Why Steam Cooking Is Good For You.

We all know that eating healthy is part of healthy living. But many of us forget that cooking wisely is also part of the equation. Why not start on a fresh note and go back to the basics and rediscover the benefits of steam cooking. Steam cooking is not something new but has been around for centuries. Forget about micro-waves or pressure cookers or electric steamers for steam cooking can be done with just a covered pot placed over a heat source. You don't need any elaborate and expensive utensils and the benefits you get is good for you and for your health.

Here are some reasons why steam cooking is the best:

1. Retains food valuable nutrients, vitamins and minerals
2. Maintains food moisture and freshness
3. Keeps food vibrant colors and natural flavors
4. Softens food fibres, making food tender and easily digestible
5. Discard the need for cooking oil or fat, resulting in light and healthy meals
6. Cooks almost all kinds of food from vegetables to meats to seafood to fruits and pasta
7. Cooks food fast and easy - cooks a complete meal in just under 30 minutes
8. Cooks over a single heat source a load of different layers of food stacked one on top of the other - saves time, energy and money
9. Keeps your kitchen clean - no oil, no smoke, no mess - cleaning up is easy.
10. Keeps everyone happy and healthy with loads of recipes for delicious and nutritious steamed dishes

You can cook almost all kinds of food with steam cooking. From vegetables to meat, to poultry, to seafoods, to fruits and pasta.   

Start Living A Happier and Healthier Lifestyle.  Happy Steaming.

Credit : http://zeng.hubpages.com/hub/10-Reasons-Why-Steam-Cooking-Is-Good-For-You

Top Healthy Indian Foods.

 If you’ve decided to eat healthy but don’t really like eating bland or sweet oats, cornflakes and other such ‘food for weight watchers’ recommended by dieticians, fret not here is a list of Indian food items that are not only a treat to your gustatory senses but healthy as well! 

Idli

First up is the unpretentious Idli from the south. Idlis are a great source of carbohydrates and proteins. The fermentation process increases the bioavailability of proteins and enhances the vitamin B content of the food.  As it is steamed, fat content is low and it is easily digestible. Use of dal and rice in idli is a good combination as the amino acids in them complement each other.

Sattu 

A staple of the North, sattu was  originally made of roasted gram flour but has now evolved to include other nutritious flours like barley, wheat etc. It is prepared in several ways including parathas, laddoos, litti chokhas and more variations. 

Dhokla

The staple Gujarati snack, dhoklas, is made with gram flour and subsequently steamed. The fermentation of the flour enhances its nutritive value. Dhokla has a low glycemic index (it releases glucose at a more sustained rate) which makes it good for diabetics. 

Bajra

Bajra also knowns as pearl millet is very popular in Rajasthan, this humble food has been eaten in India since the pre-historic times. It  is mostly consumed in the form of rotis or khichdis, especially in the winters. 

Daliya 

Dalia is a popular breakfast cereal in North India and is made with whole wheat grits or broken wheat. It can be made either as a sweet dalia kheer or as savoury dalia. Being a complex carbohydrate, the rate at which it gets digested it slow thus releasing glucose on a slow and sustained rate. This makes it an ideal food for diabetics, people wanting to lose weight or those who have high cholesterol levels.

 Sprouts

Though not a traditional Indian favourite, the health benefits of sprouts are immense. Sprouts have gone through a germination process during which all its nutrients are broken down into their simplest forms making them ‘predigested’ and easily absorbable by the body.  Sprouts are a rich source of vitamins, proteins, minerals and fibre.

Content Courtesy - www.tarladalal.com  

Credit: http://health.india.com/fitness/top-healthy-indian-foods/

Have you heard about an “Idli Diet” ?

The Idli diet has been introduced after knowing its health benefits and its major contribution in aiding weight loss. As most of us know Idlis are a staple South-Indian dish that is made for breakfast and also enjoyed as a snack in the evenings. In North India, idlis are a healthy and filling snack idea. If you love to eat idli, then you would like to know how it aids weight loss.

Idlis and Weight loss:

• This south-Indian breakfast dish is effective in weight loss. Many people have lost weight after eating idlis for a month.
• Idli diet doesn't mean having idlis 3 times a day. You can include this in your breakfast and as an evening snack.
• Idlis help in weight loss as they are steamed. Steamed food doesn't have fat and calories that can increase your weight. Idlis should be cooked in healthy method to enjoy its weight loss benefits.
• Idlis are made with urad dal and rice. Thus, this south-Indian dish is easy to digest and healthy. They digest and flush out easily.
• Idlis if made only with rice batter can be little heavy on the stomach. Moreover, just having urad dal and rice may not compensate for the other nutritional supplements that are required on a regular basis. Add some green vegetables and Indian spices to make idlis tasty and more nutritious.
• If you steam idli and have it with citrus juice (like grape, orange or lemon juice), you can burn fats and also prevent carbs of rice from depositing in the body.

This is how an Idli diet helps in Weight loss and also benefits your Health.

Credit:  http://www.boldsky.com/health/wellness/2012/idli-health-benefits-weight-loss-031012.html