What is the one thing that comes to your mind when you think about plant-based diets? It can be tasteless but nutritious is what many of us think. But today we have brought you a list of Indian food items that are plant-based, tasty and packed with essential nutrients. All three things in one! Without further ado, here are the reasons that would benefit an individual from a plant-based diet.
Benefits of Plant Based Diets: Go Green
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Nutrient Powerhouse
We all know that plant-based diets are the ultimate beneficial thing for our bodies rather than any junk food we tend to eat. It has a perfect proportion of the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that are suitable for the body. You can try out our Indian plant-based diet like the palak paneer which is packed with iron and calcium. There is also Chana Masala that brings protein to our bodies!
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Happy Heart
Who doesn’t want to maintain a healthy heart? Plant-based foods are of course the direction to move in for a healthy heart. Foods such as Moong dal, flax seeds, and almonds are well known for making the heart happy. These foods are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and antioxidants, all of which are essential ingredients for a healthy and happy heart.
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Helps with Weight Management
If you want to maintain a healthy weight, plant-based diets are simply perfect for your goal. Most of them contain few calories and a lot of fiber that fills your stomach. Let us consider an Indian meal like roti, sabzi and dal for example which is a perfectly healthy low-calorie and lip-smacking meal.
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Gut-Friendly Goodness
In today’s world, most people are fancied by junk foods but they neglect one well-known fact. It is that they are not gut-friendly unlike plant-based diets. These diets are rich in fiber that helps to improve your digestive function. Some of the gut-friendly foods that you can try out are brown rice, quinoa and millet with vegetables like ladyfinger and bitter gourd. These foods are equally tasty and essential for the right functioning of the body.
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Keeps Chronic Diseases at Bay
Eating plant-based foods can also help in controlling some chronic diseases such as diabetes and certain cancers. And in India, we have our secret weapon turmeric! It is rich in curcumin which has been scientifically proven to have strong anti-inflammatory properties. Incorporating more greens, nuts and fruits into your diet means giving your body extra protection against diseases.
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Helps Regulate Blood Pressure
Although there are many effective medicines for high blood pressure, but when you pair them with plant-based diets, you unlock a healthy lifestyle! With foods like bananas, sweet potatoes, spinach and other green vegetables, you can keep your blood pressure levels in control easily. You can also go for Indian foods like rajma and aloo palak which are heaven for your taste buds and also your blood pressure levels.
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Deliciously Diverse
There are many choices when it comes to eating plant-based foods in India. The variety of our cuisine and options for plant-based meals in particular are so vast, that you’ll never get tired. No matter if it is a Gujarati thali with multiple variations of vegetarian food or the Onam Sadhya of Kerala, one can always find something of good taste.
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Boosts Energy Levels
If you feel lethargic and weak very often, then eating plant-based foods is a great option that will give you a boost of energy. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains constitute the clean and long-lasting energy derived from plant foods. That’s why many Indian dishes such as poha, or idli are perfect forms of light meal, full of energy but not heavy.
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Supports Skin Health
Want a natural glow? Going on a plant-based diet including fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds can work magic on your skin. Another common Indian dish is amla which is Indian gooseberry with coconut essence that has antioxidants and fatty acids that feed the skin. In addition, other foods such as khichdi do not create more inflammation and thus help brighten the skin.
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Promotes Longevity
Research has found that eating plant-based foods has the chance of improving longevity. The nutrient-lacking foods, low in damaging fats and high in antioxidants can increase the risk of diseases that come with aging. Many Indian dishes such as haldi doodh (turmeric milk) and methi (fenugreek) are consumed to improve one’s health.
Conclusion
It need not be a big step to start a plant-based diet. With these foods that are tasty and rich in nutrients, it is quite a delicious journey to make a change for better health. Well, it doesn’t hurt to try, does it, right? Whether you want to maintain a healthy weight, gain muscle or simply be more conscious of the planet, your body will love you for it!