Meat curries, sabzi, and rice, all bursting with spices and colors, are believed to make up an iconic Pakistani meal. While most of us are interested in western diets, we are unaware that our own ethnic Pakistani Food Houston is one of the healthiest.
Some Interesting Facts
Almost every food cooked in a Pakistani home requires the use of a variety of spices. Turmeric, coriander, and ginger are common spices that not only provide flavor to food but also aid in the treatment of disorders including stomach aches, flu, bloating, gas, indigestion, and diarrhea. Cardamom is another spice abundant in our cuisine that aids in the treatment of a variety of digestive issues.
Chapatti
Pakistani roti, often known as chapatti, is a popular Pakistani Food in Houston. Traditionally, wheat flour happens to make Rotis. However, multigrain flour with an equal mix of wheat, jawar, bajra, and barley is now available on the market. Because each of these ingredients is high in fiber, roti is beneficial for maintaining regular bowel motions. It provides a lot of energy because it is high in nutritious carbs. Both chapattis and parathas are made of flour. However, chapattis are roasted and parathas are cooked using oil, ghee, or butter. If you want to lose weight, avoid parathas and replace them with roti.
Rice
We have a particular fondness for the grain, particularly the white variety. According to the US Department of Agriculture, consuming steamed white rice helps increase zinc intake, which is an essential mineral. Zinc is required for the function of proteins that govern gene activity, support tissue structure, and promote metabolism. Incorporating white rice into your diet will also provide you with a considerable amount of manganese. Manganese, like zinc, activates a number of proteins that are essential for cell activity. It allows the body to get energy from food, increases collagen formation to aid wound healing, and functions as an antioxidant to protect cells from damage.
Masala Veggies
Chickpeas, which are commonly used in sabzi, daal, and salads, are high in fiber, zinc, folate, and protein. Masala veggies make a nutritious addition to the Pakistani diet. Pakistani cuisine extensively utilizes superfoods such as spinach and tomatoes. It provides high levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Similarly, many of our traditional sauces and condiments, such as saag aloo and aloo gobi, are vegetable-based. The addition of vegetables makes them a healthier option because they don’t contain cream or cheese.
Laal Mirchi
Laal Mirch, a staple of Pakistani cuisine, provides numerous health benefits. According to a recent study published in the journal Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care, eating spicy foods on a regular basis accelerates your metabolism and helps you burn more fat. Red chilies contain the chemical component capsaicin, which possesses antibacterial, anti-carcinogenic, analgesic, and anti-diabetic activities in a hundred grammes. They’re also high in Vitamins A, B, and C, as well as a variety of phytonutrients. Who knew that chapatti Pakistani khaana could also be a healthy weight-loss option?
Dahi
Dahi or yoghurt is high in probiotics, or “good bacteria.” Yogurt is helpful for the digestive system because it contains natural bacteria that aid digestion. The popular Pakistani mint raita, made with natural yoghurt, cucumber, and mint, is a calcium-rich and low-fat alternative to mayonnaise-based sauces. It also contains healthful carbs and proteins that help the body’s immune system function better. Lactose intolerance, constipation, diarrheal illnesses, colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, Helicobacter pylori infection, and allergies, according to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, yoghurt consumption showed promise health advantages for certain gastrointestinal conditions.
Chicken Tikka
Chicken tikka is the one Pakistani Food Houston, that everyone seems to be dying to try, and for good reason. Not only does chicken tikka taste delicious, but it’s also low in fat. Because it is grilled. So, you can eat more than your fair share without feeling guilty about your expanding waistline!
Spicy Meals
We all know that traditional Pakistani food is full of spices and flavors, but you may not realize how beneficial these spices can be to your health. A hot, spicy meal can cleanse your sinuses and help you fight off more serious illnesses like the flu or stomach issues. Spices like turmeric and cardamom can help with gastrointestinal problems, while diarrhea and bloating can also be treated with Pakistani spices.
Palak Paneer
Palak Paneer is an amazing Pakistani dish. Almost every Pakistani loves it. It is not only wholesome in taste but also rich in nutrients. Magnesium, folate, vitamin A, vitamin K, potassium, calcium, and many more nutrients can be found in this dish. ‘Because palak paneer is high in calcium and phosphorus, it aids heart and muscle function,’ adds Nutritionist Priya. Cottage cheese contains vitamins B2 and B12, which help transform food into useful energy, according to Priya. Imagine getting a lot of nutrients from a single dish! If you’re following a vegetarian diet, this delectable dish should be on your menu.
Typically, the meal service occurs with chapatti or naan.
Aloo Baingan
Aloo baingan or Potato brinjal curry is another power pack Pakistani recipe. The calorie content of one bowl of aloo baingan sabzi is only 120 calories, making it great for calorie-conscious consumers! It’s a healthy dish with a well-balanced blend of protein, fiber, carbs, and fat that can be enjoyed guilt-free! The eggplant is a superfood that is high in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, K, B6, thiamine, niacin, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, copper, fiber, folic acid, potassium, and many others.
This high vitamin and mineral content of eggplant provides numerous health benefits, including improved digestion, heart health, cancer prevention, bone health, anemia prevention, and improved brain function. Fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6 are all present in abundance in the potatoes used in this dish. Potatoes have a high fiber content, which helps lower blood cholesterol levels and thus supports a healthy heart. Try this delectable Pakistani Food Houston, to boost your nutritional intake.