Healthy Breakfast Poha Recipe is a much-loved delicious breakfast prepared differently in different parts of India.
Poha is originally a Maharashtrian breakfast, but its flavor traveled in all different directions and has attracted people from all walks of life.
Poha is considered to be one of the lightest and healthy breakfast. In this article, we are going to check why Healthy Breakfast Poha is so popular!
Healthy Breakfast Poha Recipe – What people say?
People who ate healthy breakfast Poha every day reported that they:
- Had developed a clearer skin
- Got thinner waistline within a week
- Feet fuller
- Were not deprived you of any nutrients
And the ease of making this quick breakfast recipe is an added bonus for those who love eating Poha Recipe.
What is Poha?
Rice grains are parboiled, rolled and flattened. Then they are dried and that’s how we get Poha flakes. Two types of Poha flakes are available -
- Thin Poha
- Thick Poha
Depending on the pressure used while flattening the rice these two different types are produced. Different recipes use different types of Poha in them.
Benefits of Flattened Rice
Flattened rice is incredibly healthy, that’s why it is considered as the perfect breakfast food. It is-
Rich in Carbohydrates
Easily digestible
Low in calories
Rich in Iron
Benefits of eating healthy breakfast Poha
Controls Blood Sugar Levels
Poha is considered a good meal for diabetics. Being rich in fibre, it prevents sudden rise in blood sugar, by releasing the sugar slowly in the bloodstream.
A Good Probiotic
Since flattened rice is made by parboiling paddy and then drying it out in the sun, the finished product after fermentation retains the essential microbes from the partially digested carbs and proteins, which is healthy for the gut.
Prevents bloating
Poha is light on the stomach and can be easily digested. It will never cause bloating and will also make you feel fuller for longer.
Gluten-free
People who are sensitive to Gluten and cannot have wheat/barley can enjoy Poha since its Gluten-free!
What is Poha made of?
Poha is made of flattened rice, spices, peanuts and onions.
To make it healthier and balanced you may add different veggies like carrot, peas or capsicum. It is generally topped with freshly grated coconut, crunchy peanuts, sev or farsan.
Poha is prepared in different regions using different ingredients and that is why it has many variations!
Delicious Poha Recipes
1. Kanda Batata Poha Recipe
This tangy, spicy Maharashtrian dish has gained national fame with small local variations being made in other states too. The sweet blandness of the mashed potato combines beautifully with the spicy fried onions and crunchy peanuts.
In Maharashtra, people generally add potatoes as well whereas, in Indore, the use of Fennel seeds makes it very distinct in flavor from the Maharashtrian version.2. Tamarind Poha Recipe
This dish is made in Tamil households, especially during puja when the use of onions is prohibited. However, it is equally delightful and uses a variety of spices! In fact, it tastes a lot like tamarind rice.
3. Chivda
Chivda (chiwda) is specially made during Diwali. It is a savoury-sweet or spicy mixture. This recipe makes use of thick Poha or aval (flattened rice), dry fruits, spices and is a Maharashtrian version.
4. Poha Kheer Recipe
Poha Kheer is made with Poha, nuts, dry fruits coconut milk or cow's milk. It is simple with fewer ingredients and it takes only 15 minutes to make!
It can be served as a dessert or as a quick evening snack. It is highly advisable for babies above 8 months old.5. Atukula laddoos
This dish is largely made in South India during festivals using Atukul(flattened rice-as known in Andhra Pradesh). It is a hassle-free recipe and doesn’t include complicated sugar syrups!
6. Gopalkala
Gopalkala or Dahikala is offered to Lord Krishna on Janmashtami.
Made using beaten rice, curd/milk, sugar, pomegranate, chilli, pickle and coriander it's nutritious & healthy. One can have it as an evening snack, mid-meal or even a pre-workout meal.Note
If your diet restricts the consumption of carbohydrates, then you may avoid eating Poha. Also, if you have a sensitive stomach, DO NOT eat Poha along with Tea as this can cause acidity.
