Want to eat desi food without hurting your health goals? Indian food has a lot of meals that are very low in calories and taste great.
If you’re trying to lose weight, keep track of your macros, or just want to eat thoughtfully while following a macro-friendly diet, this site is here to help you enjoy yourself without worrying. Want to eat delicious Indian food but are worried about the calories? Don’t worry; get back to what you love as we share the secrets of “Deliciously Slim,” which includes 10 Indian meals that will satisfy your needs.
These meals are the right mix of taste and nutrition, from tasty curries to fun lentil recipes. So, your indulgence is good for you and fun. We admire and celebrate the colorful spices and Indian culinary resistance while keeping your goals in mind. All of these recipes are made with your health in mind, so the food is both tasty and good for you.
These foods will make your taste buds happy, whether you’re trying to lose weight or just want to enjoy some delights without feeling bad about it. So get ready to enjoy the rich Indian food that is good for your macros and won’t make you feel bad!
The Health Benefits of Eating Low-Calorie Foods
Eating low-calorie foods is good for your health, not just for losing weight. When you eat meals that are low in calories and high in nutrients, you lessen your risk of getting chronic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart problems.
- You feel less bloated, lighter, and more awake.
- Help your body digest food better and speed up your metabolism.
- You keep your calorie intake balanced without feeling hungry.
Whole grains, pulses, veggies, and strong spices are common in low-calorie Indian cuisine. These foods are known for their healing and nutritious effects.
Important Ingredients for Low-Calorie Indian Cooking
Your kitchen pantry should have everything you need to make tasty and healthy Indian food:
- Whole grains: millet (ragi, bajra), brown rice, quinoa, and broken wheat (dalia)
- Beans and peas: moong dal, masoor dal, rajma, and chickpeas (in small amounts)
- Vegetables: Lauki, tinda, bhindi, spinach, carrots, cauliflower, and cabbage
- Lean proteins, including Paneer (in moderation), tofu, grilled chicken, and sprouts • Healthy fats: Mustard oil, olive oil, and ghee (in small amounts)
- Spices: ginger, garlic, turmeric, cumin, coriander, fennel, and cinnamon
These ingredients are the backbone of countless low-calorie Indian dishes, offering taste without added weight.
Ten Indian Dishes with Very few Calories
- Moong Dal Chilla: A flavorful pancake full of protein
- Palak Soup: A delicious spinach soup full of iron
- Vegetable Upma: A healthy semolina breakfast
- Tandoori Chicken (without skin) is smoky, spicy, and lean.
- Lauki Sabzi is good for your digestion and keeps you hydrated.
- Sprouted Moong Salad: fresh, crisp, and full
- Baingan Bharta: Mashed roasted eggplant with spices
- Methi Thepla (without ghee) is a substantial and fiber-rich dish.
- Ragi Dosa is a gluten-free, calcium-rich twist.
- Cabbage Sabzi: A crispy, low-carb side dish
Each of these tastes good, fills you up, and has less than 200 calories per serving.
Recipes provide a lot of information for each dish
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Moong Dal Chilla
So the yellow moong dal, ginger, green chile, cumin, salt, and chopped veggies are all in this.
Method: Soak the dal and then batter it. Next, combine all the ingredients and fry them in a non-stick pan with a little oil.
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Soup with Palak
Black pepper, salt, garlic, onion, and spinach are all needed.
Method: Boil spinach with onion and garlic, then combine and simmer with seasonings.
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Upma with vegetables
Semolina, mustard seeds, curry leaves, green chile, carrot, and peas are all needed.
How to: Roast the semolina and sauté the spices and vegetables. Then add water and semolina and cook until fluffy.
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Chicken Tandoori
Chicken breast, hung yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, and tandoori masala are all needed.
After 4–6 hours in yogurt, grill or bake the marinated chicken until it is fully done.
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Lauki sabzi
Tomato, mustard seeds, turmeric, green chile, and bottle gourd are the main ingredients.
Method: Sauté the seasonings, then add the chopped lauki and tomatoes and simmer until they are tender.
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Salad with Sprouted Moong
Moong sprouts, onion, tomato, cucumber, lemon juice, and chaat masala are all things you need.
