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While wholesome, nutritious meals usually tend to take a backseat during the festive season – which is all about sugar, fat, alcohol and all kinds of gastronomic pleasures, the withdrawal can be quite an intense experience on the body if one is not fully equipped to handle it well. Measures like hydration, physical activity and good sleep aside, having a balanced diet that contains all kinds of nutrients is rather helpful in soothing the after-effects of letting loose during the festive period.
Eating simple foods, cooked at home with high-quality ingredients is one of the ways in which an individual does not feel deprived after consuming high calorie foods in large amounts. Keeping a check on the fat and spice is one thing, but healthy does not always have to be synonymous with a lack of flavour. Curated below is a list of delicious and nutritious meals to eat once the noise dies down and everybody retreats back into routine.
Dal-Chawal-Sabzi
Image Credits: Eatfit Blog
Sometimes basic isn’t boring and a soulful meal like dal-chawal can surely feel heavenly once your tastebuds have been singed by all the sugar and spice. The plant-based protein in lentils, combined with simple preparations of vegetables like okra, beans, leafy vegetables or whatever is in season, can be filling and also balanced at the same time. Add some pickle or a papad for additional flavour, crunch and to encourage digestion.
Rainbow Salad
Combine a variety of cooked and raw winter vegetables in a large salad to enjoy for lunch or for dinner. Bulk up your salad with greens like spinach, Swiss chard or kale and add some cooked chicken, fish or tofu for the protein content. Fortify your salad further with some pumpkin or flax seeds and drizzle a light and healthy mixture of olive oil, lemon juice and salt for flavour and seasoning.
Bean Soup/Stew
Opt for a warm bowl of soup or stew made with kidney beans or butter beans, loaded with vegetables of your choice. Pair this with a simple slice of toast for lunch or dinner and throw in a side salad for a solid meal that checks all the boxes of nutrition. What’s also great about this meal option is that these recipes require no more than a single pot in which your soup or stew can slow cook or simmer.
Quinoa Pulao
Skip the rice for a few days and add a pseudo-grain to your diet – use quinoa instead. This fibre-packed ingredient, paired with vegetables or chicken can be a delicious spin to the usual pulao, which is a predominantly rice-based dish. Pair it with dal, chhole or a bowl of raita for lunch or for dinner. Add extra flavour to your pulao by cooking your quinoa in vegetable or chicken stock and finishing it off with a healthy tablespoon of pure ghee for good fats.
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Noodle Bowl
Image Credits: Sushiya
While a standard noodle bowl doesn’t exactly come across as much of a recovery meal, using healthy swaps like soba, zoodles, ragi noodles or gluten-free options can surely amplify its nutritional value. Whether you prefer your noodles simmered in a flavoursome Tom Yum broth or enjoy a stir-fried preparation with eggs and vegetables, either way, make sure to pack in the flavour but go easy on the sodium-rich condiments like soy sauce or miso paste.
Buddha Bowl
While the name might be synonymous with good health and well-being, Buddha bowls are incredibly easy to throw together with a bunch of leftovers you might have lying around in the fridge. Got some leftover sabzi from last night’s dinner? Simply warm it up and top up a bowl filled with cooked rice or barley, some salad leaves, cubed tofu or chicken, diced avocado and a generous drizzle of chilli oil. Add a fried egg on top if you feel like it or simply add a few chopped raw vegetables like juliennes of carrots, cherry tomatoes and bell peppers.
Chicken Curry-Idli
Although this might seem odd to most people, this unusual but delicious combination of a protein-packed curry with steamed idlis is a light supper that you will surely want more than once a week. Be it a coconut milk-based curry or one with a tangy tomato gravy, the versatile idlis pair well with just about all kinds of curries that are layered with flavour. Looking for a plant-based alternative? Add mushrooms or broccoli to your curry base instead, with a few cubes of paneer thrown in.
