Poha is a popular Indian breakfast dish. Flattened rice flakes are a major ingredient of Poha. It is a light and healthy dish that is easy to prepare and has become a staple breakfast for many people. Poha is a low-calorie food that is rich in carbohydrates and essential vitamins and minerals. Many people have been wondering whether is Poha good for weight loss or not. In this article, we will explore the health benefits of poha and its potential for weight loss.
What is Poha?
Poha is a popular breakfast dish that is made from flattened rice flakes. It is a traditional dish from Maharashtra, India, and people also call it as flattened rice or beaten rice. Poha is made by parboiling the rice, then flattening it with a roller, and finally, drying it in the sun. The dried rice flakes are then soaked in water and mixed with various spices, vegetables, and nuts to make a delicious and healthy breakfast dish.
When Poha is prepared in a traditional form with peanuts, peas, and other vegetables like carrots, beans, potato & tomato, it becomes a nutrient dense breakfast or snack option.
Poha is a low-calorie food that is rich in carbohydrates and essential vitamins and minerals. It is a gluten-free dish that is easy to digest and is perfect for people who are looking for a healthy and light breakfast option.
Nutritional Value of Poha
Poha is a nutritious food that is low in calories and high in carbohydrates. A cup of poha (100 grams) contains approximately 110 calories, 23 grams of carbohydrates, 2.6 grams of protein, 0.1 grams of fat, and 0.6 grams of fiber. Poha is also rich in essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B, iron, and calcium.
The carbohydrates in poha provide the body with the necessary energy to function throughout the day. The fiber in poha helps in digestion and prevents constipation. The protein in poha helps in building and repairing muscles, while the iron in poha helps in the formation of red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body.
100 g Poha | Nutritional Facts |
Energy in poha | 110 kcal |
Total Calories in poha | 130 |
Carbohydrates in poha | 18.8 g |
Protein in poha | 2.4 g |
Dietary fiber | 0.9 g |
Fat in poha | 3 g |
Potassium in poha | 117 mg |
Iron in poha | 6.1 mg |
Calcium in poha | 13.7 mg |
Is Poha Healthy?
Poha is beaten or flattened rice and is a popular breakfast food in India. It is packed with flavor and is healthy at the same time. Did you know poha can aid in weight loss? Yes! Poha can be a perfect choice for your weight loss diet. Let’s understand how poha can benefit weight loss.
Is Poha good for weight loss?
Is Poha is good for weight loss? Poha is a low-calorie food that is perfect for people who are trying to lose weight. Poha helps in weight loss. The carbohydrates in poha provide the body with the necessary energy to function throughout the day without consuming too many calories. Poha is also a light and easy-to-digest food that keeps you feeling full for longer periods of time, preventing you from overeating.
Poha is also a rich source of fiber, which helps in digestion and prevents constipation. A high–fiber diet has been associated with weight loss and improved overall health. Fiber helps in reducing appetite by keeping you feeling full for longer periods of time, preventing overeating and snacking on unhealthy foods.
Poha is also a gluten-free dish, making it a healthy option for people who are gluten intolerant or have celiac disease. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, which can cause digestive problems in some people. By replacing gluten-rich foods with poha, people can reduce their calorie intake and improve their overall health.
How to Eat Poha for Weight Loss?
You can make a wide variety of dishes with poha. Let’s take a look at a few of them.
- Vegetable Poha:
Adding some healthy vegetables to your poha can make it a wholesome dish and benefit in weight loss.
- Bread Poha:
It is a popular breakfast and snacking option in India. It can be made by adding bread pieces to your classic poha.
- Dry Fruit Poha:
It is a nutritious recipe and a perfect weight-loss snack. You can prepare it by roasting poha along with your favorite nuts and seeds.
- Poha Chat:
This dish is loaded with flavor and is healthy at the same time. To your classic poha, you can add corn, lemon juice, coriander leaves, chat masala, and your favorite vegetables.
- Poha Salad:
It can be an excellent mid-day or evening snack. You can make it by adding your favorite raw vegetables such as cucumber, tomato, or capsicum to poha.
How Is Poha Good For Weight Loss
Poha, also known as flattened rice, is a popular breakfast dish in India. It is made by flattening rice grains into thin, light, dry flakes. Poha is a low-calorie food that is rich in nutrients and can aid in weight loss in several ways:
- Low in calories: Poha is a low-calorie food that is easy to digest. A single serving of poha contains around 76 calories, making it an ideal food for weight loss.
- High in fiber: Poha is a good source of dietary fiber, which helps keep you full for longer periods, reducing your appetite and calorie intake.
- Low in fat: Poha is a low-fat food, making it an excellent choice for people who are trying to lose weight.
- Rich in protein: Poha contains a moderate amount of protein, which is essential for maintaining muscle mass during weight loss.
- Nutrient-dense: Poha is rich in vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, and vitamin B-complex, which help support overall health.
When consumed in moderation, poha can be a healthy addition to a weight loss diet. However, it is important to watch portion sizes and avoid adding high-calorie toppings such as fried peanuts or sev. Instead, try adding vegetables such as carrots, peas, and onions to increase the nutritional value and fiber content of the dish.
