Are you tired of the same old options and longing for something more zesty for your meals?
Generally, Indian cuisine is famous for its spicy and buttery flavours but this is far away from the truth.
Indian food includes a wide range of tasty, low-calorie ingredients so you can enhance your meals without punishing your taste buds.
We have curated a list of Indian cuisine ingredients that are not only great in taste and full of nutrients but also have a limited calorie count so that you can enhance your waistline.
Hold on to your appetite levels as you will be soon making your daily meals more colourful and mouth-watering.
1. Mighty Spinach
This leafy inexperienced is like a superhero for your health, with only 7 calories1 in a whole cup. It’s loaded with nutrients A, C, and K, plus iron and folate – all the good stuff your body needs. And the cool element? Spinach is splendidly flexible. Toss some in your morning smoothie, sneak it into curries for a veggie enhancement, or cook dinner up with garlic and spices for a clean and tasty side dish.
2. Broccoli
Don’t overlook broccoli – it’s like a nutrition movie star! In just one cup, you get all varieties of good stuff, and it’s most effective fifty-four energy. Broccoli is loaded with vitamins and minerals, like nutrition C – you get enough for the day in only one cup!
Some studies2 even say that ingesting vegetables like broccoli may lower your probability of having critical health troubles like coronary heart disorder and positive cancers. Cook broccoli florets using steaming them, roasting them with spices, having nut butter with avocado or making “broccoli rice” for a wholesome swap in preference to grains.
3. Cucumber Raita
Chill out with a terrific refreshing cucumber raita! It’s like an elaborate facet dish made with yoghurt, cucumber, mint, and a chunk of cumin. This combo isn’t simply tasty – it’s also suitable for you. Cucumbers are in the main water, the simplest sixteen energy in a whole cup, but they are secretly top-notch. They hold you hydrated and give you vitamins K and C. The yoghurt provides a few proteins and healthful fats, and the mint and cumin make it flavour cooler. Have cucumber raita with spicy curries or use it as a dip for veggies – it is mild and desirable for you.
4. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are not only for curries – they are just like the unsung heroes of Indian cooking! These guys are low in calories but high in vitamins A and C. Plus, they have got lycopene, which is like a superhero for your heart. A whole cup of tomatoes is just calories so you can add them to your meals without feeling responsible. Chop them up for salads, combo them into rasam for a tasty soup, or cook dinner them down for a flavorful curry base. Tomatoes are a colourful and yummy manner to make your food better.
5. Celery
Celery is not only a snack for ants! This crispy veggie is sort of a fibre powerhouse, and it’s most effective at 42.5 calories3 in an entire cup. Fibre is extraordinary because it maintains you completely and facilitates your tummy to work properly. Also, celery has proper stuff like potassium and nutrition K. You can munch on celery sticks with hummus for a tasty snack that fills you up, or toss them in salads and stir-fries for a pleasant, crunchy kick.
6. Lemon
Spruce up your meals with the touch of lemons! These yellow fruits are incredibly low, in calories within a single lemon. Lemons act as a vitamin C powerhouse enhancing your system and giving your skin a glow. The tangy flavour of lemons works wonders in adding a twist to dishes like curries, lentils and grilled fish. Opt for lemon juice over salt to infuse your dishes with a burst of flavour.
7. Green Chillies
Spice up your food with green chillies! These little firecrackers are only 18 calories4 of energy in a hundred grams. The warmth in chillies comes from something referred to as capsaicin, and it assists with your metabolism and coping with weight, consistent with some research. Use raw chillies in your cooking – chop them up for curries, blend them into chutneys, or pickle them for a zesty topping.
8. Coconut Water
Swap out those beverages, for some coconut water – it’s like a hydrating hero! This refreshing drink is packed with essentials like potassium, magnesium and sodium. It has all the nutrients that your body craves after exercising or during a scorching day. The cherry on top? It’s light on calories 445 in one cup. Additionally, coconut water contains antioxidants that can boost your health and potentially aid digestion. Simply reach for chilled coconut water, for a revitalizing way to keep yourself hydrated.
9. Moong Dal Sprouts
Moong dal sprouts are a nutritional powerhouse! These tiny green sprouts are not the simplest low in energy and very less calories per cup but are additionally filled with protein and fibre. Sprouts are easy to make at home and can be delivered to salads, stir-fries, or curries for an extra increase of vitamins. Moong dal sprouts also are a splendid supply of vitamins and minerals like folate, iron, and nutrition K, making them a properly-rounded addition to your weight loss plan.
10. Carrot Sticks
Carrot contains beta-carotene, which becomes vitamin A – it’s crucial for preserving your eyes and immune system. A complete cup of carrots is just so many calories, so you can snack without feeling responsible. Eat them uncooked with a few hummus for a fulfilling treat, or cook them with spices for a comfy and comforting side dish.
Conclusion
Say goodbye to dull and say howdy to tasty! Whether it is correct-for-your-tummy veggies or immune-boosting citrus, those components supercharge your food, making you experience great each internal and out with less than 50KCal per serving. Hurry and include these ingredients for a healthier and slimmer you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any 0-calorie snacks?
Water alone has no calories, which means there are no zero-calorie snacks. However, there are plenty of low-calorie snacks you can enjoy between workouts. Great options include berries like blueberries and strawberries and fruits like apples and apricots.
What drinks have 0 calories?
Some biscuits, such as oats cookies, digestive biscuits, and ragi biscuits, are lower in calories and sugar content. Therefore, one can include them in small quantities in a weight-loss diet.
Is coffee calorie-free?
A plain cup of brewed coffee has less than 5 calories — and no fat. But if you dress up your coffee with extras, whether at home or at your favourite coffee shop, you also add extra calories.
References
- FoodData Central Search Results. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/168462/nutrients [↩]
- Boeing, H., Bechthold, A., Bub, A., Ellinger, S., Haller, D., Kroke, A., … Watzl, B. (2012). Critical review: vegetables and fruit in the prevention of chronic diseases. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3419346/ [↩]
- Davidson, K. (2023). Is Celery Juice Healthy? All You Need to Know. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/celery-juice-cleanse [↩]
- Peppers, raw, green, hot chilli. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nutritionvalue.org/Peppers%2C_raw%2C_green%2C_hot_chili_nutritional_value.html?query=Peppers+hot+green+raw [↩]
- FoodData Central Search Results. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/1535241/nutrients [↩]