Lunch or Dinner Archives - Page 5 of 9

Rasaayan

Bananas are among the most important food crops on the planet and are easily available all-round the year making them one of the world’s most commonly consumed fruits. Bananas are not only easy to digest but are also filling and nutritious. Eating a fill of bananas for breakfast as a meal in itself is one of the best ways to start the day. It’s also nature’s best fast food and best when eaten on an empty stomach. Like most other fruits, when we eat bananas in plenty accompanied by a good amount of water, they help digestion and improve bowel movement to a great extent.

Because bananas contain considerable amounts of fibre, potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and various antioxidants and phytonutrients, they are an excellent food to improve overall health. Bananas have a relatively low glycemic index due to the high content of resistant starch and fibre, which makes the carbs in them enter your bloodstream more slowly preventing a spike in blood sugar. Bananas contain water-soluble fibre in the form of pectin, which binds food in the intestine and adds bulk to the stools, which may help prevent or cure constipation.

Both pectin and resistant starch not only support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria but also moderate the rise in blood sugar after a meal, breaking the myth that they are not good for diabetics. The resistant starch is fermented by bacteria in the large intestine improving gut health which in turn can help reduce depression and anxiety.

Bananas are especially rich in potassium, a mineral that promotes heart health and normal blood pressure. They are also rich in vitamin B6 and vitamin C as well as several antioxidants that help reduce the speed of aging and prevent the risk of heart disease.

Check out why smoothies are good for you in our “Smoothies and Breakfast Drinks” section.

Coconut Kheer

This traditional sweet dish is mostly made when we have guests over or for some special occasion like a birthday or something similar. It’s easy to make and loved by both young and old alike.

Puran Poli with Gulawni or Coconut Kheer

Chana dal, or split chickpeas, is a nutritious legume rich in protein, fiber, and essential minerals, and has been used traditionally for generations. It has several health benefits as per every 100 grams, it includes around 360-400 calories, 20-22 grams of protein, which is an excellent source for muscle repair and growth, 60-65 grams of carbohydrates, and 10-12 grams of fibre, which promotes healthy digestion and can help prevent constipation. It has only 2-4 grams of fat so supports heart health. It also contains several vitamins like B vitamins (B6, folate, niacin, thiamin, riboflavin) and minerals like iron, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and copper. These are good for a healthy skin.

Rajma Punjabi style-1 (Kidney Beans)

Rajma beans are an inexpensive and versatile component of a healthy diet. It is a healthy legume that boosts protein and fibre intake without adding too many calories. About 100 grams of boiled kidney beans will have almost 9 grams of protein. Among legumes, rajma has the richest plant-based protein source. The high content of fiber in kidney beans and the amount of resistant starch helps greatly in weight management and regular consumption of rajma moderates blood sugar levels and promotes colon health. Rajma or kidney beans are high in calcium carbohydrates and have a low glycemic index, which has a beneficial effect on blood sugar balance than any other high-carb foods. Rajma is also rich in folate, iron, potassium, manganese and Vit K. The vitamin B1 in rajma improves cognitive functions and aids the functioning of the brain by enhancing concentration and memory.

Lobia Curry Punjabi Style -1 (Chawli beans/Black eyed peas)

Lobia promotes digestive health as they are a great source of soluble fiber which helps promote regularity and increase stool frequency in those with constipation. The fiber can also help prevent digestive disorders, such as acid reflux, hemorrhoids, and stomach ulcers. The soluble fiber present in lobia can also act as a prebiotic, stimulating the growth of the beneficial bacteria in the gut to help foster a healthy microbiome, which not only support digestive health but also help to reduce inflammation, enhance immune function, and reduce cholesterol levels.

Chawli Curry (Black Eyed Beans Curry)

Chawli beans are often considered a staple in Indian cuisine and are cooked in various forms. They are incredibly nutrient-dense, packing plenty of fiber and protein into each serving and are also a good source of several important micronutrients, including folate, copper, thiamine, and iron. Moreover, chawli beans are high in polyphenols, which are compounds that act as antioxidants in the body to prevent cell damage and protect against disease. The soluble fiber in chawli beans forms a gel-like consistency and moves through the digestive tract slowly keeping you feeling full between meals and is said to help control belly fat and keep obesity at bay.

Gobi Shimla Mirch Kachumber

Cabbage is a vegetable that has been grown and eaten around the world for centuries and very affordable. It’s a nutritious cruciferous vegetable that is eaten uncooked in salads and cooked in a variety of dishes ranging from mains to accompaniments. It’s rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber while low in calories so is a great ingredient to maintain a healthy weight. This cruciferous vegetable is especially high in vitamin C and other antioxidants that may protect against heart disease, certain cancers and vision loss and reduce chronic inflammation. Moreover, vitamin C helps the body absorb non-heme iron that is found in plant foods. The potassium and calcium contained in this vegetable is a great source to regulate blood pressure and help in building strong bones. It is also rich in soluble fiber, which has been shown to increase the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut and helps add bulk to stools that promotes regular bowel movements.

