Is Pav Bhaji Good For Weight Loss? – Pav Bhaji is the most popular street food in India that originated in Mumbai and is now famous all over India. A must-try Maharashtrian meal, pav bhaji combines two ingredients: bhaji, a spicy side dish made with mashed veggies and spice, and pav, a soft, buttered bread roll. Generally, it is known as a street food but is also made in numerous homes for breakfast. But various people’s thoughts are: Is Pav Bhaji Good For Weight Loss? So we made this blog for you so, let’s explore the information regarding Eating Pav Bhaji is Good During Weight Loss.
We suggested that eating pav bhaji is a great part of a healthy weight loss plan but if you consume a small portion of pav bhaji. You know a large pav bhaji plate serving can have more than 600 to 900 calories. Thus, taking a small portion of pav bhaji for your daily calories is important. We understand that eating one dish makes it difficult to reach your fitness goals. However, consuming a small portion of pav bhaji and adding other healthy food items such as green vegetables, pulses, and legumes can make it effective during your weight loss.
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Is Pav Bhaji Good For Health?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. We know pav bhaji is undoubtedly one of India’s most popular street snacks, but eating frequently is not healthy. The bhaji is a source of harmful fats because it is usually made with large amounts of butter and ghee. Pav is also made with maida (refined wheat flour), so, pavs that go with it are likewise in this category. While eating pav bhaji will certainly please your palate, eating it frequently can cause several health problems, such as weight gain and elevated cholesterol.
Easy Ways to Make Pav Bhaji Healthier
Here we mention some tips and ways to make pav bhaji healthier during weight loss.
Reduce the Butter
You can make pav bhaji without butter. We know it may not sound exciting but if you want to prioritize your health then you need to reduce excess butter. You can consider a small amount of ghee or butter you typically use. Even though it’s not as decadent, it’s still satisfying to know that you’re eating a lot fewer calories than you would from your typical pav bhaji lunch.
Adding More Vegetables
It is a good choice during your weight loss journey. You can add various healthy veggies to boost its nutrient content. When you make pav bhaji at home then add more veggies that make it a healthier choice by adding more fiber to your diet. You can veggies like carrots, peas, and bell peppers while skipping adding potatoes to the bhaji. You can add more vegetables instead of adding potatoes.
Opt for Whole Wheat pavs
You can choose wheat pavs instead of using maida pavs. The pavs served with bhaji are usually made with all-purpose flour which is not a healthier option. Maida can lead to overeating and is deficient in important nutrients. Whole wheat (atta) pavs are a superior option. They keep all the nutrients and have a high fiber content. Try creating them at home from scratch if you can.
Cut back on salt
Excessive consumption of salt can lead to various health issues such as high blood pressure and so on. Therefore it is crucial to be mindful of the amount you use in pav bhaji. Add salt according to your taste while making pav bhaji and avoid overdoing it. So, if you find it insufficient then you can add lemon juice to adjust the bhaji.
Serve with salad
Pav bhaji is a famous street food when it is served with pav but you can enhance the nutritional value by adding salad on the side. This will lessen your desire to eat additional pavs or bhaji and help you feel fuller faster. For healthier craving satisfaction, it’s a win-win scenario.
Nutritional Value of Pav Bhaji for Weight Loss
Here we mention the nutritional value of 100-gram pav bhaji masala.
Nutrient | Daily Measure |
Calories | 445 |
Protein | 12.6 gm |
Fat | 25.9 gm |
Total carbohydrates | 43 gm |
Fibre | 8.9 gm |
Trans fat | 0 gm |
Saturated fat | 3.75 gm |
Iron | 4.3 gm |
Unsaturated fat | 22 gm |
Monounsaturated fat | 3.75 gm |
Vitamin A | 450 mcg |
Sodium | 3.20 gm |
Cholesterol | 0 gm |
Calcium | 435 gm |
Sugar | 0 gm |
Vitamin C | 1.25 gm |
Health Benefits of Pav Bhaji For Weight Loss
As we said above Pav bhaji is a popular street food which you can prepare with various vegetables and spices and served with pav. Generally, it is a Mumbai street food that is famous for its delicious taste and indulgent nature. It may not seem like a good choice for weight loss but when you prepare it with certain modifications and consume it in moderation it is a healthier choice for you. You know pav bhaji can offer various health benefits and also support your weight loss efforts. Here we mention some health benefits of eating pav bhaji.
