils are also better suited as a side dish for meat. In this case, it is better to season it with fried and raw green onions.
It is more convenient to make porridge or puree from red lentils. It cooks better, has a smooth texture and a wonderful aroma.
It is also better to add red lentil soup. It will cook faster and impart its piquant aroma to the food.

During pregnancy, you can use lentils to prepare absolutely any of the following dishes. However, look at the expiration date of the product. Sprouted lentils are especially valued. It is widely known among vegetarians.

Lentil dishes: benefits, harm and recipes

In order for lentils to be tasty and bring only benefits, you must follow the recipe for its preparation. There are many ways to prepare this legume, but we have chosen the most convenient and delicious ones for you.

Methods for preparing lentils:

Sort out a glass of lentils, add five glasses of water and leave to soak for half an hour. Cook the beans in the same pan until completely softened.
Fry the meat until done. Place carrots and onions in the remaining oil after frying. Fry the vegetables, add broth and tomato juice. Add meat to soup and simmer for at least 1 hour. You will get lentil soup.

These simple recipes are perfect for every day. After experimenting a little with cooking methods, you will see that lentils can be used both in festive and everyday life.

Nutrition for pregnant women: benefits of lentils (video)

Lentils are a tasty and healthy legume. It contains large amounts of plant protein and can be used for a variety of purposes.

Source: https://mamafm.ru/beremennost/pitanie/chem-polezna-chechevitsa

What problems can lentils relieve?

The body's protective properties are improved.
Metabolic processes are stimulated.
A decoction of these beans will help with stomach problems (thin for constipation, thick for diarrhea),
Fiber helps cleanse the intestines of toxins. The product is especially useful for stomach ulcers and colitis.
If you eat dishes with lentils at least a couple of times a week, you can normalize the functionality of your heart and blood vessels. This is an excellent prevention of hypertension and atherosclerosis.
The product is useful for people with diabetes because it reduces the amount of glucose in the blood.
Normalizes iron levels, which is good for anemia.
With sufficient consumption, you can avoid problems with the kidneys and liver.
It is good to cook dishes with cereals during and on the eve of magnetic storms.
Cereal flour has healing properties, and if you mix it with butter in equal proportions, you can eliminate burns.

Lentils are beneficial for pregnant women. One serving of soup or porridge will replenish the daily requirement of folic acid. This food can even relieve infertility and make it easier to survive menopause and PMS.

Lentils during pregnancy

Never tried lentils? Don't be upset! Pregnancy is the right time to fall in love with this product. There is no need to push the bag filled with lentils to the far shelf. You can prepare a lot of healthy dishes from it.

Lentils come in different colors. It can be colored red, brown or green. One thing remains unchanged: the product tastes good!

In ancient Egypt, lentils were considered an aphrodisiac that increased sexual desire. Jews have long been of the opinion that soup made from this legume is a healthy food worthy of noble people!

Composition and beneficial properties of lentils

Lentils normalize the functioning of the digestive tract. The product improves immunity and helps fight vitamin deficiency. Lentils help slow down the aging process and eliminate chronic fatigue.

The product contains a large amount of potassium. Therefore, lentils improve the condition of the cardiovascular system. The product reduces the likelihood of a low-quality tumor.

Magnesium contained in lentils has a beneficial effect on the nervous system. It also contains tryptophan. This substance takes part in the formation of serotonin in the body.

In addition, lentils contain B vitamins. They help normalize blood pressure.

Importance of the product during pregnancy

Lentils are considered a “female product”. It helps cope with premenstrual symptoms. Lentils are recommended to be eaten during menopause. The product must certainly be present on the menu of a pregnant woman.

Lentils can combat the following problems:

Iron-deficiency anemia;
increased fatigue;
nervous disorders;
frequent constipation;
excess body weight.

Lentils are rich in folic acid. It prevents the appearance of congenital defects of the brain and nervous system in a child. Folic acid helps remove harmful substances from the body.

Lentils contain protein necessary for the full development of fetal muscles. Moreover, the product is rich in fiber, which helps reduce cholesterol in the body and helps improve the functioning of the digestive organs.

If a pregnant woman suffers from frequent migraines, she should also buy a bag of lentils. The product is rich in vitamin B5. It helps resist stress and relieves headaches. Vitamin B5 improves blood supply to brain tissue.

