Getting into a restaurant and waiting for your order sets your stomach on fire! And this fire may really eat you up if you are about to be served with paneer butter masala, dal makhani, tandoori roti and chicken biryani! The names of these popular north Indian foods are enough to bring about some emotional hunger even if you have had your last snack just a few minutes ago! But what about your promises on shedding off a few kilos? “Gone with the wind?” No! Hold it right there, here is a North Indian diet plan for weight loss. Achieving weight loss goals with the north Indian diet may not seem to be feasible for you, but limiting your caloric intake to 1200 a day may help to serve your purpose.
Here is a sample Indian diet plan for weight loss for you:
Indian Diet Plan for Weight Loss (1200 calories)
| Food Item | Amount | Calories (kcal) | Protein (g) |
| Early Morning |
| Lukewarm water with lemon | 1 cup | | |
| Tea (without sugar) | 1 cup | 35 | |
| Marie biscuits | 2 | 56 | |
| Breakfast |
| Skimmed milk with sugar | 1 glass | 90 | 8 |
| Brown bread upma | 1 plate | 205 | 6 |
| OR | |
| Besan Chilla | 2 | 290 | 12 |
| Mid-Morning |
| Fruit salad | 1 small bowl | 40 | |
| Lunch |
| Veg Khichdi | 1 medium bowl | 202.5 | 9.5 |
| Veg raita | 1 small bowl | 75 | 3.5 |
| Mix veg salad | 1 bowl | 30 | 2 |
| Evening |
| Tea (without sugar) | 1 cup | 35 | 2 |
| Wheat rusk | 2 | 120 | 6 |
| Dinner |
| Missi roti (without oil) | 2 | 200 | 6 |
| Mix veg | 1 medium bowl | 95 | 4 |
| Curd | 1 small bowl | 30 | 1.5 |
| Total | | 1213 kcal | 50.5 g |
When Kareena Kapoor started off with her “size zero” venture, many people thought that she will not be able to lose her hefty look! Being a typical Punjabi woman with all the “Punjabi tastes”, how could she finally achieve to hit the target? It was passion coupled with a dedication that allowed her to get into “Tashan” or “style” while defeating her intense urge for Aloo Parathas, a “must-have” breakfast in every Punjabi family!
Watch this short Video about 1200 calorie Indian diet Plan for Weight Loss And don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more diet plans and tips on weight loss.
Do check our other regional Indian diet plan for weight loss
South Indian (karnataka cuisine )
Bengali
Maharashtrian / Gujrati
Andra diet plan
kerala diet plan
Punjabi diet plan
So many of our readers write to us every day regarding their confusions and queries regarding this plan while following it and about the effect of this diet plan on their weight, some readers have even lost around 5-6 kgs weight in a month by following this diet plan. We are happy that our weight loss diet plan has helped them. If you too have any questions, please post it below the article. You can also subscribe to our diet services if you wish to get a diet plan tailor-made to suit your timings, lifestyle, and diet pattern. Please visit this page – Diet services
How is an Ideal Indian diet plan for weight loss made?
An Ideal Indian diet plan for weight loss can be designed keeping in mind the person’s individual requirements. Every person has a different caloric requirement. The calorie requirement is based on various factors like age, sex, medical conditions, activity levels, metabolism, etc. To lose weight in a healthy manner, calculate your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate). This will help you in knowing how many minimum calories your body requires in order to function properly.
This Sample north – Indian diet plan for weight loss will provide you with an idea of what ideally a 1200 calorie north Indian meal looks like. Although you must understand that this is just a generalized Indian diet plan for weight loss, it may or may not suit your weight loss goal as there are chances your body requirements will be different. So do consult your dietician in-person to know if you can use this 1200 calorie North Indian Diet plan for weight loss.