High in fiber – Pav bhaji is made with various vegetables such as potatoes, peas, carrots, bell peppers, and tomatoes. These are rich in dietary fiber. So it can include a high fiber diet and aids digestion, also promoting feelings of fullness.
Low in Calories – We know pav bhaji is made with butter and oil but you can control the amount of ghee and butter to reduce calories. Adding vegetables to pav bhaji keeps the calorie count relatively low as compared to other fast foods.
Rich in vitamins and minerals – Adding various vegetables to pav bhaji makes it a healthier choice and also enhances the number of essential vitamins and minerals. It includes vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, folate potassium, and magnesium.
Antioxidant-Rich – Pav Bhaji is made with vegetables like tomatoes and bell peppers that are rich in antioxidants that help to combat oxidative stress, and reduce inflammation. It promotes healthy body function, which can help with weight loss by supporting overall cellular health.
Nutrient Dense – About its calorie level, pav bhaji is a nutrient-dense food, meaning it offers a good number of nutrients. This characteristic guarantees that you consume a range of vital nutrients while controlling your caloric consumption.
Good source of complex carbohydrates – The carbohydrate content of pav bhaji is influenced by the pav (bread rolls). Whole wheat pav’s complex carbs can promote weight loss attempts by preventing cravings and offering lasting energy, whereas simple carbohydrates should be eaten in moderation.
Source of Protein – Even though pav bhaji has a moderate protein level, adding protein-rich items like lentils or beans might improve it. Additionally, by boosting metabolism, protein helps preserve lean muscle mass, encourages satiety, and aids in weight loss.
Low in Unhealthy fats – You can make pav bhaji with low oil and butter so you can keep the dish in unhealthy fats. When attempting to reduce weight, it’s crucial to remember that some fats are essential for the absorption of specific vitamins therefore rating those fats in moderation is necessary for health.
Provides essential amino acids – When you add lentils or legumes in pav bhaji then they not only boost the protein but also enhance the essential amino acids to the dish. Your amino acids are the building blocks of protein and play a crucial role in numerous body functions.
Conclusion
If you make pav bhaji carefully then you can add Pav Bhaji in a diet plan for weight loss. You can make this well-liked dish healthier by using whole wheat pav or avoiding it completely, using less butter, and adding lots of veggies to the bhaji. But, like with any cuisine, the secret to reaching weight loss objectives is controlling portion sizes and striking a balance with other nutrient-dense meals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question 1 – Is pav bhaji healthy?
Answer – No eating pav bhaji is not healthy during the weight loss journey but when you prepare with certain modifications then you make a healthy version of pav bhaji. By adding more veggies and whole grain pav you can make pav bhaji an ideal choice for weight loss.
Question 2 – Is consuming healthy pav bhaji for weight loss effective?
Answer – Yes, eating healthy pav bhaji for weight loss can be a healthy choice. If you use less butter and whole grain bread you can make a healthy pav bhaji and consume it as a weight loss diet.
Question 3 – Why is pav bhaji healthy?
Answer – Pav bhaji contains many vegetables like peas, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, and capsicum which are rich in essential vitamins and minerals. Vegetables are also rich in fiber which is good for the digestive system.
Question 4 – Is pav bhaji healthy for weight loss?
Answer—Yes, if you make pav bhaji with less butter and oil. Because pav bhaji normally contains too many calories, you can modify its preparations and add more veggies to make it fiber-rich.