Five Indian foods to eat for a healthier lifestyle

The demands of a modern lifestyle drains the body of a lot of energy, leaving it gasping for a refuel. Grab some of these healthy foods, commonly consumed in India, and snack your way to a healthy lifestyle.

Amla or the Indian gooseberry is available in forms of candy, which are spiced or sweetened to add taste

Amla as an antioxidant

Rich in vitamin C and fibres,  amla or the Indian gooseberry works wonders on the human body. It helps cure soar throat and cold, remedies constipation, eases arthritis-related pain, aids weight-loss, heals mouth ulcers, prevents hair loss, improves eyesight, gives glowing skin, and works as an anti-oxidant. It can be incorporated in ones daily diet in the form of amla candy, amla juice or amla powder. In some northern Indian states, it is popularly consumed in the form of  amla murabba, a sweet where the amla is dunked in sugar syrup.

Paneer or cottage cheese can be easily made at home by curdling milk

Paneer for protein

Paneer or cottage cheese is perhaps the most easily available and the most consumed form of cheese in India. A non-aged, non-coloured variety, it can be easily prepared at home by curdling milk. While preparing paneer, there is often a leftover water residue, which can be collected and used in the preparation of dishes as this too is a good source of protein. Our body requires daily protein intake in order to function properly, and paneer gives the necessary kick in a healthy way.

Gur or jaggery is a natural sweetener and a healthy substitute for sugar

Gur as a sweetener

Made from unrefined sugar, gur or jaggery is a natural sweetener and much more healthier than white sugar. Extracted from the sap of palm trees or by concentrating sugar cane juice, gur has no added sweeteners to it, making it naturally sweet, and healthy. If consumed in moderation, it benefits one’s body in a number of ways, benefiting one’s gut and immunity, and also aiding weight loss.

Bajra or millets have various kinds, which make for sumptuous meals

Bajra for bread

Indians usually consume bread made from whole wheat flour, which is healthier than bread made from maida or refined flour. While the usual brown roti or bread is a great source of nutrients, rotis made from bajra or millets can be comparatively healthier. All varities of millets have different qualities; while ragi is rich in calcium, jowar is fibrous. Millets are also rich in iron, copper, manganese, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and Vitamin B, making for wholesome meals.

The Indian variety of seeds is huge, but not all of them can be consumed as a snack

Seeds for snacks

There is an elaborate variety of seeds that can be found in Indian cooking. While some like the black onion seeds or fenugreek seeds are more commonly used in the preparation of meals, some like the til or sesame seeds, kadoo or pumpkin seeds, saunf or fennel seeds, alsi or flax seeds and kharbooja or melon seeds can be enjoyed as snacks. Having their unique properties, which are often inclusive of proteins, magnesium, calcium – these seeds make for healthy snacks, largely benefitting those who are monitoring their weight. Traditionally, people would process these seeds in a simple way at the disposal of their kitchen itself; pumpkin seeds and melon seeds, for instance, are washed, and dried in the sun before consumption. Although, sealed packets of these seeds are now available on racks, people continue to consume them in the good ol’ fashion way.