Pulses or “dal” is an integral part of an Indian meal. Who doesn’t love a meal of “dal-chawal” (cooked pulses and rice)? It’s humble and hearty! Some people regard it as “comfort food.”
Some people like to eat dal with roti (chapatis), while some simply love to have it as soup.
Eat-in whatever way you like, but eat it, advise nutritionists. Pulses are good for the body. And if you are trying to lose weight, you must eat dal. Weight loss does not mean not eating anything fulfilling. You don’t need to starve yourselves.
On the other hand, nutritionists advise eating more of dal.
The Most Effective Dal for Weight Loss
Moong Dal (green gram) is the winner when it comes to effectiveness in weight loss. You can eat it cooked or as sprouts in raw form.
Moong dal is available usually in three forms:
-
Whole dal, green in color
-
Split dal with the skin still on, so is still green
-
De-husked dal, yellow in color with no skin
Moon dal is low in carbohydrates and high in protein. Nutritionists regard it as one of the superfoods for vegetarians.
A bowl of well-cooked dal can be a great food choice when you wish to lose weight or are simply hungry.
Nutritional value:
|
Nutrients |
Green moong dal |
Yellow moong dal |
|
Carbs |
59.74 |
59.9 |
|
Fat |
0.61 |
1.2 |
|
Fiber |
18.06 |
8.2 |
|
Protein |
25.73 |
24.5 |
Nutritionists advise relishing a protein-rich recipe for quick weight loss. And what is better than a bowl of home-cooked dal?
Other Dals Beneficial for Weight Loss
-
Lentils (toor dal, chana dal, urad dal, masoor dal)
-
Chickpeas (chhole)
-
Kidney Beans (rajma)
-
Moth or matki beans
Overall Nutritional Benefits of Dal
-
Dals are an excellent source of protein for vegetarians. They build muscle, help to lose extra weight, and keep your metabolism healthy.
-
They contain fiber that lowers cholesterol, supports heart health, and regulates blood sugar.
-
The fiber, present in skinned dals, helps in digestion and bowel movements and boosts GI functioning.
-
Dals keep you fuller for longer. This is an important feature that aids in weight loss, as it eliminates cravings between meals.
-
Dals are rich in antioxidants, Vitamin B complex, zinc, magnesium, and potassium.
-
Eating dal daily can help to combat nutritional deficiencies. You must include a variety of dals in your diet. This not only adds an element of interest to your platter but also gives you a range of nutrients.
Dals are low in carbohydrates unless you fry them or add a huge dollop of ghee in a steaming bowl of dal!
Depending on your nutritional requirement, you can cook the dal and add the garnishings accordingly.
So, if you have made a resolution to lose weight this year, make sure you have dals in your daily diet plan. Apart from fasting for weight loss, the choice of food plays an important role in helping you reach a healthy body weight.
