Believe it or not, there are actual health benefits of kachori, a popular tea-time snack from India. This is great news for the fans of this spiced, fried bread because many people are still avoiding it for many health reasons. But don’t rush yourself right now, find out more facts and health benefits of it here, and how you can control all the goodness in a single bite.
First off, let’s find out what kachori is and the nutritional value of kachoriÂ
Generally, it is made out of a round flattened dough, then filled with a variety of local spices such as cumin, urag dal, cinnamon, chili powder, black pepper, and more. Some also fill it with chicken meat or vegetables.
With all the ingredients combined, let’s measure the nutrition values. A piece of regular-sized kachori contains 68 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, 2.46 grams of protein, 2.1 grams of fiber, and 8.92 grams of carbs. Now, you can quickly tell how much calories you gain for every time you eat it.
Four to six pieces at one time could net you 272 to 408 calories, which is a lot. And because people tend to eat kachori more than one times per day on a daily basis, that could lead to health issues such as sore throat, diabetes, and heart disease. You may also read about Health Benefits of Bhel Puri
How do you find the health benefits of kachori, then?
Despite the negativity, kachori is not without some beneficial health benefits. First of all, the spices packed within it are natural heat source for your body, perfect for rainy or cold days. Also, the onions used for the filling mixture are full of vitamin c, antioxidants, and Quercetin. You may also read about Health Benefits of Kathi Roll
And last but not least, kachori contains more fiber than rice. This could improve your digestive system and maintain your satiation for a longer time.
And the good news is, you can improve the health benefits of kachori even better!
Because kachori is simple and easy to cook, you can make some at home. In fact, it is very recommended for you to make it yourself in order to improve the health benefits of kachori and reduce its harmful effects. How?
First, replace the plain flour for the dough
Plain flour is packed with more carbs but less micronutrients. To improve the health benefits, replace it with wholegrain wheat flour. Not only does it give a more distinct texture, but also brings more micronutrients for your body, namely fiber, zinc, calcium, and vitamins. You may also read about Health Benefits of Pani Puri
Then, bake it instead of deep-fry it
The excessive oil absorbed from deep-frying the kachori is the main source of trans fat. Therefore, try baking it instead to reduce the total amount of trans fat and calorie.
Finally, dip it with a homemade mint chutney
Mint chutney is a traditional Indian dipping sauce, packed with antioxidants to further reduce the amount of calorie. It’s also easy to make and a perfect match for kachori. You may also read about List of Aromatic Herbs in India and Health Benefits
But remember, no matter how much you can improve the health benefits of kachori, always remember to not overconsume it. If possible, only consume 2 to 3 pieces one time, and not more than twice per day. To sum it up, stay healthy and happy with kachori.