Is Idli healthy, Is Idli Good for Weight Loss?

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Is Idli Healthy, Is Idli Good For Weight Loss?

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Is Idli healthy, Is Idli Good for Weight Loss?

Soft, Steamed, Delicious and puffy idli drowned in a bowl of ever - so soothing sambhar has become nation’s one of the most loved recipes. It is also a very popular street food but does not hold an image of unhealthy and calorie laden food.

Since Idli is steamed and not fried in oil like most oily snacks, the calorie intake is relatively low. There is no additional fat added which maintains the nourishment. This makes Idli a better option over fried samosas and pakoras.

Idli is light and fills you with energy. It is a fermented food which is easy to digest. Fermentation of foods increases the bioavailability of nutrients which helps the body to assimilate more nutrition. The bioavailability of proteins and Vitamin B contents also increases. The microorganisms break down the complex protein, carbohydrates and fat efficiently thereby helping to assimilate more nutrients from the food.

In an era, where antibiotics are prescribed so frequently and our gut flora is so frequently damaged , fermented foods replenish the micro flora of the digestive tract and also improve the absorption of nutrients. Apart from fermentation, the lactic acid bacteria alters the pH balance of the gut thus helping in a long term gut health. Keep in mind your stomach has an incredible part in deciding your well being!

Idli is a perfect combination of urad dal and rice which make it a complete protein. It additionally is without gluten, so if you need to go gluten free, Idli would be the best option for you. It is also a low calorie recipe, thus making it a good option for people on weight loss.

One Idli has only 33 Calories. Yes, it is healthy. See here for complete nutritional details of idli.

Is Idli allowed for Weight Loss?

Well idli is not a No-No for weight loss, but it would be wise to replace rice with other protein rich whole grains and flours. Try Multiflour Idli - a recipe with 4 flours wheat flour, bajra flour, jowar flour and ragi flour with urad dal. This easy-to-make Multiflour Idli has a fabulous, rustic flavour and interesting texture that you will enjoy thoroughly at any time of the day. Replacing rice with healthy flours enahcnes its fiber content too. This idli gives 1.1 g fiber per multiflour idli. Thus this idli is a wiser choice for weight loss.

Multi Flour Idli, Healthy Multi Grain Idli

And how about avoiding the rice totally? Surprising! Yes, it is possible.

Check the recipe of Palak Chola Dal Idi. One palak chola dal idli lends 32 calories and more protein (2.4 g / idli). This no-fuss recipe does not require much preparatory work – just plan ahead and soak the chola dal, that’s all. Together with chutney and sambhar, the Palak Chola Dal Idli makes a wonderful breakfast.

Palak Chola Dal Idli, Breakfast Recipe

More idli recipes for weight loss

Green Moong Dal and Vegetable Idli

Green Moong Dal and Vegetable Idli, Healthy Moong Dal Idlis

Sprouts Palak Idli

Sprouts and Palak Idli

Dal and Vegetable Idli

Dal and Vegetable Idli ( Pregnancy Recipe)

Is Idli allowed for Diabetics?

Idli is good quality protien because of the combnation of rice and dal, but the only glitch is that rice forms an important component of the idli batter. Par boiled white rice has high Glycemic Index that may lead to quick increase in blood sugar levels. So rice based idlis are best avoided by Diabetics. Given below are idli variations which are safe for Diabetics.

Oats Idli

Or you can modify your traditional recipe a bit and replace rice with oats or barley. You can also add in some other pulses like moong dal to further enhance the protein content. Some vegetables and spices can also be added to further lower the GI and make your idli more healthy. Oats idli and Barley Idli are safe for Diabetics.