MasalaBox Blog

Indian Food Myths You Probably Believed

Most of us have heard facts about different food items, which we actually believed, but later realized that they were inaccurate. There are plenty of misconceptions and myths when it comes to food and nutrition. So, when you are planning to switch to a healthy and balanced lifestyle, it is best to debunk these Indian food myths. This is because it will give you a better idea on what healthy foods are & what food items need to be included in your diet.

Since our country is home to different & diverse cultures, cultural values are often confused with facts. This has in fact resulted in the spread of several myths and misconceptions regarding Indian food. However, do not worry because in this article, we are debunking popular Indian food myths.

Desi Ghee Is Unhealthy

We might have heard several people saying desi ghee is not good for our health. However, the reality is that desi ghee is comparatively a lot healthier when compared to cottonseed, sunflower, safflower, and corn oils.

Desi ghee contains 65 Percent Saturated Acids and 32 percent Monounsaturated Fatty Acids. They do not reduce the good cholesterol in our body. Studies have also revealed that cow’s ghee may also protect us from cancer.

Avoid Eggs

Eggs are a healthy source of proteins, but we are often told to avoid eggs because they are high in cholesterol. It is true that there is 215mg Cholesterol in a single chicken egg. And, the daily intake limit is 300 mg. That said, several studies have found out that the impact of egg cholesterol on our blood cholesterol level is minimal.

A 2012 study that was published by the National Center For Biotechnology Information revealed that long-term egg consumption does not have any harmful effect on our health.

Suji Is Very Nutritious

Another common misconception around Indian food that is believed by several people is that the whole grain, Semolina or Suji is very nutritious. It is important to note that suji is actually maida’s granular form. And the nutritional content in it is pretty similar to that of refined wheat flour or polished rice.

Most whole grains are very rich in nutrients and fiber, but that’s not the case with Semolina or Suji. Suji is actually the starch-rich component, which is left behind after the whole grain is stripped off from the nutrients.

Extra Virgin Oil Is Not Suitable For Cooking

We have heard so many questions regarding the use of extra virgin oils when cooking. Some people often ask can I use extra virgin oil for garnish while others wonder will the oil lose nutrients when it is heated. The first thing you need to understand is that extra virgin oil is a heat-stable oil and it can be used for cooking.

However, heating oil ( any type of oil) to a higher temperature will result in the loss of nutrients. In fact, it may even produce undesirable compounds. So, it is best to minimize the heating to get most out of the oil.

Apples & Bananas Are Rich In Iron

Apples and bananas are excellent sources of iron. A large percent of the Indian population continues to believe this popular Indian food myth. It is high time you realize the fact that apples and bananas are not rich sources of iron. Instead, they are excellent sources of fiber.

Several people believe this Indian food myth because apples and bananas turn brown in color. However, the color change is not due to the presence of iron, but due to an enzymatic reaction. And, it has nothing to do with Iron.

Conclusion

There are also several other popular Indian food myths like eating nuts can lead to obesity and cholesterol-related issues. However, it is important to talk to a dietician if you really want to know what food items are healthy for you and what’s not.

If you do not do that, you will end up believing some of these common misconceptions. And, cut down healthy food from your diet.

There is a wide range of Indian superfoods and immunity-boosting foods out there. It is best to try to include these food items in your daily diet if you are planning to start eating healthily.

5 Immunity Boosting Indian Foods You Should Try

The New Year, 2021 is finally here and most of us would be probably planning to take up some new year resolutions. It is no surprise that the resolutions of so many people are related to eating smart and eating healthily. Eating less junk food and avoiding overeating are usually two of the most common food related resolutions. However, if you are planning to eat healthily, it is important to include immunity boosting Indian foods in your diet.

Including immunity boosting and healthy food in your daily diet will make you feel good, healthy, and it will make your immune system strong. This will in turn help you to stay away from diseases. So, you might be probably wondering what are the immunity boosting Indian foods that I can easily find. Here are a few immunity boosting food suggestions to help you get started.

Indian Gooseberry

Indian Gooseberry, which is popularly known as Amla is a superfood that is rich in healthy vitamins and nutrients. In fact, Amla is one of the richest Vitamin C sources. Vitamin C has the ability to boost immunity. The amount of Vitamin C in Amla is more than 20 times when compared to that of Orange.

