- Rich in dietary fiber (as much as 11g per serving)
- High in protein (between 14-21g per 3 oz serving depending on brand)
- A low-glycemic index food
- Cholesterol-free
- A great source of calcium, potassium, zinc, and iron
Gluten-free pasta from lentils are calorie dense (up to 100 calories per oz), so a little goes a long way toward filling your belly. For lunch or dinner, these pastas can be a great meatless meal accompanied by assorted veggies and topped with your choice of sauce or a vinaigrette.
When you cook gluten-free pasta from lentils, the water may appear cloudy. This is due to the starches cooking out of the legumes. Lentil pasta expands as it cooks: be sure to use a large pot with ample water as the water may foam (check instructions) and you want to give your noodles breathing room.
When choosing gluten-free pasta, if affordable, opt for organic varieties. You also want to make sure the brand does not harvest from genetically modified crops (GMO crops), so look for the “NON-GMO” label on the package. Some brands to look for include Tolerant, Modern Table, Pow! And Explore Cuisine.
Bon Appétit!
REFERENCES
- Time.com “What is the best non-pasta Pasta?” Accessed 8 Sep 2018.
- Future of Food: Pulses & Nutrition. Accessed on 8 Sep 2018.
- World’s Healthiest Foods: Lentils. Accessed 6 Sep 2016.
- MindBodyGreen.com. “7 Health Benefits of Lentils.” Accessed 6 Sep 2016.
- Tolerant.com “What to know about Legume Pasta.” Accessed 8 Mar 2018.
