The Khichdi recipe is highly popular in India and is basically a combination of rice and lentils which ultimately helps in giving the right mix of carbohydrates, dietary fibers, and proteins. We generally have a tendency of consuming rice and chapati as our main course and generally tend to forget about khichdi. Until and unless our doctors prescribe us to go for khichdi when we are having digestion problems or liver issues.
Khichdi is known as the recipe which is consumed during any pujas or when we are recovering from any disease. But today you will be shocked to know the several health benefits of eating khichdi on a regular basis. So, let’s begin.
1. Khichdi is power-packed with nutrition
Khichdi is indeed a high nutritional food. Such high nutritional value is not expected from a combination of 2 or 3 food items. This compact meal of Khichdi consists of balanced macronutrients including protein, carbohydrate, dietary fiber, healthy fats which are highly required for your body.
Khichdi is basically prepared by the combination of two food items, white rice or brown rice and lentils. You can also add turmeric powder and salt as spices. This combination provides you with the following nutrients.
- Carbohydrates – from both rice and lentils
- Dietary fiber and Protein from lentils
- 9 essential amino acids from lentils and rice
You can even increase the nutritional value of Khichdi by adding vegetables (increases the fiber content) and pure desi ghee (increases the amount of healthy fat in khichdi). You can also add curd which increases the nutritional value further. It increases the Vitamin C content in Khichdi and also probiotics for improving digestion.
100gm of Khichdi consists of the following approximate nutritional value.
| Nutrients | Amount |
| Carbohydrates | 22.85g |
| Sugar | 1.72g |
| Dietary fiber | 3.1g |
| Fat | 1g |
| Protein | 4.9g |
| Vitamin A | 19mcg |
| Vitamin C | 7.7mg |
| Sodium | 53mg |
| Calcium | 29mg |
| Potassium | 197mg |
| Iron | 1.65mg |
2. Easily digestible and improves the digestive system
Khichdi is a food recipe that helps in digestion and is easily digestible as well. Rice and lentils are the only main ingredients in Khichdi, as a result, it is easily digestible and does not exert any pressure on the intestinal walls. The irritation that is witnessed in your intestinal walls during the consumption of other dense food items can never be witnessed while eating Khichdi. Khichdi is a very light food recipe. As a result, doctors suggest Khichdi to toddlers, elderly people, and if you are recovering from any diseases.
3. Ayurvedic health benefit of Khichdi
Ayurveda mentions khichdi as a “tri-doshic” in nature and considers it a staple food. Khichdi is consumed since the ancient ages. It is believed to improve your immune system and balance the energy in your body. Khichdi is known as tri doshic as it has the ability to balance the three elements or the three doshas ( Vata, Pitta, Kapha). These are nothing but the three energies the water, the fire, and the wind. Khichdi balances these 3 energies and improves the immunity system and your digestive system.
4. Khichdi helps in the detoxification of your body
Khichdi is one of the food recipes which helps in the detoxification of the body. Khichdi helps in cleansing the body. The free radicals or the oxidants which are caused due to bad food items or pollutants are washed out by the consumption of Khichdi. People basically drink various juices for the detoxification of their body but little do they know about how easily Khichdi can detoxify your body.
Why Khichdi is considered better than the various detoxification juices?
When you are drinking various juices for the detoxification of your body the blood sugar level of your body does not remain stable which ultimately raises your hunger. This leads to irritation and headaches which does not allow the free radicals to get completely removed from the body. Khichdi on the other hand keeps you full and helps in the removal of free radicals completely from your body.
5. Khichdi for bodybuilders
Bodybuilders and muscle builders who have serious bodybuilding and fitness goals can also benefit from eating Khichdi. Khichdi is a great detoxifying agent and helps bodybuilders. There is a huge load of food in a muscle builder’s body due to their daily high protein, carbohydrate, and fat intake. A lot of experimentation with food takes place in a bodybuilder’s life. Under such circumstances cleansing your body at least for a week is mandatory. Khichdi serves this cause.
6. Khichdi is gluten-free
This is another unique feature of Khichdi. Khichdi is gluten-free and is beneficial for people who suffer from celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
7. Khichdi may also help in weight loss
Khichdi being low in calories and fat can help you in your weight loss journey. It is easily digested by the body and keeps you full for a longer time. This feature in a food recipe is mandatory during your weight loss journey.
8. May prevent diabetes
Sabudana khichdi can help you prevent diabetes. Sabudana khichdi is a dish made from soaked sabudana (tapioca pearls) and we all know how sabudana helps in the proper regulation of insulin in the body. This helps in the prevention of diabetes.
Conclusion
As we can see Khichdi is an excellent food recipe for people who wants to stay healthy. Though Khichdi does not have a spectacular taste it should be consumed at least once a week because of its several health benefits. Don’t forget to comment down if you are a Khichdi lover.
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