Traditional Indian cuisine offers some of the world's healthiest foods. The vegetables, gravies, whole grains and legumes that dominate traditional Indian food are both filling and nutritious. Authentic Indian dishes are minimally processed, high in fiber and loaded with natural antioxidants. Because Indian food contains less fat and fewer animal products than conventional Western fare, many people outside of India are turning the diet as a rich, flavorful weight loss option. Consider using traditional Indian meals to enrich your lifestyle and promote a healthy weight.
Step 1
Consult a physician or dietician before making radical transformations in your diet. Although a traditional Indian diet is balanced and nutritious, it is best to discuss your goals with a qualified expert before dramatically altering your lifestyle. For example, a strictly vegan Indian diet can elevate a person's risk of B12 deficiency or iron deficiency anemia. An expert can offer guidelines for preventing these complications.
Step 2
Select vegetarian protein sources that are low in fat. Mayo Clinic nutritionist Katherine Zeratsky warns that a whole-food vegetarian diet can cause weight gain if dietary protein sources are also high in fat. Traditional Indian foods contain lean protein sources such as lentils, cowpeas and chickpeas. According to Mayo Clinic, these can act as healthy, filling substitutes for meat. Paneer, a traditional cottage cheese with a tofu-like texture, is also an excellent meat substitute.
Step 3
Use Indian curries as a primary staple food for lunch and dinner. Hundreds of curry varieties exist, including chickpea, kidney bean, okra, lentil and paneer recipes. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that yellow curies provide an excellent source of antioxidants, which offer a variety of important health benefits. Turmeric root, the primary ingredient in most Indian curry powders, has been implicated as a potential treatment for cancer and inflammation.
Step 4
Eat low-fat yogurts instead of whole-milk yogurts to complement or garnish Indian meals. Low-fat options offer fewer calories, but they are equally delicious as curry ingredients and side items.
Step 5
Exercise regularly to increase your calorie expenditure. All weight loss regimens are more effective when they are combined with a reasonable exercise program. Try to engage in light to moderate exercise for at least half an hour every day.
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