5 Indian diet myths you need to stop believing in for your health

The Indian diet is considered to be one of the healthiest in the world, and while that is partially true, one also needs to take into account all the elements of what is on your plate, and not just one particular dish. For example, the Indian diet is usually quite carbohydrate heavy, so one needs to balance it out with enough fibre and protein as well, to make it a wholesome meal. This apart, here are some Indian diet myths you need to stop believing in..

A bowl of daal has only 6-8 grams of protein, which is not even 1/3rd of your daily protein requirement. While legumes in itself are great and tasty, they are an incomplete source of protein, and should be treated that way. To up your protein intake, increase your consumption of paneer, eggs, lean meats and even supplements if you need to, but don't rely on legumes only.

This includes all your breads, biscuits etc. Brown is simply a color that is added to the bread to make it appear healthier, but in reality, it is as bad as the white, refined flour version. On the other hand, even the 'wheat bread' contains only 10-20% of wheat, and the rest is the refined version. If you really want to enjoy bread, pick something that says 100% wheat, and lists it as the first ingredient. In essence, any bread, like a sourdough one, that has a shelf life of only 2-3 days should be okay.

Milk contains only a small amount of calcium. To make matters worse, milk is highly adulterated these days making it unfit for consumption, especially for growing children. To cover your calcium needs, consume leafy greens, ragi atta, sesame seeds and other supplements, but do not rely on milk, or dairy products.

While olive oil is healthy on its own, it is not considered ideal for Indian dishes, especially those that require some amount of frying and sauteing. Olive oil has a low smoking point, which means it cannot handle heat, making it fit for only dips, salads, pastas etc. For other stuff, use oils like mustard, coconut, or even sunflower, but make sure it is pure and cold pressed.

Weight gain is caused by excess calories, not rice. What you actually need to do is to lower your calorie intake, and within that you can enjoy everything and anything in moderation. Portion control is something you need to do, and that is true for any carb you consume, be it chapati, rice or bread. Start off by limiting the quantity of your carb portion, and increasing your vegetables and protein.