This page been viewed 15547 times

 

Eating out for a healthy heart, Veg Indian Foods

4/5 stars     
2 REVIEWS

Best Indian Foods

EATING OUT SENSIBLY, 5 points to follow

Eating a low fat diet and sticking to it is easy at home. The biggest challenge is to overcome the odds and stick to low fat eating, while dining at restaurants. To begin with, this may look like a mammoth task, but once you have learnt the knack of picking healthy and hearty foods, you will enjoy your food without taking off to bad fat budgets, which hike up your cholesterol levels and add to your weight. Try to observe the following suggestions while partying out to have a balanced and healthy diet.

1. Snack sensibly before partying / eating out. Always have a small fibre-rich snack before leaving for a party. Never go to a restaurant or party with an empty stomach as most party dinners start off late. If, by then, your hunger pangs are in an advanced stage, you may tend to ‘pig out’ and end up eating food in excess of what you otherwise eat.

2. Plan in advance. A little planning goes a long way. If you have a party to attend, plan well in advance. Do not feel shy or hesitate to request the host or chef to tailor make a dish for you. Remember to enjoy small portions of food at the party, but do compensate for this in the next meal and also by exercising.

3. Avoid second helpings. At the restaurant, serve yourself leisurely and only once, as this will help you to know what you are selecting with respect to calories, fibre, fat etc. Your brain takes 10 minutes to register the feeling of fullness, hence take your time to finish the meal. Serve yourself in a medium sized plate so the food does not look less. This will also ensure that you will not pile up loads of food on the plate.

4. Salad bars are helpful. Begin your meal with a bowl of salad. Beware of salad dressings though! Dressings made with mayonnaise, cream, peanuts etc. are highly calorie dense and an absolute ‘no-no’. Instead, choose a lemon or low fat curd dressings.

5. Choose sensibly.
a. Choose foods made with low-fat cooking methods like stir-frying, steaming etc. Refer to Cooking Healthy at Home. How to cook for a Healthy Heart
b. Avoid the use of butter, margarine, cheese and ghee, as these tend to increase blood cholesterol levels. Apart from visible fat, saturated fats are also hidden in some foods. Coconut is a very common example of this. Try and choose gravy made without the use of coconut, while dining out.
c. What is food without a desert, especially when you are eating out! Satisfy your sweet tooth, select a fruit and low fat milk based dessert and enjoy a small portion. Shake a dessert with a fellow diner instead of having a whole portion yourself.

The gist is to enjoy what you eat. Health doesn't need sacrifice, but you do need to remember that good nutrition is just a matter of selecting the "right" foods – whether at home or at a restaurant.

Throwing a party, follow these Healthy Heart Recipes given below
We have given below a lovely combination of soup, sabzi, dal, rice, accompaniment, roti, raita and dessert. go ahead and plan your Indian healthy HEART dinner and thrill your guests.

Eating Out For A Healthy Heart



1

dahi bhindi recipe | healthy dahi bhindi recipe | Rajasthani dahi bhindi | okra with yogurt | with amazing 18 images. dahi bhindi recipe is a Rajasthani dahi bhindi which is a healthy dahi bhindi recipe. Ingredients used to make dahi bhindi are extremely simple and basic. Made from ladies finger (bhindi), low fat curds and Indian spices, this Rajasthani dahi bhindi is very tasty. Dahi bhindi is the simplest sabzi recipe that can be included to your daily fare. Here, we have made few changes and made it healthier. The bhindis are steamed, we have used low fat curds and less oil to make it healthy dahi bhindi. If you are looking for a healthy and nutritious sabzi, this recipe is for you!! I bet the ingredients used in dahi bhindi recipe would be available in every Indian household pantry!! Traditionally, bhindi is deep fried and used, but here we have steamed it which made the sabzi healthier. We have also cut down the amount of oil in dahi bhindi recipe. If you like dahi bhindi the normal way, you can deep fry the bhindis. Despite having very little oil, your favourite lady finger sabzi is as tasty as ever! dahi bhindi can be prepared in short time of 15 minutes. To make okra with yogurt we have started with steaming bhindi in a steamer. Once the bhindi are steamed, it might look slimy yet you don’t need to worry as further, it will tend to lose its sliminess. Next, we have made a curd base mixture where we have combined curd with coriander powder, red chilli powder, besan which will help in thickening the sabzi and also if you avoid adding besan there are high chances of your curd curdling. We have mixed all of these well and kept aside. Further, for the tempering, we have heat oil in a broad non-stick pan and add cumin seeds, mustard seeds and fennel seeds followed by asafoetida and curry leaves. Once, all of these is cooked add the curd mixture and steamed bhindi, cook well and serve dahi bhindi with coriander garnished on top. Here's a great way to enjoy a Rajasthani delicacy that is simply sumptuous and low in calories. Choose young and tender bhindis for this Rajasthani dahi bhindi that will cook quickly. Above all, the rich and fascinating aroma is so tempting that you won't feel that you're eating low calorie food. You can relish it with bajra roti or roti. Enjoy dahi bhindi recipe | healthy dahi bhindi recipe | Rajasthani dahi bhindi | okra with yogurt | with detailed step by step recipe photos below.

