The Best Detox Soup Recipe (with Lentils) (2024)

FAQs

Can you eat lentils on a detox? ›

When anyone mentions a “cleanse”, most people think of juice fasts or detoxing. In Ayurvedic tradition, however, the combination of “rice and beans” (or in this case, rice and lentils) is the ideal cleansing food because it is so easy to digest, while still providing the body with complete proteins.

Lentils - Lentils contain high amounts of choline, which helps prevent fat build up in the liver.

Eating more lentils may help people maintain a healthy weight or lose weight. Replacing energy-dense (or high calorie) foods with legumes such as lentils can help people prevent or manage obesity and lose weight. Research suggests that regularly eating lentils may help with the management and prevention of diabetes.

Rinse. On occasion, you'll find small rocks or debris mixed in with dried lentils. To avoid eating them, rinse the lentils in a fine mesh sieve and pick them over before you cook them.

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.

If you have any existing gut issues (such as irritable bowel syndrome) or autoimmune conditions (such as Crohn's or Hashimoto's), lectins are likely to be far more problematic for you. Raw or undercooked lentils are exceedingly harmful and can even result in death for some people.

In fact, our diets have an excess of animal-based proteins, which have been linked to fatty liver disease. For healthy protein, focus on either fish (fresh or canned—a great source of omega-3s) or plant-based sources such as black beans, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, lentils, split peas, quinoa, soy and tofu.

Fruits, vegetables, beans, lentils, and whole grains are also beneficial because of their fiber content. Eating more fiber may lower the chances of developing gallstones and acute pancreatitis.

Lentils, beans, soybeans and chickpeas. All beans deliver over 10g of fiber per cup serving and provide a great mix of soluble and insoluble fiber. This makes them a great option for constipated folk. Many others, like chickpeas, lentils, and peas provide over 5g of fiber per serving, making them a great option too.

Lentils and beans are rich in soluble fiber, which is the single best carbohydrate to help you burn belly fat. "Soluble fiber forms a thick gel when it binds with water in the body," Tracy said. "This gel that forms therefore slows digestion in the body, which keeps you feeling full for longer!

Which color lentil is healthiest? ›

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.

Eating about 3/4 cup (130 grams) each day of these foods known as pulses led to a weight loss of 0.34 kilograms (just over half a pound), in a systematic review and meta-analysis of all available clinical trials on the effects of eating pulses.

Red lentils are the fastest cooking and they dissolve as they cook and make for a smooth soup. Others, such as green and brown lentils, hold their shape and make a soup with more texture.

Yes, you can overcook lentils; they will become mushy. Much depends on the type of lentil you're using. Some cook quicker and hold their shape better than others. To avoid overcooking them, always follow the cooking directions in your recipe and use the type of lentils called for in the ingredient list.

Is Soaking Beans Necessary? Don't worry about soaking lentils, split peas, or black-eyed peas (or cowpeas). Lentils and peas are softer than dried beans. They'll cook within 5 to 20 minutes without any soaking time.

Most detoxification programs recommend removing highly processed foods and foods to which some people are sensitive, such as dairy, gluten, eggs, peanuts and red meat. They also recommend eating mostly organically grown vegetables, fruit, whole non-glutenous grains, nuts, seeds and lean protein.

Red Kidney beans offer high amounts of the trace mineral molybdenum, an enzyme that helps to detoxify your body of sulfites.

Try to avoid dairy, meat, and refined sugars for the first 5 days or so after your cleanse has finished. Over the next few weeks, gradually add back in animal protein if you choose to do so.