Lentil Soup

In case you are interested in an energy-boosting soup that will activate all your taste buds, then you should definitely give the lentil soup a try. Lentil soup was used for hundreds of years in different cultures because of the many health benefits it brings. In addition to the main ingredient (lentils), the lentil soup also includes few more healthy vegetables and herbs for the best results.

How to prepare lentils for your lentil soup

Lentils are bought in dried form and even though they have many similarities with other beans, they don’t need to be pre-cooked or pre-soaked before use. Preparing lentils are actually quite simple. To start with, you must sort through them. Pour them on a cutting board or a kitchen towel and remove soil, rocks or other debris. Even the once sold as processed lentils might have debris in them. The next step is to wash the lentils. Take a colander, put the lentils in it and use cool, running water to rinse them well. Feel free to use a sifter or a strainer instead. Keep in mind that you should not soak the lentils. This rinsing should last about half a minute.

Health benefits of lentils

Lentils are rich in protein. As a matter of fact, they have more protein than any other plant. They also contain carbs, dietary fiber and nutrients like vitamin B1, manganese, phosphorus, iron, potassium, copper, and folate.

The list of health benefits of lentils is very long so we will stick to the most important ones. First and foremost, lentils have proven to be very helpful to people suffering from diabetes. A recent study has confirmed that lentils have exceptional level of dietary fiber. This type of fiber keeps the process of food absorption slow and helps the body maintain stable levels of blood sugar.

Next, lentils are great for muscle generation. Since all muscles need protein for growth and regeneration, lentils are definitely useful. They also have several amino acids that support these processes too.

Many people have confirmed that lentils are able to boost digestion too. Once again, the high amount of dietary fiber found in them is the main reason why they are so efficient. Regular intake of lentils supports bowel movement and lowers the chances of developing constipation.

What is even more interesting is that lentils are good for the health of our heart. They have very low amount of fat and they are rich in magnesium which is good for the cardiovascular muscles and blood pressure in general.

A few studies conducted not while ago have shown that lentils have a potential to fight cancer. They have special plant protein known as lectin that can block the progress of cancer. It’s also good to know that lentils are a great source of folic acid. Doctors recommend the use of folic acid when women are pregnant. Folic acid also supports the production of red blood cells and has positive effects on blood pressure.

Finally, lentils are good for the nervous system and the immune system and they boost metabolism.

Enjoy this lentil soup recipe! Looking for more recipes with functional nutrition benefits? Follow me on Pinterest!

Lentil Soup

January 3, 2017

by Kasia Kines

Category Member Recipes Recipes Soups Soups

Persons

4

Ingredients

• 7 cups of water
• 1 cup of lentils
• 2 medium potatoes, diced
• 2 medium carrots, sliced diagonally
• 2 celery stalks, sliced diagonally
• ½ teaspoon dill
• ½ teaspoon marjoram
• 2 ripe tomatoes, diced
• 1 teaspoon of basil
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley
• ½ teaspoon of Celtic Sea Salt
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions

1. In a stockpot, combine all ingredients except the oil and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour or until the lentils are tender. Add oil and cook for two more minutes.

https://kasiakines.com/lentil-soup/