People preparing everyday meals
If you use lentils as a side dish or meal base, choose an amount you can serve or store according to the packaging instructions.
Who are these options for?
People who find chewing difficult
If you can swallow without difficulty but prefer soft foods, check the texture of the lentils after preparation. Even pre-cooked lentils may need extra moisture or mashing.
Carers preparing suitable portions
A smaller amount can make it easier to adjust a meal when appetite or chewing ability varies. If someone has a swallowing disorder, follow individual advice on food texture rather than relying on a product’s “soft” description alone.
What should you check before choosing?
When preparing meals with canned lentils, first check the texture you’ll be serving, then consider the amount you need and the label instructions.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Texture after preparation | Check whether the lentils can be mashed with a fork once served and whether they are moist enough for the person eating them. A “soft” description is not enough if someone has a swallowing disorder. | When chewing whole lentils becomes tiring, I want to be able to adjust the consistency of the meal rather than assume the canned product is suitable as it is. Around 42% of consumers would put this adjustable texture first. |
| Amount you can use | Check the drained weight, pack size and number of portions you plan to serve. | If I’m only preparing a few meals at a time, I want to choose a tin whose contents I can use without having too many leftovers. Around 33% of consumers would put choosing the right amount first. |
| Ingredients and storage | Read the ingredients, allergen information and instructions for storing the product after opening. | When I’m preparing a meal for someone with dietary restrictions, I want to check the ingredients and know how to store any leftovers. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise this information. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming cooked lentils are suitable for every eating difficulty
Lentils are still whole grains. The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative explains that its “Easy to Chew” category assumes the person can chew sufficiently and does not have a swallowing disorder.
If someone simply finds chewing difficult, check a small portion once served and add moisture or mash the lentils if needed. If they have dysphagia or are at risk of choking, ask a healthcare professional for individual advice on food texture.
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Choosing a pack size without planning the portions
A large tin may leave you with leftovers if you’re only preparing a small portion.
Check the drained weight and choose a size that suits the meals you have planned and the storage instructions for after opening.
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Assuming all plain canned lentils have the same ingredients
Ingredients and allergen information can vary between products. Auchan notes, for example, that the ingredients in its product may vary depending on where and when it was bought.
Check the label on the tin you’ve actually bought, especially if you need to avoid an ingredient or allergen.
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Storing leftovers without following the tin’s instructions
Storage instructions after opening depend on the product. For the Auchan lentils considered here, the instructions say to transfer them to an airtight container, refrigerate and eat within two days.
Transfer leftovers to a suitable container, note the date you opened the tin and follow the storage period shown on its label.
Brands to consider
Carrefour Classic'
The range includes plain lentils in 265 g, 530 g and 3 × 130 g sizes.
- Several pack sizes make it easier to choose an amount that suits the meals you have planned.
- The pack size doesn’t tell you what texture the lentils will have once served.
Bonduelle
Bonduelle offers plain lentils and a range the brand describes as cooked in very little juice.
- Depending on the product, these can be used in hot or cold dishes.
- The brand’s description doesn’t guarantee a texture suitable for someone with swallowing difficulties.
Auchan
Auchan offers, among other products, a 530 g tin of plain lentils. The product instructions explain how to heat them or prepare them for a cold dish.
- The product information includes ingredients and preparation and storage instructions.
- As the ingredients may vary, check the label on the tin you’ve bought.
Notre Jardin / Marque Repère E.Leclerc
The products considered include a 265 g tin and a 3 × 130 g multipack.
- These sizes may suit you if you’re preparing small portions.
- Check the ingredients and product information for the pack size you choose.
Fleurs des Champs / ALDI
The product considered is a 530 g tin of prepared lentils.
- The larger size may suit you if you’re planning several portions.
- The word “prepared” alone doesn’t tell you what texture the lentils will have once served.
Joybuy products for quick meals
This selection includes prepared lentils and a ready meal made with lentils. For an easy-to-chew meal, check the texture of everything you serve, not just the lentils.
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Cassegrain prepared lentils with carrots and onions, 265 g
This 265 g pack is a handy option if you only need a small amount of prepared lentils. Check their consistency before serving. If you have an allergy, check the packaging for information about gluten and soya.
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William Saurin individual lentil and sausage meal, 420 g
This 420 g ready meal is an option to heat up, rather than a tin of plain lentils. The sausages are described as firmer than the lentils, so check the texture of the whole dish before serving it to someone who finds chewing difficult. If you have an allergy, check the packaging again.
Frequently asked questions
Are canned lentils suitable for an easy-to-chew meal?
They may be suitable if the person can chew soft foods sufficiently and swallow without difficulty. Check the lentils after preparation and adjust the consistency of the meal if needed. If they have dysphagia or are at risk of choking, follow individual advice from a healthcare professional.
Should you rinse canned lentils?
Follow the instructions for the product you’ve bought and consider how you plan to use it. The product information for the Auchan lentils considered here says to drain them before serving hot, and to drain and rinse them for cold dishes.
What should you look for on the label before choosing a tin?
Check the ingredients, allergen information, net quantity or drained weight if shown, and the preparation and storage instructions. Always compare the information on the products you’re actually considering buying.
How should you store lentils after opening?
Follow the storage conditions and time limit shown on your tin. The product information for the Auchan lentils considered here recommends transferring leftovers to an airtight container, refrigerating them and eating them within two days. Don’t automatically apply this guidance to other products.