Amla also helps in cleansing the colon, which will result in the removal of excess toxins from the body. In addition to that, Amla is quite effective when it comes to a number of skin related issues. So, it would be a good idea to include Amla in your diet.

Ghee

Many of you might be surprised to see Ghee in the list of immunity boosting Indian foods. This is mainly because there is a common misconception that clarified butter or Ghee is fattening. However, ghee is one of the healthiest Indian super foods available out there and it is something you should definitely include on your daily diet.

Ghee is packed with Omega 3 and Omega 9 fatty acids, Vitamin A, B, and C. It is also a healthy source of butyrate and healthy fat. Pure ghee that cow gives also generate both energy and heat in our body, which will keep you warm. Including ghee in your diet will also help your digestive health in many ways.

Whole-Grain

Whole-grain is another easily available and affordable Immunity boosting indian food. Most of us indulge in unhealthy foods and festive treats in the month of december and start putting on weight. These festive treats do not help you when it comes to providing nutrients in your body. This is where whole-grain comes into play.

Whole-grains like pearl millet, bajra, and maize are rich in iron, protein, fiber, and starch. As a result, whole-grains are capable of giving your immunity system a boost along with helping you lose weight and increase good cholesterol levels in your body.

Tulsi Leaves

Tulsi leaves offer plenty of health benefits. In fact, the health benefits of tulsi leaves have been vouched by both science and Ayurveda. The green tulsi leaves are available in most Indian households, but most people are not aware about the immunity boosting properties of tulsi leaves.

The expectorant, antitussive, and immunomodulatory properties of tulsi leaves will help in immunity boosting along with keeping your lungs clean. Having tea in the evening with Tulsi leaves or simply chewing them in the morning before having breakfast will surely keep you healthy.

Honey

Honey, the sweetening agent of nature, is rich in magnesium, calcium, and iron. Additionally, raw honey has a number of medicinal properties. For instance, the antibacterial properties of honey soothe our throat and it also protects us from fungi and bacteria. Including honey in your daily diet will also boost the immunity system.

If you are someone who loves to cook & eat sweet food items, it is best to replace the refined sugar with honey. Refined sugar doesn’t have any nutrients and is not healthy so it is best to replace it with honey. Mixing honey in water and drinking it daily will also aid in weight loss.

It may be quite difficult for you to include all these immunity boosting Indian foods in your diet when you are leading a busy life. Stil, you gotta find ways to eat healthy and eat smart. If you are wondering how to do that without cooking at home, take a look at our Smart Carbs plan, which has yummy but guilt-free meals that will help you eat healthily.

How To Eat Healthy During Christmas

Sticking to a balanced diet and eating healthy may seem quite challenging during the holiday season and festivals. As Christmas and New year are just around the corner, most of us will be attending parties and enjoying delicious feasts. It is true that most of us tend to overeat during this time of the year and we also treat ourselves to Christmas cakes, cookies, and other Christmas delights.

We do realize that it will be really difficult to not indulge in tasty Christmas treats. However, if you end up overeating, you will put on more weight, which will negatively impact your weight loss goals. So, it is important to know how to eat healthy during Christmas and the rest of the Holiday season.

Since New year is coming up, we tell ourselves that I will start eating healthy and take it up as a New Year Resolution. It is an excellent idea, but that doesn’t mean you should overeat during Christmas. So, here are a few simple tips and tricks that will help you to eat smartly and healthily during Christmas.

Try Not To Overdo It

2020 has been a tough year and it’s finally coming to an end. Christmas is a time to have fun, relax, and spend quality time with your near and dear ones. So, do not put yourself on more stress by saying no to your favorite foods. Some people who are on diet even say not to Christmas cakes and they end up craving it badly a day later.

It is okay to have one or two slices of the Christmas cake, enjoy a few Christmas cookies, and eat the food you love. However, you need to have a control on how much you are eating. This will help you to stay healthy along with enjoying a few delicious Christmas treats.

Eat Less When You Can

Christmas dinner is one of the best parts of the festival and it is something we all look forward to. So, eating less during the Christmas dinner will be probably something we don’t want to do. It is important to realize that a Christmas dinner or one-off celebration meal may not make a huge difference to your healthy eating plan.

