As per a very famous adage, a healthy day begins with a healthy breakfast. But sadly, in India, breakfast isn't given the due importance. It's not that people here don't have breakfast, but they take the most important meal of the day very lightly.
There are many people who won't mind skipping the breakfast just to reach office on time or anywhere else for that matter. And this is common with every age group, from kids to adults. But one must remember that skipping breakfast often leads to overeating and affects the health adversely. It's not just important to have breakfast in the morning but a healthy breakfast is what you need for a healthy start of the day.
Why a Healthy Breakfast is Important?
Health experts round the globe vouch for the importance of healthy breakfast. Eating in the morning doesn't mean you can eat anything that's served on your plate. You have to fill your stomach with healthy stuff that keeps you energetic throughout the day, not the opposite. Eating too much of oily food or excess of carbohydrate can drain out the energy and make you feel drowsy, which we guess is something you won't want to experience. Thankfully, Indians are now opening up to the idea of having a healthy breakfast and keeping things light. But as said, you must eat the right kind of food for breakfast. Here we have got for you 10 healthy Indian breakfast foods, so you have a new choice everyday. Have a look:
10 Healthy Indian Breakfast Foods
1. Aloo paratha: This one is extremely simple to make but it tastes great and is quite filling. Prepared with flattened wheat or multi-grain dough, decked with potato filling, aloo parathas happen to be the common food item in most of the Indian households. The potato filling can be made in a variety of ways depending upon your taste and choices. These can be served with a little curd or pickle. The major benefit of having aloo parathas is that they keep you full for quite a long time during the day. And thus keep you away from the hunger pangs that often make you reach out to the junk foods.
2. Dosa: If you don't wish to have parathas every other day, plain dosas can be a great and healthy change. The batter can be prepared at home or you can even buy them from the store nearby. Dosa is a simple dish to prepare and doesn't eat much of your time. You can either serve it with sambhar or have some coconut, or coriander chutney.
3. Idli: Full of vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates, this popular dish from south India is one healthy breakfast choice. You can't miss out idlis when talking of healthy Indian breakfast. Just like dosas, idlis are also easy and quick to make. Also, they require no oil or masala and thus are a healthy breakfast choice. If making a chutney happens to be a task, you can try idlis with some honey or peanut butter.
4. Upma: Prepared with semolina, commonly known as 'Suji'; upma is quite a popular healthy Indian breakfast. You can cook it the way you like. Those who want to keep it simple can prepare plain upma with very little of spice. If you wish to add in more of vitamins, carbohydrates, iron and proteins, add veggies to upma and enjoy this healthy Indian breakfast with a great taste. It's surely a savior for your busy days.
5. Poha: Running short of time, well, the flattened rice or poha can be the ideal choice to make. Poha is one food that makes for a perfect healthy Indian breakfast. It needs lesser oil, spice and can be decked with variety of veggies. Poha not just satisfies your hunger but it even keeps you full till lunch and thus saves you from overeating.
6. Sabudana khichdi: This is the best way of starting a healthy and energized day. Sabudana (sago) khichdi is very easy to make and is very light on the tummy as well. Full of carbohydrates and healthy starch, it provides instant energy. Also, given its low fat content, sabudana khichdi is very easy to digest.
7. Eggs: They are the power house of energy and protein. The Indian style eggs are not just easy to prepare but are a great choice for healthy breakfast. Whether you have the masala omlete, boiled eggs, the bhurji or egg sandwich, with some brown bread, less oil and spices; you get immense of energy with great taste.
8. Khakra: It's a stiff roti extremely famous in the Gujarati households. But now khakra has crossed boundaries and is welcomed in every Indian house because of of its great taste and nutritious content. It makes for a great healthy Indian breakfast when served with curd, chutney, or little cheese and honey.
9. Uttapam: It's another of a healthy breakfast choice that you can make. For making uttapam, you can use the same batter as dosa or even prepare the batter with suji. It needs very less oil and you can deck it up with variety of veggies like peas, potatoes, tomatoes, capsicum etc. It's not just filling but is quite healthy and energy booster.
10. Sandwiches: Well, those who thought sandwiches can only provide calories, this one's surely an eye opener. It's not necessary to have the jumbo sized sandwiches decked with cheese. You can keep it light and healthy by choosing for a brown bread sandwich with tomatoes, cucumber or potato filling. It will keep you full till lunch and thus save you from the hunger pangs. You can change the filling as per your choice and health options.
You can prepare these dishes in a variety of ways and thus enjoy a new dish everyday which will not just taste great but would even help you begin your day on a healthy note.