Indian Diet for Weight Loss: A Comprehensive Guide
View Photos Westerners feel that an ideal Indian diet comprises of carbohydrates and spicy curries that are oily and salty. An important point is being missed here. Unlike the West Indian diets which usually contain carbohydrates that are not super refined (flour). But we eat more of unrefined and fibre rich carbohydrates. Moreover, our body's constitution and tropical weather conditions call for a more energy rich diet. So, an all Indian diet for weight loss should not come as a surprise.
Here is one of the best diet plans for weight loss and mind you, it is an authentic Indian diet.
Tips To Plan An Indian Diet For Weight Loss:
- You Need Carbs Too: Many western diets are very famous just for the basic principle of cutting down on the carbohydrates. This is possible for them because the carbohydrates they eat are usually devoid of nutrition (cakes and bakes, white bread, pasta, etc).
- Indian Carbs: We eat more of atta (coarse wheat), dalia (broken wheat), bajra and jowar (coarse grains); these are all carbohydrates rich in fibre. Even the concept of coarse rice is primarily Indian. Being fibrous they have low Glycemic Index and therefore are healthy for weight loss and diabetes.
- Staple Food: The main course meal for Westerners usually has negligible amount of carbohydrates and mostly proteins (steaks, meat casseroles, etc). The main component of an Indian diet is always carbohydrate (rice, roti, etc). That will have to change as you will need to strike a balance between carbs and proteins.
- Indian Proteins: Some of the best diets for weight loss includes a high percentage of proteins. India has its own variety of vegetarian proteins that are extremely healthy because they are again, fibrous. Dals like urad, gram, toor are great legumes, so are rajma (red kidney beans) and lentils. Even if you are a vegetarian (which a majority of Indians are) there is no dearth of options for you.
- Minerals and Vitamins: Nutrients are mostly received from vegetables and some from meat. India hosts a variety of saags (green leafy vegetables) that need to be incorporated abundantly in your daily food plan for roughage and also vital nutrients.
- Fruits: Some Indian fruits like mango are very fattening and it is best to stay off from them. However, there is no restriction on eating fruits that have good sugars. Include at least 2 fruits (one citrus) in your daily diet.
- Curries: The real problem with Indian diet is our cooking style. The tendency to make a curry out of everything increases the oil intake and often destroys food value due to overcooking. Learn to eat with minimal spices and little frying.
- Indian Desserts: In terms of sweet tooth, Indians are known for indulging themselves. You will have to resist all the tempting sweets (mithai) and desserts (kheer) if you are serious about losing weight.
Follow these good health tips for planning your Indian diet for weight loss.