The trick is to limit the celebration meals to either one or two. And, if possible you should try to eat less during your other meals. This will allow you to keep control of your daily calorie intake without skipping the Christmas dinner.

Choose Healthier Options

If you are at home, you can easily prepare healthy meals with fresh ingredients. You need to make a few smart options like avoiding processed and red meat with chicken, turkey, or fish. You should also include more vegetables and food that are high in protein in your diet.

Since it’s Christmas, you will be probably planning to dine out with friends or family. If that’s the case, make sure to pick healthier options instead of filling the plate with your favorite food items. If you want to have a dessert, it is best to opt for fruit-based desserts.

Cut Down On Drinks

There is no denying that Christmas and New Year are days when we drink more than usual. In fact, most of us tend to drink more during the month of December. People who are drinking at home often end up losing count, which is why you should drink responsibly and have better control.

Some people tend to skip or avoid meals to drink more alcohol. This is a bad idea, as skipping meals will make you feel weak because you do not have enough nutrition. So, do not skip meals, instead drink less, and have control on how much you are drinking.

Conclusion

Christmas is one of the best and most interesting times of the year and it can be quite hard to stick with a healthy diet during the season. That said, you can always have a cheat day during the Christmas week or on the Christmas day itself. If you are at home, you can easily prepare healthy meals. However, if you are not at home and still want healthy home cooked meals for Christmas, we can help you get it delivered to your doorsteps.

10 Classic Christmas Recipes You Don’t Want To Miss Out

The first thing that comes into your mind when you hear the word “Christmas” will be beautifully decorated trees, Santa Claus, and the delicious food. Even though Christmas is celebrated by the end of December, the preparations begin at least a month before. We can see people singing carols and exchanging gifts with their near and dear ones.

Unfortunately, Christmas celebrations will be quite different this year. But, as we always say different doesn’t mean bad. You can still make the most of your celebrations by spending time with your family and by enjoying the classic Christmas dishes. What’s more merrier than spending Christmas with friends and family by enjoying classic Christmas recipes.

If you want to make your Christmas celebrations extra special by treating yourself with classic Christmas Recipes, we are here to help you. Here are some of the best and easy to prepare classic Christmas recipes you do not want to miss out.

Christmas Cookies

Christmas celebrations are incomplete without cakes and cookies. A wide range of cookies are prepared and served during the festive season. Most Christmas cookies are made with refined flour, sugar, and butter. If you want to add extra flavour to Christmas cookies, use honey instead of sugar for the dough.

Gingerbread Man Cookies

One of the common varieties of cookies prepared during Christmas is Gingerbread man cookies. The fresh aroma and mouth-watering taste of the dessert recipe is sure to leave you craving for more. If you want to make the cookies a bit more sweet and delicious, make sure to add chocolate to the recipe.

Plum Cake

Plum cake is the most common type of Christmas cake. It is usually prepared and served in most Indian homes that celebrate christmas. The dried fruits and plums in the cake makes it incredibly delicious. Some people start their preparation for making plum cake a month ago by soaking nuts and plums in rum.

Christmas Pudding

Another classic Christmas recipe that you shouldn’t miss is pudding. The unique and yummy taste of the Christmas pudding makes everything better. It is often called plum pudding or pud, but the surprising fact is that Christmas pudding does not usually contain plums. Some families have their own Christmas pudding recipes that they pass over generations.

Dry Fruit Cake

Dry Fruit cakes become readily available in different parts of the country during the Christmas season. As the name suggests, dry fruit cakes are made by using different types of dried fruits. It can be prepared with or without using egg based on your preferences. You can also add wine or rum to make the cake even more delicious.

Christmas Pie

A wide range of Christmas pies can also be easily prepared at home with the right ingredients. Mince Pie, which is actually a dessert recipe, is one of our favorite recipes. It is filled with jellies, jams, raisins, nuts, cream, and chocolate. If you are someone with a sweet tooth, you will surely fall in love with the Mince Pie.

Christmas Cake

Christmas celebrations are incomplete without cakes. The word Christmas makes us think of the delicious taste of Christmas cakes. Christmas cakes made with dried fruits, raisins, and nuts can be found in most homes during the festive season. The flavour and taste of Christmas cakes is simply unmatched and sharing the cake with our loved ones is something we all look forward to.

