Low calorie desi foods to try if you want to lose weight
Some Indian foods for weight loss
Avocados, quinoa, salmon and other such rare-sounding foods have gained immense popularity among fitness freaks and people who have taken up new diets to lose weight. Losing weight is not all about reducing the amount of calories that you consume but ensuring that the food that you are eating is healthy, loaded with lean protein, fiber and good fats. Weight watchers are mostly attracted towards fancy food when trying to shed kilos, but the truth is that our everyday Indian foods are equally healthy and can help in weight loss. To all you fitness enthusiasts, we bring six low calorie foods that you should try if you want to lose weight.
Poha
Popular in Maharashtra, Poha is an easy recipe that is also a healthy breakfast option and is made with onions, potato and seasoning like crushed chillies, crushed peanuts, curry leaves and lemon. Light on the digestive system, it is a great option for breakfast and is the go-to dish if you do not feel like cooking.
Low-calorie microwave dhokla
Dhokla is a fermented, steamed snack that is originally from Gujarat and make for the perfect low-calorie snack. It is also a versatile option because it does not require any elaborate cooking and can be easily made in a microwave with certain ingredients like besan, chili, curd, suji and curry leaves.
Oats idli
Made of fermented batter, idli is great for the gut and is a great snacking option as it is puffy and light. It is not fried and thus free of calories. The protein and fibre present in it make it an excellent option for you, especially if you wish to lose weight.
Green pea upma
Nutrient dense and stomach friendly, upma is a South-Indian breakfast option that will keep your cravings in check. Adding green peas to it will help in regulating the amount of protein in your diet and will also add to its taste.
Tandoori gobhi / cauliflower
It isn’t fried or deep fried which means that it is low on calories and free of all saturated fats. Cauliflower is an excellent source of weight-loss fibers and tandoori gobhi can help you reduce weight and stay healthy without the extra fat.
Ragi / finger millet dosa ( pancake)
While wheat can be fattening, ragi is a relatively low-fat alternative grain that is used to prepare dosa along with rice or lentil batter. Since it is rich in fiber, it helps to keep us full for longer periods of time and hence minimize binge eating. Eating it with sambhar is a great option because of the variety of vegetables that are present in the sambhar preparation are storehouses of health and wellness. Coconut chutney is another healthy option that can be consumed with dosa.