2

chana dal pancakes | healthy chana dal pancakes |chana dal pancakes for diabetics | with 26 amazing images Chana dal pancakes is made of soaked chana dal mixed with vitamin rich vegetables and protein rich curds to enhance its taste. Grated ginger and green chillies add the much-needed spice to the chana dal pancakes. Cook these split bengal gram pancakes over a slow flame as the chana dal is coarsely ground and will take a while to cook well. What makes chana dal pancakes healthy? Chana dal is a very beneficial pulse for diabetics as it helps in the utilisation of sugar effectively causing a slow rise in blood sugar levels because of its low glycemic index. There is a 1/2 cup of methi leaves used in chana dal pancakes and see why we love that. Fenugreek leaves help in improving glucose and insulin responses, hence good for diabetics. The levels of cholesterol also reduced with intakes of fenugreek leaves. These Indian chana dal pancakes are extremely filling and you could have that for a heavy breakfast or it would suffice for dinner. Serve chana dal pancakes with green chutney. Enjoy chana dal pancakes | healthy chana dal pancakes |chana dal pancakes for diabetics with detailed step by step photos below.

3

moong soup recipe | whole green moong dal soup | healthy diabetic moong soup | with 15 amazing images This old-fashioned moong soup recipe is sure to bring back memories of momma’s loving care. Guaranteed to rejuvenate you on a tiring day, this soothing whole green moong dal soup is pressure cooked and mildly flavoured with a tempering of cumin seeds and curry leaves. Chock-full of protein, iron and fibre, this healthy diabetic moong soup is made diabetic-friendly by using just a teaspoon of oil. Mung is rich in Folate,Vitamin B9 or Folic Acid helps your body to produce and maintain new cells, especially red blood cells. I would like to share some important tips to make the perfect moong soup recipe. 1. Put the moong in a deep bowl and add enough water. Cover and soak the moong for 8 hours. 2. Pressure cook the moong for 3 whistles. Allow the steam to escape naturally before opening the lid. Do not drain the water. This water is loaded with nutrients leached out from the moong daal and we are going to use it for our Moong Soup. Enjoy this easy-to-digest healthy heart soup, as Moong being rich in Antioxidants like Flavonoids, mung reduces the damage done by free radicals to the blood vessels and lowers inflammation. They help in the free flow of blood and good for heart in healthy heart moong soup. Serve moong soup recipe hot and fresh for the best consistency. Enjoy how to make moong soup recipe | whole green moong dal soup | healthy diabetic moong soup with detailed step by step photos below.

