Weight loss breakfast: 4 healthy chilla recipes to start your day

If people in the west eat sausage, beans and hash browns for breakfast or pancakes with fruits and chocolate sauce, Indians have chillas! The savoury desi pancake is rich in nutrients, making it a preferred breakfast option in many Indian homes. Eating chillas is a healthy way to begin your day. People who are trying to lose weight can also have chillas for a healthy breakfast. So, try out these chilla recipes for weight loss!

How healthy is chilla?

A healthy breakfast choice, chilla is mostly made from gram flour, says Gurugram-based certified child nutritionist Sonali Sarkar. It helps to promote feelings of fullness, muscular recovery and control blood sugar.

The low glycemic index of this food also makes it a great option for those with diabetes.

You can increase the nutritional content of the pancake by adding vegetables like spinach, tomatoes or onions. The choice of adding vegetables in a variety of ways makes it a wholesome option for a balanced diet. So, chilla is a great for people with dietary restrictions, those trying to maintain their general health and those trying to lose weight.

Chilla recipes for weight loss

Chilla can indeed be a great addition to a weight loss regimen for a couple of reasons.

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1. Chilla can be protein-loaded

Your chilla can have good amount of protein if you made it from pulses like channa, moong, masoor, urad or even paneer, and mixed dal, says the expert. Protein helps in building muscle and keeping you feeling full, reducing the temptation to snack.

2. Less oil

Chilla recipes often require very little oil for cooking, which can significantly cut down on unnecessary calories.

However, it’s worth noting that not all chillas are equally beneficial. These particularly include those made with carbohydrate-rich sources like rice or wheat. So, choosing the right ingredients is key to harnessing chilla’s weight loss potential.

When it comes to incorporating chillas into your weight loss plan, aiming for around two servings is generally a good starting point, says Sarkar. If you’re engaging in rigorous workouts or have higher calorie needs, you can certainly have a bit more.

Chilla recipes for weight loss

When it comes to the best type of chilla for weight loss, those made from dals (pulses), millets, and options like sprouted chillas are excellent choices, the expert tells Health Shots. These varieties are not only rich in nutrients but also support gut health, which can be crucial for effective weight management. Here are some healthy chilla recipes:

1. Sprouted moong and paneer chilla

Ingredients

• 200 grams of sprouted moong
• 10 grams of grated ginger
• Salt for taste
• Pepper for taste
• Chilli (as per your spice preference)
• 20 grams of ghee (for cooking)
• Paneer (as much as you prefer for stuffing)

Method

• Blend all the ingredients and make a batter.
• Using ghee, make a chilla and stuff it with paneer. Once nicely cooked, serve it hot.

2. Oats mix vegetable chilla

Ingredients

• 1 cup of powdered oats
• 1 cup of chopped vegetables of your choice
• 2 spoons of curd
• Salt for taste
• Pepper for taste
• Chilli (as per your preference)
• 20 grams of ghee

Method

• Blend all this together with some water and leave it for 10 minutes.
• Use ghee to make chillas and then serve.

3. Sprouted ragi chilli

Ingredients

• 1 cup of sprouted ragi flour
• 1/2 cup of grated cucumber
• 2 spoons of curd
• 1 spoon of grated coconut
• Salt for taste
• Chilli (as per your preference)

Method

Blend all the ingredients together and make chillas using ghee.

4. Pink chilla

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup of soaked masoor dal
• 1/4 cup of chopped onion
• 1/4 cup of grated beetroot
• Salt for taste
• Chilli (as per your liking)

Method

• In a blender, mix all the ingredients along with water.
• Make chillas using ghee and serve hot.

Chilla can be great for weight loss, but use the right ingredients.