Roasted Chicken

If you have celebrated Christmas, you should know that Christmas dinners are incomplete without meat recipes. It is true that traditional Christmas dinners usually have roasted turkey. However, if you are someone who doesn’t eat or like the tasty or turkey, you can try roasted chicken.

Eggnog

The yummy beverage, Eggnog is another Christmas recipe you should definitely try this festive season. The main ingredients of Eggnog are egg, cream, and milk. The beverage is later flavored with nutmeg and cinnamon, which is responsible for its amazing taste. You can drink eggnog either as cold or as warm.

We understand that Christmas can be a busy time and you may not get enough time to bake a cake or prepare other classic Christmas recipes. This is why we have created a fine selection of classic Christmas recipes that includes plum cake, dry-fruit cake, and gingerbread man cookies. The homemade Christmas treats can be easily ordered online through our website.

The Fascinating History Of Indian Christmas Cake

Christmas is just around the corner and we are pretty excited. It is that time of the year when we get to spend quality time with our friends and family members. We decorate houses with Christmas trees, and treat ourselves with wine, Christmas cake, and other tasty delights, & watch our favorite Christmas Classics with our near & dear ones.

Christmas cakes are one of the most important and integral parts of the festival celebration. It is hard to think of Christmas without yummy plum cakes. Even though most people in India celebrate Christmas and enjoy Christmas cakes, most of them are not aware of the fascinating history of Indian Christmas cakes.

The History Of Indian Christmas Cake

Christmas cakes do hold a special place in our hearts. We all look forward to cutting the cake with our family & friends and it is undoubtedly one of the best things about Christmas. Since, most of you are very fond of Christmas cakes, you would have probably wondered when was Christmas cake invented and who made the first Christmas cake .

The history of Christmas cakes can be traced back to the year 1880. Mambally Bapu was a businessman who used to ship bread, tea, and milk to the British troops stationed in Egypt. Upon returning to his home in Thalasseri in the Northern part of Kerala, Bapu decided to start a bakery on his own.

Bapu, who had just returned from Burma had become a master in the art of biscuit making. He wanted to make baked goods popular among the locals. There was only a bakery in the city at that time and they catered mainly to the British troops. However, Bapu soon set up a bakery, named it Royal Biscuit Factory, and started producing almost 40 different varieties of buns, breads, rusks, and biscuits.

What Is The Origin Of Christmas Cake

Three years later and a few days before Christmas, a British planter, Murdoch Brown walked into Bapu’s bakery with a plum cake. Murdoch had purchased the cake from England. Murdoch told Bapu to try the plum cake he brought and asked if he could bake a similar cake.

The baker was intrigued by the question, but he had no idea on how to bake a cake. Murdoch Brown decided to help the baker and he gave Bapu a ten minute demo on the basics of cake baking. Brown also handed over a few ingredients like dry fruits, raisins, dates, and cocoa to the baker. Finally, Brown also advised Bapu to use a French brandy while preparing the Christmas cake.

However, Bapu had already decided to try and experiment things in a different style. He collected spices from farms, procured mould, and decided to use a local brew instead of the brandy. He ended up selecting a local brew that was prepared with kadalipazham ( a type of banana) & cashew apple.

A year later, Bapu visited Brown with the cake that he had made. The British planter tried it and said that it was one of the best cakes that he ever had. In fact, Brown went on to order a dozen more cakes from Bapu. That is how Christmas cakes made their way into our country.

The Christmas cakes became quite popular among customers in a short span of time and Bapu’s business flourished. Thalassery still continues to be one of the prominent suppliers of Christmas cake even after 130 years. In fact, people from different parts of India, UAE, and US continue to place bulk orders from the bakeries in Thalassery even today.

Where To Find Delicious Christmas Cakes

Now that you have learned the rich and delicious history of Christmas cakes, you may be craving for one. Enjoying a thick slice of the yummy Christmas cake, along with a glass of wine, while watching your favorite Holiday movie, at the comfort of your home with your family & friends is what a happy Christmas looks like.

If you do not have time to bake a Christmas cake or if you do not know how, consider buying Christmas cakes online. You can get delicious homemade Christmas cakes delivered to your doorsteps with Masala Box. All you need to do is reach out to us, and we will take care of the rest.

