The lentil is an edible legume. It is an annual plant known for its lens-shaped seeds. It is about 40 cm (16 in) tall, and the seeds grow in pods, usually with two seeds in each.

Cooked lentils (when boiled) are a rich source (20% or more of the Daily Value, DV) of numerous essential nutrients, including folate (45% DV), iron (25% DV), manganese (24% DV), and phosphorus (26% DV).

Lentils, along with beans and peas, belong to a group of vegetables called pulses. They have a similar nutrient profile to beans but due to their smaller size they cook much quicker than dry beans and don’t require pre-soaking.

Counseling Corner

Lentils are protein-packed, not to mention a good source of fiber, iron, folate, and zinc. This nutrition superstar also contains choline, which is important for a baby’s developing brain! The non-heme iron in lentils is absorbed best when eaten with foods containing vitamin C. Getting adequate amounts of these nutrients (in addition to calcium) may even help protect against lead exposure. 

Lentils give a hearty taste and texture to dishes and can be used in many ways. Along with the nutrients they provide, this makes them a suitable meat substitute for those following a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Tips & Ideas to Share

There are many varieties of lentils with most varieties found in the dried foods section, but canned lentils may be available in some locations. Lentils are great in soups, as an addition to salads, and as a vegetarian protein source in recipes traditionally made with meat.

Similar to rice, lentils take on whatever flavors you add to the pot. Instead of plain water, cook lentils in a broth or stock. Adding aromatics like garlic, herbs, sliced browned onions, and a bay leaf can turn lentils into an easy and tasty dish.

Common Lentil Varieties

Brown and green lentils hold up well to cooking and can be used interchangeably in recipes, since they have similar cooking times. Red and yellow lentils are often sold in split form, so they cook faster and break down easier. Add lentils to water, bring to a boil, cover, then simmer for specified cooking time or until tender.

Cooking with Lentils

Rinse: Rinse lentils in a bowl or colander and remove any debris or pebbles.

Soaking: Unlike beans, lentils are small and cook relatively quick (in general, about 20-30 minutes) so they don’t require pre-soaking. However, soaking lentils for a few hours or overnight may improve the digestibility of starches in lentils and an overnight soak can also reduce cooking time by about half.

Time-Savers: Lentils can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated for up to one week. Frozen cooked lentils should be used within 6 months for best quality. Canned lentils are another great time-saver and can easily be added to dips, like hummus, and used in many recipes. Draining and rinsing canned lentils can help reduce the sodium content.

Soups and Stews: Dried lentils can also be added to soups and stews. For brown or green lentils, add them to the simmering pot of soup or stew 45 minutes prior to it being done cooking. For red or yellow lentils, add them about 15 minutes prior to the soup being done cooking. 

As you enjoy fresh produce, follow these safe handling tips to help protect yourself and your family.

Fruits and vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet. Your local markets carry a wide variety of nutritious fresh fruits and vegetables. However, harmful bacteria that may be in the soil or water where produce grows can come in contact with fruits and vegetables and contaminate them. Fresh produce may also become contaminated after it is harvested, such as during storage or preparation.

Eating contaminated produce can lead to foodborne illness, often called “food poisoning.” So as you enjoy fresh produce, follow these safe handling tips to help protect you and your family.

Buy Right

You can help keep produce safe by making wise buying decisions.

• Choose produce that is not bruised or damaged.
• When buying pre-cut, bagged or packaged produce — such as half of a watermelon or bagged salad greens — choose only those items that are refrigerated or surrounded by ice.
• Bag fresh fruits and vegetables separately from raw meat, poultry, and seafood when packing them to take home from the market

Store Properly

Proper storage of fresh produce can affect both quality and safety.

• Store perishable fresh fruits and vegetables (like strawberries, lettuce, herbs, and mushrooms) in a clean refrigerator at a temperature of 40° F or below. Use a refrigerator thermometer to check! If you’re not sure whether an item should be refrigerated to keep its quality, ask your grocer.
• Refrigerate all produce that is purchased pre-cut or packaged .

Separate for Safety

Keep fruits and vegetables that will be eaten raw separate from raw meat, poultry, and seafood — and from kitchen utensils used for those products.

• Wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and countertops with soap and hot water between preparing raw meat, poultry, and seafood and preparing produce that will not be cooked.
• If possible, use one cutting board for fresh produce and a separate one for raw meat, poultry, and seafood.
• If you use plastic or other non-porous cutting boards, run them through the dishwasher after use

Prepare Safely

When preparing any fresh produce, begin with clean hands. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water before and after preparation.

• Cut away any damaged or bruised areas on fresh fruits and vegetables before preparing and/or eating. Throw away any produce that looks rotten.
• Wash all produce thoroughly under running water before preparing and/or eating, including produce grown at home or bought from a grocery store or farmers’ market. Washing fruits and vegetables with soap, detergent, or commercial produce wash is not recommended. Produce is porous. Soap and household detergents can be absorbed by fruits and vegetables, despite thorough rinsing, and can make you sick. Also, the safety of the residues of commercial produce washes is not known and their effectiveness has not been tested.
• Even if you do not plan to eat the skin, it is still important to wash produce first so dirt and bacteria are not transferred from the surface when peeling or cutting produce.
• Scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.
• After washing, dry produce with a clean cloth towel or paper towel to further reduce bacteria that may be present on the surface

What About Pre-Washed Produce?

Many pre-cut, bagged, or packaged produce items are pre-washed and ready-to-eat. If so, it will be stated on the packaging, and you can use the produce without further washing.

If you choose to wash produce marked as “pre-washed” or “ready-to-eat,” be sure that it does not come in contact with unclean surfaces or utensils. This will help to avoid cross contamination.

About Foodborne Illness

Know the Symptoms

Consuming dangerous foodborne bacteria will usually cause illness within 1 to 3 days of eating the contaminated food. However, sickness can also occur within 20 minutes or up to 6 weeks later. Although most people will recover from a foodborne illness within a short period of time, some can develop chronic, severe, or even life-threatening health problems.

Foodborne illness can sometimes be confused with other illnesses that have similar symptoms. The symptoms of foodborne illness can include:

• Vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
• Flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, and body ache

Take Action

If you think that you or a family member has a foodborne illness, contact your healthcare provider immediately.