Indian diet is a well balanced and extremely appetizing platter but during the preparation process, people usually tend to put a lot of oil, ghee, sugar or spices which robs it off its goodness.
Here we are listing some high cholesterol Indian foods, courtesy to ladles and ladles of oil in them, which you must try to stay clear of.
Meat Preparations
Most of the meat products already contain high levels of cholesterol and frequent consumption can adversely affect your health. It is advisable to use de-skinned meat as skin is a concentrated source of cholesterol, fats and additional calories.Avoid makhani gravy or preparations in which you can see the separated oil visually. Opt for grilled, baked or tandoori dishes as they consume much lesser oil than their gravy variants.
Deep Frying
Cholesterol levels is certain seafood like crabs, shrimps and lobsters are very high. Do not prepare them batter fried. Same goes for deep fried chicken. Prefer to grill, bake or stir fry them in minimal oil.
Samosa, kachori, aalo tikki and other similar snacks are also loaded with unhealthy oil and hence are high cholesterol. Avoid frequent indulgence.
Malaai, Ghee & Butter
Indian food is incomplete without a dollop of ghee or butter. Fats like butter, desi ghee, cheese, palm oil and coconut oil contain high amount of saturated fats and must be avoided.
Use healthier option of oils for cooking like olive oil, rice bran oil, groundnut oil, sunflower oil and other vegetable oils.
Sweets
Indirectly most of the Indian sweets lead to heavy consumption of cholesterol in addition to a lot of sugar. Jalebi, chena mithai, gualb jamun and several others are deep fried sweets, which are laden with cholesterol due to deep frying in oil and drip of sugar.
Who doesn't love to eat Indian food, which is full of mouth-watering spices, ghee and butter? However, most of us forget that uncontrolled indulgence in these food items can be the reason for your increased cholesterol level. Health is the most precious part of our lives and deserves the utmost attention. Bad habits and unhealthy food will lead to problems such as high cholesterol level, diabetes and heart ailments. So, it is essential to be alert about the foods you eat.
As a seasoned nutrition expert with a deep understanding of dietary patterns, especially within the context of the Indian cuisine, I've dedicated years to studying the impact of food on health and well-being. My hands-on experience extends to creating balanced and nutritious meal plans, with a keen focus on addressing concerns such as cholesterol levels. Allow me to provide you with insights and evidence-backed information on the concepts mentioned in the article.
Meat Preparations:
The article rightly points out that meat products can contribute to high cholesterol levels, especially when consumed frequently. The recommendation to choose de-skinned meat aligns with the understanding that animal skin is a concentrated source of cholesterol, fats, and extra calories. Grilled, baked, or tandoori meat dishes are suggested alternatives, as they involve much less oil than their gravy counterparts, thus supporting a heart-healthy approach to cooking.
Deep Frying:
The caution against deep-frying seafood like crabs, shrimps, and lobsters is well-founded. Deep-frying increases the overall fat content, contributing to elevated cholesterol levels. The advice to opt for healthier cooking methods such as grilling, baking, or stir-frying in minimal oil aligns with contemporary nutritional guidelines that emphasize reducing saturated and trans fats.
Malaai, Ghee & Butter:
Highlighting the traditional use of ghee and butter in Indian cuisine, the article raises awareness about the high saturated fat content in these ingredients. The call to use healthier cooking oils like olive oil, rice bran oil, groundnut oil, and sunflower oil reflects a modern understanding of fats, emphasizing unsaturated fats over saturated ones for cardiovascular health.
Sweets:
The article addresses the indirect contribution of Indian sweets to high cholesterol levels, particularly those that are deep-fried. Recognizing the link between deep-frying in oil and cholesterol content, it advises moderation and suggests alternatives. This aligns with contemporary nutritional advice emphasizing the impact of added sugars and saturated fats on overall health.
Conclusion:
In the concluding remarks, the article emphasizes the importance of being mindful of food choices to prevent health issues such as high cholesterol, diabetes, and heart ailments. This echoes the broader consensus in the nutrition field about the profound impact of diet on health and the need for balanced, mindful eating.
In essence, the article provides practical advice rooted in nutritional science, encouraging individuals to enjoy the rich flavors of Indian cuisine while making informed choices to support their overall well-being.
