Have you ever thought that eating healthy was too hard, or that healthy food is too bland? Believe it or not, Indian food is a great way to eat healthy while still making your diet interesting, flavorful, and varied. Here is a quick introduction to Indian food and its benefits to a healthy diet.
Indian Food has no Processed Food
Whether you eat at an Indian restaurant, such as Little India of Denver, or make Indian food at home, you’re eating food prepared from fresh ingredients: vegetables, potatoes, meat, and spices. Food that’s not prepared from fresh ingredients is known to be unhealthy due to excess processing, trans fats, and other issues.
Many Vegetable-Based Indian Dishes
Eating more vegetables is better for your health because of the vitamins, minerals, and fiber you get from them. Luckily, the healthiest Indian dishes are frequently vegetable-based or even vegetarian, and many can be included in a vegetarian or vegan diet. Saag (spinach), aloo (potato), and gobi (cauliflower) dishes are examples, and some vegetable dishes can even be made vegan.
Lots of Chickpeas and Lentils
Whether you eat vegetarian, primarily vegetarian, or just as healthy as you can, you probably already know that legumes such as lentils and chickpeas are important parts of a healthy diet. Since some Indian cultures are vegetarian or primarily vegetarian, the dishes of India frequently incorporate these ingredients. For example, Channa Masala is spiced chickpeas, and Dal is lentils, which can be served as either a regular dish or a soup.
Yogurt-Based Foods
Yogurt is a recommended part of a healthy diet for the probiotics it contains, as well as for being a good source of calcium. You’ll find yogurt in a lot of the dishes of India. Some dishes, such as Tandoori Chicken, use yogurt as a marinade. Others use it in the sauce instead of cream. Yogurt is also served as its own dish, either plain or flavored with things such as mint and cucumber.
Healthy Spices
It’s important to remember that not all Indian food is spicy. Rather, this cuisine uses a variety of spices that make it more flavorful and interesting than most food. Many of the spices found in masalas, curries, and other popular Indian dishes, such as ginger, garlic, tumeric, cinnamon, and chilies, have been found to have distinct health advantages.
Indian Restaurant in Denver
If you’re looking for healthy Indian food, Denver doesn’t disappoint! Little India of Denver is locally recognized for having the best Indian food in Denver. Visit us at one of our Denver locations, on East Sixth Avenue or on South Downing Street, and see how Indian food can add a little spice to a healthy diet.
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