If you are interested in spot reduction, you can read –
How to lose fat from face / how to lose double chin
How to lose fats from arms
Tips to lose fat from hips and thigh
How to lose fat from tummy
How to lose belly fat at home
Indian weight loss Diet –
When I say Indian weight loss diet or weight loss diet for Indians, you may think of what nationality has to do with weight loss. But it is definitely related. You will find the answer as you read ahead. Every time you search for weight loss on the internet, you would find hundreds of websites popping up with various diet programs. Most common amongst these are the south beach diet, or general motors’ diet, or the Atkins diet. In our curiosity to lose weight, we hurriedly download one of these diets and start following it blindly. But does it really help? No, but the above given Indian diet plan for weight loss will help.
While we research about Indian weight loss diet, we come across many fancy food items that are a little difficult to find in India. We instantly start looking for them and buying them online or at supermarkets and spend a fortune on them. Here are some Indian foods that are locally available and are equally or even more beneficial for our health and especially for weight loss.
Top 10 Indian Foods For Weight Loss
1] Flaxseeds: –
The Indian diet plan for weight loss will not be complete without flax seeds. flax seeds are grown in northern and central parts of India and have been a part of the staple local diet for centuries. Its importance and nutrient contents were highlighted only 2 decades ago. Flax seeds have been enjoying the attention of dieters all over the world ever since.
How does Flax seeds help In a weight loss diet?
- Lignans – the lignans and fiber in flax seeds help in reaching early satiety (the feeling of fullness). This helps you in cutting down on your food intake. Flaxseeds also help in weight loss by keeping you full for a longer time. The glycemic index of flax seeds is very less, and hence when you add grounded flax seeds to your yogurt or sprinkle it over your salad, it gets absorbed slowly and keeps your blood sugar stable for longer and you do not feel hungry early.
- Lecithin – Flax seeds contain lecithin. Lecithin helps in breaking the fat from the food and the fiber in the flax seeds helps in carrying these fats to the intestine for elimination. And thus saves you from absorbing most of the calories these fats were to provide you with.
- Fiber – The soluble and insoluble fiber in flax seeds makes it a natural laxative. Flax seeds help in cleansing your intestine of the metabolic wastes produced during the fat break down while you are on a weight loss regime. Flax seeds help in promoting the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut and thus helping in better digestion.
- Omega 3 – As we all know, Omega 3 helps in improving heart health. Hence flax seeds are especially good for those who have diabetes and blood pressure or any other heart problem and want to manage their weight.
Tips to include flax seeds in Indian diet plan for weight loss :
- Use freshly ground flaxseed powder to sprinkle over your yogurt/curd bowl, salads, whole wheat flour dough, dals and on your vegetable preparations too. * Precaution – while using flax seeds powder, ground flax seeds freshly. The oils in flax seeds powder undergo oxidation quickly when exposed to air.
- Use roasted flax seeds to make accompaniments like chutneys.
- You can take a tsp of flax seeds and eat on empty stomach in the mornings.
2] Yogurt / curd: –
Curd is an inseparable part of a vegetarian Indian diet for weight loss. If I tell you that you can consume more calories and still lose weight, you will think I am joking. But this is true. A study conducted by the International Journal of sports nutrition and exercise metabolism concluded that 3 servings of curd consumption helped women to lose more fat than those on a low-calorie diet.
How does Curd help in Indian diet plan for Weight Loss –
- Calcium – Dr. Robert Heaney, MD, (an internationally recognized expert in bone biology and calcium nutrition with Creighton University in Nebraska) found in a study that calcium helped in better fat break down in individuals who wanted to lose weight. Yogurt is a good food source of calcium has a similar effect.
- Probiotic – As we know that curd/yogurt has active cultures and they help in the growth of friendly bacteria. It improves digestion and immunity and ensures better nutrient absorption. These probiotics help in weight loss too. Although yogurt alone cannot bring about weight loss, if you are already following a weight loss regime for diet and exercises, the curd will help you in achieving your weight loss goals faster and then maintaining them in the long run.