Why You Should Track What You Are Eating

Several individuals who are trying to lose weight often fail to realize one important thing. It is that tracking what you are eating can help you with your weight loss journey in many ways. In fact, multiple studies have revealed that people who track their daily food intake online tend to lose weight faster. So, if you wish to lose weight, it is best to track what you eat.

Surprisingly, several people feel that tracking what they are eating and noting it is a tedious task. However, the reality is that there are several apps that will allow you to keep track of what you are eating. This means that it will take you only a few seconds to document and track your daily food intake. If you are still wondering why you should keep track of what you are eating, here are a few reasons that will give you a better idea.

Increase Mindfulness

Do you remember what you had for lunch last day or what you ate for dinner last night. Some of us often forget what we are eating due to our busy life or other reasons. It is always good to have a clear idea on what you are eating on a daily basis.

Keeping track of what you are eating will surely increase mindfulness. You will be mindful of your daily eating habit and you may end up cutting down on junk and sugary food items.

Gives You A Clear Idea Of Your Current Eating Habits

Some people do not realize they are overeating while others fail to notice that they are consuming more junk or sugary food. If you are seriously trying to lose weight, you should have a clear idea on how much calories you are consuming on a day. Tracking helps you to understand how much you are eating on a daily basis.

In addition, you will also realize the calorie content in the food items that you are eating. This may encourage you to choose healthier and better food options, which will help you with your weight loss goals.

Helps You Understand How Nutrient Dense Your Food Is

One of the best things about keeping track of your daily food intake is that you will be able to get an idea on what you need to meet your nutritional needs. You will soon realize that you should skip the couple of crunchy and spicy samosas that you are eating with your tea. This is because eating those samosas will result in exceeding the daily calorie intake.

Chocolate, cake, and ladoo are favorite desserts of many of us, and we often eat them daily. However, when you are tracking what you are eating, you will learn that you need to stop eating them and look for healthier alternatives.

Daily Calorie Limit

Several studies claim that an adult woman should eat 1600 to 2400 calories on a daily basis. Likewise, adult men are advised to eat approximately 2000 to 3000 calories per day. When you are trying to lose weight, your fitness coach may advise you to limit the calorie intake by 1500 or 1800 (based on your current weight.

If you are not keeping track of what you are eating, you may exceed the limit on most days. This will negatively affect your weight loss goals. Fortunately, you will be able to stay well within the daily calorie intake by tracking your meals.

Helps You To Understand The Progress

There is no denying the fact that making changes to food and diet habits is hard. In fact, it can be quite challenging and tedious when you are switching diet habits to lose weight. You will get hungry and you may be tempted to overeat at times.

That said, if you are able to make considerable changes to your diet and food habits, you deserve praise. One of the fascinating aspects of tracking food is that it will help you understand your progress. The effort that you put in will surely give you the motivation to move forward.

Bottom Line

If you are trying to switch to a healthier diet or want to start eating healthy, you should track what you eat. We understand that many of us may not be able to cook healthy meals at home due to our busy schedules. This is why we have introduced a guilt free meal plan, Smart Carbs. The meal plan will help you easily keep track of what you eat and offer you tasty guilt-free meals.

10 Essentials For A Well-Stocked Kitchen Pantry

I am someone who loves to cook. Cooking my favorite food and enjoying it is something I look forward to after a stressful day. However, my excitement and motivation to cook a meal often goes away when I see an empty kitchen pantry. An empty kitchen pantry means there isn’t absolute anything for you to work with. So, I will need to run to the grocery store to buy items, which can be quite hard after a tiresome day.

So, I have started to stock my kitchen pantry with essential items for a while and it has really worked for me. When you have a pantry filled with essential items, you will be easily able to make a delicious meal with ease. That said, picking up the right items for the pantry can be quite challenging. So, to make things easier for you, here is a list of 10 essentials for a well-stocked kitchen pantry.

Spices

There is no denying that most Indian kitchen pantries contain an overwhelming number of spices. In fact, you will surely have several spices at your home even now. Spices like cumin, fennel, cloves, star anise, cinnamon sticks may be already available in your home. If not, you can easily purchase them from the local grocery store. You need to store and place the spices in a dark and cold place.

