Made from urad dal, rice and rava, idlis are an all-time favourite of many. Due to its high nutritional value, idlis make for one of the most popular breakfast options. Steamed, puffy and easy to digest, idlis are also the favourite of health and fitness enthusiasts.


Yes, in addition to being lip-smacking tasty, idlis are one of the best meals for losing those extra kilos. Adding these puffy rice idlis to your daily diet can help you lose weight faster. Here’s how:

Idlis have no oil
Idlis are not fried but steamed. They do not have any butter or fattening oil in them. And since there is no oil content in idli, the calorie content is also relatively low. But because idlis are made of rice and rice is high in carbs you can increase the content of urad dal or rava in the idli batter in comparison to rice. You can also put some finely chopped vegetables in the idli batter to make them even tastier and healthier.

Idlis are great for digestion and gut
Idlis are very easy to digest. This is because all the foods that are fermented are easy to digest. Fermented foods enable better breakdown of minerals and vitamins in our body, which aids digestion. The lactic acid present in the fermented foods alter the pH levels in the intestines, which is associated with good health and long life.

Idlis are rich in protein and fibre
Fiber and protein help in keeping you satiated for longer and thus stop you from binging. Fibre also promotes good digestion, which is the basic requirement for losing weight.

Sambhar and weight loss
Sambhar is rich in fibre protein and antioxidants. It improves digestion and thus aids weight loss. To maximise the weight loss benefits, you can add more vegetables apart from the regular ones used in making sambhar.

Tip
According to experts, you can add some citrus juice to the idli batter to prevent carbs from depositing in your body.

You can also add oats to the idli batter to make them even healthier. Oats are rich in protein and fibre, which induces a sense of satiety.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article should not be considered as a substitute for physician's advice. Please consult your treating physician for more details.