- Protein – The protein present in curd facilitates the weight loss process by becoming the source of energy as well as taking care of the ill effects of strict dieting. It will help in the prevention of hair fall and dullness and dryness of the skin. So that your skin glows while you shape up your body.
Tips to include yogurt in Indian diet plan for weight loss –
- You can have a cup of plain, low-fat yogurt before or after your meal.
- You can mix a fruit and flavor curd/yogurt and have it as a mid-meal snack.
- You can make buttermilk out of curd and drink it in between the meals whenever hungry or thirsty. This will help you in feeling full without adding up on the calories.
3] Tomatoes –
These colorful little berries do not only increase the food appeal but are a lighthouse of nutrients and have a number of benefits when it comes to weight loss diet. The tangy taste will help you sail through your weight loss diet with energy and without starvation.
How does tomato help in Weight loss diet –
- Vitamin c – According to the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vitamin C Increases the fat burning rate by almost 30 %. Those who are deficient in Vit C, do not lose much fat despite low-calorie diets and strenuous exercises. So if you want to cut down on your fat stores, Add Tomatoes to your meals and see your hard work getting paid.
- Lycopene– Lycopene is an antioxidant and helps in preventing oxidation damage. This will indirectly help in improving immunity and stamina so that you can work out better and burn more calories. Lycopene also helps you in becoming healthier as you lose weight, It helps you reduce the bad cholesterol from the blood vessels and improves your heart health too.
- Oligofructose – After a fatty meal, the small intestine releases a Hormone called CCK (cholecystokinin) in the stomach. CCK tightens the valves between the stomach and intestine contributing to the feeling of fullness and helps in reducing the chances of overeating. Oligofructose in tomatoes helps in sustaining this feeling of fullness for longer
- Carnitine – Tomatoes contain Carnitine that speeds up the process of fat break down in the body.
Tips to include Tomatoes in Indian diet plan for weight loss–
- You can use tomatoes in your salads before both the main meals.
- You can add tomatoes to your juices
- Have tomato soups or add tomatoes to your vegetable-based soups. It especially tastes great with beans and peas.
4] Cinnamon (Dalchini) –
Cinnamon is a local spice and famous for its sweet aroma. It has a lot of other health benefits too. But let’s first see how cinnamon helps in weight loss.
How does Cinnamon help in Indian Diet Plan For Weight loss
- Manages blood sugar – Cinnamon helps in better sugar management by supporting insulin and increasing the absorption of glucose. Lesser glucose in the bloodstream results in lesser fat storage.
- Aromatic oils – The oils in cinnamon that contribute to its aroma helps in bring in satisfaction with the diet food and make you enjoy your meal and eat less. This definitely contributes to weight loss.
- Improves digestion – Experiencing gas/flatulence and heaviness due to increased intake of raw veggies and salads in your diet for weight loss? Cinnamon helps in better digestion, soothing and calming of intestine lining, treating constipation and improving colon functions. Overall aiding in the weight loss process.
Tips to include Cinnamon in your weight loss diet –
- You can add cinnamon to your green tea or have cinnamon tea.
- Use cinnamon powder to sprinkle over your desserts for better blood sugar management.
- You can use a cinnamon stick and boil it along with water. And drink this water all day long.
- You can add cinnamon powder to the seasoning of your food.
5] Almonds –
The international journal of obesity published a study stating that People who ate 85 gm of Almonds every day Noted an 18‘% reduction in their weight and BMI when compared to dieters who did not eat almonds noted only 11 % reduction in their weight and BMI.
How does Almond help in weight loss Diet Plan –
- Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA):– Ala in Almonds increases the rate at which fat is burned in the body. It helps in reaching early satiety (feeling of fullness). Manages cravings and prevents overeating.
- Protein – Almonds are a rich source of protein and do not contain any carbs to contribute to body weight.
