What are Flavonoids?

Phytonutrients ( Anti Oxidants found in plant life) comes from the Greek word “phyto” meaning plant. There are thousands of chemicals found in plants called Phytonutrients or Phytochemicals which help fight against fungi, bug, pollution, sun and germs and found in fruits and vegetables. Flavonoids are one class of Phytonutrients found in plants and provide them with their colourful pigments. There are thousands of chemicals found in plants which help fight against fungi, bug, pollution, sun and germs and found in fruits and vegetables.

Hence, eating a diet from plant based foods will help you get the benefits of these rich nutrients. Flavonoids are a strong antioxidant which helps our body fight harmful free radicals. There are about 4,000 types of Flavonoids.

Plants are affected by environmental conditions which change through the year. The yield of Flavonoids in summer for leafy vegetables is far more higher than in other seasons. Some Flavonoids like pears and red cabbage offer the same Flavonoids content throughout the year. Cooking seems to reduce the effect of Flavonoids and hence they are better had in Smoothies or juices.

Why you should eat different coloured foods?

For a healthy life style, ensure that you get an assortment of Flavonoids in your diet and not focus only on one source as each food has its own strength. The richer the assorted colour of fruits and vegetables on your plate, the healthier it is for you. While dark green leafy vegetables will provide you Iron, Berries like Blueberry, Strawberry will give you strong antioxidant benefits and help ward of cancer and provide fibre and potassium. Lentils such as Moong Dal, Urad Dal will provide good protein on the table for Vegetarians. Dark Chocolate is good for your Heart. So the list goes on. Avoid processed food and stay away from Sugar which is the kay cause of body inflammation.

32 Food Sources Rich in Flavonoids

1. Blueberries 17 Red Cabbage
2. Raspberries 18 Pears
3. Strawberries 19 Oranges
4. Blackberries 20 Lemons
5. Red Grapes 21 Grapefruit
6. Purple Grapes 22 Onion
7. Red Wine 23 Yellow Moong Dal
8. Beetroot 24 Chana Dal
9. Kand, Purple Yam 25 Toovar Dal
10. Pomegranate 26 Masoor Dal
11. Dark Chocolate 27 Urad Dal
12. Green Tea 28 Kidney Beans
13. Apple 29 Chick Peas
14. Tomatoes 30 Black Beans
15. Lettuce 31 Broad Beans or Fava Beans, Vaal
16. Cherry Tomatoes 32 Soyabeans


We will focus on the top 4 Flavonoids.
1. Anthocyanins
2. Flavanols
3. Isoflavones
4. Flavonols




What are Anthocyanins? Anthocyanins is a type of Flavonoids which is a powerful Antioxidant The richer the colour of fruits and vegetables the healthier they are for you as they are rich in Antioxidants. Anthocyanins gives fruits and vegetables we eat the lovely colours of purple, blue or red. Anthocyanins rich foods are the perfect diet as they protect your cells from the external toxins and poor quality food you eat and are like the anti ageing diet. Being anti inflammatory, Anthocyanins help support good blood flow.

16 Anthocyanins Rich Foods

Foods Rich in Anthocyanins
1. Eggplant, Baigan
2. Blackberries
3. Raspberries
4. Blueberries
5. Black Currant
6. Beetroot
7. Red Wine
8. Onions
9. Oranges
10. Cherries
11. Strawberries
12. Red Cabbage
13. Radish, Mooli
14. Pomegranate
15. Red Apples
16. Kand, Purple Yam


What are Flavanols? You have been told a million times that Dark Chocolate is very good for your health. Its in the Flavanols which is a type of Flavonoid have been associated with a Healthy Heart as they can Lower Blood Pressure, reduce inflammation and make smoother blood flow. Also this helps in better brain cognition.