Delicious lentil dishes

When purchasing lentils, you should pay attention to the following details:

Condensation should not form on the surface of the bag with fresh lentils;
a quality product smells like nuts;
Lentils suitable for human consumption must be free of mold.

Important! Lentils absorb moisture very well, so it is recommended to store them in small fabric bags. The bag with the legume plant should be kept in a darkened and well-ventilated area. In a room with high humidity, lentils can spoil in 7 days. This circumstance should be remembered!

Lentils go perfectly with carrots, tomatoes, and sweet peppers. It can be used when preparing dishes from lamb, pork or veal. In order to emphasize the delicate taste of lentils, use basil, turmeric or celery. Salads are seasoned with both olive and vegetable oil.

Lentil soup is beneficial during pregnancy. A little pre-diluted garlic and aromatic herbs are usually added to the first dish. When preparing soups, it is recommended to boil the product until soft. You can add semi-hard lentil “coins” to salads.

Important! Lentils need to be cooked correctly. If a plant is subjected to prolonged heat treatment, most of the vitamins and minerals contained in it are lost. Therefore, it is not recommended to cook the product for more than 25 minutes.

Lentil porridge is a tasty and healthy dish!

The expectant mother should remember the recipe for its preparation. The following ingredients are added to the dish:

1 medium sized carrot;
2 cups lentils;
1 onion;
salt;
a small amount of vegetable oil.

Preparation:

First, you need to thoroughly rinse the lentils, then fill the product with water for twenty minutes.
After this, the liquid is drained.
Lentils are again mixed with water in a ratio of 1:2.
Add salt to the dish and place the dish on medium heat.
After the water boils, turn the heat to low.
After 25 minutes the porridge is turned off.
Carrots and onions, prepared in advance, are added to the dish.
The vegetables are first grated on a fine grater, mixed with vegetable oil and heated in the microwave for three minutes.
The finished dish can be sprinkled with a small amount of herbs.

Harm to the product

Lentils are digested quite slowly. Therefore, lentils should be eaten in small portions. Otherwise, a pregnant woman may experience unpleasant consequences such as stomach upset, nausea and headaches. For the expectant mother, such side effects pose a considerable danger, since the deterioration of her health negatively affects the condition of the baby.

In the first trimester of pregnancy, it is recommended to avoid eating lentils, as the woman may experience increased toxicosis. If the expectant mother has kidney pathologies, joint diseases and diseases of the digestive tract, care must be taken when using the product.

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Source: https://spuzom.com/chechevica-pri-beremennosti.html

Methods of use

One of the most delicious dishes that uses this legume is lentil porridge.

. It would be a good idea for the expectant mother to write down her recipe.

Ingredients

: 2 cups lentils, 1.1 onion, salt, a little pepper, vegetable oil. The lentils are washed and can be soaked in water for 20 minutes.

Afterwards, drain the old water and fill the lentils with fresh water in a ratio of 1:2. That is, there should be 2 parts of water per part of the beans.

Salt, pepper, put on a good fire. After the water has boiled, turn the heat to low and cook the porridge for 20-25 minutes. At this time, mix the grated onions and carrots with vegetable oil and heat in the microwave for 3 minutes.

When the porridge is cooked, add onions and carrots to it, you can sprinkle a little herbs on top.

Lentil soup will also be delicious.

, it will be prepared according to the same scenario that you usually prepare pea or bean soup.

Lentils - “Live Healthy!” program

Lentils during pregnancy: benefits and harms

Being in an “interesting position,” every woman tries to eat healthy foods. In our article we will talk about a very interesting legume - lentils and its effect on the body of a pregnant woman.

What is useful for pregnant women

The benefits of lentils during pregnancy are very great. Unfortunately, many have not even tried this culture, but in vain, since it contains many useful substances .

