The benefits and harms of lentils are in disproportionate proportions. Dishes from this bean culture provide an invaluable service to the female body. In rare cases, it may be contraindicated for health reasons. But for the most part, lentils are the product that should be present on the table at least once a week.
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Useful properties of lentils for women
Since ancient times, Asian peoples cultivated lentils not only as a food crop, but also as a medicinal plant. She is mentioned in Russian herbalists. Traditional medicine has long paid attention to its healing properties.
It contains a rich complex of vitamins and minerals that can support women's health.
Frequent use of lentils is believed to prevent cervical cancer. The active plant components of isoflavones inhibit the development of breast tumors.
B vitamins, calcium and tryptophan are involved in nervous regulation. Lentils have a mild sedative effect. It helps to cope with unpleasant symptoms during menopause.
A portion of lentils satisfies 90% of the daily requirement of an adult's body for folic acid. This product is indispensable for pregnant women. It is absorbed fairly well by the intestines. Less likely to cause discomfort that occurs after eating legumes. Lentils contribute to the proper formation of the nervous and vascular system of the fetus.
What diseases does it cure?
For medicinal purposes, I recommend using decoctions from lentils for the following diseases:
- nervous disorders;
- kidney stone disease;
- constipation (which is especially true for pregnant women);
- inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.
Lentils also help to normalize carbohydrate metabolism, so it can be used to prevent diabetes.
Lowering bad cholesterol helps normalize the reproductive system. Lentils are useful for menstrual irregularities. Favorably affects conception and the course of pregnancy.
Slimming use
Lentils are high in protein (24%) and high in carbohydrates (49%). But mostly these are slow carbohydrates, which are converted to energy gradually. After eating dishes from human lentils, the feeling of fullness does not leave for a long time.
This product provides the body with a highly digestible protein. Therefore, for dietary purposes, lentils can replace meat dishes, thereby reducing fat intake.
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There are many plant fibers in legumes that are necessary for normal digestion. A healthy intestine is the key to proper metabolism. The inclusion of lentil dishes in the diet helps to normalize weight.
What is useful red, green, yellow, black lentils?
In terms of chemical composition, different types of lentils do not differ much.
- Red - one of the richest in iron content. Therefore, it is often used to prevent anemia.
- Green lentils good for the intestines. It has more fiber. Accordingly, it is better suited for the prevention of constipation. Green beans have the most intense flavor, so lovers of this type of product much more often prefer them.
- Yellow lentils - This is not any special kind, but the usual green, peeled from the shells. Together with the upper films, the beans lose some of the minerals. But this kind of lentil is preferable for cooking fast dishes. Yellow beans boil faster, while maintaining their palatability.
- Black lentils more often used for salads. It is also very useful in germinated form. There are a lot of ascorbic acid in its sprouts, so it is recommended to use it for the prevention of colds.
Contraindications
Contraindications to the use of lentils may be inflammatory bowel disease associated with impaired motor skills. Fiber creates a favorable environment for the development of normal flora. But if there are problems with patency, then swollen plant fibers can, on the contrary, provoke gas formation, bloating and colic. Therefore, legumes are best avoided during an exacerbation of the disease.
Lentils provoke increased bile formation. Bile promotes the absorption of food. However, its excessive separation is not desirable against the background of poor conduction of the excretory tract. The use of lentils should also be limited if there are stones in the gallbladder.
Top 5 best recipes
Lentils are multifaceted.
From it you can cook a huge number of dishes:
- diet side dish;
- delicious mashed soup;
- porridge;
- pate;
- cutlets, etc.
Lentils can simply be stewed with meat or vegetables, as well as added to a cold salad.
Lentil porridge
The cooking time for lentil dishes depends on the type and size of the beans. Therefore, we will not indicate a specific gap. We advise you to focus on the manufacturer's recommendations, those that are usually written on the package.
Lentil porridge is very nutritious and delicious. She satisfies hunger for a long time. To prepare it, you need a minimum of products.
Boil a glass of lentils in salted water. This amount of beans will need twice as much fluid. Bring the contents of the pan to a boil first, then reduce the heat. Leave the lentils to simmer in the slow heat until cooked.
Pour the frying oil to the bottom of the pan. Preheat it. Fry one grated carrot and diced onion turnip. Add a couple of chopped garlic cloves, a little sugar and salt to the mixture.
Remove the vegetables from the pan onto a paper towel. When excess fat drains, mix onions with carrots with boiled lentils. Before serving, season the porridge to taste with butter.
Lentil cutlets
To cook this dish, lentils do not need to be boiled in advance. It should only be soaked overnight, and the next morning it can already be used.
Two glasses of prepared beans are passed through a meat grinder. In the same way, grind the onion head and add it to the minced meat. We break one egg into the sticky mass. If the stuffing is too liquid, you can add a little flour.
Salt and pepper, sprinkle the mass with your favorite spices. Heat the oil in a pan. We form cutlets. We spread them in preheated dishes and fry on both sides until cooked.
Soup
For this dish you will need 350 g of meat, clean pulp without bones and fat. We cut it into cubes 2X2 cm. Pour a little vegetable oil into the bottom of the pan. Fry the meat until a crust appears.
Pour 1.5 liters of water into the pan. Peel about 1 kg of potatoes. Large cut into cubes and put into a boiling pot. Cook for 10 minutes under the lid.
We wash 350 g of lentils and lay it in a common bowl. In a separate frying pan, fry in oil two finely cut onions and one carrot. Pour vegetables into boiling soup. There we squeeze out three cloves of garlic. Put three bay leaves and add salt and pepper.
Cook until tender. Decorate the hot stew with fresh herbs.
Mashed soup
In a deep frying pan, fry randomly chopped onions and carrots (one each) in vegetable oil, three cloves of garlic and one tomato. Add a spoonful of tomato paste to them.
Then put in a pan two chopped potatoes and a glass of lentils. Fill with water, so that you get a thick soup. Cook until tender. Season with salt and your favorite spices. Grind with a blender to a homogeneous puree mass.
Lentil Stew with Chicken
A deliciously tasty dish requires about an hour of preparation. In a pan with a thick bottom, pour oil for frying. Stir in it 4 chicken drumsticks until golden brown.
Pull out the meat and instead put three heads of chopped onion. Toast it well. Pour 3 chopped tomatoes to it. Pour in half a liter of chicken stock. Put pre-fried chicken legs in it. Fill everything with a glass of lentils, season with salt and leave to simmer over low heat until fully cooked.
The benefits of lentils to a woman’s body are invaluable. Diversify the menu with this delicious bean culture. Cook with pleasure and promote good health.
