Gujarati Diet Plan for Weight Loss: Tasty and Healthy!

Think of a plate filled with all the colors and delicious tastes. That’s the beauty of Gujarati cuisine. It is prepared using fresh, locally sourced, mildly cooked foods to keep its nutrients. 

However, many people think,

how can I eat such tasty dishes and still lose weight?

Can one lose weight by going for a Gujarati diet plan for weight loss and not compromising on taste?

Absolutely! In fact, by making a few modifications, it is possible to get a healthy Gujarati diet plan that is suitable for weight loss. 

Adapting The Gujarati Diet Plan For Weight Loss

Incorporating the particular Gujarati diet plan for weight loss is not as difficult as one might consider it. The secret is to add small changes or variations that are not invasive to the core of the food and the spirit of Gujarati cuisine.

Here’s how you can create a Gujarati diet plan for weight loss that works for you:

• Portion Control: Gujarati meals are usually heavy, especially the traditional ones because Gujaratis are known to eat several meals within the day. First of all, try to reduce the servings of the meals being served in the house. The control part means that one does not have to eat too many of the foods that one loves to taste.
• Healthy Alternative: You must replace the very calories-rich foods with fewer ones. For instance, when you add yogurt to recipes such as kadhi, use low-fat yogurt. 
• Whole Grains: You can replace brown rice with white rice. Also, try adding whole wheat instead of white flour. Add roasted grains such as bajra, jowar, millet, and others instead of polished rice. 
• Fresh Vegetables: Try filling your plate with fresh vegetables. Although they do not have high calories, they can provide essential vitamins and minerals. 
• Less Oil: Avoid using oils while preparing the food. Use different cooking methods, such as steaming, grilling, and baking. Also, avoid frying; choose steaming, grilling, and baking instead. 
• Natural Sweeteners: Reduce sugars when you cook. Use natural sweeteners such as jaggery or honey, and add them in very small quantities. 

Gujarati Diet Tweaks for Weight Loss

If you were on a diet plan for Gujarati food for weight loss, you don’t necessarily have to leave all your tasty meals behind. It is about choosing better and finding a more appropriate way to do it. By incorporating the above changes, you can maintain a healthy Gujarati diet plan that will enable you to shed some weight while still enjoying the food you like. 

Gujarati diet charts can incorporate these tweaks as follows: 

1. Methi Thepla

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup fresh fenugreek leaves (methi), finely chopped
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp red chili powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/2 tsp carom seeds (ajwain)
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• Salt to taste
• 1 tsp oil
• Water, as needed

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except water.
2. Add water gradually to form a soft dough.
3. Divide the dough into small portions and roll each portion into a thin circle.
4. Heat a tawa (griddle) and cook each thepla on both sides until golden brown, using minimal oil.
5. Eat or Serve hot with yogurt or pickle.

2. Gujarati Dal

Ingredients:

• 1 cup toor dal (split pigeon peas)
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp ginger-green chili paste
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
• A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
• 5-6 curry leaves
• 1 tsp oil
• Salt to taste
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp jaggery (optional)
• 1/4 tsp garam masala
• Water

Recipe:

1. Rinse and pressure cook the toor dal with turmeric powder until soft.
2. Mash the cooked dal and add water to achieve the desired consistency.
3. In a pan, heat oil and add cumin seeds, mustard seeds, hing, and curry leaves.
4. Add the chopped tomato and ginger-green chili paste. Cook until the tomato softens.
5. Add the mashed dal, salt, lemon juice, jaggery, and garam masala. Mix well.
6. Simmer for 5-10 minutes.
7. Eat or Serve hot with steamed rice or roti.

