Poha, a popular Indian breakfast made with beaten rice, has variations in different parts of the country. In Uttar Pradesh and some parts of Rajasthan, poha is served topped with bhujia and some jalebis on the side. In Maharashtra, potatoes are added to poha along with green chutney and sev on top.
You can also make cutlets out of poha. Moreover, there is misal poha, which is basically misal pav, but the pav is replaced with poha. Another way is having kanda poha, which is poha made with onions, which is famous in Mumbai. Poha also has different names - it is known as aval in Tamil, avalakki in Kanada, chiura in Bhojpuri, chuda in Oria and so on.
But did you know that poha has excellent health benefits too? It is easily digestible, can be loaded with vegetables and is a cheap option. Poha is a great choice, particularly for those who want to loose weight.
"Poha is very low in calories. It has about 76.9% of carbohydrates and 23% fat, which makes it one of the most ideal choices for weight loss. Apart from this, it is rich in fibre and therefore leaves you feeling full for a longer time, curbs mid-meal cravings and helps avoid overeating," says Siva Teja Gadepalli, nutritionist.
Apparently, poha is both - tasty and healthy. With it by their side, those on a diet can still enjoy a delicious breakfast without having to worry about calories. It can be eaten as a snack too but is essentially a good breakfast option. It's intriguing that despite the indigenous Poha being there, other processed and packaged items such as oats and quinoa are flooding the Indian market and being promoted as the best bets for 'healthy and nutritious' breakfast.
However, nutritionists recommend poha as one of the healthiest Indian breakfasts. "Poha is a wholesome meal. It is a good source of carbohydrates and iron, rich in fibre, a good source of antioxidants and essential vitamins and is gluten free. It is known to be good for those who have diabetes, skin and heart problems. To make it protein rich, one can add peanuts and sprouted legumes," says Priyannka Aashu Singh, nutritionist.