Dinner is said to be the most important meal of the day. After a long, busy day, many look forward to enjoying a long, good evening dinner with their family and friends. However, what we eat at dinner time plays a vital role in our digestion and how we feel the following day.
In Indian culture, delicious or, some say, flavorful dishes are not the best choice for dinner. Have you ever experienced discomfort at night, or might you have difficulty sleeping after being full? This happens when foods are hard to digest or excessively calorie-dense.
Have you ever wondered why you feel lethargic in the morning? Your choice of dinner could be the cause. Let’s discuss the four worst Indian foods for dinner time.
1) Deep-fried snacks: These are said to be popular choices in Indian families who often enjoy comfort food. These foods can strain digestive systems and impact overall health. Deep frying can increase fat content, including trans fat, which is said to be hard to digest. They are high in calories, i.e., a single piece of pakoras serves hundreds of calories, and these foods can cause indigestion as they are difficult to digest.
Instead of fried items, one can try baked or air-fried versions of your favorite snacks.
2)Plain white rice: Rice is the most consumed food, but having it at dinner is not the best choice. It can spike blood sugar. A meal that is carb-heavy might make one lethargic and may disrupt sleep.
One should switch to brown rice instead of plain rice. If you love rice at dinner, then try to limit it to vegetables.
3)A meal of butter naan:
Butter naan is best enjoyed with curries, but it is said to be not the healthiest option for dinner. Naan is low in nutrients but high in calories, adding unnecessary fats to the meal. As it can raise blood sugar levels, it can make one tired the following day.
Instead of naan, one should switch to multigrain, whole wheat roti, or phulkas. This option is best as it is high in fiber and provides better digestion.
4)Heavy curries(paneer sabzi masala and butter chicken masala)
These dishes are rich in cream and are the most loved dishes in Indian culture, but they are not said to be ideal for dinner. They are high in fats as cream in butter chicken is high in calories and is said to be a heavy meal. Such curries can lead to indigestion when taken with naan. It can also lead to unnecessary weight gain.
Instead of heavy butter chicken, one can shift to palak panner or dal tadka, which are lighter options compared to buttery, creamy dishes.