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Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : February 25, 2015 2:15 AM IST
Khichdi is probably India's version of the chicken soup. It is eaten when one is sick, has an upset stomach, needs some comfort food or wants to eat light yet filling. Every household makes khichdi and the taste and style of cooking may differ depending on the way it is prepared and ingredients used. But a basic khichdi is usually made from white rice, yellow, green or split moong dal and topped with some ghee. All these heal and soothe our digestive system. But khichdi is more than just a comfort food. It has numerous other benefits for our body. Nutritionist Naini Setalvad tells us why the humble khichdi is so good for our health. Read on...
Wholesome meal: Khichdi is a balance of carbohydrate and protein. Moong beans additionally are a good source of dietary fibre, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. It has all the 10 essential amino acids, making it a complete protein. Freshly-cooked khichdi eaten with pure cow's ghee provides the right amount of macro-nutrients, complex carbohydrate, protein and fat. Adding vegetables to it makes it a complete meal.
Gluten-free: People who suffer from gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, cannot process gluten which is storage protein found in certain grains like wheat, rye, barley. But they can opt to eat khichdi on a few days as it packs enough nutrition and yet is light and gluten-free. Many people who aren't suffering from this disease also opt for gluten-free food as a lifestyle change. They too can eat khichdi.
Balances dosha: This dish can be served any time of the day. It is known for its ability to detoxify the body and balance the three doshas Vatta, Pitta, Kapha. It is a tridoshic food which has a calming effect on the body and is a staple of an Ayurvedic diet. A delicious and nourishing dish of rice, moong cooked with ghee, salt and haldi (turmeric), adding the balance of basic elements earth and water for increasing energy and immunity, fire for stimulating digestive enzymes.
Easy to digest: Khichdi is soothing for the intestine and helps in settling an upset stomach when eaten with curd. (Read more benefits of curd). For babies and elderly, it is a hearty meal packed with nutrients and easy to digest as both have slow metabolism and their digestive strength is weak too.
There are a variety of ways to make khichdi. Here is the calorie count for some popular ways of making khichdi:
Moong dal khichdi 355
Vegetable khichdi 345
Bajra khichdi 427
Sindhi style khichdi 355
All these are based on one bowl serving.
Here are some healthy khichdi recipes you could try:
Also read about the health benefits of other dishes:
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Image source: Tarla Dalal website
Calorie count provided byHealthifyMe, the world's first Indian nutrition tracker.
