Compared to other cuisines in the country, South Indian snacks are light, simple to digest, and packed with nutritious benefits.
The South Indian breakfast offers the most health advantages, with the primary nutrients being vitamins, iron, protein, magnesium, zinc, and folate.
Everyone who loves to explore food wonders why South Indian food is healthy as it is also a type of fast food. Along with delighting our palate, South Indian snacks have long dominated our taste buds owing to their simple yet exotic flavour and health advantages.
Not only Indians, but people all over the world are fans of South Indian snacks.
1. Sambar
Sambar is a South Indian vegetable and lentil stew. It is made using pigeon peas, lentils, tamarind, and a special spice mixture called sambar masala.
It is a common meal in South Indian families and is adored by many people. One bowl of sambar is filled with a lot of health benefits.
Sambar can be eaten with South Indian snacks like uttapam, dosa, or idli. It is the most popular dish and offers many advantages for good health. There is nothing else you need to prepare in addition to it because it is a great meal.
Rich in protein : Pulses are used to make sambar. The vegetarian dish dal is a great source of protein. There are usually few protein sources available to vegetarians and vegans.
Full of fiber : Pulses used in sambar are rich in fibre. Several veggies that are high in fibre and antioxidants are used to make sambar. Traditional sambar recipes include various fiber-rich vegetables. The longest to digest is fibre.
Antioxidants : Sambar has several health advantages along with the pulses and vegetables because of the unique combination of herbs and spices. The health advantages of all the ingredients include improved immunity, weight loss, and improved digestion.
2. Idli
Idlis are regarded as one of the healthiest breakfast options. It is among the most popular South Indian snacks. It is not just a favourite dish in our country but also a dish that is well-liked abroad.
They are low in calories, nutritious, and flavorful when made with a batter of rice and lentils. It is digestible and light. Idli don’t have any fat, cholesterol, or saturated fat.
Low in calories : Idli are often steamed, and they have few calories overall. If you are concerned about the excessive rice content, you can simply experiment with the components, such as adding pulses and vegetables as additions.
Keeps full for long time : Idli’s high protein and fibre content keeps you fuller for longer and helps you avoid overeating. In the end, this aids in weight management.
Good for digestion : The key is in the fermentation process, which naturally facilitates digestion in the body. During the process, the body’s vitamins and minerals are broken down, which aids digestion.
3. Dosa
A dosa is one of the most popular South Indian snacks with a thin batter foundation that is produced from a fermented batter primarily made of lentils and rice.
Rice and black grams are the key components, which are combined into a thin, smooth batter with a sprinkle of salt and then fermented.
Dosas are a typical South Indian dish that has grown in popularity across the entire Indian subcontinent. By tradition, dosas are usually served with chutney and, more recently, sambar.
Rich source of carbohydrates: Dosa is a fantastic source of nutritious carbs. Your body is consequently given the energy it needs to keep you energized throughout the day. Therefore, if you want to shed pounds, dosa is the best alternative for breakfast.
Good for weight loss: Moong dal dosa is helpful for losing weight. Now you know why South Indian food is healthy as most of the snacks are made with little or no oil and they are filled with loads of vegetables. Now, the interesting fact is that out of all the South Indian snacks, Idli is the healthiest.
