Parents who want to avoid leftovers
If lentils are just one part of dinner, compare a 130 g net drained portion with a larger tin to share.
Who is this choice for?
Parents who prefer to choose the seasoning
Lentils in water let you choose the other ingredients for the meal separately. Check the ingredients for the specific product you buy: ‘in water’ does not mean the tin contains lentils and nothing else.
Parents looking for a recipe they can heat up
A ready-made recipe with vegetables means fewer steps when putting dinner together. It’s still worth checking the ingredients, salt content and pack size against what you need for dinner.
What should you check?
Start with how much lentils you plan to serve, then choose between lentils in water and a ready-made recipe. If you won’t use the whole tin, check the storage instructions too.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portion size and leftovers | The net drained weight of each tin and the number of tins if they’re sold in a multipack. | If lentils are a side dish, I want to open an amount that’s close to what I’ll serve. Around 36% of consumers put avoiding leftovers first. |
| Ingredients and seasoning | The ingredients list and salt per 100 g for the specific products you’re comparing. | If I want to choose the vegetables and seasoning for dinner myself, I prefer to start with a recipe whose ingredients I know. Around 29% of consumers would prioritise control over ingredients. |
| Getting dinner ready | Whether the lentils are already cooked, and the heating instructions on the tin. | When dinner needs to be put together quickly, I look for a recipe that needs little preparation. Around 21% of consumers put convenience first. |
| Storing leftovers | The storage temperature and time after opening specified for the tin you choose. | If I plan to use some of the tin later, I need to be able to store it according to the instructions. This would be the main consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing the tin’s total weight with the amount you can serve
For lentils in liquid, the total weight is not the same as the net drained weight. The DGCCRF states that the net drained weight must appear on the label of products where this applies.
Compare the net drained weights, then take into account the other foods planned for dinner and your child’s appetite.
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Assuming a ready-made recipe is the same as lentils in water
Ingredients and nutritional values vary by product. Per 100 g, Auchan’s 400 g prepared lentils contain 0.93 g of salt, compared with 0.48 g for Bonduelle’s ‘cooked in very little juice’ lentils, with a net drained weight of 265 g. This comparison applies only to these two products.
Check the ingredients, any allergen information and the salt per 100 g on the tins you’re choosing between.
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Opening a large tin without planning what to do with the rest
A 265 g tin may be a good choice if you’re sharing it, but any leftovers must be stored according to the instructions on that product’s label. For its 265 g net drained product, Bonduelle advises storing it at a maximum of 4 °C and consuming it within 48 hours of opening.
If you’re planning a second meal, check that these instructions fit your plans. Don’t apply the storage time given by Bonduelle to another product.
Tinned lentil brands to know
Bonduelle
Bonduelle offers, among other options, ‘cooked in very little juice’ lentils with a net drained weight of 265 g, and lentils in natural juice with a net drained weight of 530 g.
- Bonduelle’s product information for the 265 g size gives a 130 g portion and, per 100 g, 6.8 g of fibre, 8.7 g of protein and 0.48 g of salt.
- The storage instructions after opening and nutritional values for this product do not automatically apply to other tins from the brand.
Carrefour Classic'
Carrefour offers lentils in water in a 265 g net drained tin, as well as a multipack of three tins, each with a net drained weight of 130 g.
- The 130 g tins let you open a compact portion without opening the whole multipack.
- The ingredients lists for the two sizes are not identical, so check the one for the product you choose.
Auchan
Auchan’s 400 g prepared lentils include lentils, carrots and onions.
- This recipe already contains vegetables and can be reheated according to the product instructions.
- It contains 0.93 g of salt per 100 g and natural flavourings. Compare its ingredients with those of lentils in water if you want to season dinner yourself.
Cassegrain
Prepared Cassegrain lentils are available in 130 g packs at Carrefour and Auchan, among other retailers.
- The 130 g size is worth considering if you’re looking for a compact portion of prepared lentils.
- Before serving, check the ingredients, net drained weight and nutritional information for the specific product.
Prepared lentils on Joybuy
This selection features a ready-made lentil recipe with vegetables. It may suit you if you want a dinner that needs little assembling. To work out how much to serve, check the net drained weight on the product page or label.
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Cassegrain prepared lentils with carrots and onions 265 g
An option to consider if you’d like lentils already prepared with carrots and onions. The stated pack size is 265 g; check the net drained weight to work out how much lentils to serve.
Frequently asked questions
Does a 130 g tin count as one portion for each child?
No. 130 g describes the size of the tin, not an amount that every child should eat. Bonduelle gives a 130 g portion for its product with a net drained weight of 265 g, while Manger Bouger advises parents to take a child’s age and appetite into account when deciding how much to offer.
Can tinned lentils be part of a child’s dinner?
Yes. Lentils are among the pulses mentioned in the Manger Bouger guide for parents of children aged 4 to 11. For a younger child, adapt the texture to their stage of eating and the portion to their appetite.
Should you rinse tinned lentils?
Follow the instructions for the product you’ve bought rather than applying one rule to every tin. Bonduelle’s instructions for its ‘cooked in very little juice’ lentils say to drain them and serve them hot or cold. Whether to rinse them afterwards depends on the recipe and the texture you want.
How long can you keep an opened tin of lentils?
Follow the storage time and temperature specified for the tin you’ve bought. For its ‘cooked in very little juice’ lentils with a net drained weight of 265 g, Bonduelle advises storing them at a maximum of 4 °C and consuming them within 48 hours of opening. These instructions should not be applied to other products.