Lentils or dals are a staple in Indian homes, an indispensable part of every cuisine, throughout the length and breadth of the country. Dal is a comforting, nutritious, wholesome, simple, and traditional Indian meal that appeals to various tastebuds. Lentils are a natural powerhouse of nutrients, offering fiber, essential minerals, and most importantly, protein – a combination which ensures prolonged satiety and appetite suppression; a great combo to fuel your weight loss journey. They are an excellent source of plant-based protein, and protein, as we all know, promotes satiety and helps to cut down overall calories consumed. Additionally, protein helps to preserve lean muscle mass, increases metabolic rate, thereby facilitating weight loss. As an affordable and vegetarian protein source, dals complement rice, roti, and an array of dishes, making them a versatile element of Indian cuisine. So, here are 5 high-protein lentils for weight loss.
1. Moong Dal (Mung Beans):
Whether it’s to make plain dal or to make nuggets, moong dal offers a lot of variety. Sprouted moong dal also contains antioxidants that fight free radicals. Moong dal is a versatile ingredient that can also be included in soups, salads, and snacks. The protein content in 100 gm moong dal is around 24 gm protein! Also read: “9 Moong Dal Recipe Ideas for Weight Loss.”
2. Urad Dal (Black Gram):
Urad dal is not only the key ingredient to make your favorite idli and dosa, it’s also needed to make dal makhani and medu vada. The protein content is approximately 24 gm protein in 100 gm.
3. Toor Dal (Yellow Pigeon Peas):
Also known as arhar dal, you can make flavourful curries like sambar and dal tadka with toor dal. The protein content in toor dal is around 22 gm protein in 100 gm.
4. Matki Dal (Moth Beans):
Not that popular as other lentils, matki dal, has a high protein content of 23 gm protein in 100 gm. There are various mouth-watering dishes that can be made from moth beans – matki misal, pulao, and matki bhel to name just a few.
5. Chana Dal (Split Chickpeas):
You can make simple dishes like chana dal fry to a wholesome dish like khichdi with this dal. Chana dal probably has the highest protein content with up to 25 gm of protein/100 gm. Also read: “4 Best Rice Options To Enjoy Your Dal Chawal.”
In conclusion, lentils or dals with their rich protein content, along with fiber and other essential minerals, nourish the body and help to fuel your weight loss journey as well, provided you use them in the right way. And we at Rati Beauty diet, show exactly how to include these high-protein dals to get their weight loss benefits, without losing their appeal and nutritional value. Subscribe to the Rati Beauty app to access all your weight loss diet plans.
9 Moong Dal Recipe Ideas For Weight Loss
4 Best Rice Options To Enjoy Your Dal Chawal
