From masala corn to chaat: Snack healthily and guilt free with these delicious Indian options

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September 26, 2021

KEY STORY

Snacking could be a tricky business. If not done carefully, it could lead to unwanted health consequences such as weight gain, obesity, and other complications. It is important to be mindful about what you are snacking on and understand what healthy snacking means. Characteristics of a healthy snack are as follows:
- The snack should be low in calories and not add to weight gain.
- The snack should not contain an excessive amount of sugar or salt.
- The snack should be easy to prepare and nutritious.
- The shack should not be fried, ultra-processed, or contain artificial flavours or preservatives.
- There should be a balance between the portion of the snack and the level of satisfaction provided.
Healthy Indian snack options

Here are some yummy Indian snacks that you can munch on without guilt:
1. Roasted gram: A plant-based source of protein, grams are nutrition-packed foods. Roasted grams, commonly known as channa, are a popular snack among Indians. They are easy to prepare and have the ability to keep you satiated, thereby accomplishing the function of a healthy snack. You can roast it with a little salt or spice it up by adding black pepper, chaat masala, and other dry spices.
2. Puffed rice bhel: Also known as murmuri, mudhi, muri, or kurmura. As the name suggests, puffed rice is puffed up rice kernels after being heated under high pressure. Puffed rice is low on calories, high in fibre and protein, and delicious. You can snack on it alone or prepare puffed rice bhel by mixing healthy ingredients of your preference. Some ingredients that can be used may include onions, tomatoes, chilli, and lemon.
3. Mixed chaat: If you are an Indian, you should not shy away from accepting your love for spicy food. Chaat is one of the best Indian snacks out there and no one can change our mind. All you need to do is prepare a fibre rich plate of snacks containing all your favourite onions, tomatoes, potatoes, coriander, and your favourite combination of spices and homemade chutney.
4. Masala corn: A popular street snack, masala corn is easy to prepare and has the potential to be a healthy snack. Corn is rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and other nutrients. To prepare this snack, all you need to do is boil some corn, add your favourite spices to it, and enjoy.
5. Roasted peanuts: Being a rich source of plant-based protein, vitamins, and minerals, there is no harm in adding roasted peanuts to your snack list. Furthermore, they are a source of healthy fats and can be healthy for your heart. Just take a handful of peanuts, roast it with your favourite spices, and enjoy the brilliant snack.