Is Upma Good For Weight Loss?

Upma is a popular breakfast dish in South India, especially in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh. Upma is a versatile dish and can be customized with different vegetables and spices to suit individual tastes. It is a healthy breakfast option as it is low in calories and high in fiber. Many people in South India love to eat upma. However, many people are also concerned with their weight loss. Such people mostly remain in doubt, weather which dish is suitable for their diet. So, if you are on of them considering weather “Is Upma Good For Weight Loss?”, then this article is for you. In this article, we will provide you all the necessary information related to upma for weight loss.

How Upma is helpful for weight loss?

The most popular part of consuming upma for breakfast is that it keeps you active throughout the day. It is primarily because vegetable upma has fibre-rich, nutritious vegetables. In addition, iron is abundant in upma. Consuming upma is a simple approach to providing your body with iron, a crucial mineral for health.

Upma contains fiber, vitamins, and good fats. It is a nutritious dish that supports a balanced diet. Upma is an excellent option for a weight-loss meal because it digests slowly and makes you feel full. It can be a massive help in your weight-loss efforts.

Types of Upma For Weight Loss

There are various types of upma that can be made using different ingredients and variations in the cooking method. Some of the most popular types of upma include:

Vegetable Upma: This is the most common type of upma, made with semolina, vegetables like carrots, peas, beans, and potatoes, and spices like mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and curry leaves.
Tomato Upma: This type of upma is made with semolina, tomatoes, onions, and spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric. It has a tangy and slightly sweet taste due to the presence of tomatoes.
Semiya Upma: This type of upma is made using vermicelli instead of semolina. It is cooked with vegetables, spices, and water or milk.
Poha Upma: This type of upma is made with flattened rice, also known as poha, instead of semolina. It is cooked with vegetables, peanuts, and spices like cumin, mustard seeds, and turmeric.
Ragi Upma: This type of upma is made with ragi flour, which is a rich source of calcium and iron. It is cooked with vegetables, lentils, and spices.
Quinoa Upma: This type of upma is a healthier alternative made using quinoa, which is high in protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals. It is cooked with vegetables and spices like mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and turmeric.

Is Upma Good for Weight Loss?

Upma is a healthy and filling breakfast option that can aid in weight loss. It is low in calories and high in fiber, which helps to keep you full for longer and reduces the chances of overeating throughout the day. One cup of cooked upma (150g) contains approximately 220 calories, 2g of fat, 42g of carbohydrates, 2g of fiber, and 6g of protein. The fiber in upma helps to regulate blood sugar levels, which is important for preventing cravings and overeating.

Upma is also a good source of complex carbohydrates, which are slowly digested and provide a sustained source of energy. This is beneficial for weight loss as it helps to prevent cravings and binge eating. Additionally, upma is rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B, iron, and calcium, which are essential for maintaining good health and boosting metabolism.

How to Make Upma Healthier for Weight Loss?

While upma is a healthy breakfast option, it can be made even healthier for weight loss by following a few simple tips.

Use Whole Wheat Rava: Instead of using refined semolina, opt for whole wheat rava, which is a healthier alternative. Whole wheat rava is high in fiber and nutrients, making it a better option for weight loss.
Add More Vegetables: Adding more vegetables to your upma can increase the fiber and nutrient content of the dish. Vegetables like carrots, peas, beans, and capsicum can be added to upma to make it more filling and nutritious.
Use Less Oil: While upma requires some amount of oil for cooking, using too much oil can add unnecessary calories to the dish. Using a non-stick pan and a small amount of oil can help to reduce the overall calorie content of the dish.
Avoid Adding Sugar: Many people add sugar to upma to enhance its taste, but this can add unnecessary calories to the dish. Instead, try using spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric to add flavor to your upma.

Relationship between upma and weight loss

Upma can be a good food option for weight loss as it is low in calories and high in fiber. One cup of cooked upma (150g) contains approximately 220 calories, 2g of fat, 42g of carbohydrates, 2g of fiber, and 6g of protein. The high fiber content in upma helps to keep you feeling full for longer periods of time, which can prevent overeating throughout the day and thus lead to weight loss.

However, upma is a complex carbohydrate, which means it is slowly digested and provides a sustained source of energy. This helps to prevent cravings and binge eating, which can contribute to weight gain. Moreover, upma is typically made with vegetables and spices, which can provide additional nutrients and antioxidants to support a healthy diet and weight loss.

Role Of Suji As An Upma Ingredient

Suji/Rava or semolina is abundant in a lot of minerals, including: Suji benefits us in many ways:

Iron: Semolina has 1.23 mg of iron per 100 grams, as per the USDA. It will thus help keep iron deficiency at bay.
Magnesium: It aids in the control of blood pressure, and blood sugar. It also helps in the biosynthesis of protein.
Folate: It is necessary for the creation of DNA and RNA, as well as for amino acid metabolism.
Selenium: Semolina is high in selenium, an antioxidant that protects DNA cells from oxidation. Thus, lowering the risk of several diseases.
Protein: Semolina contains protein, and including it in your diet promotes weight loss.

Suji Upma Benefits

Suji upma offers us immense health benefits. Why dietitians recommend upma during diet plan for weight loss because it comes with numerous benefits. Let us know:

1. Zero Cholesterol

Although it is rich in Carbs, suji contains zero cholesterol, making it ideal for frequent consumption.

