Food with Nutrition Similar to Lentils


image of lentils

Similar to Lentils

A common and nutrient dense legume, lentils are an excellent source of dietary fiber, iron and potassium. It is also a good source of protein and folate. One cup of cooked lentils contains about 230 calories.

Many foods are similar nutritionally to lentils, including chickpeas, mung bean, bean sprouts and edamame.

We compared the key nutrients in lentils (protein, folate, dietary fiber, iron and potassium) to nutrients in hundreds of other foods with data from USDA.[1]

Summary of the most similar foods by category:
nuts, grains and legumes: Chickpeas, Mung Bean, Black Beans, White Beans, Soy Flour, Wild Rice, Coconut Cream
plants and vegetables: Bean Sprouts, Edamame, Pea Shoots, Peas, Alfalfa Sprouts, Nori, Sprouted Peas, Chives, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, Lima Beans, Asparagus
baked goods: Whole Wheat Bread
The details of the top 20 foods most nutritionally similar to lentils are below.

nuts, grains and legumes

Several seeds or grains offer similar nutrients to lentils including chickpeas, mung bean, black beans, white beans and soy flour.

Chickpeas

image of chickpeas

Similarity: > 99%

Chickpeas are high in many of the same nutrients as lentils, including dietary fiber, protein, iron and potassium. Also, chickpeas contains more calcium than lentils.

For 100 grams of lentils and chickpeas:


Lentils
(1/2 cup)
Chickpeas
(5/8 cup)
9
protein (G)
8.9
181
folate (UG)
172
7.9
dietary fiber (G)
7.6
3.3
iron (MG)
2.9
369
potassium (MG)
291
View More
0.995 | 0.995 | 3.16 Complete Comparison:
Chickpeas vs. Lentils


Mung Bean

image of mung bean

Similarity: > 95%

More nutritionally dense than lentils, mung bean is high in many of the same nutrients as lentils, including dietary fiber, protein, iron and potassium. Moreover, mung bean contains more Vitamin C, Vitamin A, calcium and thiamin than lentils.

For 100 grams of lentils and mung bean:


Lentils
(1/2 cup)
Mung Bean
(1/2 cup)
9
protein (G)
24
181
folate (UG)
625
7.9
dietary fiber (G)
16
3.3
iron (MG)
6.7
369
potassium (MG)
1246
View More
0.985 | 0.985 | 7.63 Complete Comparison:
Mung Bean vs. Lentils


Black Beans

image of black beans

Similarity: > 95%

Black beans are also high in dietary fiber and potassium. Also, black beans contains more calcium than lentils.

For 100 grams of lentils and black beans:


Lentils
(1/2 cup)
Black Beans
(about 3/8 cup)
9
protein (G)
6
181
folate (UG)
61
7.9
dietary fiber (G)
6.9
3.3
iron (MG)
1.9
369
potassium (MG)
308
View More
0.968 | 0.968 | 1.89 Complete Comparison:
Black Beans vs. Lentils


White Beans

image of white beans

Similarity: > 95%

White beans are also high in dietary fiber, iron and potassium. Also, white beans contains more calcium than lentils.

For 100 grams of lentils and white beans:


Lentils
(1/2 cup)
White Beans
(3/8 cup)
9
protein (G)
7.3
181
folate (UG)
65
7.9
dietary fiber (G)
4.8
3.3
iron (MG)
3
369
potassium (MG)
454
View More
0.959 | 0.959 | 2.14 Complete Comparison:
White Beans vs. Lentils


Soy Flour

image of soy flour

Similarity: > 90%

More nutritionally dense than lentils, soy flour is high in many of the same nutrients as lentils, including dietary fiber, protein, iron and potassium. Also, soy flour contains more calcium, thiamin and riboflavin than lentils.

For 100 grams of lentils and soy flour:


Lentils
(1/2 cup)
Soy Flour
(1.25 cup)
9
protein (G)
50
181
folate (UG)
289
7.9
dietary fiber (G)
16
3.3
iron (MG)
8.2
369
potassium (MG)
2090
View More
0.933 | 0.933 | 11.51 Complete Comparison:
Soy Flour vs. Lentils


Wild Rice

image of wild rice

Similarity: > 90%

Wild rice is also high in and contains some of the same nutrients.

