Idlis are considered one of the healthiest Indian breakfast dishes out there. The round fluffy idlis are prepared from a rice batter that also contains ground urad dal. The batter is put in molds and steamed until it rises. It is served hot with freshly prepared sambhar curry, and chilled coconut and garlic chutneys. Idlis are light on the stomach and filling. They are delightful to bite into and can brighten up even the most hectic mornings. The appeal of the idli goes far beyond its taste- it makes for a great low-calorie meal as well, making it a favourite with health freaks and those who are watching their weight. However, idli may not provide you with requisite amount of fibre that an ideal healthy breakfast should have.
Fibre In Idli
Fibre is an essential nutrient for the body, as it keeps you satiated for longer and also regulates blood sugar levels. Fibre-rich foods and dishes keep hunger pangs at bay and if you're looking to lose weight or control excessive snacking then you should be consuming a high-fibre breakfast. If you love eating idlis for breakfast, there are some easy ways to make them more filling by adding some fibre-rich foods to them.
Also Read: What Makes Idli The Healthiest Snack We Know!
Here are some ways that you can make your idlis richer in fibre:
1. Add Veggies
Add vegetables like peas, broccolis, chopped bell peppers etc. to your idli mix to make your breakfast more fibre-rich. Broccoli is low in calories and rich in high quality fibre as well as antioxidants and vitamins. Adding it to your idli mix can also enhance taste, make them crunchier and more diet-friendly. Check out our recipe of stuffed vegetable idlis.
Also Read: Simply Delicious: Top 5 Idli Recipes
2. Add Whole Grains
Rice flour that is usually used to make idlis is rich in starch. A healthier way to prepare idlis is to make your batter fibre-rich by adding whole grains like ragi or finger millets and oats to it. Ragi is said to be a great diabetes-friendly whole grain and it is extremely nutritious. Similarly, oats are the perfect breakfast foods as they are very rich in good carbs. Take a look at our recipe of oats idli.
3. Add Nuts and Seeds
You can add a lot of crunch, taste and fibre to your idlis by throwing in chopped nuts and/or seeds to your batter. You can also blitz some almonds and cashews and then add the paste to your batter, to make it more fibre-rich. Nuts and seeds are rich in essential vitamins and minerals, as well as good fats, proteins and fibre. Adding them to your breakfast idlis is a sure shot way of loading up on some good carbs.
Also Read: Udupi, Chettinad & More: How Many Types of Idlis Have You Tried?
Healthy Indian Breakfast: Add nuts to your idli mix
You can experiment with various ingredients and come up with your own recipes of high-fibre idlis. Know of any other innovative ideas to make idlis fibre-rich? Let us know in the comments section below!