The culture is rich in folic acid (vitamin B9), which is necessary to prevent birth defects in the unborn baby (anencephaly, spina bifida). Half a glass of legumes contains 179 mg of vitamin B9, and during pregnancy a woman’s body needs about 600 mg per day.
The proteins that make up lentils contribute to the proper development of muscles in the fetus and participate in the formation of new cells.
Due to the potassium content in the culture, proper blood circulation is ensured and blood pressure is normalized.
Fiber can cope with gastrointestinal disorders, prevent the gain of extra pounds, lower cholesterol levels, and relieve a pregnant woman from frequent constipation.
Thanks to the presence of vitamin B5, lentils improve the biological functions of the brain and help cope with migraines, stress and severe headaches.
Legumes are rich in iron, so eating them will protect you from anemia.
By regularly eating lentils, you can get rid of heartburn.
The product contains nicotinic acid (vitamin PP), which ensures normal fetal development.

Important! You should not consume the product every day and in large portions, since, despite the small amount of fat, it is quite high in calories.

The seeds also contain a lot of phosphorus and magnesium, calcium, sodium, manganese, copper and a microdose of selenium.

Can there be harm?

Lentils can be harmful for pregnant women in the following cases:

beans are digested rather slowly, which can sometimes cause headaches, nausea or gastrointestinal disorders;
If you have urolithiasis, it is better to avoid consuming this crop, as it can cause kidney stones.

Did you know? In Latin, lentils are called “lens”, which translates as “lens”. It was this word that became the basis for the name of optical, biconvex lenses, the shape of which is very similar to a grain of lentil.

How to choose the right one when purchasing

The crop is sold by weight or in packages. If you purchase a packaged product, be sure to inspect the packaging - it must be intact. When purchasing, you should pay attention to the quality of the crop :

good lentils have a crumbly structure;
when purchasing packaged legumes, pay attention that there should be no condensation on the surface of the package;
the size and color of the beans must be the same;
there should be no mold on the beans, small bugs in the packaging are unacceptable;
The smell of high-quality legumes resembles nuts.

Important! Despite the many beneficial qualities of lentils, you should consult your doctor before consuming them - you may have any contraindications.

When purchasing packaged legumes, be sure to pay attention to the production date and expiration date.

How and where to store at home

The shelf life of lentils, if certain recommendations are followed, can be quite long. A distinctive feature of these legumes is that they absorb moisture well, so you should not store them in glass jars, bags or other containers in which condensation may accumulate. We recommend using the following tips:

for storage, choose a dark, well-ventilated place;
do not allow the crop to be exposed to direct sunlight, as it will quickly dry it out;
if the humidity in the room is high, the beans will spoil in 7-10 days;
Lentils should only be stored dry;
do not store seeds near heat sources, as this may cause them to rot;
use cardboard boxes or fabric bags for storage;
Ensure that the storage container is sealed (bags, glass and sealed containers are not suitable).

If stored properly, beans can last up to 1 year. As for boiled lentils , you should pay attention to the following points:

the maximum shelf life of boiled beans in the refrigerator is 6 days, but it is better to eat them in the first 3-4 days;
If you freeze boiled porridge, you can store it for up to 6 months. After defrosting, its taste will remain the same, but the consistency may change slightly.

Over time, bean grains become dry, so we recommend not making large stocks and purchasing the quantities needed for cooking several times.

We advise you to read about the beneficial properties and options for consuming cereals during pregnancy: buckwheat, rice, oatmeal, peas, bran, millet.

Precautionary measures

Any product can be useful if consumed in reasonable quantities. In addition, before use, it is worth studying the contraindications and precautions. It is better to avoid lentils if you have:

have chronic gastrointestinal diseases;
stones and other concretions in the kidneys have been identified;
have hemorrhoids;
there are joint diseases;
have problems with urination;
some skin diseases are present.

Beneficial properties of lentils

Like all legumes, lentils contain a huge amount of proteins, vitamins and minerals.

It can easily replace bread, almost all cereals and even meat. It contains substances that can prevent cancer, and Roman doctors believed that it helps heal nervous diseases.

Nutritionists and doctors call it the best dish for the diet of patients diagnosed with ulcers or colitis, and its low calorie content makes it possible to include it in the diet of people on a diet.

It helps normalize metabolism and accelerates the removal of toxins from the body; its decoctions are used in folk medicine to treat kidney and bladder diseases.

Support for losing weight

The health benefits of lentils for people who want to lose weight are undeniable. And that's why.