3. Lauki Muthia (Dudhi Muthiya)

Ingredients:

•     1 cup grated bottle gourd (lauki)
•     1 cup whole wheat flour
•     1/2 cup besan (gram flour)
•     1/4 cup semolina (rava)
•     1/2 tsp turmeric powder
•     1 tsp red chili powder
•     1 tsp cumin seeds
•     1 tsp ginger-green chili paste
•     1 tbsp lemon juice
•     1 tsp sugar (optional)
•     Salt to taste
•     1 tsp oil
•     1/2 tsp mustard seeds
•     A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
•     5-6 curry leaves
•     1-2 green chilies, chopped
•     1 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
•     Water

Recipe:

• In a mixing bowl, combine grated bottle gourd, whole wheat flour, besan, semolina, turmeric powder, red chili powder, cumin seeds, ginger-green chili paste, lemon juice, sugar, and salt.
• Add water gradually to form a soft dough.
• Divide the dough into small portions and shape each portion into cylindrical rolls.
• Steam the rolls for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.
• In a small pan, heat oil and add mustard seeds, hing, curry leaves, and green chilies.
• Slice the steamed rolls and sauté them in the tempering until lightly browned.
• Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
• Eat Serve warm with chutney or yogurt.

4. Sabzi Khichdi (Lentil and Vegetable Rice)

Ingredients:

•  1 cup brown rice
•  1/2 cup moong dal (split mung beans)
•  1 cup chopped mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, beans, etc.)
•  1 onion, chopped
•  1 tomato, chopped
•  1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
•  1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
•  1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
•  1/4 teaspoon coriander powder
•  Salt to taste
•  1 tablespoon oil 
• Chopped coriander leaves (cilantro) for garnish (optional)

Recipe:

• Rinse the brown rice and moong dal in water until the water runs clear.
• Heat oil in a pressure cooker or pot. Add the cumin seeds and let them splutter for a few seconds.
• Add the chopped onion and cook until softened. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for another minute.
• Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they become mushy.
• Add turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, and salt. Stir and cook for a minute.
• Add the rinsed brown rice, moong dal, and chopped vegetables. Stir to combine.
• Add 3 cups of water (or according to your pressure cooker instructions). Close the pressure cooker and cook for 2 whistles (or until the rice and lentils are cooked through).
• Let the pressure release naturally for 5-10 minutes before opening the lid.
• Garnish with chopped coriander leaves (cilantro) and Eat and serve hot.

With these changes incorporated, you can create the best Gujarati diet plan for weight loss that is effective and enjoyable. However, the idea is to find a plan that can be maintained in the long run and that is healthy for you. This way, your diet chart Gujarati style is not a short-term remedy but a part of your daily life. 

How to Incorporate Physical Activity in Your Gujarati Diet?

Along with the diet, it is essential to add exercise while having a look at the healthy Gujarati diet plan for a healthy life apart from losing some kilos. The Gujarati diet plan for weight loss is also privileged by regular exercise since it helps enhance calorie consumption, muscle formation, and overall health. Here’s how to effectively combine exercise with your diet plan for Gujarati food:

Benefits of Physical Activity

• Weight Loss: You can eliminate the calories in your body to lose weight. So you should exercise regularly. 
• Improved Metabolism: Regular exercise will boost your metabolism. It will help you manage your weight well. 
• Enhanced Mood: Physical health and mental health are connected. Exercise boosts the level of endorphins, which enhances your mood. 
• Better Digestion: Exercise is also beneficial for digestion and eradicates constipation.

Types of Physical Activity

• Cardio Exercises: Some of the activities that can be performed include walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming since they assist in raising the heart rate and burning some calories. 
• Strength Training: Weight lifting, resistance band training, or even bodyweight exercises assist in building muscle tissue and, therefore, metabolism. 
• Flexibility and Balance: Yoga and other forms of stretching can improve flexibility, balance, and physical functioning. 

Wrap-Up

Making a Gujarati diet plan for weight loss involves understanding what is good for you while still being able to relish the original tastes. If you are interested in getting a healthy Gujarati diet chart, then you are at the right place, as I, Nidhi Gupta, an ACE-certified personal trainer and nutritionist, can assist you. Consult for professional help and advice on improving your health’s quality.  Contact Today!

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