For 100 grams of lentils and wild rice:


Lentils
(1/2 cup)
Wild Rice
(5/8 cup)
9
protein (G)
4
181
folate (UG)
26
7.9
dietary fiber (G)
1.8
3.3
iron (MG)
0.6
369
potassium (MG)
101
View More
0.928 | 0.928 | 1.37 Complete Comparison:
Wild Rice vs. Lentils


Coconut Cream

image of coconut cream

Similarity: > 90%

Coconut cream is also high in dietary fiber, iron and potassium.

For 100 grams of lentils and coconut cream:


Lentils
(1/2 cup)
Coconut Cream
(7 tbsps)
9
protein (G)
3.6
181
folate (UG)
23
7.9
dietary fiber (G)
2.2
3.3
iron (MG)
2.3
369
potassium (MG)
325
View More
0.927 | 0.927 | 2.56 Complete Comparison:
Coconut Cream vs. Lentils


plants and vegetables

There are quite a few plants and vegetables that offer similar nutritional benefits to lentils. Bean sprouts, edamame, pea shoots, peas and alfalfa sprouts are all high in protein, folate, dietary fiber, iron and or potassium.

Bean Sprouts

image of bean sprouts

Similarity: > 95%

Bean sprouts contain nutrients similar to lentils, but in smaller amounts overall. Also, bean sprouts contains more Vitamin C than lentils.

For 100 grams of lentils and bean sprouts:


Lentils
(1/2 cup)
Bean Sprouts
(1 cup)
9
protein (G)
3
181
folate (UG)
61
7.9
dietary fiber (G)
1.8
3.3
iron (MG)
0.91
369
potassium (MG)
149
View More
0.985 | 0.985 | 1.7 Complete Comparison:
Bean Sprouts vs. Lentils


Edamame

image of edamame

Similarity: > 95%

Edamame is high in many of the same nutrients as lentils, including dietary fiber, protein, iron and potassium. Moreover, edamame contains more Vitamin C, Vitamin A, calcium and riboflavin than lentils.

For 100 grams of lentils and edamame:


Lentils
(1/2 cup)
Edamame
(5/8 cup)
9
protein (G)
12
181
folate (UG)
311
7.9
dietary fiber (G)
5.2
3.3
iron (MG)
2.3
369
potassium (MG)
436
View More
0.973 | 0.973 | 3.97 Complete Comparison:
Edamame vs. Lentils


Pea Shoots

image of pea shoots

Similarity: > 95%

Pea shoots are also high in dietary fiber and contains some of the same nutrients. Also, pea shoots contains more Vitamin C and Vitamin A than lentils.

For 100 grams of lentils and pea shoots:


Lentils
(1/2 cup)
Pea Shoots
(1 cup)
9
protein (G)
2.4
181
folate (UG)
62
7.9
dietary fiber (G)
2.4
3.3
iron (MG)
1.3
369
potassium (MG)
160
View More
0.962 | 0.962 | 1.22 Complete Comparison:
Pea Shoots vs. Lentils


Peas

image of peas

Similarity: > 95%

Peas are also high in dietary fiber and potassium. Moreover, peas contains more Vitamin C, Vitamin A, thiamin and niacin than lentils.

For 100 grams of lentils and peas:


Lentils
(1/2 cup)
Peas
(3/4 cup)
9
protein (G)
5.4
181
folate (UG)
65
7.9
dietary fiber (G)
5.7
3.3
iron (MG)
1.5
369
potassium (MG)
244
View More
0.954 | 0.954 | 3.03 Complete Comparison:
Peas vs. Lentils


Alfalfa Sprouts

image of alfalfa sprouts

Similarity: > 95%

Alfalfa sprouts contain nutrients similar to lentils, but in smaller amounts overall. Also, alfalfa sprouts contains more Vitamin C, Vitamin A and calcium than lentils.

For 100 grams of lentils and alfalfa sprouts:


Lentils
(1/2 cup)
Alfalfa Sprouts
(3 cups)
9
protein (G)
4
181
folate (UG)
36
7.9
dietary fiber (G)
1.9
3.3
iron (MG)
0.96
369
potassium (MG)
79
View More
0.948 | 0.948 | 1.63 Complete Comparison:
Alfalfa Sprouts vs. Lentils


Nori

image of nori

Similarity: > 95%

Nori is also high in potassium and contains some of the same nutrients. Moreover, nori contains more Vitamin C, Vitamin A, calcium and riboflavin than lentils.

