Low Calorie Indian Snacks: ToneOp

Everyone is looking for solace, hope and a tasty snack! 

Food and hunger are inextricably linked. We look for readily available, tasty options to satisfy food cravings, grab that much-needed bite in the middle of stressful work, and relax and unwind after a long day's work with some evening snacks. Unfortunately, this encourages us to consume fatty foods that cause more harm than good. 

In the long run, this can negatively impact our health and lead to several medical condition. Healthy Indian snacks, however, can keep you energetic and happy throughout the day.

When hunger pangs and cravings take over, it is all too easy to reach for junk-laden fried foods and sugar. Your hands instinctively reach for chips, chivda, fried chana, fried peanuts, samosa, vada pav, cakes, pastries, biscuits, chocolates, and other snacks.

These foods, however, are high in fat and sugar and are nothing more than empty calories. They initially provide a pleasure rush due to their high sugar and glycemic index, but this is only a temporary fix. Want to hear something even worse?

These fried, sweet, and processed foods make you crave them even more, and you gain weight. You also end up deteriorating your health and work performance.

It does not imply that one should compromise on food or taste. All we need to do is find healthy, flavourful alternatives. Fortunately, there is no shortage of options in India. Let us find out some low-calorie Indian snacks. 

Table Of Contents

1. Are Indian Snacks Healthy? 

2. List Of Low Calorie Indian Snacks 

3. Dietitian’s Recommendation 

4. The Final Say 

Are Indian Snacks Healthy? 

Regarding nutrition, Indian foods contain many ingredients, making them somewhat unhealthy. Simultaneously, some food recipes are not considered healthy to consume daily. 

However, one advantage of our Indian food culture is that we have variations that can help make healthier versions of recipes. Our healthy Indian snacks for weight loss are under 150 calories and are high in protein and fibre for satiety.

Some of the ingredients in these Indian snack recipes, such as legumes, yoghurt, chilli peppers, and hot spices, help increase metabolism and make it easier to lose weight. In addition, some of these snacks and drinks can help your metabolism speed up.

List Of Low Calorie Indian Snacks

Here is a list of healthy, low-calorie Indian snacks. Have a look! 

1. Upma 

Upma is traditionally made with semolina that has been roasted and then cooked with vegetables such as carrots, onions, capsicum, roasted peanuts, dal (lentils), and spices. It is a delicious and healthy Indian snack that is more popular in the South. Make upma with oats instead of semolina to cut back on calories.

2. Dhokla

Dhokla, a popular Gujarati snack spread throughout the country, is a steamed snack made of a batter of Bengal gram flour, yoghurt, semolina, lime juice, and baking powder. It comes with chutney and is garnished with curry leaves and coriander. 

As it is steamed rather than fried, the oil content is low. Furthermore, the fermentation of flour increases its nutritional value. It is delicious and filling.

3. Sprouts Salad 

Many people watching their weight include this salad in their diet. The first step is to soak the moong beans (or green gram) overnight to allow them to sprout. 

Then, combine the sprouted moong beans with the onions, chillies, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, and other vegetables. Top with lemon juice, coriander, and chaat masala (an Indian spice). Sprouts have fewer calories and are high in protein, antioxidants, and other vitamins.

4. Moong Dal Cheela 

This is another quick recipe if you remember to soak the moong dal overnight. Then, grind the dal the next day, add some cumin powder, salt, ginger garlic paste, and olive oil, and mix well. Then, heat the oil in a pan and pour this mixture into it, spreading it evenly. 

Turn it over so that both sides are cooked. This dish is high in fibre and healthy nutrients, making it ideal for those on a diet. Serve with tomato ketchup or green chutney.

5. Bhel 

This spicy and delicious Indian chaat also serves as a healthy snack for dieters. Puffed rice, finely chopped onions, tomatoes, cucumber, raw mango, spices, and chutneys are combined to make bhel.

To add flavour, it is topped with sev (the only fried ingredient), but you can leave it out if you prefer. The bhel is low in calories and flavour, making it the ideal snack!

6. Ragi Dosa 

This is a variation of the famous South Indian dosa, which is loved by desi eaters worldwide. Ragi dosa is made from ragi (finger millet) rather than rice, as is the traditional dosa. Ragi flour, rice flour, yoghurt, water, and spices make up the batter. 

To improve the overall flavour, add onion and coriander. Then, in a pan, cook it and serve it with chutney or sambhar. This dosa is a low-fat meal with primarily unsaturated fats, making it an even healthier snack.

7. Protein Bar  

When we think of protein bars, we expect them to be packaged with many synthetic ingredients. However, you can make an Indian protein bar using common ingredients such as gud (jaggery), almonds, honey, murmure, channa, etc. As a result, they serve as the best example of healthy Indian packaged snacks.

8. Khakhra  

This popular Gujarati snack has spread throughout the country. Khakhra is lighter on the stomach and a healthier alternative to packaged junk food. It is frequently served with a pickle, enhancing the Khakhra chips' flavour. This is an excellent option among many healthy evening Indian snacks.

Dietitian’s Recommendation 

Staying away from delicious food has always been considered a compulsion for weight loss, but that is not true. We can lose weight while enjoying tasty meals as well. You can replace any of these above recipes with not-so-healthy recipes to have a taste and a weight loss too. You can easily include 1 or 2 servings depending on your caloric requirement.

-Dietitian Lavina Chauhan 

The Final Say 

There are numerous guilt-free options for healthy Indian snacks available in India. No matter where you live, you can easily access these throughout the country. Furthermore, these quick, healthy evening snacks will keep you energised without adding to your weight.

About ToneOp

ToneOp is a platform dedicated to improving and maintaining your good health through a comprehensive range of goal-oriented diet plans and recipes. It also intends to provide value-added content to our consumers.