3 Benefits of Flavanols

Benefits of Flavanols
1. Healthy Heart
2. Lower Blood Pressure
3. Rich Antioxidant

10 Foods rich in Flavanols
Foods Rich in Flavanols
1. Dark Chocolate
2. Green Tea
3. Blueberry
4. Raspberry
5. Strawberry
6. Blackberries
7. Red Grapes
8. Black Grapes
9. Apple


What are Isoflavones? Isoflavones are a type of Flavonoids that have strong anti inflammation qualities. Inflammation is the response to the body when processed foods are eaten or through external toxins like pollution and is the root of most diseases like obesity, Diabetic, Heart and Cancer.

Isoflavones are found in legumes and soy.

10 Isoflavones Rich Foods

10 Isoflavones Rich Foods
1. Moong Dal
2. Chana Dal
3. Toovar Dal
4. Masoor Dal
5. Urad Dal
6. Kidney Beans (Rajma)
7. Chick Peas (kabuli chana)
8. Black Beans
9. Broad Beans or Fava Beans
10. Soybeans


What are Flavonols? Flavonols are a type of Flavonoids which is a powerful Antioxidant and have been associated with lowering the risk of hypertension, coronary heart disease and lowers LDL the bad cholesterol.

Flavonols is the most common type of Flavonoids found in foods. The 3 different flavonols are quercetin, kaempferol and myricetin. Amongst these 3 quercetin is the most potent flavonols and beneficial to us.

Top 5 Health Benefits of Flavonols: 1. Works as an antioxidant and protects the body’s healthy cells against stress, cigarette smoking and environmental pollutants.
2. Reduces the dangerous inflammation of the arteries. The flavonols found in unsweetened cocoa and chocolate are the most beneficial for this.
3. Flavonols, especially those found in onions, slashes the chances of different types of cancer.
4. Decreases heart diseases and improves coronary artery function.
5. Protects the nerves from oxidative damage and strengthens the nervous system.

15 Flavonol Rich Foods
Flavonol Rich Foods
1. Black Tea
2. Blueberry
3. Raspberry
4. Strawberry
5. Blackberries
6. Broccoli
7. Kale
8. Apple
9. Cherry Tomatoes
10. Plums
11. Arugula
12. Onion
13. Chia Seeds
14. Green Tea
15. Cocoa Powder

Some amount of flavonols are definitely lost upon storing the ingredients for a long time or cooking them for a long time. To get the full benefit of flavonols just chop them fresh and toss into a salad or a healthy shake. Try recipes from our repertoire like Citrus Kale Apple and Feta Salad, Strawberry Almond Milk and Oats Smoothie, Blueberry Avocado Vegan Smoothie etc.

If the ingredient losses it’s colour upon cooking, it’s an indication that some amount of flavonols is lost. However occasional indulgence into soups like Broccoli Broth, Broccoli and Bajra Snack is not unhealthy. You are sure to be benefit from that little flavonol content too.

