Cardamom: Cardamom aids the digestive process, helping the body break down and assimilate nutrients. It is also known to boost metabolism and burn body fat aiding with weight-loss. Toss in a few cloves of cardamom into your evening chai for a steamy cup of good health.
Garlic: Garlic been used in cooking since long, for both its full-bodied flavor and its healthy properties. Garlic has strong anti-bacterial effects, helps to reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and unhealthy fat levels in the body. Now there’s a good reason why the ubiquitous ginger-garlic paste is found in dishes across every region in India.
Buttermilk: Buttermilk is a drink full of good health, and easy to make at home. It provides the body with essential nutrients and is very low on fat and calorie content. Chop up from fresh coriander and green chillies to it add a little salt and pepper and you have a refreshing, healthy homemade drink.
Cabbage: Cabbage is a great antioxidant and makes a great accompaniment to heavy meat dishes. It also slows down the conversion of carbohydrates into fat. So, makes for a great aid to your weight loss plan. Eat it raw or cooked but, make sure it’s a part of your meal.
Chillies: Chillies are another great ingredient to ramp up your metabolic rate and burn that excess fat. The component capsaicin generates heat and boosts metabolism, helps to burn calories for upto 20 minutes after your meal. So slice ‘em up and toss ‘em in!
Curry leaves: Curry leaves help reduce LDL levels in the body and are a great way to detox. They also help reduce fat deposits in the body & aid to any weight-loss program. So add a few curry leaves into your curry or dal for a dose of great flavor and good health.
Millets: Coarser grains like millets, jowar, ragi and bajra are high on fibre-content and great for controlling cholesterol and melting fat.
Mustard oil: Mustard oil is one of the healthiest oils to cook in as it contains lower levels of saturated fat. It also provides antioxidants and essential vitamins to the body, lowering cholesterol levels and improving heart health. Switch to mustard oil today!
March 2008