The Benefits of Lentil Pasta - PantherDining (2024)

FAQs

Is lentil pasta actually good for you? ›

Lentil pasta is a good source of protein. Protein is essential in your diet to help keep you fuller longer, maintain a healthy weight and gain muscle mass. Lentil pasta on average contains 20g of protein per serving. Also, lentil pasta is vegan.

Lentil consumption, in particular, consistently lowers acute blood glucose and insulin response when compared to starchy control foods.

Sure, raw beans (and lentils) contain lectins. Lectins break down cell walls, as part of a plant's natural protection against invaders. Plenty of other plant foods contain lectins, among them tomatoes, peaches, corn, mangoes, wheat and grapes.

Bean-Based Pasta Nutrition

Beans, lentils, edamame, and chickpeas can be counted as either vegetables or protein sources. So it's no surprise that pastas made with any one of these are packed with protein. “They really do pack a nice nutritional punch when compared with other pasta varietals,” Romano says.

Whole-wheat pasta is an easy-to-find nutritious noodle that will bump up the nutrition of your pasta dish. Made from whole grains, every cup of cooked pasta (140 grams) boasts 43 g of carbohydrate, 3 g of fiber and 8 g of protein per serving, per the USDA.

Chickpea and lentils both only contain what scientists consider "good fats." Therefore, Chickpeas are better as they have more "good fats." Lentils have more dietary fiber than Chickpeas. Fiber is a strange nutrient. It doesn't provide calories and doesn't stick around your body.

Although many anti-inflammatory diets claim that whole grains and pulses — beans, peas and lentils — increase inflammation, research shows otherwise. Pulses are high in fiber and magnesium, and magnesium has been shown to help reduce inflammation.

About half of your grain intake should be whole grains, and protein should include meat as well as beans, peas, lentils, nuts, seeds, and soy. Dr. Gundry suggests eliminating many of these foods because of their high lectin levels. If you think you may be sensitive to lectins, then a lectin-free diet may be worth it.

Lentils are pulse crops that belong to the legume family. They contain significant amounts of prebiotic carbohydrates.

This pasta only has one ingredient and that is red lentil flour. It has a good amount of protein and fiber in the pasta as well making it a healthy option then regular pasta.

Can lentil pasta cause bloating? ›

Eating lentils can cause gas and bloating because they're high in fiber that your body is unable to break down. While fiber plays a large role in supporting and regulating your digestive system and bowel movements, it can also produce bacteria that leads to cramping and gas pains.

Beans and lentils count towards your 5-a-day. They are good sources of carbohydrate and protein, but also contain essential vitamins and minerals. However, they only count as one portion, regardless of the amount or type you eat (a portion is 80g, or three heaped tablespoons of cooked beans).

Fiber-rich foods help promote feelings of fullness and satiety, reducing the likelihood of overeating and snacking between meals," Richards explains. So, red lentil pasta can help you stay satisfied for longer, assist in calorie control, and, ultimately, help lose substantial weight.

Although both red lentil and chickpea pasta are healthier alternatives to regular pasta, red lentil pasta has a slight advantage. Red lentil pasta contains a tad more fiber, is lower in calories, contains almost half the fat that chickpea pasta does, and contains less sodium.

Red Lentil Pasta

This pasta, made of red lentil flour, is also gluten free. It contains potassium which is vital for the functioning of all cells, and has slightly less iron than chickpea pasta. Per 2-ounce serving, it contains 180 calories, 34g of carbs, 13g of protein, and 6g of fiber.