Fresh Vegetables

If you are a vegetarian or someone who loves veg dishes, there is a lot of Indian recipes you can try at your home. In that case, it would be an excellent idea to stock fresh vegetables in the pantry. You can include onions, potatoes, spinach, peas, tomatoes, and more vegetables in the pantry. The good part is that you will be able to prepare different veg dishes with these items.

Special Seasonings

Most of the currys and other dishes that you are preparing at your home are available as special seasonings in the market. If you are looking to make a quick meal, then these special seasonings will serve quite useful. You will be able to find and order Sambar Mix, Kadala Curry Mix, Theeyal Mix, & Pulinkari Mix online. These mixes will help you to easily prepare delicious currys.

Jams, Butter, & Canned Goods

Jarred and canned goods are a rich source of proteins and nutrients. Most Indian homes usually have canned goods like jams and butter in the pantry. A wide range of different jams, compote, and butter are available in the market. You will surely love to Seasonal Mixed Fruit Compote, Pineapple & Plum Compote , Herb Pepper Butter, & more available at Homemade Pantry. They are all yummy, preservative-free, and available online too.

Sauces

Homemade sauces are great and we all love to taste it. That said, preparing homemade sauces can be difficult if you are busy. This is why it is best to have some store-bought sauces in your pantry at all times. You can also include mayonnaise, ketchup, and marinades too.

Oil

Oil is another essential pantry item that you will need if you are looking forward to cooking delicious meals. You can buy any type of oil based on your personal preferences and use them for sauteing and frying.

Rice

If you are a South Indian, Rice would be something that you consume on a daily basis. If that’s the case, stocking your pantry with rice is an excellent idea. You will be able to make a wide range of different rice recipes with rice and just a few ingredients.

Flour

There are some people who don’t like to eat rice or rice recipes. This is why you need to store flour in your kitchen pantry. Bread is actually eaten as a substitute for rice in several parts of the country. With flour, you can easily prepare chapati, roti, naan, and more.

Salt & Sugar

Salt and sugar are essential pantry items and we cannot think of a kitchen pantry without these two items. You will need to use salt in almost every meal so make sure to add it to your pantry.

Packaged Goods

It feels good when you have something to eat at your home without going through the trouble of preparing anything. This is why I have stocked vellupperi, sharkara upperi, and other packaged goods in my pantry. So, If I ever get hungry, I always have something to snack on.

If you are wondering how to buy essential pantry items like jams, butters, compote, or spice mixes online, do not worry we have got you covered.

How Not To Starve Yourself When You Are On A Diet

Switching to a balanced & healthy diet and exercises regularly is sure to help you lose weight. However, several individuals have a misconception that starving themselves and overtraining will result in faster weight loss. Unfortunately, starving yourself and overtraining may slow down the progress. So, if you are serious about weight, you should avoid these two methods and focus more on how to eat when dieting.

It is important to eat food that is rich in proteins and nutrients on a daily basis. This will provide sufficient amounts of nutrients into your body and keep you healthy & safe. So, here are a few more reasons that will give you a clear idea on why you should not starve yourself when you are on a diet to lose weight .

Why You Shouldn’t Starve Yourself

Experts in the field of healthcare have advised and stressed several times that starving is a bad idea. A very recent study revealed a shocking conclusion that starving actually results in the death of certain cells in the body. The death of these cells, which happens due to lack of nutrients and glucose may also negatively affect immunity.

The study also pointed out that cell death due to starvation is quite similar to cell-death treatments like chemotherapy. Several other studies have found out that prolonged starvation may result in organ damage.

Going on a diet, where you are starving yourself is also sure to cause great loss in water weight and muscle mass. This will in turn slow down the rate of metabolism, which will make you feel hungry. As a result, you may end up overeating and putting up more weight.

Common Symptoms You May Experience When Starving Yourself

Starving yourself can take a great toll on not just your physical health, but also on your mental health. In fact, you may experience frequent and rapid mood changes, difficulty to sleep, a higher level of stress, and more. In addition, prolonged starvation may also make you feel depressed.

When it comes to physical health, starving yourself to lose weight will give you frequent headaches, constipation, and it may also lower your blood pressure. The good news is that you will be able to stay away from all these issues by switching to a healthy diet.

