Discover a range of mouthwatering Indian snacks that satisfy your cravings and provide essential nutrients. Read about the unhealthy ones that are better off your regular snacking preferences.

Apart from the diverse culture, rich history, the biggest democracy, and creative Bollywood movies, one thing that makes India famous is the variety of street food and snacks found here. Yes, we Indians enjoy comparatively heavy, healthy, and nutrient-rich meals too. But the joy of devouring snacks during evenings, mid-day, or even midnight is incomparable. Do you know that many tourists visit the famous destinations of our country just to enjoy the world-notable snack options found here? Whether it is the steaming hot boiled masala corn of Marine Drive, the panipuri of Juhu Beach, the Amritsari Chhole Kulcha, Gujarati Khaman Dhokla, or steamed momos of Arunachal Pradesh, there is a love story of a foodie and these snacks and we refuse to give-up until death part us!

However, this question arises – are all these Indian snacks healthy? Well, sadly, they aren’t! Many of these snacks can be categorized as healthy because of their ingredients, but the procedure of cooking and preparing them can differ, making them unhealthy. ( yes, this process sometimes leads to the yummy taste of these snacks!) So, here is a list of India’s healthy and unhealthy snacks that might help you make careful choices when you want to munch something but don’t want to gain those extra inches. 

Healthy Indian Snacks

These delicious food items give you the extreme pleasure of taste and let you indulge in guilt-free snacking. 

1. Khaman Dhokla

This traditional Gujarati meal is incredibly adaptable because it may be prepared with rice flour, semolina, or chana dal. Some even include sugar, which you may omit if you want a salty, nutritious snack. A dhokla’s components are incredibly high in protein. The fermented flour base improves the bioavailability of vitamins and minerals such as biotin and vitamins. The steaming dish treats your taste buds with the best snacks. 

2. Steam momos 

Momos have become one of the most well-liked street snacks in recent years. The steamed dumpling with a delectable filling of veggies or chicken and served with different chutneys notably commands hearts. Though these are tasty, steamed momos are ideal for your health. While using less oil, steaming preserves the food’s nutritious worth, making these soft, spongy, delectable, and healthy snacks to enjoy. 

3. Murmuri or Bhel Puri

This snack from Karnataka in the south is made of puffed rice. However, it is also adored everywhere and in various styles. Kurmure is a no-cook dish that is quick and simple to create while still being healthful and delicious. It is made by mixing ready-made puffed rice with tomatoes, onions, and chilies. In Maharashtra, the murmuri is called bhel puri and has added tamarind and jaggery chutney, making it more delicious. The snack stands out in particular since it is low in fat and gluten. 

4. Khakra

The nutritious snack known as Khakra comes from Gujarat. What distinguishes the khakra cracker as the ideal snack is its sharpness. These are created similarly to rotis, except crispier and tastier, using wheat flour as the basis and other equally healthy items from the list. They also come in various flavors and rank among the most practical and ‘durable’ snacks. Khakras are advantageous for weight reduction since they are minimal in calories, fat, and oil. They are also high in fiber, heart-healthy, and appropriate for snacking.

Maharashtrian Poha

Another very healthy, filling, and highly delicious snack coming straight from the region of Maharashtra and taking over the entire country is the Poha. This flattened rice snack is made using all types of nuts and vegetables you like to toss. Cooked in minutes, poha is high in carbohydrates but low in calories. This makes it a staple snack to munch on in different parts of the country in diverse ways.

The Unhealthy Indian Snacks 

These snacking options are yummy, but you must think twice before munching them, as these can lead to obesity, acidity, and other health issues. 

1. Vada Pav

Mumbai’s Vada Pav is an iconic snacking option of the city that is devoured nationwide with extreme pleasure. But not only it consist of a high quantity of species and potatoes, and it is also deep-fried to create those drool-worthy vadas. And then comes the pav, which is all maida in nature! Chutneys can be a treat, but remember all those calories and oil intake before having them.

2. Kachoris 

Some of the tastiest Indian snacks, such as the ubiquitous kachoris, are known for their heavy use of oil and maida. The Rajasthani Mawa Kachori, a particular sweet pleasure, and other traditional fillings may make kachoris more adaptable. But tragically, they also pose a severe health risk. Deep frying and refined flour’s adverse effects combine to produce recipes that are unhealthy for the body.

3. Pakoras

Pakodas are deep-fried treats popular throughout India but have no clear origin. This makes them both delectable and harmful at the same time. Regardless of the components, typically some extremely healthy vegetables or lentils, every pakora contains a significant quantity of oil, making even the smallest piece a severe health risk.

4. Pani Puri

Pani puri is a popular street food, sometimes called Gol-Guppa, Puchka, and other names. These deep-fried puris are filled with mashed potatoes, sev, chutneys, and flavorsome water that make them irresistible. Even though it tastes good, it might interfere with your health concerns and would not be an ideal snacking option. 

5. Jalebi

According to health experts, this is one of the world’s unhealthiest treats. It made an American news website’s list of foods that make you fat. Jalebi is simply dough that has been deep-fried and then covered with sugar syrup. Although only one piece has 123 calories, no one eats one, making it much unhealthier. 

These snacks are ideal for sitting across in your favorite corner of the house and munching on during evenings or midnight, but remember, a wise decision here and a healthy alternative can make your snacks not just a pleasure for your taste buds but a blessing for your body as well.