Idly is the Healthiest Food in the world

The study covered other metros like Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata on a sample size of 3,600 subjects, split across 8 to 40 years age group, and described 'alarming' figures of nutritional inadequacy in our country. "Although people in India are increasingly becoming health conscious, this doesn't reflect in their eating behavior. Changing lifestyles and behavioral patterns result in meal skipping or inadequate food intakes particularly at breakfast time," said Malathi Sivaramkrishnan, research director, college of home science, Nirmala Niketan, Mumbai, who conducted the study funded by multinational food manufacturing company Kellogg's.

The nutrition scale was assessed based on the adequacy of carbohydrates, energy, proteins, fats and calcium. "While there have been many studies on the number of people skipping breakfast, very little has been done on the content of the meal and its nutritional value," said Malathi. The study found that 79% of those surveyed in Mumbai had nutritionally inadequate breakfasts, followed by Delhi and Kolkata at 76% and 75%. In Chennai only 60% reported that their breakfast was nutritionally inadequate. "Kolkata's traditional breakfast has excess Maida which has a lot of carbohydrates, very little protein and no fiber at all. Delhi's parathas are too oily and Mumbai doesn't have a typical breakfast as such. People eat bread mostly, which just has carbohydrates," said Malathi.

The nutrition scale was assessed based on the adequacy of carbohydrates, energy, proteins, fats and calcium. "While there have been many studies on the number of people skipping breakfast, very little has been done on the content of the meal and its nutritional value," said Malathi. The study found that 79% of those surveyed in Mumbai had nutritionally inadequate breakfasts, followed by Delhi and Kolkata at 76% and 75%. In Chennai only 60% reported that their breakfast was nutritionally inadequate. "Kolkata's traditional breakfast has excess Maida which has a lot of carbohydrates, very little protein and no fiber at all. Delhi's parathas are too oily and Mumbai doesn't have a typical breakfast as such. People eat bread mostly, which just has carbohydrates," said Malathi.
If you’ve decided to eat healthy but don’t really like eating bland or sweet oats, cornflakes and other such ‘food for weight watchers’ recommended by dieticians, fret not there are a number Indian food items that are not only a treat to your gustatory senses but healthy as well. One such healthy Indian dish is Idly. Why is it a healthy option?

1. A classic South Indian food made with fermented rice and black gram, Idlys are a great source of carbohydrates and proteins.
2. The fermentation process increases the bioavailability of proteins and enhances the vitamin B content of the food.
3. As it is steamed, fat content is low and it is easily digestible..
4. Use of dal and rice in Idly is a good combination as the amino acids in them complement each other.
5. An Idly fills you up with fewer calories. According to Healthily Me calorie counter, 1 Idly contains only 65 calories. Find the number of calories in common South Indian dishes here.

Instructions

1. Soaking time: 2 to 3 hours.
2. Preparation Time: 15 minutes
3. Fermenting Time: Overnight
4. Cooking Time: 45 minutes.
5. Quantity: 30 Idlys.

1. 3 cups par-boiled rice
2. 1 cup Urad dal (split black lentils)
3. salt to taste
4. oil for greasing

1. Wash and soak the rice and Urad dal in lukewarm water for 2 to 3 hours.
2. Drain, wash and grind to a smooth paste.
3. Cover and keep aside overnight to ferment
4. Add that salt and mix well.
5. Put spoonful of the batter into greased idli mould and steam for 15 minutes. Now the healthiest Idli is ready.