Top Recipes

palak toovar dal recipe | dal palak | healthy palak tuvar dal | pressure cooked dal palak | with 30 amazing images. palak toovar dal recipe | dal palak | healthy palak tuvar dal | pressure cooked dal palak is a simple dal brimming with nutrients. Learn how to make dal palak. To make palak toovar dal, combine the toovar dal, spinach, green chillies, ginger paste, turmeric powder, salt and 3 cups of water in a pressure cooker, mix well and pressure cook for 2 whistles. Allow the steam to escape before opening the lid. Blend the dal to a coarse mixture using a hand-blender. Keep aside. Heat the ghee in a broad non-stick pan, add the bayleaves, cloves, red chillies, cumin seeds and asafoetida and sauté on a medium flame for a few seconds. When the seeds crackle, pour the tempering over the cooked dal, add the chilli powder and coriander, mix well and cook on medium flame for 4 to 5 minutes, while stirring occasionally. Serve hot. Toovar dal has a knack of combining well with greens, providing the right mushiness without becoming gooey. In dal palak, spinach and toovar dal come together, smartly pressure-cooked and hand-blended to the right consistency. A couple of whole spices added as a tempering impart a fresh aroma and irresistible flavour to the pressure cooked dal palak. This dal, though not very recognized on the restaurant menu, will surely turn out to be your favourite and you will surely add it to your menu. Try it out! Iron, fibre, folic acid and vitamin A are nutrients you can gather from spinach, while protein and B vitamins are lended by the toovar dal. With 72 calories and 1.9 g of fibre, this healthy palak tuvar dal definitely qualifies as a nourishing accompaniment for diabetic, heart patients and weight-watchers. Tips for palak toovar dal. 1. Toovar dal has to be soaked for 3 hours. So plan for it in advance. 2. For those who have difficulty in digesting toovar dal, can replace it with green moong dal. 3. Spinach can be replaced with chopped chawli bhaji. Enjoy palak toovar dal recipe | dal palak | healthy palak tuvar dal | pressure cooked dal palak | with step by step photos.
rajma curry recipe | Punjabi rajma masala | healthy rajma curry | restaurant style rajma masala | with 24 amazing images. Rajma curry is also called rajma masala, Punjabi rajma recipe or rajma recipe in different parts of India. Rajma curry and rice, no meal can be more satiating. This famous combination of rajma curry recipe + chawal is a complete one meal dinner and healthy protein for Vegetarians as it’s a cereal and pulse combination. Made from rajma, tomatoes, onions and spices makes this a healthy Rajma Curry recipe. Rajma is a complex carb and rich in Fibre which helps in lowering cholesterol levels. Rajma is rich in potassium which is critical for those with high blood pressure as it lessens the impact of sodium. Eating rajma is good for diabetics due to being a fiber rich food. Some tips for Punjabi rajma masala. 1. Add the rajma. Also you can make use of canned kidney beans. 2. Add the tomato pulp and salt. The addition of salt right after tomatoes help in quick cooking of them. 3. The gravy of rajma curry should not be watery and neither be too thick. If required, mash few rajmas lightly to achieve the perfect consistency for Rajma Masala. Filling and nutritious, Rajma curry turns out beautifully when Rajma is cooked in a thick tomato pulp with only basic spices. This Rajma curry is a favourite in Punjab and very popular amongst all age groups. My kids love Punjabi Rajma Curry with some ladi pav and loads of raw onions on the side. Enjoy how to make rajma curry recipe | Punjabi rajma masala | healthy rajma curry | restaurant style rajma masala | with detailed step by step photos and video below.
rajma recipe |Punjabi kidney bean curry |authentic Punjabi rajma | healthy rajma recipe | with amazing 20 images. Rajma is one of the most popular dishes in North India. In this authentic Punjabi rajma delicacy, cooked kidney beans is excitingly flavoured with a wide array of ingredients ranging from ginger and green chillies to tomatoes and onions, spices and masala powders too. Filling and nutritious, Rajma turns out beautifully when the Rajma is cooked in a thick tomato pulp with only basic spices. This Rajma is a favourite in Punjab and very popular amongst all age groups. My kids love Punjabi Rajma with some ladi pav and loads of raw onions on the side. Every Indian household has its own version of Rajma and this is our version of it. The method of making authentic Punjabi rajma is simple and if you have rajma soaked in advance you can prepare rajma super quickly. To make rajma, pressure cook soaked rajma for 3 whistles and do not drain the water and keep