2. Loaded With Fiber

Also, vegetables added to upma are an excellent source of fiber. So, they make up for the fiber content that is missing in suji. Therefore, upma helps in weight loss. And, raw or semi-cooked onions provide vitamin C in ample amounts. Also, the role of other upma ingredients –

Mustard seeds provide selenium. It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Lemon juice is a good source of vitamin C and soluble fiber (pectin).

How To Make Upma For Weight Loss?

Upma is really easy to make. Let’s read out the steps and try it today.

Ingredients

Ingredient	Quantity	Ingredient	Quantity
Suji/Rava (Semolina)	1 Cup	Mustard Seeds	1 Tsp
Cumin	1 Tsp	Olive Oil	2 Tsp
Onion	1 Medium Sized	Green Chilli	1-2
Ginger	1 Tsp (Chopped)	Lemon Juice	1 Tsp
Curry Leaves	10 – 12	Haldi (Turmeric)	One Pinch
Hing (Asafoetida)	One Pinch	Salt	As Per Taste

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Firstly, take a pan, and heat it. Dry roast the suji (rava) on a low to medium flame until it turns light brown.
Then, transfer it to a bowl. Now chop onions, green chilies, and ginger.
After that, take a hot pan and add mustard and cumin to it.
Now, put hing, green chilies, ginger, and curry leave as well.
Then, sauté for about a minute. Now add the chopped onions and cook until transparent.
After that, add water as required and salt as per taste. Then, mix well.
When the water comes to a boil, add sooji and keep stirring.
Also, remember there should not be any lumps.
Then, cover and cook on a low flame until the water evaporates.
Now, remove the lid and stir the upma once again.
Finally, your upma is ready. Serve hot and enjoy!

Also, you can replace half of the water used with curd.

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Bottom Line:

Upma is a healthy breakfast option that can aid in weight loss. It is low in calories, high in fiber, and provides sustained energy, making it an ideal breakfast for weight loss. However, it is important to make upma healthier for weight loss by using whole wheat rava, adding more vegetables, using less oil, and avoiding sugar. By making these simple changes, upma can be included in a healthy diet for weight loss.

FAQ’s

What is upma?

Upma is an Indian breakfast meal most popular in Kerala, Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra. It is a thick porridge made from dry-roasted semolina. However, depending on individual preferences, one uses oats, wheat, quinoa and several other ingredients to make the upma of their choice.

Is upma good for weight loss?

Upma is an excellent choice for weight loss because it digests slowly and helps you feel full. It is a nutrient dense food that contains vitamins and minerals..

How many calories are in a serving of upma?

Upma is an excellent breakfast option. It only has 86 calories per 100 grams. One serving of upma provides 185 calories.

What are the health benefits of upma?

Upma is a nutritious option for all age groups because it contains proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, zinc, phosphorus, and iron. Upma keeps you fuller for a long time. In addition, the nutrients in upma maintain and improve the condition of your kidneys, heart, bones, and immune system.

Can upma be part of a healthy diet for weight loss?

Yes, eating upma helps you lose weight. You can also choose healthy options like ragi, quinoa, dalia, or oats upma. It has a delicious flavour, is low in calories, and gives you energy. It is suitable for all age groups.

What are some healthy ways to prepare upma?

One can make upma in many ways. Using less oil and adding more vegetables make upma more healthy. Oats, rava, ragi, and quinoa are popular ingredients for healthier versions of upma. Also, one can pack more nutrients if one garnishes it with nuts and seeds.

Q. Are there any downsides to eating upma for weight loss?

A. Upma is an excellent choice for weight-watchers. It is tasty, low in calories, and provides energy. Eating upma has no adverse consequences. However, portion control should be monitored for weight loss.

Is upma a good breakfast option for weight loss?

Certainly, upma is one of the healthiest options for breakfast. Your go-to breakfast option for weight loss can be upma. Upma contains fibre, vitamins, and good fats. Semolina is used to make upma, and it is high in iron. It is a nutritious dish that supports a balanced diet.

How often can I eat upma while trying to lose weight?

Upma is healthy and delicious. You can eat it every morning for breakfast. Upma is typically a breakfast preparation. However, you can also serve it as a small meal or snack. You can also have upma for dinner. However, restrict the portion if you are trying to reduce your carb intake.

What are some other healthy breakfast options for weight loss besides upma?

Other delicious breakfast options for losing weight include beetroot dosa, vegetable dalia, besan chilla with green chutney, vegetable poha, paneer bhurji, egg bhurji, oatmeal, and oat poha.

Is Upma Healthy In Diabetes?

Rava upma goes fine with diabetes patients, but when consumed in a controlled portion size. This is because semolina comes under foods that moderately increase the Glycemic Index after consumption.

I Am Gluten-intolerant. Can I have it?

The regular Rava upma is not for the ones that are suffering from Celiac Disease. This is because it has gluten present in it.

Does That Mean I Cannot Eat Upma?

Worry not. We have got you covered. It is not just suji that makes delicious upma. Apart from the suji upma for weight loss, we have several other recipes too. And these can be enjoyed by gluten-allergic persons as well as diabetics.