- Metabolism – Almonds help in increasing the metabolic rate of the body and helps in burning more involuntary calories. Thus aiding in weight loss. Read – Health Benefits of Almonds
Tips to include almonds in your weight loss diet –
- You can soak 12- 15 almonds overnight and have it in the morning and night with your glass of skimmed milk or warm water and lemon.
- You can use soaked and chopped almonds to sprinkle on your salads.
6] Bell pepper (Capsicum) –
Green, yellow, orange and red; bell peppers come in all vibrant colors assuring their nutritive richness. The Indian bell pepper is rich in Antioxidants like Vitamin and Vitamin C. It is packed with folic acid and fiber. 1 bell pepper contains almost your 1 days requirement of Beta –carotene which explains its role in the maintenance of healthy skin, hair, and nails.
How does Capsicum help in Indian diet plan for weight loss –
- Capsaicin – Capsaicin found in all kinds of hot peppers and chilies has a tendency to raise the body’s temperature. This calls for using up more energy and raising the metabolic rate in a person. Capsaicin also is found to suppress appetite to a bit. All these definitely call for assistance in your weight loss.
- Dihydrocapsiate (DCT) – Unlike Capsaicin, DCT is found in the sweeter varieties of pepper, but has a similar action on weight loss. It helps in burning up extra calories from the body by raising the body’s temperature.
- Piperine – in some scientific studies done over a mouse, it was found that piperine in black pepper helps in preventing the formation of new fat cells in the body. Although this does not prove that it will be true for humans, there clearly is no harm in adding this black pepper powder to your salads and adding on the tastes and expecting some good results too.
Tips to include Bell peppers in your Indian diet plan for weight loss:
- You can use all varieties of capsicum in your salads, brown bread sandwiches and whole wheat pasta preparations. This will not only add up on taste but weight loss factor as well.
- You can grill them on skewers and have them as starters along with other veggies.
- You can add some chili flakes and black pepper powder to a variety of foods, salads, and soups.
7] Melons:
Watermelon, cantaloupe, and squash come under melons. These fruits are very rich in potassium and Vitamin C.
How does Watermelon and Musk Melon help in Weight loss Diet –
- Melons are highly rich in potassium and contain a lot of water. When these melons are eaten in a good quantity, they lead to water flushing through excess urination.
- It is a blessing in disguise for those who have a sweet tooth and are watching out their weight. The sweetness of this fruit will help in satisfying the urge of eating a sweet and at the same time will prevent you from adding up on your waistline.
- Melons are especially good for women or men who have a water retention problem and feel bloated all the time. Melons will help them pass out the excess water through urine and feel Normal and fresh.
How to include Melons in the Indian diet plan for weight loss?
- You can have Melons fruits as mid meals while on diet.
- You can have a mixed fruit platter with lots of melons for your breakfast.
8] Brown rice
These complex carbs providing grains are the best way to satisfy your urge to eat rice and still manage to lose weight.
How does Brown Rice help in weight loss Diet –
- Fiber – the goodness of fiber can be enjoyed in abundance in Brown rice. It helps in getting the feeling of fullness and to reach satiety early. Hence you can save yourself from overeating.
- This unpolished husky brown rice is more nutrient-dense than white rice and hence saves you from deficiencies during weight loss.
- The complex carbohydrates help in slower digestion, and slower release of glucose in the blood. This helps in preventing hunger pangs.
Tips to include Brown rice in Indian diet plan for weight loss –
- You can have brown rice pulav for your lunch/dinner.
Read – Is rice good for weight loss?
9] Papaya –
Papaya has a belly-flattening effect and is very beneficial when it comes to weight loss diet.
How does papaya help in Indian weight loss Diet –
- Proper digestion – when you follow a weight loss diet you tend to eat a lot of raw fruits and vegetables as salads. Constipation is a common problem after changing your lifestyle, which slowly gets normal. “Papain “a coenzyme in papaya helps in proper digestion and helps in regular evacuation of waste.
