Soy beans

Pearl barley is by far the most popular form of barley in the United States. Extensive processing removes the two outer hulls along with the bran layer resulting in uniformly-sized, ivory grains with very little fiber. This processing makes it less chewy to the bite, but it also removes a vast majority of the barley’s inherent nutrition. Its flavor is mild and nutty, and it cooks in 30 to 45 minutes.

Lentils are a great source of healthy protein, also packing in high amounts of iron and zinc. Lentils are versatile, going into stews, soups, dips, and salads. And, major bonus, they're cheap. But not all lentils look and cook alike. Here are the top varieties of lentils that are widely available, and a guide on how to properly prepare these colorful legumes so they don't turn into a sad puddle of mush. Let's take a look at lentils!

Always refer to the actual package for the most accurate information

The brown chickpea (also known as Desi or Kala Chana) is a smaller version of the regular pale yellow chickpea. It has a brown skin but remains yellow underneath. These chickpeas can be used in curries, soups and salads. They can be stewed with meats like lamb and fish. One cup of cooked chickpeas contains: 269 calories, 45 g of carbohydrate, 15 g of protein, 13 g of dietary fiber, 4 g of fat.