Post: #1

At the farmer's market today I bought some mixed sprouted legumes (lentils, chickpeas, mung beans, black eyed peas, etc) just to try them as a new vegetable option. After reading around online, it looks like a great way to supplement protein in the diet but with a ton more nutrients, antioxidants and vitamins, which I feel I've been lacking with my increased animal protein intake.

As you sprout legumes, their protein and fiber percentage actually increases. I know die hard Atkins people shun all legumes because they contain carbs, but these appear to be little powerhouses, worth the few grams of carbs they do contain. There's some concerns about potential food poisoning and such out there, but these were bought from a small time organic farmer. If you see em give em a try.

Post: #2

(04-29-2012 06:25 PM)thedude3737 Wrote:  At the farmer's market today I bought some mixed sprouted legumes (lentils, chickpeas, mung beans, black eyed peas, etc) just to try them as a new vegetable option. After reading around online, it looks like a great way to supplement protein in the diet but with a ton more nutrients, antioxidants and vitamins, which I feel I've been lacking with my increased animal protein intake.

As you sprout legumes, their protein and fiber percentage actually increases. I know die hard Atkins people shun all legumes because they contain carbs, but these appear to be little powerhouses, worth the few grams of carbs they do contain. There's some concerns about potential food poisoning and such out there, but these were bought from a small time organic farmer. If you see em give em a try.

Die hard Atkins people are full of shit. Sprouts are one of the best and most cost-effective things you can eat for any phase of your life. I wouldn't really worry about food poisoning, but it is cheaper and better to buy your own seeds if you're that worried about it anyway.

Post: #3

I actually consume sprouted lentils all the time. Takes five minutes to cook, after which I season them with lemon juice, cumin, and salt.

Here's the brand I use:

http://www.amazon.com/truRoots-Organic-S...855&sr=1-1

Post: #4

I buy the dry ones which I soak overnight. Once they become soft, boil them in water and then add chopped chilis, salt, pepper, cumin, cardamom, tomatoes for a healthy snack/lunch/dinner.

(04-29-2012 06:25 PM)thedude3737 Wrote:  At the farmer's market today I bought some mixed sprouted legumes (lentils, chickpeas, mung beans, black eyed peas, etc) just to try them as a new vegetable option. After reading around online, it looks like a great way to supplement protein in the diet but with a ton more nutrients, antioxidants and vitamins, which I feel I've been lacking with my increased animal protein intake.

As you sprout legumes, their protein and fiber percentage actually increases. I know die hard Atkins people shun all legumes because they contain carbs, but these appear to be little powerhouses, worth the few grams of carbs they do contain. There's some concerns about potential food poisoning and such out there, but these were bought from a small time organic farmer. If you see em give em a try.

Post: #5

^ Do you still get the same nutritional profile? I always assumed the biggest benefits of sprouts is that they are still "alive".

Post: #6

The reason some of us shun legumes is their typically high lectin content -- lectin binds with the stomach's "carb" lining leading to IBS and other gastric disorders in a large percentage of the population.

For me, when I stopped all legume content (in addition to wheat) ALL of my allergies disappeared forever. If I have legumes, even sprouted ones, my allergies return full force.

I've head that sprouting can reduce the lectin content significantly, but I have no concrete evidence to it personally.

Post: #7

There is some evidence on Pubmed, if you want to look it up, of combination soaking and then pressure cooking lentils to destroy nearly 100% of the phytate and lectin content. They didn't measure for saponins, but I suspect they're significantly reduced from the pressure cooking as well. This is without sprouting.

I'm also on the Paleo diet and after eliminating lectin containing foods and dairy I eliminated my (severe) acne and seasonal allergies. However, I've been slowly reintroducing "safe" foods over the last 7 years of being on the diet. The next step is to get a pressure cooker and see if lentils agree with me. Rice and potatoes have been back in my diet for a long time. I'm looking forward to a way to introduce a cheap protein source, because eating only meat to get 200+ grams of protein per day is expensive. I'd rather direct that money somewhere else.