Poha Recipe For Weight Loss in Hindi
Poha Recipe – Many people didn’t know that “how to make poha for weight loss in hindi“. People in india also ask for poha recipe like “how to make poha”, “poha banane ki vidhi” and “poha kaise banta hai”. So, here is the recipe to make Poha.
Poha is a versatile dish that can be prepared in a variety of ways to suit different tastes and preferences. Here is a simple and healthy recipe for poha that can help you lose weight:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup poha
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 tomato, chopped
- 1 green chili, chopped
- 1/4 cup peas
- 1/4 cup peanuts
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
- Lemon juice
Instructions:
- Rinse the poha in a strainer under running water until it becomes soft.
- In a pan, heat oil and add mustard seeds and cumin seeds.
- Once the seeds start to splutter, add chopped onions, green chili, and sauté for a minute.
- Add chopped tomatoes and peas and sauté until the tomatoes become soft.
- Add turmeric powder and salt to taste and mix well.
- Add the soaked poha to the pan and mix well.
- Cover the pan and let it cook for 2-3 minutes on low flame.
- Finally, add peanuts and lemon juice and mix well.
- Serve hot.
This poha recipe for weight loss is easy to prepare, low in calories, and high in essential nutrients. By adding vegetables and nuts to the poha, you can increase the nutritional value of the dish and make it even more healthy.
How to Poha even Healthier
- Add soya chunks to poha, for increasing the protein content of your dish.
- Add boiled chickpea to poha to add extra protein to your meal.
- Add varieties of vegetables to the poha preparation, and the dish becomes instantly healthier.
- Use brown poha instead of white poha since brown poha has more fibre.
- Use healthy garnishing options like peanuts, ground coconut, pumpkin seeds, and a range of dry fruits.
- Fruit Poha is largely becoming a popular dish to consume. Pick a dose of cranberries, strawberries, dates, apples, and pomegranates to your Poha dish that will elevate the nutritional value of the dish.
- Always garnish Poha with a drizzle of lime juice, which instantly supplies Vitamin C to the total share of the dish’s nutritional value.
Poha Benefits For Weight Loss
Below are some poha benefits for weight loss. These Poha benefits for weight loss can help you to choose weather you should eat poha or not if you are conscious about your weight loss.
- Poha is gluten-free cereal and people who have problems digesting wheat products, can consume it.
- Poha is a rich source of iron, vitamin C and A, iron, phosphorus & magnesium.
- Adding in peas & peanuts along with vegetables makes it protein rich & fibre rich too.
- Due to the fibre content in poha, along with added veggies it keeps us full longer.
- Poha is a very good breakfast option for diabetics. Being rich in fibre, poha helps to release sugar in the bloodstream in a slow and steady way. The same thing also prevents a sudden hike in sugar levels.
- Poha is a good source of probiotics. The dish is made of parboiling paddy. The dried paddy is then beaten, to produce poha. The finished product then undergoes the fermentation process, and retains to itself the microbial floras, from the partially boiled carbs and proteins. The whole process that poha undergoes is really healthy for one’s gut health.
- Poha is a light meal, which digests easily. Therefore, we can either have it in the morning, or we can choose to have it as a light evening meal. It is guaranteed that Poha will never cause bloating, and indigestion problems. That is why pregnant and lactating mothers are advised to eat Poha.
When & how to consume Poha for weight loss
One can consume poha at any time of the day. But it is best to consume at breakfast or as your evening snack. Poha is primarily a carbohydrate source and thus, it is a good breakfast option. You can also add soya chunks to it, to make it protein-rich. You can consume with curd as well to make it rich in calcium.
How to Poha even Healthier
- Add soya chunks to poha, for increasing the protein content of your dish.
- Add boiled chickpea to poha to add extra protein to your meal.
- Add varieties of vegetables to the poha preparation, and the dish becomes instantly healthier.
- Use brown poha instead of white poha since brown poha has more fibre.
- Use healthy garnishing options like peanuts, ground coconut, pumpkin seeds, and a range of dry fruits.
- Fruit Poha is largely becoming a popular dish to consume. Pick a dose of cranberries, strawberries, dates, apples, and pomegranates to your Poha dish that will elevate the nutritional value of the dish.
- Always garnish Poha with a drizzle of lime juice, which instantly supplies Vitamin C to the total share of the dish’s nutritional value.
Poha Calories
Poha is a relatively low-calorie dish. The number of calories in a serving of poha can vary based on the specific ingredients used and the portion size. However, here’s an approximate estimation of the calorie content in 1 serving (approximately 1 cup) of poha prepared using the recipe provided:
The estimated calorie content in 1 serving of poha is around 250 calories. Please note that this is an approximation and can vary depending on the specific brands and quantities of ingredients used.
The Best Time to Consume Poha for weight loss
Poha is an ideal food for any time of the day, but it is particularly beneficial when eaten as a breakfast item. Its carbohydrate content provides the energy needed to keep you going all day.
Furthermore, its high fiber content keeps you full for extended periods, making it an excellent evening snack to prevent hunger pangs between meals. Quick and easy to prepare, Poha is a perfect choice for any meal.