Biranji with Saar and Chutney (Biryani type Rice with thin Curry and Chutney)

Many cultures consider rice to be a staple grain because it contains vital carbohydrates that provide the body energy even though it contains less protein than other cereals. Carbohydrates can keep you energized and satisfied and are important for fueling exercise. Rice, particularly white rice, generally gets digested easily because it is low in fat and fiber, and so it’s better to eat brown or semi-brown rice. Brown rice, especially, is an excellent source of many nutrients, including fiber, manganese, selenium, magnesium, and B vitamins. Toor dal, also known as arhar dal, red gram dal or pigeon pea, is a staple in many parts of India. It is protein-rich pulse that’s high in fiber and carbohydrates. It’s a good source of iron, calcium, and folic acid also contains vitamins C, E, K, and B complex. The relatively high amount of folic acid in it may help prevent birth defects in babies and the high protein and potassium content may help with muscle growth and blood pressure regulation. It’s low on the glycemic index, releasing energy slowly helping to keep us satiated for a longer time, so is good for diabetics. However, some people find that toor dal can trigger acidity or heartburn, particularly if they are prone to acid reflux. It’s always a good idea to soak toor dal for three to four hours before cooking to reduce reduce the phytic acid in it that can cause digestive issues. Adding a little masoor dal could also help with the acidity. Consuming large amounts of toor dal can overwhelm the digestive system. Combining toor dal with spicy foods can also exacerbate acidity, so it’s best to eat it in moderation and with less spicy accompaniments. Adding vegetables to a meal is one of the best ways of making the dish more nutritious.

Makai Ki Roti (Maize Flour Flat Bread)

Corn is one of the world’s most popular cereal grains from the grass family with many benefits and is available almost everywhere because it can grow in any climatic condition. Whole-grain corn is not only low to medium on the glycemic index, releasing energy slowly, but is also rich in phytochemicals that help to regulate the amount of insulin produced in the body. The high fibre content in corn helps regulate bowel movements and prevent constipation, haemorrhoids. It is considered good for treating diarrhoea and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), too. The large amount of antioxidants like vitamin E, the phytochemicals and the fibre in corn may help prevent cancers, especially colon cancer. Corn is high in carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and minerals including selenium which is not easily found in other food sources. Magnesium and the optimal combination of fatty acids in corn lets the Omega 3 fatty acids get rid of bad cholesterol and replace them at the binding sites reducing your risk of developing cardiovascular disease by a huge margin. Corn also prevents your arteries from getting clogged and even controls your blood pressure as a result lowering your chances of getting heart attacks and strokes. Magnesium also helps bone density. Phosphorous regulates kidney function, induces normal bone growth and maintains bone health. Thiamine helps improve nerve health and cognitive functions. Niacin can prevent dementia and dermatitis. The high amount of beta-carotene in corn helps generate healthy amounts of vitamin A in the body, helping improve eyesight and skin condition. Corn is extremely rich in iron and can help prevent anemia as well as avoid the symptoms of anemia such as exhaustion, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Corn contains a high number of calories and can help people gain weight if eaten in larger quantities. Note: sweet corn is a low-starch variety with higher sugar content.

Urad Dal and Rice Dosa

Many cultures consider rice to be a staple grain because it contains vital carbohydrates that provide the body energy even though it contains less protein than other cereals. Carbohydrates can keep you energized and satisfied and are important for fueling exercise. Rice, particularly white rice, generally gets digested easily because it is low in fat and fiber, and so it’s better to eat brown or semi-brown rice. Brown rice, especially, is an excellent source of many nutrients, including fiber, manganese, selenium, magnesium, and B vitamins. Urad dal, also known as black gram, is high in protein, fibre, and minerals. It’s a versatile ingredient that can be used in many dishes. Urad dal is high in protein compared to other legumes and is a good source of both soluble and insoluble fibre. It also contains iron, which can help increase energy levels, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, which are vital for strong bones and teeth, potassium, which can help reduce cholesterol levels and improve heart health, and zinc as well as niacin, thiamine, riboflavin, and other B vitamins. The antioxidants in urad dal help protect the body against free radicals and strengthen the immune system. Urad dal has a low glycaemic index, making it suitable for maintaining stable blood sugar levels.

Indian Vegan Cookbook

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