Poha: The Nutritious Breakfast Option You Didn’t Know About
Poha, a flattened rice dish, is a popular breakfast option in many Indian households. Not only is it quick and easy to prepare, but it also offers numerous health benefits that people may not be aware of. According to Ruchika Jain, Chief Dietitian at Fortis Hospital, poha is highly nutritious and has several benefits for overall well-being.
Instant Energy and Vitamin B
Poha is a good source of instant energy and vitamin B as it is rice-based. It is also lactose-free, gluten-free, and almost fat-free. Poha is light on the stomach and easily digestible, making it an ideal breakfast option for people with various health issues like typhoid, hepatitis, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Rich in Iron
Poha contains about 4.6% iron, making it an excellent source of this essential mineral. The production process of poha requires the rice to pass through iron rollers, which results in the flattened rice retaining some of the iron from the process. To help the body absorb the iron better, squeezing lemon juice in your poha is recommended.
Probiotic and Gut-Healthy
Chef Sanjeev Kapoor also shared the benefits of poha on his Instagram account. He mentioned that poha is a rich source of healthy carbohydrates (70%) and has very low-fat content (30%). Poha is also a good probiotic and may help keep the gut healthy.
Preparation Tips
Poha can be prepared in the traditional way with peanuts, curry leaves, onions, potato, and veggies or as chivda prepared from this flattened rice, which can be used as an evening snack. To make it more protein-rich and filling, one can add peanuts, soya granules, and sprouted legumes in it. More veggies should be added to make it more nutritious, tasty, and filling.
In conclusion, poha is a nutritious breakfast option that offers numerous health benefits. It is easy to prepare, light on the stomach, and an excellent source of instant energy, vitamin B, iron, and probiotics. So, the next time you’re looking for a healthy breakfast option, consider poha.
