It’s not always necessary to give up snacks when trying to lose weight. You can still reduce weight with a well-balanced snack to feel full between meals. Snacks like peanut butter, bananas, and other healthy items have protein, fiber, and other filling ingredients which makes them perfect for losing weight.
Here we are providing a list of some of the best snacks for weight loss that will completely align with your weight loss journey!
List of 20 Best Snacks
Here’s a brief description of the 20 best Indian snacks for weight loss:
Sprouted Moong Salad
It is a refreshing salad made with sprouted moong beans, chopped onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, green chilies, lemon juice, and coriander leaves. This is a very low-calorie salad and boosts digestion. Why we are suggesting this as a weight loss snack, is because it provides sustained energy for a longer time. This protein-packed snack is rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber – a perfect nutritious choice as an evening snacks for weight loss.
Ingredients
Sprouted moong beans, onion, tomato, cucumber, green chili, lemon juice, coriander leaves, salt.
Roasted Chickpeas or Chana
Crunchy and spicy roasted chickpeas make for delicious and healthy weight-loss snacks. They are made by roasting chickpeas until it becomes crispy, and then often seasoned with spices for added flavor. These weight loss snacks are not only delicious but also promotes satiety, aids in digestion, and supports weight management. Roasted chickpeas are very high in protein and fiber and seasoned with turmeric, cumin, chili powder, and salt.
Ingredients
Cooked chickpeas, olive oil, turmeric powder, cumin powder, chili powder, salt.
Steamed Dhokla
Steamed dhokla is a healthy snacks for weight loss made from besan (gram flour), semolina, yogurt, lemon juice, and fruit salt. It is a traditional Indian snack from Gujarat. It’s steamed to perfection and tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and green chilies. Very little amount of oil gets used to prepare it, so don’t worry about extra fats!
Ingredients
Besan, semolina, yogurt, lemon juice, Eno fruit salt, mustard seeds, curry leaves, green chilies.
Ragi Laddoo
Yes, laddoos and weight loss can go hand in hand! These laddoos are made with ragi flour, jaggery, ghee, desiccated coconut, chopped nuts, and cardamom powder. It is a nutritious and delicious Indian sweet snack item. You will get essential nutrients like calcium, iron, and dietary fiber from these healthy snacks for weight loss.
Ingredients
Ragi flour, jaggery, ghee, desiccated coconut, nuts, cardamom powder.
Poha (Flattened Rice)
Poha is a nutritious food and can be used as a healthy snacks for weight loss. It is made with flattened rice, onions, potatoes, green chilies, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves, turmeric powder, and lemon juice. Poha is rich in carbohydrates, iron, and dietary fiber.
Ingredients
Poha, onion, green chili, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves, peanuts, turmeric powder and potatoes
Makhana (Fox Nuts)
Makhana or fox nuts are a healthy and crunchy snack item. It is derived from the seeds of the lotus plant. Low in calories and high in protein, fiber, and antioxidants, makhana is beneficial for heart health, digestion, and weight management. Lightly roasted fox nuts seasoned with a pinch of salt and spices can be your best evening snacks for weight loss. Roasted makhanas are very easy to make and can be prepared with very little ingredients.
Ingredients
Fox nuts, salt, spices, ghee.
Fresh Fruit Chaat
Healthy fruit chaat is a mix of seasonal organic fruits like apples, bananas, pomegranates, and oranges, sprinkled with chaat masala and lemon juice for a tangy and refreshing snack. This tangy, sweet, and mildly spicy weight loss snack is not only delicious but also packed with essential vitamins and nutrients. It’s perfect as a quick, healthy treat or a colorful addition to any meal.
Ingredients
Apples, bananas, pomegranates, oranges, chaat masala, lemon juice.
Cucumber Raita
It is a cooling and refreshing snack made with organic yogurt, grated cucumber, cumin powder, and salt. It’s very hydrating and rich in probiotics. You can enjoy a bowl of cucumber raita during Summer times. It is even perfect for balancing spicy meals.
