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How to Follow a Low Calorie Diet
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Nutrition is important to stay healthy. Leading a healthy lifestyle will keep heart diseases and other major diseases at bay. We often think that fat is bad for our health but fat is actually an essential part of our diet. There are good fats and bad fats and we should know the difference between them to make an informed choice. To find food with low fat content you need to check if the food contains less than 3 grams of fat per 100 calories and for that you need to check the label on the food you buy.
Always read the label where it gives the list of specific values of the contents because many foods are labeled as low fat but have high fat content in them. If you want to consume low fat food then you need to avoid foods which are high in saturated or trans fats. These are added in food items to extend the shelf life of the product and most of the fried foods have such fat in it. Foods that are high in saturated or trans fat lower a person's density lipoprotein cholesterol which increases the risk of heart diseases whereas polyunsaturated fats like the omega 3 and omega 6 are monounsaturated fats which are good for your body.
Here is an example of a nutritional diet plan for you which will give you an idea of how to follow a low calorie diet to stay fit.
- Breakfast: You can have oatmeal with honey added with fresh or frozen fruits and raisins with a glass of orange juice.
- Lunch: You can eat a tuna and cucumber sandwich (try eating brown bread) with a boiled egg and a quarter cup of lowfat yogurt.
- Dinner: Eat 2 rotis with vegetables (don't overcook them), or steamed chicken
- Snacks: Eat fruits, whole grain crackers, raw vegetables like carrots, etc.
How to Start with Eating Low Calorie Snacks
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All love to snack, and while sitting at home most of the time due to the lockdown, we end up eating a lot of things we shouldn't. It is time to think about eating low calorie snacks if we want to stay healthy and look great once things go back to normal. Why is snacking important? If we are not able to get all the necessary vitamins and minerals from the food we eat, healthy snacks can help you get it as well as it manages your hunger pangs and keeps your blood sugar level normal. Snacking should not be done if you feel like eating, eating snacks in proper intervals and in right proportion is important to stay fit.
Most of us like to eat junk foods like cakes, chips, cookies or a glass of soda when we want a snack but these foods have little or no nutritional value. Therefore, it is important to learn to eat healthy snacks. Here are a few tips that can help you start eating healthy low calorie snacks during the day.
- Planning your snacks is important. If you eat unplanned then you are most likely to grab at whatever is within reach and end up consuming excessive calories.
- Learn the difference between snacking and grazing. Eating without feeling hungry is grazing; it adds extra kilos to your body. Snacks should be balanced and should leave you feeling satisfied as well as provide nourishment to your body.
- Mind plays a big role in eating. Always eat snacks in a small plate or a bowl, if you eat directly out of the box you will end up eating more. Eating is small quantities gives you control over your eating habit. It is okay to eat many times a day but in small portions.
- Your snacks should give you physical, mental or emotional fulfillment. A healthy snack will improve your health and increase your energy levels. Snacks that are mentally healthy improve your concentration, enhance your memory and keep you alert. An emotional snack brings joy to you. Find foods that give you these three benefits instead of eating whatever comes in front of you and you will gradually improve your snacking habits.
Low Calorie Snacks You Can Make at Home
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Khaman Dhokla
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If you are looking for a great low calorie snack, then learning to make Dhokla can be fun and fulfilling. Dhokla is a snack from the Gujarati cuisine and is a great low calorie snack. It is very easy to make Dhokla. You can garnish it with green chilies and lemon juice to enhance its taste. Here is the list of ingredients for Dhokla, try it and enjoy your snack with your family.
- 1 cup gram flour (besan)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon refined oil
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 1/2 cup water
- 1 3/4 teaspoon lemon juice
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 15 curry leaves
- 4 sliced green chili
- 1 handful coriander leaves
- Take a bowl and put gram flour (besan) in it
- Add salt, water, lemon juice and baking soda in it
- Mix well and let it sit for 1 to 2 hours
- Meanwhile put boiled water in a steamer or you can use pressure cooker as well
- Take a bowl for baking it and grease it with oil or butter
- Put the fermented Dhokla batter in the greased bowl and cook but it in the steamer of pressure cooker for 20 minutes
- Check after 20 min by inserting a knife, if the knife comes out clean then your Dhokla is done if not you can cook for 5 min more
- Remove from the pan and let it cool. Cut into squares
- Heat pan in a pan, add mustard seeds, curry leaves and sliced green chilies
- Add 1/2 cup of water in it and let it boil for half a minute
- Squeeze 1/2 lemon, add sugar and green coriander
- Turn the heat off and add the syrup onto the Dhokla
- Serve with green mint chutneyTip: To make a fluffy Dhokla beat the batter well to incorporate air in it. Do not beat it after adding baking soda. Heat the steamer before placing the batter in it.
Egg White Omelette
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If you are a non-vegetarian and want to start eating healthy low calorie snacks but can't figure out what to eat then make a delicious egg white omelette. An egg white omelette is a great snack to eat during the day because it is healthy and light. An egg white omelette does not have too much flavor to it but you can make it tasty by adding loads of fillings to it like onions, olives, mushrooms, bell peppers, cheese, etc.
