The popularity of Indian cuisine is on the rise in North America, AllBusiness website reports. Pillsbury and General Mills are out in force, creating packaged version of Indian fare to take advantage of the popularity. While generally healthy, not all Indian food is good for you.
Chickpeas
Chickpeas are the basis of a number of Indian dinnertime dishes, such as chickpea curry and chana masala. A diet rich in beans, including chickpeas, can reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes, MayoClinic.com reports. Because chickpeas are rich in dietary fiber, they can help clear out elevated cholesterol. Also, chickpeas have a low glycemic index, meaning they are absorbed slowly by the body. Harvard University School of Public Health reports that chickpea's glycemic index is only 28 -- significantly less than other beans such as navy beans and black beans.
Roti
Roti is basked in a clay oven known as a tandoori, hence its popular name "tandoori roti". Unlike naan, roti is an Indian bread that is a whole grain. According to Pamela L. Lutsey of University of Minnesota School of Public Health, a diet rich in whole grains can reduce the risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, chronic inflammation and diabetes. In her paper published in the March 2007 issue of "British Journal of Nutrition," she found that whole grain intake was associated with a 10 percent lower body mass index when compared with those who avoided whole grains.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are standard fare in dozens of Indian dishes. Everything from chicken vindaloo, Indian salad and soup contain generous portions of tomatoes. When combined with a low fat diet, vegetables that include tomatoes can boost weight loss results, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. Because tomatoes are not energy dense, they make you feel more full on fewer calories. Tomatoes are especially rich in the antioxidant lycopene. Consumption of lycopene can significantly reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men, Harvard University reports. If making Indian food at home, cook the tomatoes thoroughly as this releases more lycopene, Harvard adds.
References
- AllBusiness: Packaged Goods Reflect Increasing Popularity of Indian Food
- MayoClinic.com: Beans and Other Legumes
- Harvard Health Publications: Glycemic index and glycemic load for 100+ foods
- "British Journal of Nutrition": Whole grain intake and its cross-sectional association with obesity, insulin resistance, inflammation, diabetes and subclinical CVD: The MESA Study
- CDC: Can eating fruits and vegetables help people to manage their weight?
- Harvard Health Publications: Tomatoes and Prostate Cancer
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