Losing weight can be a challenging task, especially if you don’t have a proper diet plan in place. While there are several diet plans available, many of them are too restrictive or difficult to follow, leading to frustration and failure.
But what if we told you that you could lose weight by eating a simple and delicious food item? Yes, you read that right! Idli, the popular South Indian dish, can help you shed those extra pounds in a healthy way.
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of idli and how it can aid in weight loss.
What is Idli?
Idli is a traditional South Indian dish made from a batter of fermented rice and urad dal (split black gram). The batter is steamed in small, circular moulds to form fluffy, spongy cakes. Idli is often served with coconut chutney and sambar, a spicy lentil soup.
Benefits of Idli
Idli is a popular dish for a reason – it’s not only delicious, but it also has several health benefits. Here are some of the benefits of idli:
- Low in calories: Idli is a low-calorie food, making it an excellent choice for those trying to lose weight. One idli contains only 39 calories, which is much lower than other breakfast options like bread or cereal.
- Rich in protein: Idli is a rich source of protein, thanks to the urad dal used in the batter. Protein is essential for building and repairing muscles and can help you feel fuller for longer, reducing the risk of overeating.
- High in fiber: Idli is also high in fiber, which aids in digestion and helps regulate blood sugar levels.
- Low in fat: Idli is a low-fat food, with only 0.4 grams of fat per serving. This makes it an ideal food for those looking to reduce their fat intake.
- Gluten-free: Idli is naturally gluten-free, making it an excellent option for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
How to Incorporate Idli into Your Diet
Now that you know the benefits of idli, let’s look at how you can incorporate it into your diet for weight loss.
- Have idli for breakfast: Replace your regular breakfast with idli to kickstart your day on a healthy note. Pair it with a side of coconut chutney or sambar for added flavor and nutrition.
- Have idli for lunch: You can also have idli for lunch, either on its own or with a side of vegetables or lentils. This will keep you feeling full for longer and prevent you from reaching for unhealthy snacks.
- Have idli as a snack: Idli can also make for a healthy snack option. You can have it with a side of chutney or dip or even as is.
- Experiment with different variations: Idli can be made with a variety of ingredients, including oats, semolina, and quinoa. Experiment with different variations to keep things interesting and prevent boredom.
Tips for Making Idli
While idli is a relatively simple dish to make, there are a few tips to keep in mind to ensure that your idlis turn out fluffy and delicious.
- Soak the rice and urad dal separately for at least 4 hours before grinding them. This will ensure that the batter ferments properly and the idlis turn out fluffy.
- Add fenugreek seeds to the batter while soaking to aid in fermentation. Fenugreek seeds have natural enzymes that help break down the starches in the batter, making it easier for the batter to ferment.
- Do not overmix the batter. Mix it gently to incorporate air, which will help the idlis rise.
- Make sure the steamer is hot before placing the idli moulds in it. This will ensure that the idlis cook evenly and turn out fluffy.
- Use fresh ingredients, including rice, urad dal, and fenugreek seeds, for the batter. This will ensure that the idlis taste fresh and delicious.
- Use a 3:1 ratio of rice to urad dal for the batter. This will ensure that the idlis are fluffy and soft.
- If you live in a cold region, you may need to keep the batter in a warm place to help it ferment properly. You can keep the batter in an oven with the light on or in a warm place in your kitchen.
Conclusion
Idli is a healthy and delicious food item that can aid in weight loss. With its low calorie, high protein, and high fiber content, idli is an excellent choice for those looking to shed extra pounds. By incorporating idli into your diet, you can not only lose weight but also improve your overall health. So, try out this simple and tasty dish and experience the benefits for yourself!
