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Any healthy recipe should conform to the norms of what
constitutes a healthy diet. As the awareness about fitness and health is
increasing, so is the need to eat healthy. Vegetarianism is the
order of the day and healthy vegetarian recipes are very popular.
Healthy recipes can fall into many categories. For those who have a
heart condition or for those who are suffering from diabetes, certain
low calorie healthy recipes are favored. |
There are healthy recipes for kids, and healthy recipes for old people.
Healthy recipes can also be time specific in the sense that they can
cater to any specific mealtime---breakfast, lunch or dinner. As the kind
of food we eat is slightly different at these 3 specific times, the
healthy recipes will also correspondingly alter. There are even healthy
recipes for specific nutrition.
Whatever the purpose of the healthy vegetarian recipe, the bottom line
is that should be highly nutritive in value. This would indicate the
presence of dietary fiber, which keeps diseases at bay and would also
ensure that a healthy weight is maintained. The calorific content of
such foods would be less. Vegetable like cabbage, carrot, cauliflower,
peas peppers, beans, lemons, lime, radish, tomatoes, fruits like
bananas, oranges, melons, pears, olive oil, and spices like ginger
fenugreek, and garlic are some of the nutrient rich foods. Soy and its
products are good low calorie fillers.
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In India, healthy vegetarian recipes like salads form an
intrinsic part of every meal. These salads can be prepared in a way that
is filling, nutritive and contains less fat.
Vegetables like carrots, tomatoes and cucumbers are a part of every
Indian household. Shred all these vegetables, add a little salt, a dash
of lime and sauté it with mustard and green chillies. For a change
instead of lime, add thick curd to the mixture just before serving and
you have a great raita filled with nutrients. |
Another alteration that
you can make is to mix soaked moong dal(after draining the water), small
pieces of raw mango, and salt to taste. Sauté it with hing, mustard and
green chillies and top it with coriander leaves.
Soups are an all time favorite in many Indian homes. Not only are
they filling, but they can be taken before any meal and at any time.
Tomato, peas, corn, and mixed vegetable soups are easy to prepare and
tasty too.
Tomato and garlic soup can be made by cooking the tomatoes and crushed
garlic with bay leaves and peppercorns for about 20minutes or till the
tomatoes are soft. Let the mixture cool before pureeing and straining
it. Add salt to taste and bring the strained mixture to a boil. Serve
hot. The same procedure can be followed for carrot, peas and corn. To
make mixed vegetable soup, cook all the vegetables, blend, strain, add
salt and white pepper powder and you have a healthy concoction before
you.
Fruit salads are even more fun to eat especially after a meal. Mix
grapes, segmented oranges, slices of apple, sliced bananas, add a drop
of honey, a little sugar (just before serving) and a little grated
coconut. Mix well before serving. If you are reluctant to add coconut,
mix custard powder in cold milk, and boil till it thickens. Drop the
thickened paste on to the fruit mixture and you have delightful custard
before you.
Ginger ale is always nice to drink. It is easy to make, Combine ginger
juice and lemon juice, add sugar, bring to a boil till sugar dissolves,
add a pinch of salt and allow it to cool. This is ginger ale
concentrate. Add water as per you needs and make yourself a cool drink.
'Lassi' is an all time favorite with Indians. If you can
avoid putting in sugar and drink the blended mixture straight, it is
healthier. Chaas, a typical low calorie drink made from buttermilk is
very common in Indian households. This is not only cooling but
filled with health and nutrients.
Healthy vegetarian recipes are as easy to whip up as your imagination
allows. With a little bit of innovation, you can make a tasty dish
allowing for health and nutrition value as well.
~
Author Mini Swami.
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