Ingredients
Cucumber, yogurt, cumin powder, and black salt.
Bajra (Pearl Millet) Khichdi
Bajra khichdi is a nutritious snack. It is made with pearl millet or bajra, vegetables like carrots and peas, and seasoned with cumin, mustard seeds, and turmeric. It’s high in fiber and other minerals.
Ingredients
Bajra, carrots, peas, beans, capsecum, turmeric powder, cumin seeds, and black salt.
Lentil and Vegetable Soup
It is an Indian snacks for weight loss made with lentils, mixed vegetables, and spices. It’s rich in protein, fiber, and essential nutrients. It is made with lentils and different vegetables.
Ingredients
Lentils, carrots, celery, tomatoes, and spinach, cumin seeds, turmeric powder, salt.
Vegetable Upma
Vegetable upma is made with semolina, mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, beans), mustard seeds, curry leaves, and turmeric powder. It’s a balanced and filling Indian snacks for weight loss. The preparation is also very easy – the semolina is toasted until golden, then cooked with sautéed onions, tomatoes, peas, carrots, and spices like mustard seeds, curry leaves, and turmeric.
Ingredients
Semolina, mixed vegetables, mustard seeds, curry leaves, turmeric powder, salt.
Baked Samosas
We have earlier mentioned that the weight-loss journey is not as boring as you think! Baked samosas are tasty yet healthy. They are filled with a spiced mixture of boiled potatoes, peas, and spices like cumin, coriander, and garam masala. It is a healthier twist on a traditional favorite.
Ingredients
Wheat flour, potatoes, peas, cumin seeds, coriander powder, garam masala, and black salt.
Bhel Puri
Bhel puri is a popular Indian street food snack known for its tangy and crunchy flavors. It is made with puffed rice, boiled potatoes, chopped vegetables, tamarind chutney, and sev. It’s a light and flavorful option as an evening snack for weight loss. Bhel puri is a vibrant, refreshing treat that’s perfect for any time of day.
Ingredients
Puffed rice, onions, tomatoes, tamarind chutney, sev, coriander leaves.
Quinoa Salad
Quinoa salad is a nutritious, versatile dish that features cooked quinoa as its base. It is a protein-rich salad made with cooked quinoa, chopped vegetables (bell peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes), lemon juice, and fresh herbs. This healthy weight loss snack is perfect for a quick meal or as a side dish that provides a satisfying and wholesome food option.
Ingredients
Quinoa, bell peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, lemon juice, herbs.
Jowar (Sorghum) Puffs
It is a light and crispy puff made from jowar (sorghum) flour. These puffs are puffed through a high-heat process. You can season it with a touch of salt and spices. It is gluten-free and rich in fiber. Jowar puffs offer a satisfying crunch while being low in calories.
Ingredients
Jowar, salt, spices.
Spinach and Paneer Tikkis
Pan-fried tikkis are made with spinach, paneer, boiled potatoes, and spices. They are rich in protein and iron. These weight loss snacks are served with yogurt or mint chutney. It is a delicious appetizer or side dish and perfect for adding a healthy touch to any meal.
Ingredients
Spinach, paneer, potatoes, spices, salt.
Oats and Vegetable Chilla
You can make healthy snacks for weight loss with oats and vegetables. These chillas are made with oats, grated vegetables, yogurt, and spices. It’s high in fiber and a great breakfast option.
Ingredients
Oats, vegetables, yogurt, cumin seeds, chili powder, salt.
Masala Corn
Masala corn is a kind of evening snacks for weight loss made with boiled corn kernels and tossed with butter, chaat masala, lemon juice, and chopped coriander leaves. It’s a quick and tasty weight loss snack. You will get vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron, while corn provides fiber, B vitamins, and antioxidants in masala corn.
Ingredients
Corn kernels, butter, chaat masala, lemon juice, coriander leaves.
