Cornflakes 1, muesli 0, noodles -200: Expert rates India's favourite breakfast
Below, the nutritionist rates some of the most famous Indian breakfasts on how healthy they are:UPMA, DOSA, IDLI (6/10)
(Image: Popular South Indian breakfasts)
Traditionally, South Indian breakfasts are loved by many as they are easy to make and digest. Dr. Chandra explains, 'Homemade food is delicious, but the problem is that it can be an overload of carbohydrates with suji and rice.'CORNFLAKES (-1/10)
(Image: Cornflakes)
The so-called 'quick go-to breakfast' is far from healthy. Cornflakes are highly refined and processed, loaded with sugars, starches, and excess sodium. 'They only look healthy because the people who make them want us to believe so,' says Dr. Chandra.PARATHA SABZI (6/10)
One of the most preferred Indian breakfasts, parantha sabzi can be healthy if made with whole wheat, along with fresh seasonal vegetables or paneer stuffing. As per Dr. Chandra, 'They're tasty, filling, and can keep you energised for hours, but the downside is that they're still quite high in carbohydrates."MUESLI (0/10)
While many people assume muesli is a healthier alternative to cereals, as it looks like a wholesome mix of oats, nuts, and dried fruits, the reality is different. Most packaged varieties are laden with hidden sugars, refined carbohydrates and preservatives, which reduces the nutritional value.'It looks like healthy food, but for your body, it is more like candy cleverly marketed as nutritious,' explains Dr. Chandra. She also says that you can equate it to candy.A BOWL OF FRUITS (5/10)
Fruits are one of the most preferred breakfasts, especially when one wants to keep it 'light and healthy'. While they are indeed rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, they also come with a high dose of natural sugar.'Fruits should be eaten in small servings, preferably after protein like eggs, beans, or yogurt. A whole bowl of fruits alone is not the right breakfast,' Dr. Chandra advises.SKIPPING BREAKFAST (7/10)Skipping breakfast is often seen as unhealthy, but Dr. Chandra argues that it can actually be better than starting the day with processed foods. 'You need to eat just two times a day, and breakfast is the most useless meal that we have,' she says, noting that people with health conditions may need a morning meal.Furthermore, she adds, 'Skipping is not the right term;rather, it's about not eating breakfast and instead having a meal when your body truly needs it. That is the right approach."advertisementBOILED EGGS (8/10)
Eggs topped her list as they provide high-quality protein along with essential vitamins and minerals that support overall health. Eggs are one of the most nutritious foods, best enjoyed boiled, whether soft-boiled, hard-boiled, or poached."They are an excellent source of protein and micronutrients, and the yolk, in particular, is extremely valuable and should not be discarded,' emphasises Dr. Chandra.MAGGI/INSTANT NOODLES (-200/10)
Easy to make and often preferred by the young men as a breakfast meal can be more dangerous for the health than it seems. "They are not even food, rather just a mix of maida, artificial colours, flavours, and chemicals. Calling them breakfast is misleading; they are nothing but poison for the body," she warns.advertisementPANCAKES (1 to 8/10)
Pancakes are a breakfast favourite for many, but their health value depends entirely on how they're made. If you prepare them with lentils, ragi, or buckwheat and vegetables, they are a great option. But maida pancakes with syrup, or waffles, are amongst the worst," says Dr. Chandra. She rates 8 out 10 for pancakes made from lentils, wheat, and beans, but 1 for the maida-made pancakes.What we consume for breakfast is really important, but what you eat in the morning matters less than how nutrient-dense and balanced your first meal is.Like Dr. Chandra concludes, "Breakfast should never be about myths; it should be about what your body truly needs."- Article by Priyanka Palta- Ends
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