Opt For Healthy Alternatives

Most people who try to include healthy alternatives in their daily diet are more likely to lose weight. In fact, these groups of individuals will lose weight at a faster pace when compared to the ones who are starving themselves. So, make sure to include healthy food items in your diet instead of eating less or starving yourself.

It would be best to cut down sugar from your daily diet to help you with your weight loss journey. Another important thing to note is that you should be realistic with your weight-loss goals. Try not to avoid your favorite food items, instead start eating healthy and smart. You could also include a cheat day once or twice every week.

How To Eat When Dieting

As mentioned earlier, avoiding the practice of starving yourself when on a diet is the first thing to do. In addition to that, here are a few more tips on how to eat when dieting that will surely help you.

Healthy snacks and food items that are rich in proteins and nutrients must be included in your diet. These food items will give your body the energy it needs and makes you feel full and satisfied. When you are feeling hungry, eat peanuts, almonds, and other healthy snacks.

The art of practicing mindful eating is another simple but effective way that can help you to lose weight. Having control over what you are eating by resisting your temptation of foods that will make you gain weight is crucial. These small changes will prove to be quite effective when trying to lose weight.

Subscribe To A Healthy Diet Plan

It can be quite hard for some people to prepare healthy meals every day. Stressful work schedules and busy lives can get in our way. This is why we have introduced a healthy meal plan, Smart Carbs that will ensure a guilt-free eating experience. You do not need to compromise on taste to lose weight. Instead, you need to start eating smart & healthy, this is where our Smart Carbs plan comes into play.

10 Varieties Of Indian Breads Everyone Should Try

The National Bread Day is celebrated on the 17th of November every year. Even though most of us include some type of bread in our daily diet, we do not know a lot about bread. For instance, it might surprise many of you when you learn that Egyptians used bread as a currency showing how important bread was for them. Another interesting piece of trivia about bread is that it doesn’t have any cultural boundaries and is used in several regional ceremonies.

Breads are an integral part of the Indian cuisine. Different types of breads are served with famous Indian dishes, especially curries. There is a wide range of different Indian breads out there. In fact, different states or regions in the country have different baking styles and use different ingredients.

From morning breakfast to dinner, Indian breads are prepared in our homes with great passion and love. So, on this National Bread Day, let us take a brief glimpse into different varieties of Indian breads. Here are some of the popular varieties of Indian bread that everyone should try at least one.

Plain Paratha

The pan-fried plain parathas are flaky and crispy. The Indian flatbread goes really well with most of the popular Indian dishes. The name Paratha actually comes from a combination of two words, parat and atta, which means cooked layered dough. Parathas are commonly stuffed with potatoes, paneer, cauliflower, and more.

Malabar Parotta

Malabar Parotta, also known as Kerala Porotta or Porotta is a popular south Indian flatbread that is prepared with maida. Porottas are served in most of the restaurants in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and other South Indian states. Malabar Parotta can be eaten with a wide range of different dishes that include vegetable curries, chicken curry, & other non-veg meals.

Dosa

Most south Indians love Dosa. In fact, they can’t go a week without having either Dosa or Idli. Dosa is a deliciously crispy Indian bread variety that is commonly eaten for breakfast or simply as a snack. The most popular and widely loved type of Dosa would surely be Masala Dosa, a dosa rolled up with potato, spices, and onion mixture.

Chapati

As most of you are aware, Chapati is one of the most popular varieties of Indian bread in our country. In fact, people from all over the country eat chapati on a daily basis. Chapati is a delicious flatbread, which is pretty similar to an Indian roti. However, the former one is more soft and then & it is served with pickles, chutneys, and curries.

Idlis

Idli is a popular and widely loved south Indian bread that is commonly eaten for breakfast. Idlis are yummy, soft, and spongy discs that are prepared with rice flour and urad daal. It is made by steaming in a cooker, which is the main reason for the round shape of Idli. Idli is usually eaten with hot and spicy sambar or with a delicious chutney often made with coconut.

Idiyappam

Idiyappam is another Indian bread that is very common among South Indians. It is eaten as breakfast with either vegetable or non-vegetable curry. Idiyappam, which is also called noolputtu is often served with sugar, milk, and coconut in several parts of Kerala.

