Indian food– is famous for its variety of spices, intense flavors and aromas that make you drool and your tummy crumble with hunger. Many have this misconception that since Indian food is rich in all attributes of taste, it can be unhealthy for an individual. But it is NOT! Here is a complete handbook for you to lose weight while eating intricate healthy Indian dishes.
How to Lose Weight with Indian Foods?
A healthy weight means a healthy life in the long run. Every individual has varying heights and weights, but as we have been taught since childhood by our Physical Education Teachers, each height has a weight range in which the person or individual should be.
We know it’s hard to resist foods when we are the foodies that gain weight easily. Hence, here are 10 Indian Foods that help to lose weight. This way, your taste buds are happy, tummy is happy which means you are happy while working towards a weight goal.
10 Indian Food That Helps To Lose Weight
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Dalia
A traditional food that is great for losing weight is Dalia– also known as Broken Wheat. This can be consumed in a variety of ways, from adding veggies to using it as a salad dressing, Dalia is a win in everything. It is low in calories and high in fibers with an adequate amount of protein that increases your metabolic rate leading to calories burned. Dalia also has a low glycemic index that is great for controlling blood sugar. You can eat it as a breakfast, lunch, or dinner but do note to not consume more than 50 grams a day.
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Curd
The famous dahi is present in every household irrespective of weather or occasion. Dahi, known as curd in English is offered to eat before going to any new work or exam– a sign of wishing good luck.
While they mean so much to the Indians, the curd pairs well with every dish. You can try it with poha, khichdi and even plain rice, such is the magic of curd. Dahi is high in proteins that help in digestion & improve metabolism. It alos helps to keep your hunger at bay resulting in less calorie intake. Since they are also low in carbs, they pose as an incredible fat burner– so you don’t have to worry about the BMI balance.
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Sweet Potato
With essential vitamins & minerals, sweet potato makes a great addition to your healthy yet tasty diet! Our elders have always taught us that eating sweet potatoes helps to keep our digestion in control & steady. Research has also shown that 30 gm/ per day of sweat potato can help in the long run. Add this as your snack that further reduces the chances of chomping on other snacks– hunger is satisfied!
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Moong Dal
Moong dal is highly recommended for all people who are heart & diabetic patients since they are a great source of vitamins, minerals, iron, potassium and proteins that help in blood circulation of the body. They are a great addition in reference to taste as well as a healthy diet. Since they are also low in calories, they help to lose weight to balance the BMI.
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Tamarind
Famously known as Imli in Indian culture, you can consume tamarind raw or as a juice. They are high in fiber & Hydroxy Citric Acid (HCA) which obstructs the function of the body to store fats. This ingredient satisfies your every hunger and prevents the stomach from going on a hunger strike for unhealthy foods.
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Triphala
As the name suggests, this is a blend of three fruits that have been present in Indian culture for decades. Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Bibhitaki (Terminalia belerica), and Amalaki (amla) are the three fruits that are used to make either Triphala powder or supplement– easily available in your nearby health store. You can also categorize them as Ayurvedic tonic that helps in weight loss. All three ingredients have separate functions that are equally great for health, mind & body:
- Haritaki: The fruit is also known as the “king of medicines”, that keeps the second brain “gut” healthy and supports the digestive system.
- Bibhitaki: The fruit stays true to its meaning– ‘fearless of disease’. It keeps the lungs, liver and kidneys healthy with the help of its detoxicating properties.
- Amalaki: It contains vitamin C that helps with metabolism & weight loss as it is high in antioxidants.
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Tomato
As 90 percent of the tomatoes are filled with water and fresh juices, they satisfy the insatiable hunger and aid in weight loss due to being low in calories and rich in fiber. You can eat them in your salads, raw (but don’t forget to wash them), and also as juices.
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Coconut Oil
Food rich in saturated fats is often the culprit for weight gain as it increases cholesterol levels. Coconut oil has been found to be beneficial in the path of losing weight. Hence, virgin coconut oils are supposed to be the best oil that is low in saturated fats to keep one healthy without compromising the taste of the food.
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Dal/Rajma Chawal
The favorite of every Indian household and one of the desperate needs of all the hostel-ers– Dal Chawal & Rajma Chawal. Even if you are a big foodie, these combinations with lentils prove to satiate not only the hunger & taste buds but also the heart of an individual. But little do all dal/rajma lovers know that they are a great weight-loss supplement. As dal & rajma are high in fiber, vitamins, calcium, iron, and carbohydrates, they help to bring hunger to a stop with delicious treats to the buds while also attending to the goal- weight loss.
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Roti Sabzi
The dinner of every Indian household. The first focus on the plate is roti which is low in calories and a delicious meal when paired with your favourite, healthy sabzi. The second focus– sabzi or vegetable dishes that are great for weight loss are bhindi masala, palak paneer, egg bhurji, soya bhurji and topping the list with vegetable mix.
No one can compete with these healthy Indian foods that are a treat to the taste buds as well as a supporter of weight loss. Some other healthy Indian foods are idli sambar, fish, chicken and all dry fruits.
Tips to Remember
While Healthy Indian Foods help to lose weight, there are some unhealthy ones that one should stay away from. They include:
- Spicy foods,
- Dairy products,
- Fried foods,
- Refined grains,
- Dairy products,
- Processed foods
- Sugar-sweetened drinks.
Conclusion
Do you know what all these healthy Indian foods have in common? The ability to satisfy your and our insatiable hunger. Foods that are high in fiber play a great role in controlling our hunger. But that doesn’t mean for you to eat them all day long. Everything has a limit, and so does one healthy food item in a day. Accounting for more than required will work contrary to our goal and lead to health issues. So whatever you do, even eating healthy Indian foods, keep them moderate. Cheers to a Happy Diet!
