Indulge in the Healthy Pongal

“Pongal is the festival that calls for reunion and more food. During this time, its important to watch what you eat as the calories one can gain can make a huge difference in boosting or lowering your self-confidence” says B.Kavitha,(23),a dietitian with Inshape health and Fitnez Gym.

Having studied BSc Nutrition and dietetics at Quaid-E- Millath College for woman, she surely is an expert in offering health advice. She offers some valuable tips on how to prepare Pongal with less calorie content. The usual Pongal is made of jaggery, rice, milk, raisin and cashew nuts. She suggests abit of alterations to the ingredients and the way you might want to prepare them in order to maintain your figure the way it is. When preparing Pongal for a nuclear family of four people, one should use less carbohydrate contents like Jaggery which can be limited to 25g.It is best to avoid ghee, use skimmed milk. Roasting cashews with oil in stove is a no no. A better alternative to cashews is almonds, walnuts which can be roasted using the oil less method, oven. The use of oven itself saves you from gaining 300 calories extra. Oil roasting of cashews amounts to (600 kcal). Oven Roasting will amount to (300kcal) intake. Side dishes are a temptation. There can be safe options for that too she says with an assuring smile.

 Vadais which are prepared the usual way can be done in a different style which helps our body gain fibre, protein,iron,vitamins. This is a useful tip especially for anaemic people. Simply add vegetables like carrot, cabbage and beans.This is a healthier option when comparing to normal masala vadai which carries a (130kcal/100g) by itself. This brings to mind how much one has to work out in the gym to burn them off which is not the smart way.

 Desserts too can be prepared to match up with the healthy pongal. Instead of adding sugar(398kcal/100g), add palm sugar(karuppatti), (320kcal/100) as an alternative. It also provides iron. This approach helps you to safely indulge in the priceless payasam. Taste is even better when you use palm sugar and there’s no need to worry about the payasam colour changing to brown or black.

Having said enough about preparing a healthy pongal, she also talks about “Kaanum Pongal” where chennaites will go out to watch how pongal is celebrated in and around Chennai, they should pick food with low calorie food. When purchasing chicken prepared outside, you can prefer tandoori or grilled chicken as they do not have much oil content in the chicken which makes for a safer option for you to dine in during this festive season.

 Drinks are a no miss during festive season which top up any meal. That too can be switched to a healthier option she brims with self pride. Instead of picking up soft drinks, you can safely indulge in eating sugarcane which has various beneficial properties that might just make you raise an eyebrow. Sugarcane strengthens the teeth and prevents toothache. What is more? Kavitha says you will get the same calories. Instead of soft drinks you can drink tender coconut water (24 kcal) which means you are still as fit as a fiddle during this festive season.

http://www.top-indian-recipes.com/blog/3-sweet-pongal-recipes-for-sankranthi/

http://www.vegcorner.com/oats-sweet-pongal/