Are you on a low-carb diet and finding it difficult to plan your meals?
Do not have an idea of the low-carb snacks and craving for unhealthy snacks?
No worries you are found at the right place because this is the blog that will help you out with the best recipes or foods for people on a low-carb diet.
Most of you are going on with a low-carb diet due to its numerous health benefits and weight management. Indian cuisine is most popular for its flavor-rich and diverse dishes. So for low-carb options also Indian diet can align well providing you with vegetarian options and snacks, ensuring you can enjoy delicious meals while keeping your carb intake in check.
Understanding Low-Carb Diets
Before directly going into the foods that are low in carbohydrates first let's check with some information regarding low-carb diets. It is a diet that focuses on reducing carbohydrate intake and increasing the consumption of proteins and healthy fats. But why to reduce the intake of carbs? This is done aiming to shift the body's metabolism towards burning fat for energy, which can help you lose weight and improve overall health by managing blood sugar levels.
Top Low-Carb Indian Foods
Paneer (Indian Cottage Cheese):
The first food which is low in carbohydrates and rich in protein is paneer often phrased as Indian cottage cheese which can be a perfect fit for low-carb Indian diets. You can try it out in various forms such as grilled, sautéed, or added to curries and salads.
Cauliflower:
This tasty cruciferous vegetable is low in carbs and can be in a variety of dishes, from rice substitutes to curries.
Cauliflower rice and cauliflower-based bread are popular alternatives to their carb-heavy counterparts.
Spinach:
Spinach the fresh leafy green vegetable is enriched with iron and low in carbs. You can have spinach in various forms and it can be included in your dietary routine as a base of salads, in dishes such as palak paneer and you can try spinach soup as a low-carb option.
Eggplant (Brinjal):
Brinjal is generally not preferred by many people but it is the best choice for people who are on a low-carb diet because it is high in fibre and low in carbohydrates. You can try it up with delicious touches like baingan bharta (smoked eggplant mash) and stuffed eggplant which may feel interesting for your taste buds as well.
Zucchini:
Another versatile low-carb vegetable, zucchini can be spiralized into noodles, added to curries, or grilled for a tasty side dish.
Low-Carb Indian Vegetarian Food List
You might be thinking above mentioned are also vegetarian foods which are low in carbs why is this special category structured again? This is because the above-mentioned are the top foods low in carbs and here is the list of low-carb vegetarian Indian foods:
| Bhindi or okra | It can be stir-fried, added to curries, or used in soups as a low-carb option. |
| Cabbage | This leafy vegetable is low in carbs and can be used in salads, stir-fries, and as a wrap for various fillings. |
| Mushroom | You can use mushrooms in a variety of Indian dishes, from gravies to kebabs. |
| Bottle Gourd (Lauki) | Bottle gourd is low in carbs and can be cooked into soups, curries, and even desserts. |
| Bell Peppers | These colorful vegetables are low in carbs and can be used in salads, stir-fries, and curries. |
Low-Carb Indian Snacks for Weight Loss
Most of you must be striving to shed those extra pounds by being too restrictive in your calorie intake. Now onwards you need not take pressure on that because we are providing you with the best low-carb Indian snacks that can contribute themselves as a part of your weight loss program:
Keto Pakoras:
These are not the ones that are deeply fried in unhealthy high-fat oils you need to prepare these low-carb Indian pakoras by using almond or coconut flour instead of chickpea flour. And then add on with a few vegetables like spinach, onion, and cauliflower for a crunchy, satisfying snack. For frying them make sure you use a low-fat oil suitable for your diet plan.
Paneer Tikka:
As mentioned above paneer is the top Indian food which is low in carbs so you can try up some recipe called paneer tikka that you can prepare by marinating paneer cubes in yogurt and spices, then grill or bake them for a protein-rich, low-carb snack option.
Roasted Nuts:
| Almonds, walnuts, and peanuts are great low-carb snack options that can be spiced with Indian seasonings and roasted. |
Chia Seed Pudding:
This is quite a popular recipe that is included in most weight loss enthusiasts. So you can prepare this chia seed pudding by soaking chia seeds in coconut milk with a touch of cardamom and stevia making for a delicious and low-carb dessert.
Cucumber Salad:
Coming up with the next refreshing snack option it’s the cucumber salad which can be the refreshing option made with cucumbers, tomatoes, and a dash of lime juice is low in carbs and high in flavor.
Low-Carb Indian Recipes
So you’ve understood the low-carb vegetarian foods, and low-carb snacks for weight loss now let’s check in a few low-carb Indian recipes for a successful low-carb diet:
Chicken Tikka Masala:
It might be a little bit unhealthy but you can prepare this more healthily by skipping rice and serving it with cauliflower rice or with a combination of vegetables which makes you feel fuller without craving to eat more.
Keto Butter Chicken:
Who can say no to a creamy and flavourful butter chicken? Prepare this delicious dish by avoiding the usual carb-heavy sides by pairing it with low-carb naan made from almond flour which can be suitable for your diet plan as well as it stays as a low-carb option.
Palak Paneer:
Paneer is the recipe being listed in the first section itself because it is the best low-carb food you can ever have so prepare it by combining a paste of spinach which is naturally low in carbs and packed with nutrients.
Keto Upma:
Did you ever hear the name of this keto upma? If not understand now that the traditional upma which you are preparing daily can be turned into a low-carb option by using grated cauliflower instead of semolina for the recipe.
Zucchini Recipe:
As mentioned earlier zucchini is a low-carb vegetable that you can try up some simple recipes stir-fry made with zucchini, tomatoes, and spices. That’s it which is a quick and easy low-carb dish for you to include in your low-carb diet.
Additional Tips for Adopting a Low-Carb Indian Diet
1)You must focus on fresh vegetables by choosing low-carb options such as spinach, cauliflower, and bell peppers as the base for your meals.
2)As you are reducing the carbohydrates you need to substitute them with high-protein foods like paneer, chicken, and fish to keep you full and satisfied without craving unhealthy foods.
3)Next coming to good, healthy fat options have things including ghee, coconut oil, and olive oil for cooking.
4)This thing is to just avoid high-carb foods like potatoes, rice, and traditional bread. Opt for low-carb alternatives like cauliflower rice and almond flour bread.
You can also check out more on a healthy diet.
Conclusion
This is everything about low-carb Indian foods, when you are transitioning to a low-carb diet it doesn’t mean you should give up on the flavors and traditions of our tasty Indian cuisine, you can make it up with smart Indian substitutions to enjoy with the satisfying Indian dishes. So enjoy your low-carb journey with the top Indian dishes provided!