4

tomato methi rice recipe | healthy tomato methi pulao | Indian tomato methi brown rice | iron rich fenugreek brown rice | with 36 amazing images. tomato methi rice recipe | healthy tomato methi pulao | Indian tomato methi brown rice | iron rich fenugreek brown rice is a tad healthier option than white rice. Learn how to make healthy tomato methi pulao. To make tomato methi rice, heat the oil in a deep non-stick pan and add the bayleaf, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom and sauté on a medium flame for 30 seconds. Add the green chillies, onion paste and sauté on a medium flame for another minute, till the onion paste turns brown in colour. Sprinkle a little water to avoid the onions from burning. Add the garlic paste and sauté on a medium flame for a few seconds. Add the tomatoes and cook on a medium flame till the tomatoes are cooked while stirring continuously. Add the coriander-cumin seeds, turmeric powder and chilli powder and 2 tbsp water, mix well and cook for few seconds. Add the fenugreek leaves, mix well and cook on a slow flame for 3 to 4 more minutes or till the fenugreek leaves are cooked. Add the rice and salt, mix gently and cook on a slow flame for another 3 to 4 minutes. Serve the tomato methi rice hot with curds or raita of your choice. Rice is a very staple diet in India. But we often tend to skip this regular staple due to its high carb content and high glycemic index. Your meal can get healthier when you substitute white rice with brown rice and bring more colours to the table as colourful veggies are loaded with antioxidants as done in Indian tomato methi brown rice. Iron-laden methi greens are combined with vitamin C rich tomatoes which helps in the absorption of iron. For an additional fibre touch, we have used the unpolished brown rice. However, it is important to remember that brown rice is also not devoid of carbs. So we recommend only half serving of this healthy tomato methi pulao for weight watchers, diabetics and people with high cholesterol. Also make this iron rich fenugreek brown rice only an occasional fare and prefer to relish it with a bowl of raita like cucumber and pudina raita or mixed veg raita. Tips for tomato methi rice. 1. The rice has to be soaked, so plan for it in advance. 2. Ensure that each grain of brown rice is separate. 3. To make onion paste, boil the chopped onions in water in a deep pan and then grind them into a smooth paste. Learn how to make boiled onion paste. 4. Salt has been added while cooking brown rice. So add less salt later. Enjoy tomato methi rice recipe | healthy tomato methi pulao | Indian tomato methi brown rice | iron rich fenugreek brown rice | with step by step photos.

5

onion salad recipe | raw onion salad | healthy onion salad with lemon juice and green chillies | heart friendly onion salad prevent clots in the arteries | with 9 amazing images. onion salad is a simple, tasty and quick side dish made all over India and goes well as an accompaniment with sabzis and dals. Learn how to make raw onion salad. Although it is very easy to make and uses few common ingredients, onion salad ( Onions with Lemon Juice and Green Chillies ) is an essential part of our daily meals. This is thanks to the crunchy texture and snazzy flavour of the ingredients that go into it. One thing you need to take care of is to serve the onion salad immediately after mixing, otherwise they will release water and become soggy. The best part is that all the ingredients come with a ‘nutrition inside’ tag! Onions are rich in manganese, which offers protection against cold and flu. The sulphur compounds in onion help reduce blood cholesterol levels and prevent clots in the arteries, thereby making this a very heart-friendly dish. It also has allium, which increases the body’s power to fight cancer cells. Together, the ingredients also give you Vitamin C and potassium. This detoxifying dish is also low in calories. What more can you ask for? It’s time to make this a part of your daily diet! You can also try Spicy Kachumber and Cabbage Kachumber. Enjoy onion salad recipe | raw onion salad | healthy onion salad with lemon juice and green chillies | heart friendly onion salad prevent clots in the arteries | with step by step photos.

6

Oats are a great substitute for low-fibre maida and raisins are the least fat containing dry fruits, making these cookies healthy and tasty. Raisins also lend their sweetness to the cookies, reducing the required sugar content. These cookies can be enjoyed by people with heart related diseases in moderation.

7

hariyali dal recipe | hariyali dal tadka | low calorie hariyali dal | daal hariyali | spinach chana dal | hariyali dal is a simple everyday fare for one and all. Learn how to make daal hariyali. Spinach and chana dal complement each other perfectly in this aromatic hariyali dal tadka which is an excellent source of protein, iron, folic acid and vitamin A. The chana dal is high on potassium count and thus beneficial for hypertension. On the other hand, its low glycemic index makes it suitable for diabetics as well. This low calorie hariyali dal is also suitable suitable for a healthy lifestyle and weight-watchers. The loads of spinach in spinach chana dal abounds in iron and folic acid, which helps to keep anaemia at bay. Iron is a key nutrient needed to ensure a proper supply of oxygen in our body and to keep us energetic throughout the day. To make hariyali dal, cook the chana dal in pressure cooker for 4 whistles and keep aside. Heat the oil in a deep non-stick pan, add the cumin seeds, asafetida and dried fenugreek leaves and sauté on a medium flame for a few seconds. When the seeds crackle, add the green chillies, onions, ginger paste, garlic paste and sauté on a medium flame for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the garam masala, coriander powder and salt, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 1 minute. Add the spinach purée, milk and ½ cup of water, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the cooked dal, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 5 minutes. Serve hariyali dal hot. Daal hariyali is a good recipe for entertaining too! It suits senior citizens too, as it is easy to chew and enjoy with rotis. Tips for hariyali dal. 1. Clean and wash the spinach and chana dal very well to remove all the dirt. 2. While making spinach puree, only blanch it. Excess cooking will lead to loss of bright green colour. 3. Chana dal can also be replaced with toovar dal. Enjoy hariyali dal recipe | hariyali dal tadka | low calorie hariyali dal | daal hariyali | spinach chana dal.