- Papaya helps in treating bloating and water retention as well.
Read – Benefits of papaya on weight loss and health
Tips to use papaya in your Indian diet plan for weight loss –
- You can have papaya for breakfast.
- Mix papaya with other fruits and enjoy wholesome goodness with a lot of micronutrients that will make your skin glow.
- You can also grind papaya to get its pulpy juice and mix it with your other mocktails or have it plain with spices.
10] Lentils –
Lentils are an inseparable part of vegetarian weight-loss diets. These are the best sources of Vitamin B group as well as proteins for vegetarians.
How do lentils and sprouts help in Indian weight loss Diet –
- Sprouts majorly provide calories from proteins and have little carbohydrate. Protein-rich foods support in weight loss and lentils are hence the best.
- If the Weight-loss diets are not planned properly or are inefficient, they bring in problems like dull and dry skin, hair loss, and mouth ulcers and under-eye patches. Including sprouts in your diet will help in covering up for proper Nutrition.
- Sprouts are rich in fiber and hence help in reaching satiety and keep you full for longer.
Tips to use sprouts in Indian diet plan for weight loss –
- You can use sprouts as salads in boiled or steamed form. The raw form is a bit hard on digestion and may cause gas/flatulence.
Did you Know?
- The brain needs a 20 minutes span to receive signals from the stomach to stop eating. By when you already must have overeaten. To manage this, you must have a plate of salad and a bowl of soup first, and after a gap of 10 – 15 minutes you should consume your main meals. This way you can save yourself from taking extra calories. Having salads and soups have the extra benefit of consuming a lot of fiber which is helpful for weight loss.
- A lot of Indians are confused about the right time to consume water during a meal. Some people believe that having a glass or two of water before a meal will help in curbing the appetite, which is not entirely true. Water will easily pass out to your intestine and you would immediately feel hungry. Water should be consumed in between the meal. This helps in better digestion and bolus formation. People who drink water with their meals face fewer problems of acidity, constipation or indigestion.
Some more Diet Tips for Indian weight loss diet
- Eat everything you want but maintain moderation. Choosing from a variety of foods will ensure a healthy weight loss.
- Soft Drinks, Alcohol, fries, potato chips, and potato wedges provide empty calories and should be completely avoided while on weight loss diet
- Try to intake all the bright colored foods like red, orange, yellow and greens. Include a lot of green leafy veggies, they not only provide a lot of important nutrients but also provide a lot of fiber that immensely helps in weight loss. Include carrots, Pumpkin, all the colored capsicum for maximum health benefit while on a vegetarian weight loss diet.
- Go low on carbs and increase your protein intake. As mentioned above, have a bowl of yogurt/curd, skimmed milk and paneer (cottage cheese).
- Increase your fluid intake. Have a lot of soups, fruit juices (without adding sugar), coconut water, buttermilk, milk, and plain water. Consuming fruits with a lot of water content like watermelons is of help too.
- Change your cooking methods. Give up on deep frying and use a microwave or air fryer, replace frying with grilling and steaming or cook in a microwave. These would help in cutting down on a lot of calories.
EndNote
Understand the reason behind your weight. If your weight is attributed due to hormonal issues, diet alone cannot help you in weight loss. You will need to take medical support as well. If a sedentary lifestyle is a reason behind your weight, exercising will be equally important as is dieting.
You can try using the above-given information about the Indian diet plan for weight loss on your own. If you find it hard to implement, we can help you design your personalized Indian diet plan for weight loss. Please visit this page – Diet services
Read more
– weight loss tips
– How to lose weight effectively (10 -15 kgs)
Image : Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos
This post was Last Updated on April 11, 2020
View Comments
Hi Mam, I am 26 years old, Weight 72 kg and height 157 cm. Since my too is very small , i am getting leg pain because of my weight. I would like to reduce my weight to 60. Can you please give me the suggestion about the diet plans and workout. In my working hours mostly i will be in my seat.
