Healthy Indian Snacks List: Eat Your Way To Happiness!
Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Geetanjali Gupta
Written By Sheena Mehta
on Sep 23, 2024
Last Edit Made By Sheena Mehta
on Sep 23, 2024
We all love snacks, right?
All these snack items are laden with oil, be it samosa, bhel, Frankie, or vada pav. Still, you eat them when you experience food cravings and hunger pangs. However, one can’t deny that their nutritional value is zero despite being tasty.
Indian snacks are yummy. Their diverse flavors make them an integral part of the Indian culinary tradition. It is vital to make healthy choices that are delicious and packed with essential nutrients to live a healthy lifestyle.
Here is a list of ten delicious yet nutritious healthy Indian Snacks. They are not just healthy, but also bursting with flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. They are low in calories, rich in protein and fiber, and prepared with minimally processed ingredients, keeping you energized throughout the day.
5 Best Reasons to Include Healthy Snacking in Your Diet:
The reasons why snacks are necessary in a diet include:
- It improves focus and productivity: Healthy snacks such as makhana, idli & dosa, or khandvi boost energy. They energize your brain and aid in maintaining focus, helping in productivity.
- They are effective in weight loss: Snacks rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fats may help manage hunger and improve blood sugar regulation.
- Help curb cravings: Apples act as appetite suppressants. Other craving comfort foods, such as sweet potatoes, vegetable soup, peanut butter, and whole-wheat crackers, are fiber-rich, healthy options to fight off hunger.
- Boost your energy and moods: Mood-boosting snacks such as bananas, berries, nuts, seeds, etc., maintain consistent energy levels and improve moods.
- Prevents Overeating at Mealtimes: Eating healthy food in small portions between meals reduces unnecessary temptation at main meals and keeps hunger at bay.
Also, read
Top 10 Healthy Snacking Options
Let’s discover ten guilt-free Indian Snacks to fulfill your snacking needs:
- Roasted Makhana (Fox Nuts)
Makhana,or fox nuts, are a popular healthy snack option. They are an ideal substitute for junk snacks like chips and puffs because they are low in calories and rich in fiber. Besides, the high protein content of makhana makes it an ideal guilt-free munching option.
Roast makhanas with clarified butter or a little ghee. Season them with black pepper, salt, or chat masala to pamper your taste buds.
- Sprout Salad
A sprout salad using moong beans, chickpeas, and other legumes can be a fulfilling and nutrient-dense snack. Incorporate it into your diet because it contains protein, fiber, and antioxidants. Apart from this, it is easy to digest.
Instead of making it simple, add chopped cucumber, tomatoes, onions, and a dash of lemon juice to make it nutritious and flavorful.
- Steamed Dhoklas
This traditional Gujarati snack is prepared with fermented chickpea batter and steamed, not fried, making it healthier. Steamed Dhoklas are light in weight and fluffy, too, making them a perfect option for reducing one's intake of oily foods.
Eat Dhokla if you have diabetes. It has a low glycemic index and may help regulate blood sugar levels.
Tip: Garnish steamed dhokla with grated coconut, curry leaves, and mustard seeds.
- Poha (Flattened Rice)
Poha (Flattened rice) or Chivada is served for breakfast in Indian households. It is a fiber-rich snack that is light on the stomach and has a high carbohydrate content, providing sufficient energy.
Instead of making simple poha, add vegetables like peas, carrots, and potatoes, along with some spices, nuts, and dry fruits to make it a balanced meal.
- Protein Bars
Look at the Indian version. Protein bars made with gur (jaggery), puffed rice, chickpeas, almonds, and honey are easy snacks. They are not just healthy, but also convenient, especially for those busy days when you need a quick and nutritious snack on the go.
Protein bars are healthy snacking options. You can eat them regularly but do not replace them with your regular meals.
- Chana Chat
Chana Chaat is a protein-and fiber-rich snack option to keep you full for longer. But it's not just about the health benefits. The versatility of chana chaat allows you to experiment with different vegetables and spices, making it a snack that never gets boring.
Chana chaat can be easily prepared at home. Mix chickpeas with vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions. Then, squeeze some lemon juice and add chaat masala to give it a tangy and spicy flavor.
A chana chaat can be easily prepared by mixing chickpeas with chopped vegetables, like onions, tomatoes, and cucumbers. A squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of chaat masala give it a tangy and spicy flavor.
- Idli with Chutney
Idlis are a staple breakfast food in South India. They are made from fermented rice and urad dal batter, which is steamed in an idli cooker.
Once prepared, relish your steamed idlis with mint, coconut, or tomato chutney for a balanced meal. It is a protein-rich snack that is light and low in fat.
Also read:
- Oats Chilla
If you are looking for a healthy, low-calorie option that keeps you full for longer, all you need is oats chilla. It is easy to prepare using oat flour and spices, and you can customize it with different vegetables like spinach, zucchini, and grated carrots.
Eating oats chilla for breakfast will have numerous health benefits, including raising blood sugar levels and supporting heart health. It also promotes healthy digestion.
- Baked Samosa
Samosas are everybody’s favorite. We are ready to eat them anytime. However, this deep-fried version can only pamper our taste buds, not our health.
If you do not want to give up on samosas anytime soon and also do not want to compromise on health, bake samosas instead of frying them.
Prepare a whole wheat dough. Fill it with vegetables of choice, such as peas, carrots, and potatoes. You can also opt for a protein-packed filling using paneer (Indian cottage cheese) or lentils. Bake in the oven until golden brown.
- Vegetable Upma
Traditionally, upma is prepared with semolina (sooji), but you can use broken wheat or oats for healthier alternatives. Fill it with vegetables such as peas, carrots, beans, and bell peppers.
Upma is a filling and wholesome snack rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Try to enjoy the delicious flavors of your healthy upma at home and feel good about it.
Conclusion
Remember that health is wealth. It is vital to choose healthy over unhealthy eating. Snacks made with nutritious ingredients and either roasted, steamed, or baked taste delicious without compromising health.
Incorporate healthy snacks into your daily routine to satisfy your cravings and fuel your day with essential nutrients. Options include roasted makhanas, steamed idli, baked samosas, and chana chat, among others. You can enjoy a variety of flavors while ensuring that your snacking habits contribute positively to your health.
Frequently Asked Questions: Healthy Indian Snacks
1. Which are the healthiest snacking options for the office?
The healthiest snacking options for the office include masala corn, sprouts, nuts, baked snacks, and kurmura.
2. Can you suggest healthy Indian street foods?
Yes. Some healthy Indian street foods include bhel puri, shakarkandi chaat, fruit, roasted bhutta, and dahi bhalla.
3. Is pani puri a healthy eating option?
Yes. Pani puri or gol gappe contains good nutrients such as magnesium, vitamin C, and potassium.
4. What are the healthiest evening snack options?
The healthiest evening snack options include fruit chaat with citrus dressing, vegetable idli, nutty bhel puri, oats and vegetable poha, and khaman dhokla.
