Street foods that are actually safe and healthy to eat | The Times of India (2024)

Street food is so delicious that the mere mention of the words ‘street’ and ‘food’ together can make mouths water. The only drawback of street food is that it falls under the category of what most deem as junk food. It is true that a large part of what constitutes street food is devoid of nutrition and any significant health benefits, but there are some dishes that may not necessarily fall into the list of foods one must avoid. There are street foods, but they do contain nutrition and may have some health benefits. Here is a list of Indian street foods that are actually safe and healthy to eat.

Hailing from Mumbai Nagariya, contrary to popular belief, bhel puri is actually not bad for health at all. It is made of puffed rice (murmura), which is not only a light snack, but it's also a good source of fibre, protein, and much needed complex carbs. Added to it are chopped veggies like tomato, onion, coriander, and potato, all of which are nutritious. Topped with lemon and green chutney, there is absolutely no unhealthy ingredient included in this street food. readmore

Staples in South India, both idli and dosa have made their way to the Northern part of India as street foods. Both are made with rice and urad dal, which provides you with protein, wholesomeness, and long lasting energy. Idli is steamed, so there is no added ingredient, and although dosa is prepared with oil, the quantity is minimal, and they’re so thin that you anyway end up consuming only a little oil. They are both accompanied with sambar and/or coconut chutney, both of which are also healthy and nutritious ingredients. readmore

One of the greatest gifts to the Indian cuisine is tandoori chicken, which is also an integral part of our street food. Chicken is one of the best sources of protein, and is naturally low in calories. The only concern with chicken is the way it's prepared. A lot of preparations require oil, which increases the quantity of calories and saturated fats, thus compromising on the natural health factor. Tandoori chicken is prepared without any oil, from a paste made of chicken, spices, and a little butter. Just make sure your vendor doesn’t use artificial colours, and you’re good to go. readmore

Potatoes are always wrongfully accused of being unhealthy and leading to weight gain. This is completely false, for potatoes, be it the regular ones or sweet potatoes, are good for health. Sweet potatoes are loaded with a number of nutrients like vitamins A, B, and C, and minerals like manganese, potassium, and iron, along with a good amount of fiber. Topped with lemon and chaat masala, there is nothing wrong with having sweet potato, even on a regular basis. readmore

Corn is a naturally occuring grain, so there isn’t much that can go wrong with it. It is low in calories and fat, a good source of protein and fiber, and it also contains antioxidants like Beta-carotene-alpha-carotene and ferulic acid. It is served with lemon, which itself is a good source of vitamin C, and bit of chaat masala, which is safe to consume in small quantities. Overall, corn on the cob is not just healthy, but it is one of the healthiest street foods in India.
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This version of Indian flatbread is enjoyed by almost everyone. It is satiating, contains the richness of butter, and it is delicious. The reason it might not be too bad to eat is because it is stuffed with vegetables, most commonly aloo or paneer, both of which are good for health. Moreover, it is prepared on the spot, so you can ensure that the person making it uses less oil, so you reduce your intake of saturated fats. The paratha itself is made of aata, so nothing wrong there. Now the only things left are the butter, which in low quantities is perfectly healthy, and the aachar, which is also none too bad. readmore