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Move over celery! These 10 Indian foods for weight loss can get the job done

You don’t need fancy berries and salad leaves to lose kilos. These Indian foods for weight loss can help you stay health and facilitate fat loss.
Tomato is the easiest weight loss food to get your hands on. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Shreya Gupta Updated: 7 May 2021, 21:20 pm IST
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If you are trying to lose weight, then eating mindfully should be the most important thing for you. Choosing the right foods, hence, should be your aim. But before you wrack your brains over where you can find weight loss foods like celery and fancy berries in India, let us tell you that there are a plethora of Indian superfoods that you can relish to lose weight. 

So here are 10 best foods for weight loss that are completely desi, can help you shed some kilos, and boost your nutrition quotient at the fraction of a cost: 

1. Daliya
Daliya is very rich in fibre and protein. Fibre not only helps in digestion and bowel movements, but also helps in keeping you full which prevents you from bingeing on unhealthy foods. Whereas, protein takes the longest to digest, keeping hunger at bay. Having daliya instead of a fancy smoothie bowl for breakfast can be a great idea!

It’s daliya for the win, you guys! Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Also, read: Here’s a nourishing masala dalia recipe to keep your gut healthy

2. Pista
Pistachios are really low in calories which makes it a good snacking option for those on a weight loss spree. A study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition concluded that participants who had pistachios instead of pretzels also experienced twice the reduction in their body mass index (BMI).

Go ahead and snack on this nut! Image courtesy: Shutterstock.

3. Dahi
Dahi, curd, or yogurt is a good source of probiotic elements and beneficial bacteria which improves the digestive system and gut health. Good digestion improves better absorption of nutrients which prevents weight gain. The American Dietetic Association also believes curd to be a good fat burner because of its high calcium content.

A study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that obese adults who consumed fat-free yogurt for 12 weeks shed more weight and body fat. The most amount of fat, 81% to be specific, was burned in the stomach area–so if you’re looking to reduce the belly bulge, you know what to do.

Yogurt has been keeping you healthy for all this while. Image courtesy: Shutterstcok

4. Imli
Imli or tamarind contains a compound known as hydroxycitric acid (HCA) which suppresses appetite and decreases body weight gain. It also increases the release of the hormone serotonin in the brain, which makes you feel less hungry.

Don’t underestimate the power of tamarind. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

5. Sweet potato
Sweet potatoes are low in calories and you should definitely replace them with your regular starch-rich potatoes. They are rich in fibre and contain a lot of water which makes them easier to digest.

In fact, a study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that sweet potatoes have the ability to shrink your fat cells. So sweet potatoes will keep you healthy and help you lose weight.

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You won’t find a better snack than the humble sweet potato. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

6. Tomato
Tomatoes are considered to suppress your appetite. The water and fibre content in this fruit is very high which makes it a “high-volume” food. A study from China Medical University in Taiwan found that women who drank about 250ml of tomato juice per day for two months saw a considerable decrease in body fat and weight. The women changed nothing in their diet and exercise routine except for adding tomato juice.

Trust tomatoes for weight loss. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

7. Triphala
Triphala flushes out toxins from the body and reduces bloating. For that matter, a study from the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine proves how triphala is a weight loss and fat reduction agent. In the study, triphala was given for 10 weeks to obese mice. This treatment decreased the percentage of body fat, body weight, in them.

This Ayurvedic tonic can work like a charm for you if you’re trying to lose weight. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

8. Chickpeas
Just like daliya, chickpeas or chana are rich in protein and fibre which aids weight loss. Fibre content keeps you fuller for longer and takes good care of your gut health. Whereas protein satiates your hunger.

In a study, it was found that those people who consumed chickpeas were 53% more likely to have a healthy BMI. Another study has also found that consuming chickpeas every day increased weight loss by 25%.

Also, listen:

9. Moong dal
Moong dal is one of the most popular lentils found all over India. Moong is packed with fibre and protein, both of which are excellent for weight loss.

Try this moong dal chilla. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

10. Coconut oil
Coconut oil has many benefits, from giving you soft and supple skin to strong hair. But did you know it also aids weight loss? When you consume coconut oil, it decreases your hunger and enhances the feeling of fullness. In a study, 20 obese adults were observed over two weeks and it was concluded that taking about 30 ml of this oil daily significantly reduced waist circumference.

Coconut oil is really a boon for weight loss! Image courtesy: Shutterstock

So there you go ladies. Don’t forget to include these Indian foods for weight loss in your diet to reach your optimum weight.

Shreya Gupta

Finding nirvana in good food, Shreya also loves reading books and is a die-hard Potterhead. Confident and motivated she's fun to be with. Plus food. Always. ...Read More

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