Hi Priya ,
You can either follow the sample plan mentioned in this article or you can subscribe for our personalized services , where we help you lose weight by designing a diet specially for you to meet your nutritional and medical needs , yopur timings and lifestyle suitability and according to your taste , food liking , cusiiiisine preference and availability of food items around you.
Hi mam am Sania my weight is 68 meri abhi cs delivery Hui thi I wanna loss my weight am workout 30 min everyday how can I lose my weight pls suggest me
Hi Sania, check this
How to lose pregnancy weight - https://youtu.be/AgHoaLBhdwQ
Weight loss during Lactation - https://youtu.be/Qp9vpmY5TVk
Increase milk supply - https://youtu.be/xP_Ht3RwHag
Hlo mam am swati.meri 3 month ago cs delivery hui hai my weight is 68 i wanna lose weight.am totally vegetarian.which diet nd workout plan i follow.plz suggest me
HI Swati , please check these :
how to lose pregnancy weight : https://www.dietburrp.com/how-to-lose-pregnancy-weight/
weight loss diet plan for lactating mothers : https://www.dietburrp.com/weight-loss-diet-plan-for-lactating-mothers-in-india-without-losing-milik-supply/
Hlo mam am kavya meri c section delivery hui hai mein weight km karna chahti hu plz suggest me.
hi kavya , when was the delivery done ? please see this : https://www.dietburrp.com/how-to-lose-pregnancy-weight/
Hi mam
Thank you for this easy diet plan. If we are obese, how to start this weight loss journey. restricting the food really causes headache in the first week and then from next week again over eating starts
start with our 1400 calorie plan./
HELLO PAYAL
I AM 73 YR OLD 130 LBS AND WANT TO LOOSE 10 LBS I EAT VEG AND NON VEG PLEASE TELL ME HOW MANY CALORIES SHOULD BE GOOD FOR ME IN A DAY. I DO WALK SO PLEASE TELL ME HOW MANY STEPS ARE GOOD FOR ME - THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE - CJ
dear sir , if you are following our 1200 calories diet plan , you can walk 2000 - 3000 steps if possible.
Mam my age is 15 and weight is 57 and height is 5'4 and my sister is 19 weight 60 and height 5'4 we both are students and we want to lose weight at least 5 to 6 kgs and we r ready to diet and exercise but we r confused because we take 1100 to 1200 and excersice 30 mins and just after that fast walk for 30 min but i think that this won't work as mam in 2 weeks we should have lost 2 kgs but we didn't lose any and because of this our confidence level goes very down mam we cannot workout more than this as we don't have that much of time as we have to study too . mam can u plzzzzz tell us what to do . Plss tell us a routine of diet + 1 hr (max ) of workout mam plss tell us what to do mam plzzz and
replied to your email.
Hi,Ma'am I am a student.I am 21 years old.My height is 5'6" and weight is about 93 kg.I am suffering from high blood pressure.So which diet plant i want to follow to reduce my wright as soon as possible.
https://www.dietburrp.com/indian-diet-plan-for-high-blood-pressure-dash-diet/
I want to loss weight l am 13 years old .l am not satisfied with my body my weight is 57 kg .l am in class 9
in your age , you should not rush for weight loss , as your body is undergoing major changes for reaching puberty … just keep following the diet and do the workout … even if there is no weight loss , but you can hold your weight to your present levels without increasing it , then you will start looking thin in no time , as your height is also growing right now. please dont get carried away by the defitinion of thin given by this cruel workld… remember , the healthier you stay at this age , the healthier you will stay through out your lifetime.
do your workouts , this will help in getting the body in shape.
Hi, I am living in Germany. I would like to know how we can have the similar diet her because of the lack of indian vegetables here. Will you please make a high-protein low carb diet for indians living in foreign countries.
Hi Ramya,
You can subscribe to our personalized diet consultations ... we can plan diet to suit your requirement and availability of grocery .