Every meal that we consume in a day has its own role to play. Just like a healthy and filling breakfast gives a much-needed kick-start to the body's metabolism, a light and nutritious dinner ensures that your digestive health is in check. If you are eating heavy and greasy dinner meals like parathas, chicken curries etc. almost every day, then it is time for you to bring a halt on this dietary pattern as it may cause a toll on your health in the long run. You could instead opt for veggies that are light on the stomach; for instance, a moussaka meal that includes eggplant, zucchini, red bell peppers, sweet potato and cheese could be a great way to introduce light and nutritious meals as part of your dinner schedule.
According to the book, 'Healing Foods' by DK Publishing House, "Sweet potatoes are both nourishing and easy-to-digest, making them a great food to eat in the evening. They are combined here with eggplant and sweet bell peppers - all good sources of phytonutrients known to be beneficial for the healthy development of new cells." Not only do these ingredients help in aiding digestion, but also promote good health. The anthocyanins present in the eggplant's skin are known to help in development of brain cells. To further strengthen muscle and nerve function, there's cheese! Being an excellent source of calcium, this dairy product helps build strong bones and teeth.
(Also Read: How To Cook The Perfect Moussaka)
This dinner bowl definitely has a healthy twist to it as it replaces potato with sweet potato, which is brimming with healthful properties. Not only is it easy-to-digest but has blood-sugar regulating and anti-inflammatory properties too. Apart from this, its high antioxidant content also ups the nutritional value of the entire meal.
Red bell peppers are known to support healthy eye-sight and heart health, thanks to the presence of carotenoids in them. Apart from this, the vitamin C present in bell peppers is necessary for the synthesis of collagen, which happens to be the prime structural protein in the body; whereas, zucchini comes loaded with high-fibre content along with vitamin B. The fibre content in zucchini would make the moussaka digestion-friendly by adding bulk to the stool, further facilitating smoother bowel movement.
So, don your aprons and get in the kitchen to prepare this healthy yet light dinner meal for yourself.
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
About Deeksha SarinAn eccentric foodie and a die-hard falooda lover, Deeksha loves riding scooty in search of good street food! A piping hot cup of adrak wali chai can make her day bright and shiny!