Dhokla is a traditional Indian food made from a fermented batter of legumes like chickpeas, pigeon peas, urad, and rice. It is steamed and then served with a variety of chutneys or sauces. It is popular street food in India and serves as a snack or appetizer in many restaurants.
Despite its popularity, there is little research on the health effects of Dhokla. This lack of research means that the health benefits of Dhokla are not well-established.
Therefore one question that many people ask is whether Dhokla is healthy.
From being high in protein and fiber to improving your brain health to managing your blood pressure levels, Dhokla is good for your health in many ways.
In this post, I have compiled a list of 8 Reasons why Dhokla is healthy for you
Also read: Is Soya Chaap Healthy? 6 Benefits You Need To Know
What is Dhokla?
Dhokla comes from the Gujarat region of India, where it is often served as a snack or breakfast.
It is delicious and often believed to be a healthy alternative to traditional Indian Snacks such as samosa, kachori, jalebi, and pakoda.
It can be made in various ways, but the most common method is to steam it in a special dhokla maker.
Dhokla is typically flavored with salt, chili peppers, and ginger and is often topped with cumin seeds and green chilies.
Some of the most popular types of dhokla that you can find or make include:
- Khandavi dhokla
- Toor dal dhokla
- Rava dhokla
- Rasia dhokla
- Khatta dhokla
- Khaman dhokla
- Meetha dhokla
- Khatta dhokla
One of the best things about Dhokla is that it’s a versatile snack you can make with any base ingredients. For example, If you don’t love besan, you can use rice flour, chana dal, or semolina.
Now, let’s see why Dhokla is healthy for you.
8 Reasons Dhokla is healthy for you
1. High in protein
The first reason Dhokla is healthy to include in your diet is its high protein content.
On average, a single piece of Dhokla can have about 3-4g of protein which is a significant amount compared to other unhealthy snacks.
The high protein content makes it an excellent option for vegetarians and vegans looking for a nutritious snack.
Eating a single plate with 4 pieces of Dhokla can provide you with upto 25% daily value of protein for sedentary men and 30% for sedentary women.
2. Easier to digest
The main problem with street-side snacks is that they are often hard to digest, and that’s because they are made with maida, which lacks essential nutrients such as fiber.
Dhokla is made from gram flour and therefore is a good source of dietary fiber, containing upto 2.5g per piece. On average, eating just 4 dhoklas can provide you with 10g of fiber which is 40% of the daily fiber recommended.
The fiber in your food makes it easy to digest, keeps your digestive system healthy, and promotes regularity. It also prevents digestive disorders such as constipation and hemorrhoids.
Also read: 8 Benefits Of Dosa That Makes It An Incredibly Healthy Dish
3. Good for gut health
Fermented foods are becoming more popular as people learn about their many benefits.
Dhokla is a Fermented food rich in probiotics, which are live bacteria that can have positive health effects.
These bacteria can improve gut health, boost immunity, and even help lose weight.
In addition, fermented food improves the bioavailability of nutrients in food. When food is fermented, digestion begins before the food is even eaten. This allows the body to absorb the nutrients in the food more efficiently.
4. Good for weight loss
Dhokla is low in fat and calories and, therefore, a good snack for weight loss.
A single piece of Dhokla can contain anywhere between 60 to 100 calories based on ingredients, which is significantly low compared to other unhealthy snacks.
Dhokla is steamed, making it a healthier option than deep-fried snacks such as samosas and kachori.
Additionally, Dhokla is rich in dietary fiber, which helps to keep you feeling full for longer and aids in weight loss.
5. Good for diabetics
The streets are full of unhealthy snacks that are not good for people with diabetes. These snacks are often high in sugar or made from unhealthy ingredients such as maida.
Dhokla is good for diabetics because it is low in glycemic index (GI) and is high in fiber.
Fiber helps regulate blood sugar levels by slowing down glucose absorption into the bloodstream.
However, these days, Dhokla found in streets is loaded with sugar syrup which you should avoid, especially if you have diabetes. In this case, homemade Dhokla is the best option for you.
Also read: Are Momos healthy? 9 Big Reasons To Avoid This Street Food
6. Manages your blood pressure levels
The main culprit behind Elevated blood pressure levels in people is salt which is often present in high amounts in many snacks these days.
Dhokla is low in salt containing just 10-15mg in one piece. Additionally, being made from chickpea flour or besan, Dhokla is a good source of potassium that helps manage blood pressure levels.
Potassium helps to counteract the effects of sodium by expelling the extra sodium in your body through your urine.
7. Good for brain health
Being made from chickpeas, Dhokla is a good source of choline, a nutrient essential for brain health.
Choline helps to support the structure of cell membranes and helps to protect the brain from damage.
8. Gluten-free
One of the good things about Dhokla is that it’s gluten-free and can be enjoyed by anyone.
This is not good news only for people with gluten intolerance but also for those looking to lose weight and improve gut health and digestion.
Final words
Dhokla is a delicious and healthy option to include in your breakfast, snack, or main course. Made from a fermented batter of chickpea flour and rice flour, Dhokla is healthy and flavorful.
So next time you’re looking for a guilt-free snacking or breakfast option, give Dhokla a try!
