Some like to start their day with a plate of fried food and a rack of toast. Others like pancakes or brightly coloured cereal. Those with an eye towards health might consider muesli, porridge or fruit.
As we know, breakfast is the most important meal of the day and choosing the right option to give you enough energy to sustain you through to lunchtime, without going over-the-top with sugar and excessive calories, is key. So, rather than simply boiling an egg or reaching for the cornflakes, perhaps you could look to India for some new breakfast inspiration?
Here are a selection of healthy Indian breakfast suggestions that are easy to make or prepare, as well as give you a new perspective on your mornings!
- Idli
These steamed rice cakes offer a breakfast packed full of vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates that is popular throughout India. As they are made by steaming a batter of fermented black lentils and rice, and if prepared without oil or masala, they can be a very healthy choice. While Idli are mostly considered savoury, accompanied with chutneys or a sambar stew, you could also serve them with honey, Nutella or peanut butter.
- Upma
A South Indian favourite, this dish is made by mixing and cooking roasted semolina and sautéed vegetables in water to make a thick, porridge-like consistency. The additions of green chillies to the recipe mean it might not the first choice for everyone but all the veggies mean plenty of vitamins, iron and carbohydrates to start your day off on the right foot!
- Daliya
In many parts of the world, most expect their cereal to come from a box with a cartoon character on the front. In North India especially, they’ll enjoy daliya – a cereal made from whole wheat grits or broken wheat that can either be savoury (with carrots, potatoes, onions, ginger and so on) or sweet, as a dalia kheer (made with milk, sugar almonds and raisins). Both offer complex carbohydrates for slow releasing energy to get you through the morning, with a high fibre content to keep your digestive system healthy.
- Khakra
Originating from the Gujarat, khakras are thin, crispy flatbreads made from mat bean, wheat flour and oil. These tasty crackers are extremely versatile and can be used as chips with a dip, or topped with other ingredients. Depending on your taste, this could be everything from rice to fenugreek to chocolate. Khakra can be made with whole wheat to make them healthier and made in batches to store for later in the week, or when hunger strikes.
- Sabudana Kichdi
Containing lots of starch and carbohydrates but very little fat, sabudana (also known as sago or tapioca pearls) is often used to give Indians an energy boost for breaking fasts during religious festivals. As with many Indian recipes, there are a great many variations you can make to suit your taste, but many include potato, crushed peanuts, grated coconuts and lemon juice.
Indian food is great for breakfast, but arguably even more enjoyable for an evening meal! Don’t forget to explore the exciting menus of some of London’s best Indian restaurants for an authentic dining experience.