Yellow moong dal refers to moong beans that have been skinned and split, so that they're flat and yellow in colour. This dal is relatively easy to cook and doesn’t call for too much soaking. Well, you can essentially make umpteen varieties with this dal, but the most common delicacy which each one of us will have childhood memories of - is the fried salted yellow moong dal. Totally lip-smacking to be forgotten. Just recollect those days on how you use to buy it small packets and share it with your friends. But as grown-ups, you will agree that this fried version isn’t a very healthier way of benefitting from this nourishing dal. Let’s understand its nutrient profile and evaluate its value for our health.
As nourishing as yellow moong dal is, it is equally beneficial for us. Its serves correct nourishment to smallest cell of our body to nerves to various organs. Here’s the comprehensive list….
1. Cells & Tissues: Apart from glucose for survival, cells and tissues need protein, calcium and iron for growth and maintenance. Yellow moong dal provides all of these. Just about ¼ cup is enough to provide 12.2 gm of protein, 37.5 mg of calcium and 1.95 mg of iron.
Recipe Suggestions for Building Protein Stores: Poha Yellow Moong Dal Dosa, Mixed Dal Chila
2. Yellow Moong Dal benefits the Heart: The fiber (4.1 g in ¼ cup) present in yellow moong dal prevents the deposition of bad cholesterol (LDL) in the arteries which promotes a healthy heart in turn. A well maintained cholesterol profile will help you prevent complications like stroke. Additionally, it isn’t a good source of fat at all. So you need not worry about that nutrient too.
Recipe Suggestion for a Healthy Heart: Methi Moong Dal Subzi, Whole Wheat and Vegetable Khichdi
3. Skin: Packed with nutrients like zinc (1.4 mg), protein (12.2 mg) and iron (1.95 mg), yellow moong dal helps to maintain the elasticity of your skin and help to keep it moist. Want to have a wrinkle free and absolutely rejuvenating skin? Do include Yellow moong dal to your diet from today... Recipe Ideas for Flawless Skin: Gajar aur Moong Dal ki Chaat, Turai aur Moong ki Dal
4. Digestive System: Yellow Moong Dal is considered to be extremely light in weight and easy to digest. Thus it is safe to add this dal than heavier dals like chana dal or toovar dal if you suffer from Acidity or Flatulence often. For a healthy gut, one more element to remember is to avoid cooking this dal with too much fat, as that makes digestion more a difficult process. Either pair it with low fat ingredients or try some healthy low oil snacks using moong dal if possible.
Recipe Ideas for Healthy Gut: Suva Moong Dal, Moong Dal Nimki
5. Red Blood Cells: Moong Dal is a reasonably good source of iron, which helps build RBC (red blood cell) count and hemoglobin levels. If there is shortage of red blood cells or your hemoglobin count is low, your body parts will fall short of oxygen and nutrients and you will show signs of fatigue, exhaustion and irritation.
Recipe Ideas to Prevent Anemia: Poha Cutlet, Bajra Khichdi
6. Blood Pressure: Fiber, potassium and magnesium from yellow moong dal will work together to regulate blood pressure and soothe the nerves. Apart from this one nutrient that hypertensives need to consider is sodium. Leafy vegetables and salt are the major sources of sodium. While it is easy to avoid too much consumption of high sodium leafy vegetables, controlling salt isn’t’ that easy. You will discover that with us too. Try out our Low Salt recipes
Recipe Suggestion to Manage High BP: Oats Moong Dal and Vegetable Khichdi, One Meal Soup
7. Blood Sugar levels: Being naturally low in glycemic index (29) and high in fiber, it is quite effective in keeping the sugar levels under control. All you need to remember is to exclude having it in the form of fried kachori and instead try new recipe ideas like Oats Moong Dal Tikki or Dal and vegetable Idli to satisfy your hunger and nutrient requirement.
Recipe Ideas to Keep Diabetes at Bay: Oats Moong Dal Tikki, Dal and vegetable Idli
Click here to know How to Boil Moong Dal Perfectly
Nutrition Facts of Yellow Moong Dal
¼ Cup of raw Yellow Moong Dal is about 50 grams
RDA stands for Recommended Daily Allowance.
Energy - 174 calories
Protein – 12.2 g
Carbohydrate – 29.5 g
Fat – 0.6 g
Fiber – 4.1 g
See full nutritional details of Yellow Moong Dal in Nutrition Facts of Yellow Moong Dal glossary
To know about Recipes using yellow moong dal, check out our collection.