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Ladies, you don’t need to resist foods that you’ve been eating since childhood in a bid to lose weight. Guess what? There are so many classic Indian food combinations that are actually weight loss foods!
‘Ghar ka khaana’ or traditional eating habits have been a win-win for our grandparents and parents manage to stay fit, but the new gen tends to sometimes underestimate the value of it. Due to this, we stop eating traditional Indian cuisine like chapati, rice, lentils, and other things. But we must not do that.
Health Shots spoke to Dr Anuradha Arisetty, Consultant – Dietitian/Nutritionist, Motherhood Hospitals, Hebbal, Bengaluru, to find the best classic Indian food combinations which can help in weight loss.
Dr Arisetty says, “It’s a misconception that eating less will help you lose weight faster. Losing weight and maintaining a healthy body from inside and out has more to do with nutrition. Another misconception is that only certain food items will help you lose weight, but some classic Indian food combinations can also help you do that. Having multiple food items mixed together can help to have a balance of nutrition with each meal.”
7 Indian food combinations that will help you lose weight:
1. Dal chawal (Rice and lentils)
Who isn’t familiar with dal chawal? Well, a typical home-cooked Indian thali consists of roti, a vegetable, curd, and salad, along with dal chawal. Lentils mixed with rice will give you a good proportion of carbohydrates, protein, and fibre. In fact, consuming curd and salad along with dal chawal provides you with good fat, protein, fibre and other important minerals. This makes it an excellent weight-loss combination. Do not forget to add a tablespoon of ghee to your dal.
2. Idli sambhar
South Indian food is great when it comes to weight loss. And one of the most popular recipes from south India is idli sambhar. “It is not only a lightweight meal and easy to make, but it is also something filling and yet low in calories,” says Dr Arisetty. In fact, you can also enjoy dosa or vegetable uttapam with a big bowl of sambhar. This meal is the healthiest meal for losing weight as it comes without any guilt of eating too many calories, so enjoy!
3. Rajma chawal
The good news for all of you rajma lovers out there is that rajma chawal can aid in weight loss. How can it help? Well, because of its high fibre content and low glycemic index (GI), this meal helps to fulfill satiety levels and keeps you feeling fuller for longer. Additionally, the fibre in rajma chawal prevents constipation, improves digestion, and lowers bad cholesterol. Additionally, they contain less fat and calories. And each of these nutrients can help people lose weight.
4. Dahi-Poha
For those looking for something filling, yet low in calories, try dahi poha. Eating poha with curd will make it tastier and healthier. Poha is incredibly low in calories and rich in essential vitamins, antioxidants, fibre, and iron. This recipe contains carbs, healthy fats, and protein when combined with dahi, making it a suitable meal for weight loss.
5. Roti and sabzi
Can we miss out roti- sabzi while talking about classic Indian food combinations? Of course not! Well, roti sabzi has the most important place in Indian thali. In fact, it is one of the most popular combinations. Dr Arisetty says, “It is low in calories and, if paired with your favourite sabzi, tasty as well.” Yes, choosing healthy vegetables can deliver a full complement of vitamins, carbohydrates, fibre, minerals, and antioxidants that all improve overall health and help manage weight as well.
6. Khichdi with ghee or curd
Khichdi is a superfood for the soul. Hearty and wholesome—there is something about khichdi that always manages to satiate us to the core. This is another staple that we cannot eat without ghee. In fact, khichdi with ghee is so beneficial for weight loss. To make it more healthy you can add certain vegetables for fibre and antioxidants. For healthy fats, you are already using ghee!
7. Panta bhaat and fish
Bengal has a legacy when it comes to food flavours. One of the most popular dishes there is Panta bhaat, which is cooked rice that has been steeped and fermented in water. People like to pair it with aloo bharta. But if you want to make it more interesting and higher in nutrition for weight loss, you can pair it with fish curry as well.
No matter what you take for your meals, you need to enjoy every meal you have. It is equally important to balance your calories and nutrition in your diet. Plus, consume everything in moderation.
