In the last few years, cauliflower has become an integral and prominent part of healthy diets across the world, whether it be for weight loss or veganism. The cruciferous vegetable that looks like a small, white tree is grown and sold across the world. Because it is versatile and has many culinary applications, it has been used as a part of most cuisines around the world, including in India, where the autumn and winter months are especially known for fresh cauliflower crops. And yet, nowadays cauliflower is best known as a great addition to weight loss and healthy diets.
The reason behind this is simple. Cauliflower is one of the healthiest, nutrient-dense vegetables in the world. When in season, cauliflower can be a great part of your regular diet, and especially a weight loss diet because the vegetable has that one thing that most people look for in long-term weight loss diets—immense versatility. From making regular curries and salads to pizza and pasta bases, cauliflowers are now used in so many incredible and healthy ways that anyone on a weight loss diet can never get bored of eating it.
But that’s not the only reason why cauliflowers should be a part of your healthy weight loss diet. Here are seven reasons you should know about.
Video Credit: YouTube/Marion's Kitchen
A Low-Calorie Food
Weight loss diets, especially the healthy ones, are all about restricting your calories while eating healthy, and that’s one of the primary reasons why cauliflower should be a part of it. According to the USDA, a 100 grams of cauliflower contains around 146 calories, making it a low-calorie vegetable perfectly suited to your weight loss diet. Adding cauliflower to this diet means that you can eat larger portions while still maintaining a calorie deficit.
Fibre Benefits
Adding high-fibre foods to your diet is crucial because it adds bulk to your meals, increases feelings of fullness and reduces hunger. The USDA says that 100 grams of cooked cauliflower contains around 12 grams of dietary fibre, making this cruciferous vegetable a high-fibre vegetable perfect for your weight loss goals. Because cauliflower has both soluble and insoluble fibres, it also improves satiety.
Goodbye Bloating
A key part of following a weight loss diet is to reduce bloating and water retention, both of which add to your overall weight. While high consumption of cauliflower may be linked to bloating, studies have shown that as a part of a balanced diet, cauliflower in fact works as a diuretic thanks to its high potassium and low sodium content. So, eating cauliflower in moderate amounts can actually help eliminate excess fluids and bloating.
Digestive Boost
Regular and healthy bowel movements and a strong digestive system can play a crucial role in weight loss regimens because this function can not only boost energy production but also flush out toxins from the system. Cauliflower, with its high-fibre and mineral content does indeed boost the digestive system enough to clean out the bowels properly and provide plenty of energy for regular workouts too.
Great Carb Substitute
According to the USDA, 100 grams of cauliflower contains only 29 grams of carbohydrates, that too carbs which are low in fat and easily digestible. This is the primary reason why cauliflower is often used as a healthy carb substitute in weight loss diets, especially as a replacement of white rice and potatoes. So, if you are on a low-carb weight loss diet, substituting unhealthy carbs with cauliflower is a great idea.
Immunity Boost
Cauliflowers are packed with plant-proteins, vitamin C, vitamin K, choline and plenty of other minerals and antioxidants. So, eating cauliflower can not only boost your overall health but also particularly improve your immune system, which can help you stay on track for your weight loss goals indirectly. While on a weight loss journey, seasonal illnesses can only pose obstacles, and eating cauliflower can help you overcome that.
Versatile Ingredient
As mentioned before, cauliflower is a very versatile ingredient that can work wonders for a sustained weight loss diet. From salads and sabjis to soups, mashes and roasts, cauliflower can be included in many healthy recipes. Further, cauliflower can also be used as a carb substitute for rice, refined flour pizza bases and more. With such versatility at hand, cauliflower’s inclusion in your diet can help you stick to your long-term weight loss goals.