Sweet Potato Chaat
It is a tangy and spicy chaat made with boiled sweet potatoes, chaat masala, lemon juice, and fresh coriander. This is rich in vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. Sweet potato is a nutritious and satisfying weight loss snack that is perfect as a light meal or appetizer.
Ingredients
Sweet potatoes, chaat masala, lemon juice, coriander leaves.
Lauki (Bottle Gourd) Thepla
Theplas are a kind of flatbread made with grated bottle gourd, whole wheat flour, and spices. This nutritious dish is rich in fiber and vitamins. It is a wholesome option for breakfast or a snack, and pairs well with yogurt or pickles.
Ingredients
Bottle gourd, whole wheat flour, cumin seeds, turmeric powder, salt.
Benefits of Healthy Snacks
Healthy snacks for weight loss are not only meant for taste buds, these weight loss snacks have many health benefits.
Source of nutrients
Best snacks for weight loss provide essential vitamins and minerals that are good for our health. Snacks like fruits, nuts, and yogurt offer a good dose of vitamins A, C, and E, as well as minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
Improves satiety and gives a feeling of fullness
Nutrient-dense healthy snacks for weight loss help to keep you full between meals. It reduces the cravings for overeating. Healthy snacks help in maintaining proper weight and provide you with essential nutrients.
Sustained Energy Levels
Indian snacks for weight loss are rich in protein and fiber. It provides a steady release of energy and helps in maintaining stable blood sugar levels.
Recipe of Some Snacks
Here are the recipes for some healthy snacks for weight loss:
Sprouted Moong Salad
Ingredients:
- Sprouted moong dal
- Chopped onions, cucumber, chilis and coriander leaves
- Salt
- Lemon juice
- Black pepper powder
How to make:
Mix everything in a bowl and spread salt and pepper powder. Squeeze lemon juice and serve.
Roasted Chickpeas (Chana)
Ingredients:
- Chickpeas
- Salt
- Mustard oil
- Chaat masala
How to make:
Dry roast the chickpeas. Add salt, oil and chaat masala. Toss everything well.
Steamed Dhokla
Ingredients:
- Besan or gram flour
- Rava
- Yogurt
- Turmeric powder
- Lemon juice
- Mustard seeds
- Oil
- A few curry leaves
- Chilis
- Chopped coriander leaves
- Grated coconut
- Water
- Salt
How to make:
Mix besan, semolina, yogurt, water, turmeric powder, salt, and lemon juice together. Make a smooth batter. Pour the batter into a greased steaming dish and steam for 15-20 minutes. Check if it is cooked or not with a toothpick.
Now make the tadka. Heat oil and add mustard seeds, curry leaves and green chilies. Pour this tempering over the steamed dhokla. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and grated coconut.
Ragi (Finger Millet) Ladoo
Ingredients:
- Ragi flour
- Jaggery
- Ghee
- Desiccated coconut
- Chopped nuts (almonds, cashews)
- Cardamom powder
How to make:
Roast the nuts in ghee and crush them coarsely. Now dry roast the ragi flour and add jaggery and cardamom powder to it. It will become sticky like paste. Add the crushed nuts. Let it cool and make ladoos.
Poha (Flattened Rice)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup poha (flattened rice)
- Chopped onion, potato, chili and coriander leaves
- Turmeric powder
- Mustard seeds
- Cumin seeds
- Curry leaves
- Lemon juice
- Oil
- Salt
How to make:
Rinse the poha in running water. Don’t keep it under water for a longer time. It may get wet. Stain the water completely. Now fry all the vegetables in a pan. Add salt and turmeric powder. Keep it aside. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil again. Add mustard seeds and curry leaves. Add the poha and stir well. Now add all the fried vegetables. Turn the flame off and add a few drops of lemon juice.
References
- ResearchGate – Nutritional And Medicinal Importance Of Makhana
- International Journal of Home Science – Finger millet (Ragi) as an essential dietary supplement with key health benefits
- National Library of Medicine – A Review of Health-Beneficial Properties of Oats
- ResearchGate – Sweet Potato: Its Nutritional Factor and Health Benefits
