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Dinner is usually the last meal of the day, after which there is a gap of eight to nine hours until the next meal. Therefore, it is important to keep yourself nourished and satiated during this time. Another important aspect to keep in mind is that there isn’t any physical activity to burn the calories that you take in during dinner, so your meal should be healthy and light.
That’s exactly where barley soup comes in. Nutritionists generally recommend soups and salads for dinner for those trying to lose weight. Since they are light and hydrating, they keep us full for longer and keep the stomach cool. While there are plenty of soups that you can make - ranging from tomato and potato to carrots, radish, and more - have you ever tried a grain soup?
Barley, for the unversed, is a popular cereal grain in India that is also known as jau. Along with rice and wheat, barley is also considered an important part of the grain family. Did you know that barley contains high soluble fibre that aids better digestion? Not just this, the grain is a great way to lose weight too as it reduces hunger and gives the feeling of fullness. It is also good for diabetics as it helps in regulating blood sugar levels and controlling insulin secretion.
Barley Soup
To include barley in your daily diet, there are a plethora of ways that you can employ. Mix barley with your roti flour and make barley chapati for dinner. You can also add this to parathas and breakfast porridge. However, a great idea for dinner would be barley soup. It is light, healthy and super nutritious. Loaded with a variety of vegetables, the soup is thick and tasty.
With a combination of iron, magnesium, and plenty of other nutrients in a single bowl, the barley soup definitely improves metabolism which, in turn, helps you in losing weight. To make barley soup, vegetables are chopped. These include carrots, mushrooms, onions, green beans, tomatoes, peas, and more. The barley is cooked in a vegetable broth along with chunks of these veggies. Flavoured with minced garlic, oregano, fennel seeds and red wine vinegar, the soup is a hearty dinner treat.
For non-vegetarians, you can add lean meats like chicken to the soup to amp up the protein factor. The barley soup is finished with some coriander leaves and served hot. Pair with multi-grain bread and enjoy a healthy and nutritious dinner that helps you lose weight.
