Healthy Indian Diet.

There is no single definition for a Healthy diet or Healthy Indian diet but I will explain in my own terms to make it simple and easy to understand.

" Any food that is homemade with the highest quality of ingredients and consumed in moderation " .

Well I could add more to the above statement but I like to keep it simple.

You may ask how the homemade cakes,sweets,snacks,fried food can be a part of healthy diet. Well Moderation is the key. I love junk food , snacks,cakes,chocolates - I just can't give up on them. But there is a choice for me to binge on them when I crave or eat in moderation whenever I crave for them , see the difference? Let me explain clearly , I love Deep fried pakoras and whenever I crave for them if I go out to a restaurant order pakoras and since I am out at a restaurant obviously I cannot control my self by just ordering pakora , I will order more junk and binge on all of that.This will result in weight gain. But instead of going to a restaurant , if I make them myself at home in fresh oil with fresh ingredients I will control the amount I am making , I will enjoy fresh hot food without guilt. This will result in happiness ,Yes little extra intake of calories but in your mind you know that it is healthy and you feel fully satisfied with less quantity.

So What should I eat?

I will here mention the foods I recommend eating to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Keep in mind I am a vegetarian and I don't eat meat and eggs( It is ok for me if there are eggs in cake or something).

1. Vegetables

Carrrots
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Beans
Spinach and other Indian leafy vegetables
Okra
Potato
Eggplant/Brinjal
Tindora
Snake gourd
Bottle gourd
Bitter gourd etc.

All vegetables are naturally fat free and do not contain cholesterol and also low in calories. So eat more curry with your rice or roti. There is no need to be in Moderation while eating vegetables

2. Fruits

Apples
Mangoes
Berries
Guava
Papaya
Jack fruit
Custard apple
Chickoo
Grapes
Avocado
Watermelon etc.

My personal favorites are watermelon and mangoes. Fruits are gods gift for us , they are so delicious and sweet naturally. Fruits are also naturally fat and cholesterol free with very less calories. There is no need to be in Moderation while eating vegetables

3. Dairy

Milk,
Cheese,
Paneer
Butter
Ghee etc.

Remember these foods are  high in fat/calorie content so Moderation is the key here. Eat them but in moderation.

4. Oils/fats

Sunflower oil
Canola oil
Avocado oil
Grapeseed oil
Olive oil
Sesame oil
coconut oil
Peanut oil etc.

Oils are basically just pure fat they do not have any carbohydrates or proteins etc. Oils should be taken in moderation as well. * All oils almost have same Calories per serving so dont think that since olive oil is healthy if I eat more olive oil I am gonna be fine. NO .

You can see here that all oils have almost same amount of calories per serving.
credits : coconutsbenefit.com

5. Nuts

Cashew
Almonds
Walnuts
Pistachio
Pine nuts
Peanuts.

Nuts are high in fat and have good source of fiber , so they should be taken in moderation as well . Few handful a day is enough.

I love the below picture , it clearly shows what kind of foods we should intake to feel full for longer.

Fruits and veggies have lot of fiber to keep us full
Credits : forksoverknives.com

Stay Healthy Stay Happy