aside. Further, combine the green chillies, ginger and garlic in a mortal pestle (khalbhatta) and pound to a coarse paste, this freshly pounded ginger, garlic and green chillies will make the rajma more flavourful. Heat the oil and butter in a deep non-stick pan and add the cumin seeds. Add the onions and sauté on a medium flame for 2 minutes. Add the green chilli-garlic-ginger coarse paste and tomatoes, mix well and cook for 3 minutes. Add the chilli powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, garam masala. Add the rajma along with the water, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 5 to 7 minutes, while mashing it lightly with a potato masher, while stirring occasionally. Add the dried fenugreek leaves and crush them between your palm to extract flavor and add fresh cream which will give rajma a creamy texture and mix well. Our authentic Punjabi rajma is ready to be relished!! However, you will be surprised to see that all these are everyday ingredients, which you do not have to go shopping for! Two final strokes that make this Punjabi kidney bean curry the rich delight that it is, are fresh cream and dried fenugreek leaves. I usually make rajma once a week for any meal of the day. Let’s see why we call this a healthy rajma recipe. Yes, the recipe does have some fresh cream and butter and they are healthy fats. The main ingredient rajma is a complex carb and rich in Fibre which helps in Lowering Cholesterol levels. Rajma is rich in Potassium which is critical for those with High Blood Pressure as it lessens the impact of sodium. You can have Punjabi kidney bean curry with any Indian bread or rice. Enjoy rajma recipe |Punjabi kidney bean curry |authentic Punjabi rajma | healthy rajma recipe | with detailed step by step photos and video below.
broccoli mushroom bean sprouts | stir fry recipe | Chinese style bean sprout mushroom stir fry | healthy veg stir fry with bean sprouts | with 28 amazing images. broccoli mushroom bean sprouts | stir fry recipe | Chinese style bean sprout mushroom stir fry | healthy veg stir fry with bean sprouts is a colourful fare which brings about a beautiful balance in both flavour and texture. Learn how to make Chinese style bean sprout mushroom stir fry. To make broccoli mushroom bean sprouts stir fry, heat the oil in a wok or a broad non-stick pan, add the garlic and sauté on a high flame for 30 seconds. Add the bean sprouts, mushrooms, broccoli and coloured capsicum and sauté on a high flame for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the dried thyme, chilli flakes, salt and soy sauce and sauté on a high flame for 1 minute. Serve immediately. A snappy Chinese style bean sprout mushroom stir fry that you can set on the table in a matter of minutes! Bean sprouts are chock-full of nutrients like fibre, which helps to improve the functioning of insulin, by utilizing glucose. Thus diabetics, heart patients and weight-watchers can include this nourishing bowl in their menu. Hand-in-hand with colourful and crunchy veggies that are rich in vitamin A and vitamin C, healthy veg stir fry with bean sprouts make a tasty and nutritious low-cal snack. These key nutrients are an antioxidant boost which can help to reduce inflammation in the body and enhance immunity too! Remember to make the broccoli mushroom bean sprouts stir fry on a very high flame to prevent the mushrooms from letting out water. You can serve this healthy stir-fry with a hot bowl of carrot onion soup to make a light dinner. Also check out many more diabetic friendly international recipes. Tips for broccoli mushroom bean sprouts stir fry. 1. If you don't have coloured capsicum then use green capsicum. 2. Serve broccoli mushroom bean sprouts stir fry with Chinese fried rice. Enjoy broccoli mushroom bean sprouts | stir fry recipe | Chinese style bean sprout mushroom stir fry | healthy veg stir fry with bean sprouts | with step by step photos.
dahiwali toor dal recipe | healthy dahiwali tuwar dal | healthy toor dal | oil free toor dal | with 26 amazing images. Dahiwali toor dal is a simple everyday fare which pairs well with almost all types of Indian breads. Made with basic spices found in every household, this healthy dahiwali tuwar dal is quite nourishing. Learn how to make healthy toor dal. To make Oil free toor dal, soak toovar dal for 2 hours and then drain it. Add more water, salt and turmeric powder and pressure cook for 2 whistles. Then take a deep pan and dry roast the cumin seeds and onions for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the cooked dal and all the basic spices, curd-besan mixture and water, mix well and cook for 2 minutes. Serve it garnished with coriander. In this sumptuous healthy toor dal, low-fat curds provides a tangy