Dal chawal lovers raise your hands! One has to agree, there is no comfort food that could possibly match the popularity of dal chawal in India. It is filling, it is soothing and ever so delightful. Did you know, it is also one of the best combinations for weight loss? Vegetarians often find themselves at dearth of options when it comes to complete protein sources. All animal proteins are said to be complete because they provide us all the essential amino acids. Coming to plant-based proteins, leaving soy and quinoa, ingredients like beans, nuts and whole grains are incomplete in nature. But they can be combined with other foods to complete your set of proteins. Dal and chawal together make a protein packed combination that can prove very fruitful for your weight loss goals. Lentils and legumes contain an essential amino acid called lysine, which is low in many grains. On the other hand, whole grains provide a rich dose of methionine and cysteine, which are low in legumes, beans, peas, lentils and peanut.
India's love affair with dal goes back centuries in time. No lavish spread is ever complete without a vessel of dal. At the same time, when you are feeling sick or low your go-to food is also a bowl of dal. Such is the versatility of dal. You can make give your dal the most indulgent tadka with oodles of ghee and spices or keep it simple and light. And guess what? a bowlful of dal may also prove to be your best companion in your weight loss journey too!
Macrobiotic Nutritionist and Health Practitioner Shilpa Arora says, "Moong Dal is extremely light and high on protein. The high quantum of fibre present in the dal keeps you satiated for long. These two factors make moong dal an effective option for weight loss."
Here's how lentils facilitate weight loss:
- High in proteins- Moong bean has 24 grams of proteins per 100 grams. 100 grams of Masoor dal has about 23 grams of protein. Protein takes long to digest, suppresses hunger pangs, boosts the "thermic effect of food" (TEF) and promotes fat burning.
- High in fibres- There are about 16 grams of fibre per 100 grams of moong. Fibre delays digestion, induces the feeling of fullness and satiety, which prevents you from bingeing.
- Low-fat- Raw moong bean has 1.2 grams of fats per 100 grams.
How you cook your dal also plays a major role in determining your weight loss journey. Ditch the refined oil and other fattening ingredients as you prepare them. Some of the best ways you can have lentils for weight loss is by consuming them as part of light and soothing soup. You can also sprout them and toss them up with other weight loss friendly veggies.