If you’ve never given much thought to the humble lentil, now’s the time to start. Thanks to a new project from the Transforming UK Food System SPF programme funded H3 project, Sheffield is taking the lead thein a movement that could transform how we eat, making our meals healthier, more affordable, and kinder to the planet.
One of the ways the H3 project (Healthy soil, Healthy food, Healthy people) is working to support more sustainable and healthy diets is by encouraging increased fibre consumption. As part of this wider aim, the University of Sheffield has developed resources to promote affordable, high-fibre foods. And the star of the show? Lentils.
The team produced a new Lentils for Life cookbook with simple, affordable recipes for cooking with lentils. It focuses on dishes requiring minimal kitchen equipment- often just a microwave and hot water- allowing everyone to experiment. They also plan to release more recipes for chickpeas, beans, and porridge, all rich in fibre!
Fibre is one of the most important—and most overlooked—parts of our diets. It helps to keep our digestive systems healthy, lowers cholesterol, supports heart health, and helps us feel fuller for longer. But right now, most people in the UK aren’t getting enough of it.
This gap in our diets has major consequences. Low fibre intake is linked to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and digestive issues. The H3 project is working across the country to shift food systems toward healthier outcomes, and increasing fibre is a key part of that transformation.
So why lentils? For a start, they’re nutritional powerhouses. Lentils are rich in fibre, folate, and potassium—all nutrients that support a healthy heart and help regulate blood pressure and cholesterol. They’re also packed with iron and vitamin B1, which helps maintain a steady heartbeat and boosts energy.
From an environmental perspective, lentils are a dream. They require very little water to grow, fix nitrogen into the soil (which boosts soil health naturally), and have a far lower carbon footprint than meat. Growing lentils also supports biodiversity and helps build a more sustainable food system.
And perhaps most importantly in today’s economic climate, they’re incredibly affordable. Dried lentils are cheap, shelf-stable, and packed with plant-based protein. They’re easy to store, have minimal food waste, and can be turned into a delicious meal in no time.
So, if lentils are this good, why aren’t we eating more of them?
Lentils are a staple in many cultures around the world and are often at the heart of meals that are nourishing, affordable, and packed with flavour. However, despite their popularity in many communities, lentils and other pulses are often also underrepresented in the UK’s emergency and community food provision. Food banks and social supermarkets are usually well stocked with pasta, cereal, and baked beans, but much less so with lentils—even though they’re highly nutritious, sustainable, and versatile.
Improving access to lentils and pulses in food banks, pantries, and shared meals across Sheffield is essential, not due to a lack of appreciation, but because the supply doesn’t reflect the city’s diverse food traditions and needs.
Many don’t eat lentils because they don’t know how to use them. The Lentils for Life cookbook addresses this by offering tasty, affordable, nutritious recipes. For those unfamiliar with lentils, especially from cultures where they’re rare, using them in meals can be uncertain. Dietitian Fiona Croden, who contributed to the cookbook, provides simple, high-fibre recipes. The goal is not to dictate meals, but to equip people with tools to create healthy, satisfying dishes with what they already have.
That needs to change. If we’re serious about tackling health inequalities and promoting sustainable diets, we must ensure that culturally appropriate, high-fibre foods like lentils are available to everyone, especially those who rely on community food support.
Lentils fulfil health, budget, and environmental needs. Sheffield residents are invited to participate in the Lentils for Life challenge: try a new lentil recipe this week. Share it with family, cook with kids, or bring it to a community meal.
If you donate to food banks, consider giving lentils and pulses to help meet the city’s needs. If you’re part of a food bank or pantry, stock lentils and pulses ensure clients have access to recipes and cooking support. For free physical copies of the cookbook, contact [email protected].
You can download the Lentils for Life cookbook from the ShefFood website on the Food & Health page (sheffood.org.uk/food-health-obesity) or pick up a copy at participating community hubs across the city. Let’s make lentils a part of everyday life.
Lentil & Rice Bowl Recipe
To help get more people cooking with lentils, here’s one of the most popular recipes from the Lentils for Life cookbook. It’s simple, tasty, and uses affordable ingredients you might already have at home: Lentil and Rice Bowl, which serves 1.
This meal costs just a few pence per serving, is high in fibre and protein, and can be customised with whatever spices or vegetables you have on hand.