For 100 grams of lentils and nori:


Lentils
(1/2 cup)
Nori
(38 bags)
9
protein (G)
5.8
181
folate (UG)
146
7.9
dietary fiber (G)
0.3
3.3
iron (MG)
1.8
369
potassium (MG)
356
View More
0.948 | 0.948 | 3.47 Complete Comparison:
Nori vs. Lentils


Sprouted Peas

image of sprouted peas

Similarity: > 95%

Sprouted peas are also high in protein, iron and potassium. Moreover, sprouted peas contains more Vitamin C, calcium, riboflavin, niacin and Vitamin B6 than lentils.

For 100 grams of lentils and sprouted peas:


Lentils
(1/2 cup)
Sprouted Peas
(7/8 cup)
9
protein (G)
8.8
181
folate (UG)
144
7.9
dietary fiber (G)
0
3.3
iron (MG)
2.3
369
potassium (MG)
381
View More
0.947 | 0.947 | 2.96 Complete Comparison:
Sprouted Peas vs. Lentils


Chives

image of chives

Similarity: > 90%

Chives are also high in dietary fiber and potassium. Also, chives contains more Vitamin C, Vitamin A and calcium than lentils.

For 100 grams of lentils and chives:


Lentils
(1/2 cup)
Chives
(33 tbsps)
9
protein (G)
3.3
181
folate (UG)
105
7.9
dietary fiber (G)
2.5
3.3
iron (MG)
1.6
369
potassium (MG)
296
View More
0.94 | 0.94 | 3.79 Complete Comparison:
Chives vs. Lentils


Brussels Sprouts

image of brussels sprouts

Similarity: > 90%

Brussels sprouts are also high in dietary fiber and potassium. Also, brussels sprouts contains more Vitamin C, Vitamin A and calcium than lentils.

For 100 grams of lentils and brussels sprouts:


Lentils
(1/2 cup)
Brussels Sprouts
(1.25 cup)
9
protein (G)
3.4
181
folate (UG)
61
7.9
dietary fiber (G)
3.8
3.3
iron (MG)
1.4
369
potassium (MG)
389
View More
0.935 | 0.935 | 3.77 Complete Comparison:
Brussels Sprouts vs. Lentils


Broccoli

image of broccoli

Similarity: > 90%

Broccoli is also high in dietary fiber and potassium. Also, broccoli contains more Vitamin C, Vitamin A and calcium than lentils.

For 100 grams of lentils and broccoli:


Lentils
(1/2 cup)
Broccoli
(1 cup)
9
protein (G)
2.8
181
folate (UG)
63
7.9
dietary fiber (G)
2.6
3.3
iron (MG)
0.73
369
potassium (MG)
316
View More
0.933 | 0.933 | 3.53 Complete Comparison:
Broccoli vs. Lentils


Lima Beans

image of lima beans

Similarity: > 90%

Lima beans are also high in dietary fiber, iron and potassium. Also, lima beans contains more Vitamin C, Vitamin A and calcium than lentils.

For 100 grams of lentils and lima beans:


Lentils
(1/2 cup)
Lima Beans
(5/8 cup)
9
protein (G)
6.8
181
folate (UG)
34
7.9
dietary fiber (G)
4.9
3.3
iron (MG)
3.1
369
potassium (MG)
467
View More
0.931 | 0.931 | 3.18 Complete Comparison:
Lima Beans vs. Lentils


Asparagus

image of asparagus

Similarity: > 90%

Asparagus are also high in dietary fiber, iron and potassium. Also, asparagus contains more Vitamin C and Vitamin A than lentils.

For 100 grams of lentils and asparagus:


Lentils
(1/2 cup)
Asparagus
(3/4 cup)
9
protein (G)
2.2
181
folate (UG)
52
7.9
dietary fiber (G)
2.1
3.3
iron (MG)
2.1
369
potassium (MG)
202
View More
0.928 | 0.928 | 1.95 Complete Comparison:
Asparagus vs. Lentils


baked goods


Whole Wheat Bread

image of whole wheat bread

Similarity: > 90%

Whole wheat bread is high in many of the same nutrients as lentils, including dietary fiber, protein, iron and potassium. Moreover, whole wheat bread contains more calcium, thiamin, niacin and Vitamin B6 than lentils.

For 100 grams of lentils and whole wheat bread:


Lentils
(1/2 cup)
Whole Wheat Bread
(3.5 ounces)
9
protein (G)
13
181
folate (UG)
75
7.9
dietary fiber (G)
7.4
3.3
iron (MG)
2.5
369
potassium (MG)
230
View More
0.94 | 0.94 | 4.83 Complete Comparison:
Whole Wheat Bread vs. Lentils



Other Nutritional Substitutes