So, next time when you are left with egg whites after baking, don't stress on how to use it. Turn it into a great tasting healthy snack for your family.
- 4 large egg whites
- 1/4 teaspoon diamond crystal kosher salt or plain salt
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup chopped scallions/onion, green parts
- 1/3 cup firm cherry tomatoes, halved olive oil spray
- Take a non stick pan and heat it over medium heat
- Take a bowl and whisk egg whites, add salt, pepper and garlic powder to it. Beat it till it fluffs up. If you want to get creative you can whisk in cheese too
- Take green onions, tomatoes and add them into the fluffed egg whites. You can also add other vegetables at this point
- Spray olive oil on the pan and pour the egg whites. Spread it evenly on the pan
- When you see the edges starting to set in lower the heat and lift the edges of the omelette so that the runny parts go down at the bottom of the pan and cook evenly
- Flip the omelette over when the top of the omelette is still wet, you can use a flat spatula or put a plate on top of the pan and turn it upside down then slide the omelette back into the pan
- Fold your omelette and slide it on the plate. Serve it with brown bread or eat it alone It may sound a little difficult at first to make this omelette, but it is tasty and healthy. You can serve it to your kids who don't like to eat vegetables.
Oats Roti
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Oats is known to be one of the healthiest grains available. It is a healthy and gluten free recipe for people suffering with thyroid, PCOS, diabetes and heart disease, and it can be eaten any time of the day. Eating rotis made of oats will give your a good amount of fiber. You can eat it with curry, sambar, dal or any vegetable of your choice. Oats is low in calorie therefore you can add it in your weight loss plan as well. Oats is also loaded with vitamins and minerals. Since oats has high amount of fiber in it, it keeps you full for a long time which helps you eat less and lose weight quicker.
- 2 cup oats quick oats
- 1 cup hot water
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ghee
- 1 tsp oil
- Take 2 cups of oats and run it in the blender, make fine powder
- Take a bowl and put the powder in it
- Add salt and hot water in small amounts to make a dough from it
- Add 1 tsp ghee and knead it into a smooth dough
- Cover and leave for 10 min
- Make small balls and roll into thin balls
- Since oats is gluten free it is difficult to turn it into a perfect round roti. You can use a round lid, press it over the roti and remove the extra parts of the roti to bring it in a round shape. You can leave it, the taste will remain the same regardless of the shape
- Cook the rotis like the atta roti and put oil/ghee on both the sides
- Serve it with your favorite curry or vegetables and enjoy
Low Calorie Snacks You Can Buy Online
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Chipotle Roasted Sunflower Seeds
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You can either cook great tasting low calorie snacks at home or buy them from the market. One such nutritious low calorie snack is roasted sunflower seeds. Although sunflower seeds are rich in oil but they are made of the healthy form of the plant oil which provides polyunsaturated fats. These seeds also contain loads of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals which are essential for many physiological processes in our body. Chewing on roasted sunflower seeds will give your protein and healthy fats and you can add them in our salad or sandwich to enhance its texture and flavor.
If you are looking for a good way to eat and stay slim then you can add roasted sunflower seeds in your diet plan. You will get ample amount of fiber and vitamin E, folate and copper from it.
You can buy Chipotle Roasted Sunflower seeds for Rs.65 from nuts.com. Make sure to take them out in a bowl before eating because you won't be able to stop yourself from munching on them during the day. With constant use of these roasted sunflower seeds you will see improvements in your hair, and skin.
Chana Jor Garam (Set Of 2)
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People love chana jor garam. If you are Indian by heart you will love to have this tasty snack anytime of the day. Kala Chana or Bengal Gram is loaded with minerals and Vitamins. Eating black chana is very beneficial for people suffering with diabetes because they are Low Glycemic Index food hence release very little sugar into your blood sugar. It also has soluble fiber, it is high in protein and iron.
If you love eating Chana Jor Garam you can boil it at home, press it with a spoon and fry or bake them but if you don't want to do all that work and still want to eat it you can order it for Rs.210 for pack of 2/200 gram each from delightfoods.com.
Wasabi Makhana
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Makhana or fox seeds are good for health and it is not a secret. If eaten in right amount you can gain a lot of nutrition from makhana. 32 grams of Makhana has around 106 calories which makes it a great nut to eat if you are looking for a snack and lose weight at the same time. They are a crunchy snack which keeps you full for a long time and provides a good amount of protein. They also keep your blood sugar balanced, so don't worry and serve it to your parents even if they are diabetic. Go ahead and order 70 gm or Wasabi Makhana for Rs.120 from snackible.com.
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Eating Healthy
During periods such as this, when everyone is spending the whole day at home, it is good to follow a low calorie healthy diet. Apart from exercise, a healthy diet helps you stay healthy and fit physically as well as mentally. Some of the foods recommended above can easily be prepared at home. So, cook some good food and keep yourself and your family healthy!