Various ways to eat Poha for Weight Loss-
Vegetable Poha:
Adding some healthy vegetables to your poha can make it a wholesome dish and benefit in weight loss.
Bread Poha:
It is a popular breakfast and snacking option. It can be made by adding bread pieces to your classic poha.
Dry Fruit Poha:
It is a nutritious recipe and a perfect weight-loss snack. You can prepare it by roasting poha along with your favourite nuts and seeds.
Poha Chat:
This dish is loaded with flavour and is healthy at the same time. To your classic poha, you can add corn, lemon juice, coriander leaves, chat masala, and your favourite vegetables.
Poha Salad:
It can be an excellent mid-day or evening snack. You can make it by adding your favourite raw vegetables such as cucumber, tomato, or capsicum.
Curd Poha:
Poha with curd, is an excellent source of iron, magnesium & calcium along with fibre. So relish them in summers with any stir-fried veggies.
Last but not least Poha is a good option when considering a weight loss journey. At the same time, we need to remember never to stick to one-single cereal but explore many different kinds of cereal to improve the nutrition in our meals.
How Much Poha Should One Eat?
Poha is tasty and nutritious, making it the perfect meal for any occasion. Consuming up to 150 g per day can provide numerous health benefits. However, every individual’s needs are different. Hence, it is best to consult a nutritionist to understand how much poha you should eat.
Final Thoughts on “Is Poha Good For Weight Loss”
Poha is a low-calorie, high-fiber, and nutrient-dense food that can help in weight loss. It is easy to prepare, versatile, and we can customize it to suit different tastes and preferences. By incorporating poha into your diet, you can increase your fiber intake, reduce your calorie intake, and improve your overall health.
However, it is important to note that no single food can guarantee weight loss on its own. A healthy and balanced diet, along with regular exercise, is essential for long-term weight loss and overall health. Poha can be a healthy addition to a balanced diet, but it is bettter to consume it in moderation and as part of a healthy and balanced diet.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked by people related the topic “Is Poha Good for Weight Loss“. Let’s have a look at them
Does Poha cause weight gain?
Poha, or flattened rice, is a popular breakfast dish in India. However, it is a healthier option than many other breakfast foods, it can still contribute to weight gain due to its carbohydrate content. Poha is generally made from white rice, a high-glycemic-index food that can increase blood sugar levels and, ultimately, weight gain. Additionally, oil, spices, and other ingredients can add additional calories. While Poha can be part of a balanced diet, it should be eaten in moderation and combined with other nutrient-rich foods to ensure a healthy diet.
Which is better for weight loss, rice or Poha?
Rice and poha are both popular, nutritious staples of Indian cuisine. When it comes to weight loss, poha is the better choice. Poha is made from flattened rice and is low in calories, fat and sugar. It is also rich in complex carbohydrates and fibre, which helps to keep you feeling fuller for longer. Furthermore, poha is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which help to support the body’s metabolism. In contrast, white rice is high in calories and refined carbohydrates, which can cause blood sugar levels to spike and lead to weight gain.
Does Eating Poha Reduce Weight Loss?
Eating poha alone may not reduce weight loss. A balanced and nutritious diet with overall reduced calorie intake, including physical activity, is necessary for weight loss. Poha can be a healthy option as part of a well-rounded diet.
Can We Eat Poha For Weight Loss
Yes, you can eat poha for weight loss as it is a low-calorie, high-fiber food. However, it’s important to note that simply eating poha alone may not lead to weight loss. For weight loss, it’s essential to maintain a calorie deficit by consuming fewer calories than you burn through physical activity and daily metabolism.
Therefore, incorporating poha as part of a balanced and nutritious diet that includes a variety of foods from different food groups, along with physical activity, can help support weight loss efforts. Poha can be a healthy option for breakfast or as a snack, paired with other nutritious foods like vegetables, fruits, lean protein, and whole grains.
What happens if we eat poha daily?
A: If we eat poha daily, it can be beneficial to our health in some ways. Poha is a source of carbohydrates and is low in calories, making it an excellent option for those trying to manage their weight. It is also rich in fibre, which can help promote healthy digestion and reduce cholesterol levels. Poha is also a good source of iron and many other important vitamins and minerals, which makes it a healthy addition to any diet. However, it is best to keep poha consumption in moderation as it can be high in sodium.
Is Poha Healthy For Weight Loss
Yes, poha can be healthy for weight loss as it is a low-calorie, low-fat, and high-fiber food. It is also a good source of complex carbohydrates, which provide sustained energy and can help you feel full for longer periods of time.
Additionally, poha is easy to prepare and can be a convenient breakfast or snack option, making it a great choice for people looking to lose weight. However, it’s important to note that the overall calorie intake and physical activity levels also play a crucial role in weight loss.
To maximize the benefits of poha for weight loss, it’s recommended to pair it with other nutritious foods like vegetables, fruits, lean protein, and whole grains as part of a balanced and nutritious diet, along with regular physical activity.
More Related Weight Loss:
Is curd good for weight loss? Dairy product in weight loss journey
Black Coffee for Weight Loss: Important Facts