Let me ask you a serious question? When you think about Indian food, what is the first thing which pops up in your mind? I am sure that you think Indian food is only hot, spicy, oily, rich, fatty, difficult to cook etc. Curry powders are among other reasons behind considering Indian diet unhealthy. However, experts say that Indian food is healthy in nature since almost every Indian dish has healing spices like turmeric, ginger, garlic and green chillies.
There are some healthy Indian foods which are considered to be good for your health, therefore you should add it to your daily diet. These Indian foods are rich in proteins, minerals and most of them are also low in fat. Dieters who are conscious of what they eat should bravely think about switching to an Indian diet. Moreover, Indian foods also help to fight certain types of diseases and illness. One of the main reasons why you should consume Indian food is; it has carbohydrates, proteins, fats and all the elements to complete a balanced diet.
Lets take a look at some of the best Indian healthy foods to include in your diet.
It is mandatory to combine your meal with a cup of buttermilk. Buttermilk is low in calories and contains low fat. To make buttermilk - you need half a glass of yogurt and half glass of water, salt and chopped coriander leaves. Mix these four ingredients together and make yourself a healthy glass of this Indian drink.
In every Indian home, one of the most healthy Indian food you would see on the dining table is sambar. The reason why this is a healthy food is because it consists of vegetables which is an add to for you to get a lot of proteins and vitamins.
The spicy soft tandoori chicken is a must try if you are a non-vegetarian. Tandoori chicken consists of yogurt and a combination of Indian spices which is good in protein and carbohydrates.
One of the most healthy Indian foods you should try out is rajma curry. This legume is low in calories and contains proteins. You can make this legume as a curry or a dry dish
This healthy Indian dish is made along with beans. Arhar dal is also called as pigeon pea. This Indian dish consists of less amount of calories and around 1.2 gms of fat for one serving.
There are a lot of Indians who love this elegant vegetable. Ladies finger is considered to be a healthy Indian food because it consists of Vitamin C and fiber. It is also a home remedy to control diabetes.
White rice is a staple food in India. This healthy Indian food is a necessity in all Indian states. Cooked white rice is rich in starch which easily converts to glucose in our body and shoots up our blood pressure. So if you have low bp, consume a bowl of white rice daily.
Raitha is an add on which Indian people consume with biryani or rice. Raitha is yogurt which is mixed with vegetables like tomato, cucumber and onions. It is low in calories which is why is it healthy.
Bulgur Wheat/ Daliya is very light and healthy option for breakfast. It is an excellent source of fiber that helps to maintain a healthy digestive system.
A North Indian specialty of roasted brinjals, skinned and made into a simple and exotic preparation. Brinjal is rich in iron which is good for those who are anaemic.
Rice being the staple food in India, you should make it a habit to consume brown rice instead of white. It is healthier and less fattening and contains a list of nutrients too when compared to white rice.
One of the most healthiest Indian foods is sprouts. Sprout salads with lemon added to it is a good combination for a healthy salad. It is rich in vitamins, proteins, minerals and fibre.
A combination of soft cooked potatoes and cauliflower along with black pepper and salt makes a healthy Indian dish. One of those main spices used is turmeric, which helps fight disease by boosting the liver's ability to detoxify the blood
Also known as pearl millet, bajra is popular in Rajasthan. Bajra is a humble healthy Indian food which has been eaten in India since the pre-historic times. It is consumed in the form of rotis or khichdis
A very common breakfast Indian meal is idli. These soft idlis is a great source of carbohydrates and proteins. The fermentation process increases the bio-availability of proteins and enhances the Vitamin B content in the food.
This is a staple food in many parts of India. Sattu is originally made of roasted gram flour and other nutritious flours like barley and wheat.
Famous in Gujarat, this staple snack is made with gram flour. Dhokla has a low glycemic index which releases glucose at a more sustained rate in your body. It is good for people who are suffering with diabetics.
The potato based curry and pav is garnished with coriander, chopped onions and butter. It is healthy as it is made with healthy vegetables like green beans, and potatoes which is rich in Vitamin A and calcium.
The paratha is the most popular variety of Indian flat breads. Made with whole wheat flour and stuffed with vegetables, it is highly nutritious in nature.
This is a popular vegetarian dish consisting of spinach and cottage cheese. Spinach is rich in Vitamin K and considered as a superfood.