14 healthy Indian dishes that the world should take notice of

Here, we bring you delicious, easy-to-make and tasty and healthy Indian recipes.

With increasing acceptability of western culture and tradition, traditional eating habits of Indians have also changed. In addition to this, the common misconception that Indian dishes are unhealthy due to their high carbohydrate and fat content is leading to this shift from idli and poha to oats and salads. But what most people are unaware of is that there are numerous Indian dishes that are healthy, tasty and stomach-filling along with being a perfect fit to your weight management goals. Here we bring to you few such delicious, yet nutrient-rich dishes that are quite common in India and aptly fit into the healthy criteria.

Idlis

A South-Indian delicacy, idli is made from fermented black gram and rice. They are a perfect combination of amino acids and carbohydrate. As these are steamed foods, they are low in fat content and easily digestible. Apart from being stomach-filling, idlis are very low in calories; one medium-sized idli provides only 65 calories. Read: Top 51 healthy recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.

Poha

Poha is a highly nutritious Indian dish made from beaten or flattened rice. Available in the form of thin flakes, it acts as a complete meal for toddlers, pregnant women, diabetics as well as office goers. Being low in gluten content and high in carbohydrate, it makes a healthy breakfast option or even a snack. One katori of poha provides 244 calories of energy and around 20 mg of iron.

Masala chai

Most Indians are habituated to start their day with a cup of tea, especially masala chai. Packed with a wide range of spices like clove, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger and tulsi leaves, it provides a healthy punch to kick start your day with a bang. Apart from acting as a perfect refreshing drink, masala chai prevents from a viral infection, boosts metabolism and improves digestion. Read more about masala chai a tasty cup of health!

Khaman dhokla

Made from fermented gram flour, dhoklas not only form a healthy and tasty food but also look appealing. The staple Gujarati snack perfectly fits the bill of a healthy breakfast as it is low in glycemic value, rich in proteins and easy to digest. Apart from being nutrient-rich, 100 g of khaman dhokla provides you only 160 calories.

Barley roti

A staple food of Indians, barley (Jau roti) is preferred over wheat rotis for its high nutrient value and unique taste. Simple to prepare, these rotis are stomach-filling and also taste good when consumed without any side dish. A roti made from one cup of barley gives you 672 calories and makes a healthy dish for lunch.

Buttermilk (chaas)

Be it a hot summer day or a healthy spicy meal, drinking a glass of buttermilk compensates all your stomach woes as well as dehydration. Chaas is a healthy drink, common to most Indian households. You can enjoy it at any time of the day or year. Buttermilk is low in calories and provides you calcium and B-complex vitamins. Made from watered curd and spices, this drink is packed with many more health benefits than you thought of. Here are top 8 health benefits of chaas or buttermilk you should be aware of.

Upma

A traditional South-Indian breakfast made from semolina, upma is very nutritious, tasty and easy to prepare at home. Right from toddlers to office-goers, eating upma for breakfast helps them start their day in a healthy manner. One katori of upma gives you 250 calories and is healthy in nature.

Chanamasala

Chole or chanamasala is a perfect combination of taste and health. One katori of chanamasala provides you approximately 300 calories, which is far more healthy and low in calorie as compared to other gravies and dals. It contains iron, magnesium, folate and antioxidants, which make it a nutrient-dense food that every individual should include in their diet plan. Read eight reasons chickpeas or chana are good for health.

Phulka

It s time to replace ghee-ladden rotis and chapattis with phulkas, as this traditional Indian food is quite healthy and low in calories. One piece of phulka (approximately 20 g) gives you 60 calories of energy. Known as the Indian soft bread, phulkas are easy-to-digest and loaded with nutrients that are good for overall health.

Rasam

Another healthy dish from South India, which imbibes the goodness of taste and health, is rasam. A delicious combination with rice, it contains garlic, ginger, curry leaves (kadi patta), black pepper and other spices good for overall well-being. Try to consume this tasty and healthy dish at least once a week to enjoy its health benefits. Here is how you can make tasty rasam at home.

Dal khichdi

A healthy combination of rice and moong dal, dal khichdi is a perfect dish to enjoy for lunch or dinner. In addition to being low in calories and healthy in nature, this rice recipe is easily digestible. One katori (150 g) of dal khichdi provides only 90 calories, so the next time you choose to eat healthy and low-calorie food, opt for dal khichdi.

Muthias

A healthy snack item common in Gujarat, muthias are known to be packed with energy and healthy nutrients. Made from wheat flour and vegetables like methi, cabbage and bottle gourd, these are rich in taste and high in nutritive value. Being a baked recipe, muthias are low in calories and a favourite appetizer of many Indians.

Rice puttu

Common breakfast dish of Kerala, rice puttu is a delicious steamed recipe of rice flour and coconut. One plate of rice puttu contains approximately 300 calories, which is sufficient to satiate your senses and keep you full for a long time. A simple and easy dish, rice puttu is a healthy recipe to start your day with. Read about top 10 healthy recipes by Tarla Dalal.

Sweet porridge

As Indians, we have a habit of finishing our meal with a dessert. Although most sweet dishes are high in calories and fat content, sweet porridge is the best and a healthy alternative to try out. One katori of rice porridge provides you only 185 calories, there is no other way you can add sweetness to your meal in a healthy way.

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