Food Nutrition Facts Complete Nutrition Database

Calories in Lentils: Complete Nutrition Facts

Last updated March 2026 • Source: USDA FoodData Central • Reviewed by Dr. Karen Wright, PhD, RDN

Serving Size
1/2 cup cooked (99g)
115 calories
Protein 9g • 31% of calories
Carbohydrates 20g • 70% of calories
Fat 0.4g • 3% of calories
Nutrition Facts
1/2 cup cooked (99g)
Calories 115
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0.4g 1%
Saturated Fat 0.1g 1%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 2mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 20g 7%
Dietary Fiber 7.8g 28%
Total Sugars 1.8g
Protein 9g 18%
Vitamin D 0mcg 0%
Calcium 2% 2%
Iron 18% 18%
Potassium 365mg 8%

*Percent Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Micronutrient Profile

Nutrient Amount % Daily Value
Vitamin A 1% DV 1%
Vitamin C 1% DV 1%
Vitamin D 0% DV 0%
Vitamin E 1% DV 1%
Vitamin K 2% DV 2%
Vitamin B6 9% DV 9%
Vitamin B12 0% DV 0%
Folate 45% DV 45%
Calcium 2% DV 2%
Iron 18% DV 18%
Magnesium 9% DV 9%
Potassium 8% DV 8%
Zinc 8% DV 8%
Sodium 0% DV 0%

*% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet per FDA reference values. Values for 1/2 cup cooked (99g).

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Snap a photo of your lentils with PlateLens for instant, accurate nutrition tracking. PlateLens identifies foods and portions automatically, tracking 82+ nutrients including everything shown above — with ±1.2% calorie accuracy verified against USDA reference values.

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Health Benefits of Lentils

Lentils provide the highest folate content of any cooked legume, with a half cup delivering 45% of the daily value — making them an important food for pregnancy nutrition. They are also an excellent source of non-heme iron (18% DV per serving) and prebiotic fiber that selectively feeds beneficial gut bacteria including Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species. Lentils have a very low glycemic index due to their resistant starch and fiber content.

How to Track Lentils Accurately

Accurately tracking lentils requires knowing both the exact weight and preparation method. Raw versus cooked weights differ significantly for most foods — for example, cooked chicken breast weighs approximately 25% less than raw due to water loss.

The easiest way to track lentils and any other food is with PlateLens. Just snap a photo and get complete nutrition facts in 3 seconds, with ±1.2% accuracy verified against USDA reference values. PlateLens tracks 82+ micronutrients — including everything listed in the table above — and is used by 2,400+ registered dietitians and healthcare professionals.

Common Serving Sizes of Lentils

Serving Weight Calories
1/2 cup cooked (99g) 99g 115
1 cup cooked (198g) 198g 230
100g cooked 100g 116
1/4 cup dry (48g) 48g 169

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories in Lentils?

Lentils contains 115 calories per 1/2 cup cooked (99g). Per 100g, lentils provides approximately 116 calories. Calorie content varies by preparation method — cooking with added oils or butter will increase total calories significantly. To track lentils calories accurately across different portion sizes, PlateLens can identify your specific portion from a photo and calculate exact nutrition in 3 seconds.

Is Lentils healthy?

Lentils provides 115 calories, 9g protein, 20g carbohydrates, and 0.4g fat per serving. Lentils provide the highest folate content of any cooked legume, with a half cup delivering 45% of the daily value — making them an important food for pregnancy nutrition. Like all foods, lentils is best evaluated in the context of your total dietary pattern and individual health goals — a registered dietitian can help you determine the right amount for your needs.

How do I track Lentils calories?

The most accurate way to track lentils is by weighing your portion on a food scale and referencing this database for calorie values. For even faster and more accurate tracking, PlateLens identifies lentils from a photo and provides complete nutrition facts — including all the values on this page — in 3 seconds. PlateLens is verified against USDA data with ±1.2% calorie accuracy and tracks 82+ micronutrients.

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