twist to toovar dal without adding much to the calorie count. To get the best texture and flavour, make sure you add the curds after lowering the flame so that it does not curdle. Apart from being low in fat, the other good news is that the Dahiwali Toor Dal is a great bone builder as it is rich in calcium and protein. Nourish each and every cell and tissue of your body with this dal. Fair amounts of potassium and magnesium makes it a suitable addition for heart patients. Those on weight loss regime can also include this healthy dahiwali tuwar dal in their daily meals. The high protein will help boost metabolism and thus help achieve weight loss target. Enjoy dahiwali toor dal recipe | healthy dahiwali tuwar dal | healthy toor dal | oil free toor dal | with step by step photos.
beetroot carrot soup for babies and toddlers | carrot beetroot soup for babies | carrot beetroot soup for kids | beetroot and carrot soup for babies | with 14 look and do images. Brightly-coloured beetroot carrot soup for babies and toddlers might result in an extra job of washing stained bibs, but definitely worth the effort because these two fabulous veggies provide a lot of must-have nutrients for your precious one. Beetroot and carrot soup for babies is a quick and simple recipe to make. Carrot and beetroot are chopped and cooked with cater in a pressure cooker. Finally it’s blended and strained and brought to boil. Straining is necessary for babies who have just started weaning. For toddlers, you can avoid straining this carrot beetroot soup for kids and add a pinch of black pepper powder for enhanced taste. Carrot beetroot soup for babies provide vitamin A from carrots, which is good for your baby's skin, while beetroot pools in some fibre too. Moreover, this colourful combo is also mildly-sweet, which will make it very enjoyable for your baby. If your baby is below 1 year, consult your pediatrician for the use of salt in beetroot and carrot soup for babies. For toddlers (age 1 year and above), restricted quantity of salt can be added. Enjoy beetroot carrot soup for babies and toddlers | carrot beetroot soup for babies | carrot beetroot soup for kids | beetroot and carrot soup for babies | with step by step photos.
toor dal khichdi | toovar dal ni khichdi | Gujarati toor dal khichdi | toor dal with rice khichdi | arhar dal khichdi | with 13 amazing images toor dal and rice are pressure cooked with a ghee a based tempering off spices to make the wholesome toor dal khichdi. toovar dal ni khichdi is a class apart from normal khichdis because of the aromatic spices used. I love eating tuvar dal khichdi with papad, pickle and curd. To make a complete and grand meal you can serve the arhar dal khichdi with Rasawala Bateta Nu Shaak, any form of Kadhi and Rotla. I would like to share some important tips to make the perfect toor dal with rice khichdi. 1. We have used regular surti kolam rice, if you want, you can also use Basmati rice variety. 2. soak toor dal and rice for at least 30 minutes. Soaking will help in cooking the toovar dal ni khichdi fast. 3. Add 3½ cups of hot water. Hot water fastens the cooking process. This khichdi won’t have a mushy consistency. If you want the consistency slightly soft, add more water. 4. Pressure cook for 4 whistles. Allow the steam to escape before opening the lid or else you might burn yourself with the hot steam. Once the pressure cooker depressurizes and cools completely, then only open the lid as the toovar dal ni khichdi is still cooking inside and the grains might remain raw if you are impatient and open it before time. The Gujarati toor dal khichdi is wholesome and takes hardly any time to cook. All you would require is a glass of cold chaas to gulp it down. If you enjoyed toor dal khichdi | toovar dal ni khichdi | Gujarati toor dal khichdi | toor dal with rice khichdi | arhar dal khichdi with detailed step by step photos, also try making other Gujarati khichdi recipes like Fada ni Khichdi, Makai ni Khichdi,Handi Khichdi.
broccoli broth | healthy veg clear broccoli carrot soup | veg broccoli carrot broth | with 12 amazing images. This Indian Broccoli Broth recipe shows you how to make a soothing clear soup with crunchy and colourful veggies like broccoli and carrots, which compete and contrast with each other in appearance and flavour. Broth is a savory flavorful liquid made by simmering water with vegetables and spices. It can be eaten along with soup accompaniments like bread sticks, dough balls and croutons. But, it tastes delightful and wholesome as it is. Broccoli Broth is a super healthy broth which you can have as a low carb soup made of lots of veggies like broccoli, carrots and onions. See why we call this soup healthy veg clear broccoli