Lentil Porridge Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Are lentils good for your gut? ›

Lentils are rich in a type of fiber that helps your digestive system work as it should and fuels good bacteria in your gut. Fiber may also help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. “Fiber plays an important role in regulating our bowels and protecting the immune system,” says Homan.

In the morning drain any excess water, then pop them into a saucepan with plenty of water (or milk), Work on the ratio of 1:2 or 1:3 ratio of oats to liquid, depending on whether you like the porridge thick and creamy or more runny. That means 1 to 1 & 1/2 cups of liquid per 1/2 cup of oats.

The easiest to digest are split yellow mung daal, chilka mung daal (split but with the green skins still on) and split red lentils. You can eat these daily without a problem, especially yellow mung daal. Ones that are moderately easy to digest include French puy lentils, toor daal, whole mung beans and adzuki beans.

Khichdi is a light, subtly spiced lentil and rice porridge-like dish commonly found in South Asian households. Packed with nutrients, it's pretty much the definition of 'food is medicine' – the brown person's remedy anytime you're poorly. (But especially if you have stomach-related issues and, well, pukey.)

Rinse your beans and lentils under cold water for at least 1 minute to reap these benefits. Even better, soak them overnight. If you're using dried beans or lentils, soaking them in cold water does the same thing that rinsing does, but because they are dry and uncooked, it takes a little longer to get the same effect.

Black Lentils (Beluga lentils)

Thanks to the robust flavor, these lentils pair well with meaty veggies and marinated proteins like mushrooms, tofu, and seitan. Best of all, black lentils are the most nutritious variety of lentils, boasting the highest amount of protein, plus high levels of calcium, potassium, and iron.

Beans and lentils are super high in fiber, starches, and antioxidants, making them a perfect colon-cleansing food.

Now that you better understand the difference between porridge and oatmeal, you can decide which dish best suits your lifestyle. Though porridge may offer a wider variety of flavor options, oatmeal is loaded with nutritious and filling ingredients that make it an excellent morning meal.

Congee (/ˈkɒndʒiː/, derived from Tamil கஞ்சி [kaɲdʑi]) is a form of savoury rice porridge made by boiling rice in a large amount of water until the rice softens. Depending on rice-water ratio, the thickness of congee varies from a Western oatmeal porridge to a gruel.

Too much milk will make your oatmeal porridge stickier and thicker. No milk at all and your porridge will lack that creamy taste. Of course, you don't have to use milk at all if you don't want to. Water or milk alternatives are fine but your porridge won't be as creamy just won't get that creamy texture.

How do you get rid of gas from lentils? ›

Soak lentils before cooking them to minimize the gas they might cause. The soaking process will help get rid of some of the oligosaccharides, like raffinose that can make you feel gassy and bloated.

If you have a few root vegetables hanging out in your fridge, those are also great with lentils, like in this warm lentil and root vegetable salad with parsnips and carrots. Lentils are particularly nice with cheese, as in this grilled halloumi and lentil salad.

Like beans, lentils also contain FODMAPs. These sugars may contribute to excessive gas production and bloating, especially in people with IBS ( 8 ). However, soaking or spouting the lentils before you eat them can make them much easier on the digestive system ( 6 ).

Lentils are frequently cooked with strong spices, which can cause indigestion in some people. Lentils are a good source of potassium, however, too many lentils in the diet can cause hyperkalemia (symptoms may include vomiting, fatigue, irregular heartbeat and difficulty breathing) in people with poor kidney function.

Foods that have all 9 essential amino acids are called “complete” proteins. Foods that lack one or more essential amino acids are called “incomplete”. Lentils and rice are both “incomplete” proteins, but pairing them together will form a “complete” protein.

Lentils contain various essential nutrients such as dietary fiber, lectins, and polyphenols that help reduce the risk of conditions like heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and some cancers. It's also an excellent source of: Protein. Iron.

Lentils contain raffinose oligosaccharides, one of the major culprits that cause stomach problems and gas (via University of Saskatchewan). Fortunately, according to the India Times, there's a way that you can cut back on your belly trouble by simply soaking your lentils before cooking them.

A 1/2-cup serving of boiled lentils contains an impressive 7.8 g of fiber. Eating lentils may also help increase the production of butyric acid, a type of short-chain fatty acid found in your colon. This could increase the movement of your digestive tract to promote bowel movements.

Lentils Are a Low Glycemic Carbohydrate (LGC)

LGC's help increase and sustain the brain's serotonin levels, aka that hormone that makes a person feel happy and less anxious.

Lentils

A 1/2-cup serving of boiled lentils contains an impressive 7.8 g of fiber. Eating lentils may also help increase the production of butyric acid, a type of short-chain fatty acid found in your colon. This could increase the movement of your digestive tract to promote bowel movements.

Is lentils a prebiotic or probiotic? ›

Lentils are not only rich in protein and micronutrients, but they also have significant amounts of prebiotic carbohydrates, which provide benefits to human health. Beneficial microorganisms ferment lentil prebiotic carbohydrates in the colon, which impart gut health benefits to the consumer.

Eating half a cup of cooked lentils gives you lots of essential nutrients and their high fiber content makes you feel full. However, the fiber in lentils can be hard for your body to break down. Eating too many lentils can cause gas, bloating, and cramping.

Beans, lentils, and peas are generally a great source of protein and fiber, but they can cause IBS symptoms. They contain compounds called oligosaccharides that are resistant to digestion by intestinal enzymes. While beans can increase bulk in stool to help constipation, they also increase IBS symptoms.