The calorie content of lentils is low. One glass of boiled legumes contains only 230 kcal. And since the product contains a lot of fiber and protein, it satisfies perfectly. This helps you avoid unnecessary meals and painlessly reduce the total number of calories consumed per day.
Anti-inflammatory activity is important for weight loss, since the formation of excess fat deposits is almost always associated with the presence of chronic inflammation in the body, which a person is usually not even aware of.
Fiber normalizes the functioning of intestinal microflora. This is important for boosting immunity. And the higher the immunity, the easier it is for the body to cope with inflammation. In addition, when you gain excess weight, the composition of the intestinal microflora changes. These changes lead to further weight gain as newly arrived microorganisms change feeding behavior and metabolism.
Proteins don't just fill you up. They are thermogenic substances that accelerate metabolism.
Fiber and other components normalize blood sugar levels and reduce insulin resistance. Low insulin sensitivity is the main reason for the formation of excess fat deposits, especially in the abdominal and flank areas.

Harmful effects

Lentils are not only healthy, but also harmful. And there is no escape from this, because it, like all other legumes, contains many antinutrients - substances that impair the functioning of digestive enzymes and the absorption of nutritional compounds.

Phytic acid

This compound is found in all seeds, nuts and legumes. There is quite a lot of it in lentils.

Phytic acid interferes with the normal absorption of iron, zinc and calcium present in food.

How dangerous is this?

It can be quite dangerous for those who use legumes rather than meat as their primary source of protein.

To reduce the amount of phytic acid in beans, they must be soaked, sprouted or fermented.

Lectins

Lectins are proteins that are resistant to digestive enzymes and have a negative effect on the cells lining the intestinal cavity.
The most dangerous lectin is phytohemagglutinin, found in large quantities in red beans. But in lentils there is much less of this compound.

However, when eating this legume, it is also necessary to observe certain safety measures: soak it and subject it to proper heat treatment.

Heat treatment is especially important, since lectins are destroyed by heat. To destroy all lectins in lentils, they must be boiled at 100 degrees for at least 10 minutes.

Saponins

This is another group of substances that are resistant to digestion. Their negative effects are similar to those of lectins.

At the moment, there is no clear opinion in the scientific world as to whether legume saponins have a negative effect on human health. But just in case, it is recommended to soak all beans, including in order to get rid of saponins.

FODMAPs connections

These are oligo-, di-, monosaccharides and polyols that are poorly absorbed by the human body. Their entry into the intestines leads to excessive gas formation.

FODMAPs molecules are found in many foods, such as cabbage and apples. But the real champions in terms of the content of these compounds are all legumes, including lentils.

People have different sensitivities to FODMAPs molecules. Some people learn them well. They bother some people a lot. It is mainly the different sensitivity to this class of compounds that explains the different sensitivity of people to legumes.

You can reduce the amount of substances that lead to flatulence by soaking. But just reduce it. You won't be able to get rid of them completely.

From this article you can get more detailed information about what FODMAPs molecules are, what foods they are found in, and how they affect the body.

How to soak before cooking?

To minimize the potential harm to lentils, fill them with cool water (boiled or filtered). The water should completely cover the beans. Leave for 7-12 hours. Then the water is drained. Lentils are thoroughly washed and used as indicated in the recipe.

To make the soaking procedure more effective, you can add acid to the water - lemon juice or apple cider vinegar at the rate of 1 tablespoon of vinegar or juice per 1 cup of beans.

Another excellent method for ridding lentils of all harmful compounds is sprouting.

Lentils in Russia

As for the history of lentils in Russia, this plant appeared in our country about five centuries ago. In those days, lentils were grown throughout the central part of the Russian state. In the 19th and 20th centuries, this plant began to be grown in the black earth regions, in the Middle Volga, and Ukraine.

It also received the name crane peas, as well as sochevitsa, lyashta.

Bread was baked from lentils, soups, porridges, sausages and even confectionery were prepared. For example, in the early 90s of the 19th century, a severe drought occurred in the Russian Empire, which led to the death of most cereal plants. There was a danger of mass starvation, and only lentils, the harvest of which turned out to be excellent, saved the population from starvation.

As an agricultural crop, lentils are currently not so attractive for cultivation in our country - they ripen unevenly, and therefore require manual harvesting. Therefore, countries such as India, where there is a lot of cheap labor, took first place in the export of this crop.