We all love a steaming hot plate of soft Idlis, Crispy dosas with Sweet and sour sambar, and coconut chutney. I can go on and on about my praises of south Indian food. There is a vast array of food items on the south Indian plate, the most popular ones being vada, Pongal, idli, and uttapam. It is a known fact that the South Indian diet plan for weight loss is extremely healthy, with very low usage of oil and a high quantity of vegetables, which makes it dense in nutrients.
South Indian Diet Plan for Weight Loss
To tickle all your south Indian taste buds, we have curated a special south Indian diet plan for weight loss! You can have the cuisine you like, and lose weight at the same time!
Breakfast:
2-3 millet idli’s, a bowl of sambar, a bowl of mixed fruits
Or
Pongal, Brahmi Tambuli, a bowl of mixed fruits
Or
2 Rava Dosas, a teaspoon of green chutney, tomato chutney, a bowl of sambar, and a bowl of mixed fruit.
Pre-Lunch Snack
A cup of fresh juice
Or
A cup of buttermilk, 1 whole fresh fruit
Or
A cup of coconut water
Lunch
1 bowl coconut rice, 1 bowl rasam, 1 bowl cauliflower kootu, side of salad
Or
2 rotis, a bowl of sambar, a bowl of bendekai gojju, a glass of buttermilk, a side of salad
Or
A bowl of Lady’s finger poriyal, nellikai Sadam with broad beans
Evening snack
A cup of black coffee, one boiled egg
Or
A cup of green Tea, 2 digestive/Nutri choice biscuits
Or
A cup of black coffee, a bowl of popcorn
Dinner
A bowl of brown rice, 1 portion of grilled fish, a bowl of mixed veg sabzi, side of salad
Or
A bowl of brown rice, a bowl of chole sundal, a bowl of spinach curry
Or
1-2 dosas with a bowl of curry, 1 spoon of peanut chutney, side of cauliflower/broccoli salad
Lifestyle changes for Weight loss
You have the diet, but following a diet alone won’t help you get in the shape you want, you have to make some lifestyle changes, and follow them diligently. These changes won’t just make you lose fat faster, but you will also start feeling much more active and healthier from the inside.
- Quit instant snacks such as chips, fried snacks, and cake instead snack on fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
- Make a workout routine, take out some time out of your routine and fix a time for a workout, that will keep you motivated. You can opt for high-intensity workouts or low-intensity ones such as cycling or walking.
- Include fiber-rich foods in your diet, they provide numerous benefits to the body, as well as will keep you full for longer.
- Avoid any sugary or carbonated drinks, instead sip homemade fruit juices to beat the heat.
- Sleep for 7-8 hours every day. You can have unsweetened turmeric milk before going to bed, that will help you feel relaxed and can contribute to sound sleep all night.
- Consume protein-rich foods and reduce your carb intake whenever you can.
- Consume your meals on time, and have ample gap in between your meals.
- Try using less oil and ghee in your food, cook in minimal oil.
- Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol, if you have to because of a social circle, do so in moderation.
- When you wake up in the morning, you can have a glass of warm water with lemon, it will ensure your vitamin C intake and will keep you active all day.
Recipe time
The sour and tangy recipe will surely make you want some more. We have brought the recipe of Rasam for you-
- Soak 1-2 tamarind in 3 cups of hot water for about half an hour.
- Now remove the tamarind and keep the water for further use.
- Take a kadhai, heat some oil, as you see a few vapors, add the chopped tomatoes, and a little salt.
- When you see the tomatoes softening, add the tamarind water and stir.
- Now add some turmeric leaves, chopped coriander, and chopped curry leaves.
- Stir all the ingredients and bring the water to a boil.
- Add rasam powder, salt as per taste, and some sugar, you can also use jaggery, let the rasam boil for a minute or two.
- Now add some chopped garlic and turn off the stove.
- For the tadka- take a small vessel, add a spoonful of ghee, a tablespoon of rai (mustard seeds), 1 teaspoon jeera, 1 red chili for the flavor, and a few curry leaves, let these ingredients splutter, and then add to the rasam.
- Stir well and garnish with coriander leaves.
Serve your hot tangy rasam with rice, idli, dosa, or just as soup!
This is not a fad diet, and you do not have to starve to lose weight! This one is filled with delicious south Indian recipes, which can be followed by anyone, south Indian food lovers, and anyone who wants to lose weight, the south Indian way! Also Read: Amazing Kerala Diet Plan for Weight Loss (1200 Calories)
So, your next diet breakfast- a piping hot plate of Idlis!
