Are beans and lentils the same thing?

Are beans and lentils the same thing?

In short, lentils and beans are members of the same legume family. … Yes, both beans and lentils are legumes, but whether a lentil is actually a different class of legume from a bean is a matter of interpretation.

Are lentils better for you than beans?

Lentils are grouped with beans and peas as part of the legume family because, like all legumes, they grow in pods. Lentils are high in protein and fiber and low in fat, which makes them a healthy substitute for meat. They're also packed with folate, iron, phosphorus, potassium and fiber.

What is the difference between a legume and a bean?

Beans refer to an edible seed, typically kidney-shaped, growing in long pods on certain leguminous plants while legumes refer to the fruit or seed of leguminous plants (as peas or beans) used for food. Thus, this is the main difference between beans and legumes.