What is the Difference Between Mung Beans and Lentils

The main difference between mung beans and lentils is that mung beans have more calories, proteins, and dietary fibers than lentils.

Both mung beans and lentils are nutritious food items that are rich in calories, dietary fiber, and protein. But there’s a slight difference in their nutrition profiles. Both these pulses are commonly used in Asian cuisine.

Key Areas Covered

1. What are Mung Beans 
      – Definition, Features, Nutrients
2. What are Lentils
     – Definition, Features, Nutrients
3. Difference Between Mung Beans and Lentils
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Lentils, Pulses, Mung Beans

What are Mung Beans

Mung beans are small, round green beans belonging to the legume family. They are known by various names, such as green gram, golden gram, lutou, look dou, moyashimamae, and oorud. They are a type of pulse, i.e., edible seeds of the legume family. They are usually cultivated in the Asian region and are a popular food item in Asian cuisine. Mung beans can be used as an ingredient in both savoury and sweet dishes. They are easy to prepare. Dried mung beans are usually boiled before use. These beans may have a bland test on their own, so most people incorporate them into salads, curries, soups, etc. They work well in various dishes.

Mung beans are a good source of proteins. They are also rich in vitamins and minerals, and research has shown that they have many beneficial properties, including antioxidant effects and antimicrobial activity. Mung bean sprouts have also gained a lot of popularity in the recent past.

What are Lentils

Lentils are small, flat-disk-like edible seeds, which are high in proteins. They come in different sizes and colors.  Brown lentils and green lentils are the two major varieties of lentils. They are available with the seed coat, and their inside is yellow in color. Generally, these seeds come to the market in their dried form. But, people sell them in different forms: with or without seed coat, as a whole, split or polished. Since lentils are a good source of proteins, they are a good substitute for meat. They are also rich in vitamin A, B, and calcium.

South Asians use a type of dehulled, split lentils known as dal. It is important as a dietary staple, usually eaten with rice or roti. Like mung beans, lentils go well with a variety of dishes – they can be used in curries, soups, stews, etc.

Difference Between Mung Beans and Lentils

Definition

Mung beans are small, round green beans belonging to the legume family, while lentils are small, flat-disk-like edible seeds, which are high in proteins.

Proteins

Mung beans have a higher protein content than lentils.

Calories

Moreover, mung beans have a higher calorie content than lentils. 100 grams of mung bean has 347 calories while 100 grams of lentil has 116 calories.

Sugar

Lentils have a higher sugar content than mung beans.

Dietary Fibers

Mung beans have a higher dietary fiber content than lentils.

Vitamin B

In addition, mung beans have a higher vitamin B content than lentils.

Conclusion

Mung beans are small, round green beans belonging to the legume family, while lentils are small, flat-disk-like edible seeds, which are high in proteins. The main difference between mung beans and lentils is that mung beans have more calories, proteins, and dietary fibers than lentils.

Reference:

1. “Nutrition Comparison: Mung Bean Vs Lentils.” Soupersage.
2. “Lentils: Benefits and Nutrition.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International.
3. “Mung Beans: Health Benefits, Nutrition, and Recipe Tips.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Mung beans” By Tiia Monto – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “3 types of lentil” (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia