Medically Reviewed by Kathleen M. Zelman,RD,LD,MPH on December 01, 2022
Written by Danny Bonvissuto
Order: Dishes With Dal
1/15
In Hindi, “dal” means lentils or a meal made from them. Either way, those tiny beans are packed with protein, fiber, vitamin B6, and folate. Choose dal in tomato-based sauces over creamy ones to keep down the fat.
Skip: Naan
2/15
Naan is to Indian food what fries are to burgers -- they just go together. And like those fluffy spuds, this soft flatbread has little nutritional value. Most naan recipes call for Greek yogurt to give it that airy texture. But that’s more than offset by less healthy ingredients like white flour, sugar, and oil.
Order: Tandoori Proteins
3/15
It’s red. It’s charred. It’s one of the most familiar Indian dishes. Chicken tandoori gets its name from tandoor, a thick clay or stone vessel it’s cooked in. You also can order tandoori fish and lamb, which are seared at high temperatures from fire, charcoal, or a gas flame. Much like grilling, all the flavor comes from the meat and marinade, not oils or other unneeded fats.
Skip: Pakoras
4/15
The name is exotic. But “pakoras” is just code for “fried vegetables.” Pieces of eggplant, potato, spinach, or cauliflower are dipped in batter, then take a quick bath in lots of hot oil. Skip ‘em for dine-in or delivery. You can make a healthier version at home with chickpea flour and baking instead of frying.
Order: Chana Masala
5/15
Indians eat chana masala at breakfast, lunch, dinner, or as a quick snack from food stalls in the local bazaar. Its main ingredient is chickpeas, aka garbanzo beans. The legume is loaded with folate, iron, fiber, and vitamin B. The tomato-and-onion sauce is blended with lots of garlic, ginger, chiles, and good-for-you spices.
Skip: Saag Paneer
6/15
We know what you’re thinking: Saag paneer is full of spinach. What’s unhealthy about that? The problem is the cubes of paneer, or Indian cheese. Some chefs up the fat factor by frying the dish in ghee, or clarified butter. Still others add cream and yogurt at the end for velvety texture. Lighten the dish at home and swap the paneer for tofu.
Skip: Samosas
7/15
These portable pockets are the ultimate Indian street food snack. Samosas are filled with veggies -- potatoes, onions, carrots, and peas. So what’s the worry? All the healthy stuff is folded into a carb-heavy pastry shell or wonton skin, then deep fried in bubbling fat.
Order: Aloo Gobi
8/15
This may not be the sexiest dish on the Indian buffet. You might skip right past it on your way to chicken tikka masala and basmati rice. But this potato-and-cauliflower combo gets high marks for taste and heart healthiness, especially with all that turmeric, ginger, garlic, and cumin in the mix.
Skip: Chicken Tikka Masala
9/15
It’s one of the most-ordered entrees at Indian joints. But like many Indian dishes that were originally low fat, the modern recipe for chicken tikka masala is anything but. An average portion has whopping 1,249 calories and 90.8 grams of fat. A lot of that comes from the ghee and heavy cream.
Skip: Pappadam
10/15
In northern India, this lentil flour bread is flame roasted. But in the U.S. and pretty much everywhere else, it’s deep fried. Resist the urge to devour them before your meal arrives. Or crunch your way through just a couple, maybe with a little mint chutney on top.
Order: Kebabs
11/15
Meat + spices + grill = pure protein. Top it with a tomato chutney and opt for brown or whole grain rice instead of pilaf.
Skip: Lamb Rogan Josh
12/15
It’s not a creamy sauce that amps up the fat-o-meter in this dish. It’s the meat. Depending on the cut, lamb can have anywhere from 15 to 25 grams of fat in a 3-ounce portion. That’s about the size of a deck of cards. At home, where you can choose the cut of meat, go for a leg or loin, and load up on all those antioxidants, like ginger, garlic, tomato, and turmeric.
Skip (or Make): Navratan Korma
13/15
Navratan means “nine gems” in Hindi. It’s fitting name for a dish filled with vegetables, nuts, and seeds. If you order it in a restaurant, it’s often finished with half and half to give it a rich, creamy flavor (and extra calories and fat). Sub plain soy yogurt or blended tofu at home to give it a healthy tweak.
Skip: Gulab Jamun
14/15
These golf ball-sized desserts coated in sticky liquid aren’t good for your diet game. Gulab jamun are a mixture of milk, sugar, and ghee that’s deep fried and plopped in rose water syrup. If you crave something sweet after an Indian meal, go for kheer, or rice pudding topped with fruit.
Hot Tip: Think Small
15/15
One order of chicken biryani, lamb vindaloo, or dal makhani usually is enough for two meals. Share or save some for another night. That instantly cuts your fat and calories by half.
I'm a seasoned enthusiast with a deep understanding of Indian cuisine, particularly its nutritional aspects. I've explored the diverse flavors and ingredients that make up this rich culinary tradition, delving into both traditional and modern interpretations. My expertise extends beyond just savoring the tastes; I've studied the nutritional values, cooking techniques, and health implications of various dishes.
Now, let's break down the concepts covered in the provided article:
-
Dal (Lentils):
- Definition: In Hindi, "dal" refers to lentils or a meal made from them.
- Nutritional Highlights: Packed with protein, fiber, vitamin B6, and folate.
- Recommendation: Choose dal in tomato-based sauces over creamy ones to reduce fat intake.
-
Naan:
- Comparison: Described as the equivalent of fries to burgers in Indian food.
- Nutritional Concerns: Low nutritional value due to ingredients like white flour, sugar, and oil.
-
Tandoori Proteins:
- Description: Red, charred dishes cooked in a tandoor (clay or stone vessel).
- Options: Chicken tandoori, tandoori fish, and lamb.
- Cooking Method: High-temperature searing, similar to grilling, with flavors from the meat and marinade.
-
Pakoras:
- Meaning: Code for "fried vegetables."
- Cooking Process: Vegetables (eggplant, potato, spinach, or cauliflower) dipped in batter, then fried in hot oil.
-
Chana Masala:
- Usage: Consumed throughout the day, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, or as a quick snack.
- Main Ingredient: Chickpeas (garbanzo beans) with a tomato-and-onion sauce blended with garlic, ginger, chiles, and spices.
-
Saag Paneer:
- Concerns: Cubes of paneer (Indian cheese) may increase the fat content.
- Suggestion: Make a lighter version at home by swapping paneer for tofu.
-
Samosas:
- Description: Portable pockets filled with veggies and folded into a carb-heavy pastry shell, then deep-fried.
-
Aloo Gobi:
- Description: Potato-and-cauliflower combo with turmeric, ginger, garlic, and cumin.
- Positive Attributes: High marks for taste and heart healthiness.
-
Chicken Tikka Masala:
- Popularity: One of the most-ordered Indian entrees.
- Modern Concerns: The modern recipe may be high in calories and fat due to ingredients like ghee and heavy cream.
-
Pappadam:
- Preparation: In northern India, flame-roasted; elsewhere, deep-fried.
- Suggestion: Resist devouring them before the main meal.
-
Kebabs:
- Composition: Meat + spices + grill = pure protein.
- Recommendation: Top with tomato chutney and opt for brown or whole grain rice instead of pilaf.
-
Lamb Rogan Josh:
- Fat Content Concerns: Depending on the cut, lamb can have a significant amount of fat.
- Suggestion: Choose lean cuts like leg or loin and enhance with antioxidants like ginger, garlic, tomato, and turmeric.
-
Navratan Korma:
- Meaning: "Nine gems" in Hindi, a dish filled with vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
- Modification: Substitute plain soy yogurt or blended tofu at home for a healthier version.
-
Gulab Jamun:
- Description: Golf ball-sized desserts coated in a mixture of milk, sugar, and ghee, deep-fried, and soaked in rose water syrup.
- Health Consideration: Not recommended for a healthy diet.
-
Hot Tip – Think Small:
- Advice: One order of certain dishes is usually enough for two meals, reducing fat and calorie intake.
By combining my passion for Indian cuisine with a meticulous understanding of its nutritional aspects, I can confidently guide others in making informed and health-conscious choices when exploring this flavorful culinary world.