Dal chawal is one of the most common comfort foods for families across the country. However, it is not the best option to gorge on for an individual who is trying to lose weight or is on a fitness journey, according to Siddhartha Singh, the celebrity fitness trainer behind actor Tamannaah Bhatia’s enviable physique.
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Taking to Instagram on March 23, Siddhartha shared that the combination of only dal and chawal (rice) is loaded with calories and has very little protein and fibre, which makes it far from a healthy, balanced diet.
“Most of us eat dal chawal for lunch. Dal is considered to have a lot of protein. It does not have a lot of protein. Please let’s get over it already,” observed the fitness trainer.
However, it does mean that one needs to completely give up on their comfort food for the sake of health. According to Siddhartha, all that is needed is to balance the plate and increase the protein content of the meal. Here is a detailed step-by-step plan to do it right.
Step 1: Reduce calorie count of the dal chawal meal
The first thing to do to turn chawal into a healthy meal is to reduce the quantity of both foods. One does not require a huge bowl of dal paired with rice piled high on the plate. Reducing their quantity by half effectively halves the calorie intake of the meal.
Step 2: Add protein with dal chawal
The second step is the addition of protein. As Siddhartha explained, simply reducing the amount of dal chawal on the plate means that the food becomes less filling, and the individual will soon feel hungry after eating.
“This is where protein comes in,” stated the fitness trainer. “We are going to add 100 grams of paneer. If it is low-fat paneer, it is even better.”
Step 3: Add fibre to dal chawal meal
Balancing the macros in the meal also requires the addition of fibre. For that, Siddhartha suggests adding a bowl of salad to the meal. They can be normal, home-cut slices of cucumber, tomatoes, and other vegetables of choice, nothing fancy.
“And if you want to make this a really amazingly balanced plate, add 200 grams of Greek yoghurt,” stated Siddhartha. “Good food, good taste, good benefits. This here is a balanced home-cooked meal which will keep you fuller for longer, away from your cravings, and will help you lose weight in the long run.”
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
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