Naan

Here is another popular flatbread that is very common in most parts of India and has a chewy texture. Naan features a unique tear-drop shape and made with white flavour, salt, sugar, eggs, and yeast. Naan is usually served hot right from the kitchen and goes well with most Indian dishes.

Roti

Roti, the flat Indian bread that is prepared with wholemeal flour and cooked on a vessel called Tava. Several different versions of roti that includes chapathi, tandoori roti, roti canai, are part of the daily diet of several Indians. The name Roti actually stems from a Sanskrit word, which means bread.

Bhatura

Bhatura, the popular North Indian meal and can be considered as a slighter large version of Poori. The golden brown colored and deep-fried Indian bread can be served with chickpea curry, lassi, and plenty more.

Poori

The round and yummy deep-fried Indian bread, Poori is prepared with white flour. You can see that poori is usually served with bhaji with spiced potatoes for breakfast. It is an excellent combination and something you should definitely try.

Why Cut Down Sugar From Your Diet And How To Control Sugar Intake

World Diabetes Day was marked as an official United Nations Day approximately 15 years ago. Ever since then, World Diabetes Day is marked on the 14th of November every year, which also happens to be Sir. Frederick Banting’s birthday. Sir. Frederick Banting is a co-founder of insulin. So, during this World Diabetes Day, we would like to focus on the link between sugar intake and type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes affects the ability of our body to regulate the glucose level in our blood. Several studies have found out that sugar intake will not directly lead to diabetes. However, consuming too much sugar will result in weight gain, which is actually a risk factor for diabetes. So, it is best to cut down sugar from your diet and switch to a healthy and balanced diet.

Why Cut Down Sugar From Your Diet

As mentioned earlier, sugar consumption will not directly result in Type 2 diabetes. That said, the overall intake of sugar is sure to increase chances of diabetes 2. Even though the link between Type 2 diabetes and sugar intake remains to be uncertain, the consumption of sugar will result in several other health-related risks.

For instance, several studies have revealed that consuming sugar excessively increases the chance of cardiovascular diseases. In addition to that, eating sugar excessively may also result in chronic illness, hormone changes, and even cancer. The good news is that you will be able to avoid all these risks by cutting down sugar from your diet. Here are a few tips on how to cut down sugar from your daily diet.

Avoid Drinking Sodas

It might surprise some of you when you hear that there are approximately 19 spoons of sugar in most soft drinks. This is about three times more than the amount of sugar that is normal to consume in a single day. So, if you really wish to cut down sugar intake, you should consider avoiding sodas and soft drinks.

It would be best to replace soda and soft drinks that are high in sugar with water or lemon juice. You could also make a swift switch to tea or coffee with less amount of sugar.

Drink Plenty Of Water

Our body lacks the ability to distinguish between thirst and hunger. So, if you drink lots of water and keep yourself hydrated, you won’t feel the need to eat sugary delights or snacks. Several people often drink fruit juices instead of drinking water. You may be probably wondering what’s so bad about drinking homemade fruit juices.

Fruits are undoubtedly rich in fibre, which will help in controlling the sugar level in our body. However, fruits contain more amounts of fibre when they are in their natural form. So, when you cut or blend them, the percentage of fibre in fruits gets reduced. Moreover, the resulting juice may spike the blood sugar levels, which is not good for your health.

Why Switching To A Healthy Diet Can Help Reduce The Risk Of Diabetes

One of the biggest risk orders for Type 2 diabetes is being obese or overweight. So, one of the simplest ways to increase the risk of diabetes is to lose weight. Fortunately, you will be able to lose weight by switching to a healthy & balanced diet and by avoiding the intake of sugar. In fact, making small changes is quite enough to help you lose weight.

Making small changes like replacing fast & packaged foods with home cooked meals and consuming protein-rich food is sure to help you lose weight. Apart from that, you could also replace white rice with brown rice, white bread with whole-grain bread, & include otas, leafy vegetables, and more in your diet.

It might be quite complicated for some people to switch to a balanced & healthy diet. This is why we have come up with a simple way, which will help you to include essential nutrients in your diet with ease. Our Smart Carbs plan that features a fine selection of healthy, nutrient-dense, and delicious meals is sure to supply enough nutrition. The right combination of healthy and tasty food will help you kickstart a healthy eating habit and it might also help you lose weight with proper exercise.