carrot soup. Broccoli is loaded with beta-carotene which converts to Vitamin A once it is inside the body. vitamin A plays a critical role in maintaining healthy vision. It is a good source of vitamin C which boosts the immune system and fights off cancers, heart disease and protects the body from free radical damage. Carrots have the nutrient Beta Carotene which is a form of Vitamin A, helps prevent deterioration of the eye as one gets older and prevents night blindness. Onions, garlic and celery enhance the flavour of this veg broccoli carrot broth. Also, the antioxidants contributed by broccoli and the other ingredients in this Broccoli Broth counteract the harmful cellular by products created during normal metabolism, making you fit and fresh. When down with running nose, sneezy wheezies or cold, I turn to this warm Broccoli Broth. You can also make this for your family on cold winter or rainy days or even for small evening hunger pangs. Serve the Broccoli broth hot. Enjoy how to make broccoli broth | healthy veg clear broccoli carrot soup | veg broccoli carrot broth | with detailed step by step photos below.
beetroot, cucumber and tomato raita recipe | healthy cucumber tomato beetroot raita | Indian style veggie raita | healthy vegetable raita | with 15 amazing images. Beetroot, cucumber and tomato raita is a nourishing accompaniment to any main meal. Healthy cucumber tomato beetroot raita is sure to satisfy your taste buds and hunger both. Learn how to make Indian style veggie raita. To make beetroot, cucumber and tomato raita combine all the 3 veggies along with the curd, salt and green chillies in a big bowl. To that add some roasted cumin seeds and asafoetida. Add some coconut and coriander for added flavour if you like. Mix well and the raita is ready for serving. Gather antioxidants like vitamin A , lycopene, betalain and Vitamin C from this healthy vegetable raita. These antioxidants will improve your resistance against diseases. Further it is also a rich source of protein, due to the use of curd. Thus this raita is a nourishing addition to cancer patient’s diet too. For kids to adults to senior citizens all can enjoy this healthy cucumber tomato beetroot raita. Senior citizens who have problems with chewing, can grate the beetroot and cucumber for ease of chewing. Diabetics, heart patients, hypertensives, PCOS , pregnant women, lactating mother too can look forward to this Indian style veggie raita as a satiating option to a bag of chips or a deep-fried samosa. Remember that later are made up of refined ingredients and loaded with fat – both of which open door to many diseases. Enjoy beetroot, cucumber and tomato raita recipe | healthy cucumber tomato beetroot raita | Indian style veggie raita | healthy vegetable raita | with step by step photos.
carrot apple beetroot and spinach juice recipe | beet spinach and carrot juice | carrot beet spinach juice benefits | healthy carrot beet detox juice | with 19 amazing images. carrot apple beetroot and spinach juice recipe | beet spinach and carrot juice | carrot beet spinach juice benefits | healthy carrot beet detox juice is an antioxidant filled juice, perfect for morning. Learn how to make beet spinach and carrot juice. To make carrot apple beetroot and spinach juice, add the carrot cubes, apple cubes, beetroot cubes and spinach a few at a time in the juicer. Add some crushed ice in 2 individual glasses and pour equal quantities of the juice over it. Serve immediately. This healthy carrot beet detox juice is perfect to cleanse the body of toxins and also great for times when you need to concentrate. This brain-booster will keep your mental faculties in top gear! The antioxidants like beta carotene, lutein, xanthene, betalin etc work together to reduce inflammation in the body and protect the health of all the organs including the heart and the brain. Beetroots, carrots and spinach also contain iron, folic acid and vitamin C, all of which improve the oxygen-carrying power of blood and thereby increase brain power, concentration and memory. Carrot apple beetroot and spinach juice will avoid fatigue setting in. An all-in-one great drink to increase your vitality. Though some amount of fibre is lost in making carrot beet spinach juice in juicer, you can benefit from the remaining. With 63 calories per glass, it is a wise addition to a healthy diet. A glassful of paired with Mini Green Moong Dal Chila is sure to keep you and your family satiated and bubble with energy for a long time. Enjoy carrot apple beetroot and spinach juice recipe | beet spinach and carrot juice | carrot beet spinach juice benefits | healthy carrot beet detox juice | with step by step photos.
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