Indian cuisine offers some heart-healthy dishes and can keep your waist in check, however, by making some poor choices, you can really add some damage to your calorie in-take. The use of many spices in Indian cuisine, can make this food a bit spicy, but with great flavors. Plenty of chickpeas, red beans, lentils, okra, and potatoes are used as the main ingredient. Healthy appetizers include: thin lentil wafers, papadum, or papad. For healthy Indian entrees try: chicken tikka, curried vegetables, lentil soup, steamed rice, or tandoori chicken or fish. Stay away from fried foods, dishes containing coconut sauces, and chutney. For dessert skip the popular Gulab Jamun and stick to fresh fruits, such as pineapple, popular in Indian cuisine. Always consume plenty of water throughout your meal.

Quick Reference for Indian Food

HEALTHY INDIAN DISHES

Aloo Matar (Vegetarian - Curry, Peas, Potatoes)
Arbi Masala (Vegetarian - Eddoes, Onion, Tomato, Nuts, Spices)
Bhindi Masala (Vegetarian - Okra, Onions, Tomatoes)
Chole Bhature (Vegetarian - Chick Peas, Flour, Yeast, Spices)
Rajma (Vegetarian - Kidney Beans, Spices)
Palak Daal (Vegetarian - Peas, Spinach)
Pav Bhaji (Vegetarian - Curry, Bell Peppers, Onions, Peas, Potatoes)
Samosa (Soup - Lentils, Onions, Peas, Potatoes, Herbs)
Tandoori Chicken (Poultry - Chicken, Yogurt, Spices)
Veg Kolhapuri (Vegetarian - Mixed Vegetables)

INDIAN DISHES TO STAY AWAY FROM

Chicken 65 (Poultry - Battered Fried Chicken, Yogurt, Spices)
Chicken Makhani (Poultry - Chicken, Cream, Oil, Onions, Spices)
Dahi Vada (Vegetarian - Lentils, Oil, Yogurt, Spices)
Kofta (Vegetarian - Fried Flour with Veggies, Curry)
Kozhi Varuval (Poultry - Fried Chicken, Onion, Coconut Cream, Spices)
More Kuzhambu (Vegetarian - Okra, Cream, Oil, Coconut, Spices)
Palak Paneer (Vegetarian - Butter, Cheese, Spinach)
Paneer Butter Masala (Vegetarian - Paneer, Oil, Cream, Veggies, Spices)
Panni Varathathu (Meat - Fried Pork, Onions, Spices)
Sooji Halwa (Vegetarian - Samolina, Butter, Dry Fruits)

This website is intended as a reference only, not as a medical manual. The information given is designed to help you make informed decisions about your health. It is not intended as a substitute for any treatment that may have been prescribed by your doctor. If you feel that you have a medical problem, please seek immediate medical help. Before starting any diet, you should consult with your doctor.