Lose Weight Without Giving Up Your Favourite Rajma Chawal: Super Tips That Work

While Rajma or kidney beans are superfood, eating Rajma rice as a dish, despite being a favourite of many, is thought to lead to weight gain. The delicious, lip-smacking dish is undoubtedly one of the

most loved Indian meals of all! Loaded with protein, iron, and carbohydrates, rajma rice is said to be a perfect combination of grains and legumes. However, you can still lose weight and it will not derail your fitness journey as well, according to nutritionist Dr Shilpa Arora When on a healthy diet, most people ignore high-carb foods like rajma chawal- but Dr Arora has some tricks that will let you enjoy the food as well as not feel guilty about it. “You can enjoy your favourite rajma chawal also to lose weight, let me tell you how,” she told her followers on Instagram.

How to lose weight while eating rajma chawal?

According to Dr Arora, you need to follow these simple tricks while savouring the dish:

Portion control

“Never fill your plate to the brim when taking rajma chawal,” she said. Portion control is one of the best ways to maintain a healthy weight. It not only keeps a check on the quantity of food you put inside your body, but also ensures that you consume the food in moderation. “Just take one small bowl of rice and an equal quantity of rajma,” suggested Dr Arora. The key is not to indulge in overeating. Apart from eating on a small plate, always make sure to measure your portions, eat slowly, and chew your food properly. This will help you eat your favourite food, without jeopardising your weight loss goals.

Use your hands to eat

“Always eat rajma and rice with your hands,” she said. According to Dr Arora, your fingers have nerve endings, and when you mix them with your hands, you begin to salivate. “All that are digestive enzymes, which help prevent acidity,” she said.

Always keep a protein dish along

Whenever you eat rajma rice, make sure to have a side dish that is a major source of protein. You can either take some chana salad, tofu, paneer, or even roasted chicken along.

Choose your rice properly

Another easy and delicious way to enjoy rajma rice without influencing your weight is by selecting a healthier version of rice. And so, if you are on a diet, make sure to choose brown rice as it is a healthier choice for weight loss. It has more nutrients, contains more fibre, and antioxidant properties.

Always take a salad along

While the dish is packed with simple carbs – it will get digested easily and quickly – leaving you hungry. So, to avoid eating junk thereafter, it is better to also pair a big bowl of salad along with your rajma rice to curb cravings for a longer time. Salad also provides you with additional nutrients like protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Exercise

Before you consume a heavy meal like rajma chawal, make sure to work out, but you should allow a waiting period to avoid digestive issues and discomfort. Exercising on a full stomach can cause nausea, bloating, and cramping because blood is diverted from digestion to your muscles. A general guideline is to wait 2 to 3 hours after a heavy meal before exercising, and the timing can be shorter for a lighter meal.