If you are on a weight loss diet, you already know that refined sugar and simple carbs should be avoided. This automatically means not consuming most packaged snacks. You may have to give up many homemade treats too if they have too much sugar or require deep-frying. The question remains: what should you be eating instead? Fruits and nuts are often recommended, and they are a good option. But sometimes, we crave something with more flavour and interesting texture. Luckily for you, we have come up with a short list of delicious snacks that you can make at home. Being high in fibre, they can easily be added to your weight loss diet. Here's why:
Why Are Fibre-Rich Foods Good For Weight Loss?
Foods high in fibre are said to promote satiety. This means that they keep you feeling full for longer, as most of them need extra time to digest too. Those on a weight loss diet may suffer from untimely and/or unhealthy cravings. Eating fibre-rich foods can help them combat this issue. It also helps them regulate their blood sugar levels, which can play a role in weight management. Consuming soluble fibre can lead to improved gut health, which has been associated with reduced belly fat. Many of these foods can also boost metabolism. It may become easier to reduce your weight if your metabolism is good. Furthermore, the snacks below are also a good source of energy and nutrients that promote overall health. So, along with weight loss, they can provide other benefits too.
Also Read: 10 Water-Powered Fruits And Veggies That Keep You Hydrated And Happy
Here Are 7 High-Fibre Snacks To Add To Your Weight Loss Diet
1. Sweet Potato Wedges
Baked sweet potato wedges can be enjoyed on a weight-loss diet. Photo Credit: iStock
Sweet potatoes are rich in soluble fibre and healthy complex carbohydrates. Consuming them can give you a sustained energy boost, apart from helping you lose weight. You can incorporate them into your daily meals in the form of vegetable preparations, soups as well as a wide range of snacks. We highly recommend sweet potato wedges as they are easy to make and require just a handful of ingredients. All you need to do is drizzle them with olive oil, add herbs of your choice and bake until golden. Find the full recipe here.
2. Brinjal Chips
Unfortunately, deep-fried potato chips won't aid your weight loss journey. If you're looking for healthier chips, you can make some great ones with baingan (brinjal or eggplant). Brinjal is high in fibre and low in calories, making it an excellent addition to your diet. Believe us, although they may sound unusual, these chips are quite tasty. They are baked and simply seasoned with pepper and chilli powder. Click here for the recipe.
3. Makhana Bhel
Makhana (lotus seeds or fox nuts) are the superfood everyone can't stop talking about. They are gluten-free, low in calories and light on the system. They are rich in fibre as well as protein, and can thus help you shed those extra kilos. If you want a yummy way to enjoy makhana, use them to make a dry yet flavourful bhel. This recipe combines makhana with a few potatoes, peanuts and chillies tossed with selected spices. Check out the recipe here.
Also Read: 5 Ways To Make The Healthy Makhanas An Integral Part Of Your Diet
4. Oats Vegetable Dhokla
Dhokla is a steamed delicacy full of flavour and nutrients. Photo Credit: iStock
When it comes to traditional snacks, Gujarati dhokla is one of the most popular choices. While the regular besan dhokla can also be weight-loss-friendly, here's an idea to make it even more nutritious: add oats and veggies to it. Oats are rich in fibre and are generally consumed for breakfast. But with this dhokla, you can enjoy it as part of a snack too. Find the complete recipe here.
5. Lauki Vadi
Lauki (bottle gourd) can work wonders for your body. You may have heard of the many benefits of drinking lauki juice, especially for those on a weight loss diet. This water-rich veggie is also a good source of fibre. You can relish it during snacktime with our lauki vadi recipe. This is a panfried tikki-like snack made using grated lauki, besan, sooji, onions and spices. You can pair it with some homemade hair chutney. Click here for the recipe.
6. Amaranth Tikki
Amaranth or rajgira is a gluten-free pseudo-cereal with a variety of health benefits. Apart from being rich in protein and fibre, this ingredient can boost immunity, heart health as well as digestive processes. An easy and delicious way to consume it is in the form of tikkis. Boiled amaranth seeds are mixed with veggies and spices to make this unique snack. Find the complete recipe here.
Also Read: 7 Lesser-Known Health Benefits Of Amaranth (Rajgira) You Should Know
7. Ragi Cookies
Many of us crave sweet snacks while dieting. Opt for these nutritious ragi cookies and you won't be sorry. Ragi is known to be fibre-rich and its flour is a healthier substitute for regular flour. So along with making cheelas and bhakris, you can also make some yummy cookies with ragi flour. This version uses a healthier substitute for refined sugar too. Click here for the full recipe.
No more complaining about the lack of tasty food on a weight loss diet. Now you have these wonderful options! Try making them at home soon.
Also Read: Taste The Goodness: 5 Chutneys That Add Zing To Your Weight Loss Journey
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.