When we think about Indian food, we automatically think of all the oil, spices and fatty ingredients that compose a dish. We rarely connect it with weight loss. However, there are a number of ingredients commonly used in Indian food that help, such as these 10 Indian foods that help you lose weight.
1. Turmeric
Turmeric has many healing qualities. Aside from being a good antiseptic, turmeric is also anti-cancerous and has weight loss properties. It lowers insulin and Leptin resistance levels and reduces blood pressure and bad cholesterol.
2. Garlic
Garlic is not just a tasty ingredient in Indian food; it is also anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. It helps break down fat in the body.
3. Cardamom
The spice that makes our tea truly Indian has great medicinal value; one of them is its digestive property and another is its ability to increase metabolism – therefore helping us lose weight.
4. Mustard Oil
Sounds strange, considering it is an oil, but mustard oil has many essential vitamins and acids great for the body. It also contains antioxidants, good for maintaining weight and reducing cholesterol. You can also use it on your head to prevent hair loss!
5. Honey
Honey has countless health benefits. That is why you should replace sugar in a cup of tea with a spoonful of honey. When it comes to burning calories, honey mixed with warm water every morning helps break down body fat.
6. Curry Leaves
Next time you see curry leaves in your dhal, do not throw them away. Eat it because it is good for removing toxins from the body, which already helps reduce weight. On top of that, it helps burn fat deposits.
7. Chilies
Indian food is well known for its spicy flavours. The natural chillies create heat in the body that burns fat. It also increases metabolism, another reason chillies are good for weight loss.
8. Bean Sprouts
If you are the type who gets hungry often, try having steamed or boiled bean sprouts. You will find that you are full for longer periods. They are also filled with essential vitamins and fibre to help your body get rid of toxins.
9. Cabbage
We have been told that green, leafy vegetables are great for the body and cabbage is no exception. It slows the process of carbohydrates and sugars turning into fat, therefore maintaining balanced fat content.
10. Millets (ragi, jowar, bajra)
Millets have high dietary fibre content, which helps the body excrete toxins. It also helps excrete bile. Bile secretion helps burn calories in the body. Another weight benefit is millets help maintain good cholesterol levels.
Some Indian food is actually quite helpful for weight loss. It is the additional ingredients, like oil, butter and salt, which make it unhealthy. Try increasing the intake of some of the ingredients on this list (and reducing the unhealthy ingredients just a little), and you are on your way to a slimmer, healthier version of yourself.