Low-Calorie Indian Snacks 10 Tasty And Healthy Recipes
Weight loss is a journey and not a step; you need to remain consistent with your practises to stay healthy in the longer run. Although exercise does help with staying fit, diet plays a major role when it comes to weight loss.
If you are someone who is trying to lose weight, you might be looking for low-calorie snack options that can help you curb your cravings without adding extra calories to your diet. Indian cuisine is known for its flavours and variety, and there are plenty of low-calorie snack options that you can try out.
Here are some easy low, calorie Indian snack recipes that can help you lose weight while satisfying your cravings
Roasted Chana
Roasted Chickpeas or more commonly known as Roasted chana in Indian households, tops the list with how easy it is to make and the easy availability of the ingredients in every Indian Kitchen.
The snack is not just low in calories but also a good source of protein and fibre, helping you feel full for a much longer duration.
Drain and rinse a can of chickpeas, or alternatively, you can take raw chickpeas, soak them in water overnight and boil them with some salt till soft.
Spread the chickpeas on a baking sheet and sprinkle some salt, pepper or any other spice of your choice. Add a drizzle of olive oil to it and roast them in the oven for 20-30 minutes at 400°F.
Don’t forget to keep tossing the chickpeas every 5 minutes so that it cooks evenly and gives you a crunchy texture.
You can enjoy the roasted chickpeas on their own or pair them with a cup of tea; they taste heavenly.
Masala Makhana
Makhana, also known as fox nuts, is a commonly consumed dry fruit in India, especially during vrats. However, did you know that makhanas are rich in protein and fibre and make a good low-calorie snack?
For this easy-peasy recipe, all you need is a pan, some makhanas, one tablespoon of oil and the seasonings of your choice. Heat some oil in a pan, then add makhana to it and roast it until it become crispy.
Make sure you keep the heat on low to evenly cook the makhanas and not burn them.
In the end, add spices of your choice like salt, chilli powder, haldi and chat masala, roast for two more minutes and there you have it, your perfect low-calorie snack ready to eat.
The best part about masala makhana is you can store it for around a week and carry it around with you to avoid eating fast foods.
Carrot Kachumber
The 4 pm hunger pang is a thing, and what better than a fresh bowl of Carrot kachumber to pacify your cravings? It is a snack that gets ready within minutes and can be enjoyed without the feeling of guilt.
Finely chop some carrots, tomatoes, onions and green chillies if you like spicy. You can also use a chopper to simplify the process; now, mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
Add some salt, lemon juice and pepper, and voila, you have a bowl of healthy snack that tastes oh-so-amazing. You can also add some finely chopped fresh coriander leaves for extra freshness and flavour.
Baked Sweet Potato Chips
Potato chips, although they taste great, are not so good for your health. How about we share an alternative with you? Baked Sweet potato Chips are not just healthy but also quite nutritious while being low in calories and high in fibre.
Take a Sweet potato and slice it into thin round slices. Spread the slices onto a baking sheet, sprinkle some salt and pepper or any other seasoning of your choice, and bake them in the oven for 15-20 minutes at 400°F.
Let the chips cool down and store them in an airtight container to enjoy later.
Boiled Egg Bhurji
What comes to your mind when you hear the word egg bhurji, is the street side shop selling egg bhurji with a heavy load of masalas and a generous amount of butter.
However, when made properly, egg bhurji can not be quite delicious but also a healthy snack too much upon. The best part, eggs help you stay full longer.
We are sharing the Egg bhurji recipe with a twist. Boil two eggs, remove the shells and chop or crumble the eggs into small chunks. Heat some oil in a pan, add chopped onion and tomatoes and saute them until golden brown.
Now add eggs, add some salt, and spices of your choice, cook for two more minutes and then serve. Enjoy it as it is for a snack, or pair it with chapatis or toasted bread for a filling breakfast or lunch.
Grilled Paneer Tikka Skewers
Who doesn’t love Paneer Tikka as an appetiser? But that doesn’t mean that you can not enjoy it as a snack. The cooking process is slightly time-consuming, but you can spare some time to enjoy a guilt-free snack on special occasions, right?
Cut paneer, bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes into square pieces and marinate them in a mixture of yoghurt, spices, and lemon juice for 30 minutes. Thread them onto skewers and grill them for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally. Serve hot with mint chutney.
P.S. This also makes for good party food.
Spicy Roasted Almonds
Everyone knows about the health benefits of almonds, which are high in protein and loaded with healthy fats. Roasted almonds make for such a great snack option to pair with a cup of a hot beverage of your choice.
Take some Almonds on a baking sheet, add the spices of your choice, salt and a drizzle of vegetable oil. Toss everything together and spread it evenly. Roast them in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. Alternatively, you can also roast them in a pan on low heat with a teaspoon of ghee.
Cucumber Raita
What tastes refreshing, is healthy and gets ready in minutes? Cucumber Raita, yes, you guessed it correctly!
Take a medium-sized cucumber, grate it and mix it with some curd, salt, roasted cumin powder, and chopped coriander leaves. You can also add some finely chopped onions and tomatoes if you like. Keep in refrigerator for ten minutes and serve it cold. A perfect snack for hot summer days.
Masala Papad
An Indian lunch is never complete without a side of Papad. Masala papad is a variant of your regular Papad that you can easily make at home for snacking.
Roast papad over an open flame or in the microwave until it becomes crunchy. Make sure you don’t burn it while roasting it on an open flame. Place the Papad on a plate and press slightly to break it into small pieces.
Top it up with some finely chopped onions, tomatoes, green chillies, and coriander leaves. Add some chaat masala and lemon juice. Make sure the assemble the Papad only when you are ready to eat, as all the fresh garnish can make it soggy over time.
Mixed Sprouts Salad
Although last on our list but probably the healthiest of the bunch. Mixed sprout salad is something that not just increases your daily intake of fibre but also provides several healthy nutrients too. The only problem is it requires some pre-planning.
Soak raw chana, moong and moth in water overnight, strain and wrap in a muslin cloth and store at room temperature. Chana takes two days to sprout properly, while moong and moth are ready in one day.
Once the sprouts are ready, take them in a bowl and mix them with finely chopped onion, tomatoes, chillies and coriander. Add lemon juice, chat masala and salt to taste, give it a good mix and serve.
When it comes to weight loss, healthy snacking is just as important as your diet and regular exercise. Incorporating low-calorie Indian snacks into your diet is a great way to enjoy delicious food while still maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
With these ten tasty and easy-to-make snack recipes, you can satisfy your cravings and feel full for longer without worrying about adding extra calories to your diet.
Whatever your taste preferences are, these recipes offer something for everyone, from roasted chana and masala makhana to grilled paneer tikka skewers and spicy roasted almonds. So why not try out these delicious snack options and kick-start your journey towards a healthier you?
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