8

The aromatic flavours of this traditional South Indian dish are truly irresistible. The speciality of this sambhar is that it is made with minimal oil and loads of vegetables which enhance its nutritive value. When served hot with Nutritious Stuffed Idlis, it makes a meal that is very hard to resist. Alternatively, relish this sambhar with steamed rice to make a wholesome meal.

9

oats flax seed roti recipe | flaxseed roti | healthy alsi roti with oats and whole wheat flour | with 32 amazing images. oats flax seed roti recipe | flaxseed roti | healthy alsi roti with oats and whole wheat flour is a fibre rich Indian staple. Learn how to make flaxseed roti. To make oats flax seed roti, combine all ingredients in a deep bowl and knead into a soft dough using enough water. Divide the dough into 6 equal portions. Roll a portion of the dough into 100 mm. (4") diameter circle using a little whole wheat flour for rolling. Sprinkle ½ tsp of flax seeds evenly over it. Roll out again into a 150 mm. (6") diameter circle. Heat a non-stick tava (griddle) and cook the roti on a medium flame using ¼ tsp of oil till it turns light brown in colour from both the sides. Repeat steps 3 to 6 to make 5 more flaxseed rotis. Serve the oats flax seed roti immediately. Here is a chatpata healthy alsi roti with oats and whole wheat flour, with a homely texture and tongue-tickling taste that is sure to steal your heart. The sprinkling of flax seeds atop the roti not only makes it look attractive but brings in its share of nutrition too, apart from improving the mouth-feel with its exciting crunch. The flaxseed roti features an absolutely healthy mix of ingredients, especially beneficial for those with diabetics as the beta glucan in oats helps to keep blood sugar levels under check. This also contributes to maintaining a healthy heart! With restricted amount of salt being used, this roti is suitable for those with high blood pressure too! You can also try other low-salt recipes like the Green Peas Soup and Creamy Green Salad. Tips for healthy alsi roti. 1. Serve flaxseed roti with curds. See how to make curds. 2. Serve healthy alsi roti with achar. 3. Press down with a spatula while cooking flaxseeds roti. This is to ensure that flaxseeds stick to the roti but expect some alsi to fall out when you eat the roti. Enjoy oats flax seed roti recipe | flaxseed roti | healthy alsi roti with oats and whole wheat flour | with step by step photos.

10

lauki aur tomato ka raita recipe | tomato bottle gourd raita | healthy low fat raita | with 13 images. lauki aur tomato ka raita is made from lauki, curd, tomato, pudina and spices. Raitas are an indispensable part of Indian meals. They combine well with main courses and snacks that are spice heavy, but also taste great just like that! Here is a delicious lauki aur tomato ka raita of bottle gourd and tomatoes, perked up with mint leaves and roasted cumin seeds. See why lauki aur tomato ka raita is healthy? Here, we have replaced full-fat curds with low-fat curds, and also used mineral-rich, cholesterol-lowering bottle gourd generously to add more volume to the raita without adding excessive calories. The tomato bottle gourd raita with its lingering flavour is not just tasty but heart friendly too, making it a doubly welcome addition to your meal. Tips for lauki aur tomato ka raita. 1. Make sure you grate the lauki just before making the final raita as it tends to darken very quickly. 2. Use a small whisk while mixing the raita. Enjoy lauki aur tomato ka raita recipe | tomato bottle gourd raita | healthy low fat raita | with step by step photos below.

Reviews

Eating out for a healthy heart
 on 29 Jan 18 11:40 AM
5

This article perfectly suits me. Very often I have to attend my office lunch or dinner meetings. I use to follow improper or wrong sequential way of having food. Article has literate me the way to have meal during such occasion and to take care of my healthy. I have started following the rules and instructions mentioned by Tarla Ji during office meeting as well as family food parties or celebrations.