To avoid this, you can eat healthy breakfast Poha with curd or buttermilk. This would surely relieve your stomach!
Poha vs. Oats
Nowadays, due to the ever-increasing influence of Western culture on our Indian culture, people are getting more and more detached from traditional Indian food.
Foreign companies glorify their products in such a way that people are always eager to adopt them.
One such product is Oats.
Are you one of these people? Then you should definitely read further!
Oats only consist of fibres and lack in nutritional value whereas Poha in itself is a wholesome meal rich in Iron, Vitamins and carbs!
Oats can cause gas and bloating while on the other hand, Poha makes you feel light!
Oats are harmful to diabetic people whereas Poha is considered to be a Super Food for the diabetic!
Oats lead to swelling of the stomach and severe gastric issues whereas eating healthy breakfast Poha does not lead to such problems and can be enjoyed without worry!
Most importantly, Poha is available easily and is local. It has been tried and tested by our ancestors over many generations.
Therefore we should adopt traditional eating habits and say NO to Western food!
Poha vs. Rice
Poha is found to be healthier than rice!
It contains less sugar, starch and carbs as compared to rice.
Flattened rice is richer in Iron as compared to rice. You may want to squeeze a bit of lemon juice in your bowl of healthy breakfast Poha to help your body absorb the iron better.
White rice does not aid weight loss whereas it is scientifically proven that Poha helps a great deal in weight loss!
Is Poha healthy for weight loss?
Poha is not only a wholesome meal but it also appeals to the taste buds, thanks to its rich taste. In addition to being one of the healthiest breakfast options, it can also aid your weight loss journey.
Beaten rice is not only easy to digest, but it also keeps you feeling full for a long duration of time. The slow and steady release of sugar in the bloodstream decreases the feeling of emptiness in the stomach.
If you are watching your weight, it is advisable to leave out potatoes and peanuts from your preparation. Instead add onion, green chilli, tomatoes and other vegetables.
Being rich in dietary fibers, it makes it a perfect choice for weight watchers!
When you have Poha in the morning, it helps in curbing untimely hunger pangs which in turn prevents you from overeating throughout the day.
Poha will help you in fighting the battle of the bulge!
It just gets better and better, doesn't it?
Now, is Poha a good choice for dinner? Definitely yes!
But you need to ensure that you eat a wise portion size, otherwise, it may turn into fat! You need to burn the carbs and extra energy which you consume while eating Poha for dinner during the day.
Unused energy that is stored in your body for a long period of time is bad as it affects your metabolism!
However, if you’ve already had Poha for breakfast, better to eat something else for dinner to vary the nutrient profile.
Poha Nutritional Index
One plate of Poha gives us 180 calories. Out of which carbs consist of 100 calories, proteins account for 9 calories and remaining come from fat.
One plate of Poha provides about 9% of the total daily calorie requirement of a standard adult diet of 2,000 calories.
Poha helps us accomplish nearly 5% of our Potassium requirement which controls blood pressure and helps in sustaining cardiac health.
Peanuts contain Vitamin B1 and are rich in Protein. These monounsaturated fats won’t spike your sugar levels and are good for diabetes.
Onions are great antioxidants and also boost your immune system!
On a Final Note
Some people still raise this question- “Is Poha bad for health?”
As quoted by India’s leading nutrition and exercise science expert, Rujuta Diwekar-
“The staples in our diets are the superfoods. In a diverse country like ours, we must strive to achieve diversity in our diet so that not just the health of our bodies, but those of our local economies, too, improve and, in turn, help the global ecology”
Simply giving up Poha, dosa and parantha for a bowl of oats is not sensible.
We should reap the benefits of our ancient food culture and not get influenced by Western food!
Amit Burman, Vice-chairman, Dabur once said-
“I feel poha should be our national dish, for one, it’s consumed in most parts of India; is liked by one and all, and is easily digestible. But most importantly, it’s healthy, packed with energy and helps in weight management too.”
Our take- Can’t disagree!
Welcome to the world of healthy eating! Enjoy Poha Recipes.