Method: mix everything together and serve cold.
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Baingan Bharta
A big eggplant, an onion, a tomato, garlic, and a green chile are all you need.
Method: Put brinjal on a direct flame, peel it, mash it, and then sauté it with spices.
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Methi Thepla
Whole wheat flour, fenugreek leaves, ajwain, turmeric, and chili powder are all needed.
Make soft dough with as little oil as possible, then divide it into pieces and form them into thin theplas. Use a non-stick tawa to cook.
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Dosa with Ragi
Ragi flour, rice flour, curd, cumin seeds, and green chile are the main ingredients.
Make thin batter for the preparation. Pour it over the hot tawa and spread it out to make a dosa. Cook until the edges are crunchy
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Cabbage Sabzi
Cabbage, mustard seeds, turmeric, and green chile are the main ingredients.
How to make it: Heat the oil, add the spices, and then add the cabbage. Stir-fry until the cabbage is soft but still crisp.
How to Make Traditional Indian Food Healthier
Use curd or coconut milk instead of cream.
- Use air fryers or pans that don’t stick to cut down on the amount of oil you use.
Enjoy crispy, low-oil meals with an air fryer! Click the link below to purchase and start your healthy journey today.
- Every meal should have at least one serving of vegetables.
- Use brown rice or millets instead of white rice.
- Use whole wheat flour instead of refined flour.
- Add flax seeds or chia seeds to chutneys or gravies to make them more fibrous.
How to Pair Low-Calorie Dishes with Healthy Sides
- Lauki Sabzi + Multigrain Roti + Buttermilk
- Ragi Dosa + Mint-Coriander Chutney
- Baingan Bharta + Brown Rice + Cucumber Raita
- Moong Dal Chilla + Carrot & Beetroot Salad
- Upma + Herbal Tea or Coconut Water
Combining these in the correct manner makes sure you get a balanced diet with protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
How Spices Can Make Food Taste Better Without Adding Calories
The best part of Indian food is the spices. They don’t add any calories, but they do provide a lot of flavor and health advantages.
- Turmeric: Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
- Cumin: Aids digestion
- Coriander: Reduces water retention
- Black Pepper: Boosts metabolism
- Ginger & Garlic: Natural detoxifiers
Let your spices do the talking instead of butter or cream.
Ideas for Indian meals that you can make early of time without feeling guilty
Here’s a simple prep plan:
Day | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner |
---|---|---|---|
Monday | Moong Dal Chilla | Baingan Bharta + Roti | Palak Soup + Salad |
Tuesday | Vegetable Upma | Tandoori Chicken + Veggies | Lauki Sabzi + Rice |
Wednesday | Ragi Dosa | Sprout Salad + Thepla | Cabbage Sabzi + Dal |
Thursday | Thepla + Green Tea | Moong Dal + Bhindi Sabzi | Spinach Soup + Brown Rice |
Friday | Upma + Boiled Egg | Chicken + Cabbage Curry Bowl | Dalia Khichdi |
Make chutneys, batters, and gravies ahead of time to speed up cooking.
Conclusion: Eating healthy Indian food is a good way to live a balanced life.
Eating healthy doesn’t have to be dull or uninteresting, especially in Indian kitchens! You can make meals that taste great and are good for your body and mind by using fresh foods, colorful spices, and careful cooking methods. These 10 Indian recipes that are low in calories are only the start of your pleasantly thin path.
So go ahead and eat properly, feel well, and treat yourself the right way.
Explore more from our kitchen! Here are some of our previously published blogs you’ll love – filled with easy steps and authentic flavors
Easy and Healthy Poha Recipe for a Perfect Breakfast
Mango Shake Recipe: A Fun Summer Drink
Master the Creamy Delight: Easy Paneer Butter Masala Recipe You Can’t Resist!
Hakka Noodles Recipe | Indo-Chinese Street Style Veg Noodles
Master the Art of Masala Bhindi : Explore the Bold Flavors of Spiced Okra
Paneer Tikka Recipe on Tawa with Step-by-Step Making Process
Master the Creamy Delight: Easy White Sauce Pasta Recipe
Aloo Tikki Recipe | Aloo Ki Tikki | Aloo Patties | Potato Tikki