Did you know that lentils are great for your pregnancy diet? Here’s a creative, delicious way to use them…
I love Bolognese! It’s has rich texture, it’s an amazing mixture of tastes, and in the hands of the right chef it could be a real gourmet dish.
To help my vegetarian and vegan clients experience some of the excitement I feel with Bolognese, I created this vegetarian version of it. Lentils act as a more than suitable substitute for the minced meat, in both texture and nutritional value.
I’m really happy with the result. Since lentils are one of the most recommended foods for pregnant women, I thought many of our reader might want to give it a try…
Why is it good for your Pregnancy Diet?
Lentils are by far one of the best foods any woman should include in her pregnancy diet. About 26% of them are actually protein, which the baby needs for the development of the muscles, brain and other organs. This is why lentils are especially recommended for vegetarian and vegan pregnant women, who don’t eat meat. Another good reason to have lentils while pregnant is the high portion of vitamins they contain, especially vitamin A and vitamins of the B group. In addition, they are a great source of important minerals, such as iron (7.5mg), potassium (950mg) and calcium (55mg).
The other main ingredients in this dish are tomatoes, which are also highly recommended for women who wonder what to eat when pregnant. Although most of the vitamin C the tomatoes contain will vaporize during the cooking, the sauce should still provide a good amount of calcium, potassium, and vitamin A.
Ingredients
Oil
Pasta
1 onion
2 chopped carrots
1 cup of lentils (any sort will do)
6-7 chopped tomatoes
Half a can of tomato paste
Salt, pepper
Spices and herbs: oregano, paprika, cumin, etc.
Water
Parsley
Optional: 3-4 garlic cloves
Preparation
Cook the pasta
Fry the onion for 2-3 minutes
When the onion turns clear add the garlic and carrots. Fry for 2-3 minutes
Add the lentils, fry for another minute
Add the tomatoes, tomato paste and a cup of water. If you like thinner sauce, simply add more water
Add the salt, pepper and spices
Cook for about 45 minutes, stir from time to time. Add water if necessary.
…and that’s it. Enjoy!
