Is Biryani a Wholesome Food?
Biryani is the first true love for many. In India, biryani finds a special place in the hearts of food lovers, and it is usually the go-to dish for all kinds of special days and celebrations. Originally introduced to India by the Mughal rulers, the dish is a delight to eat where every rice grain is separate yet is infused with the rich aroma and flavour of the various spices and meat or vegetables.
Generally, biryani is considered heavy with all the spices and meat in it. But it is a wholesome meal that also offers several health benefits and is nutritious. A single serving of chicken biryani packs a lot of nutrition; you get the proteins from the meat and carbohydrates from the rice.
In some of the biryani variants, like the Kolkata biryani, which has pieces of golden-brown potatoes and hard-boiled eggs, your tummy may be full of a single serving. Now that you know it is a wholesome meal, let’s get to know how biryani is good for health.
If you have ever wondered what makes biryani so special and wholesome? It is the use of various spices and other ingredients. The spices like cardamom, cinnamon, black peppercorn, bay leaf, mace, saffron leaves, etc., not only add flavour and aroma to the dish and make it healthy.
- Since a biryani is a traditional Indian food containing lots of ghee and oil, along with aromatic spices and vegetables, it is considered a rich source of vitamin A, iron, and calcium.
- Turmeric powder, ginger and garlic paste, and cumin seeds help to speed up the digestion of the meat. Also, these spices help prevent bloating, which is common after having a heavy meal, and assist in easy absorption of the nutrients.
- Saffron plays the main role in increasing liver enzymes and thereby detoxifying the body.
- Basmati rice is beneficial due to its fiber content. The rice helps to keep your tummy full for longer, thereby reducing the amount you eat throughout the day.
- Cashew nuts and chicken are also rich in proteins. Chicken is a good source of Niacin which is an energy booster and guards the body against serious health issues. Also, Vitamin-B6 present in chicken helps to keep metabolism in control.
- Vegetable biryani prepared with fresh veggies such as carrot, green peas, potatoes, mushrooms, French beans, etc., contain healthy nutrients. Also, vegetable biryani has a low amount of cholesterol, saturated fat, and sodium.
Apart from being a wholesome and nutritious meal and offering various health benefits, biryani helps uplift the mood instantly. You may hardly ever see anyone feeling unhappy after having a delicious plate of wholesome biryani.
In India, there is a biryani for everyone. Based on your palate and preference, you can enjoy having Hyderabadi, Lucknowi, Dindigul, Kolkata, Kashmiri, or Kutchi Biryani. While the Lucknowi and the Kolkata Biryani are low on spice, they are rich in taste and flavour. The Hyderabadi Biryani is slightly spicier and would leave your taste buds with a tingling sensation and your heart with glee.
If you have a high tolerance for spicy food, the Kutchi biryani would be a perfect meal for you. It is one of the spiciest biryanis in India, thanks to the generous use of the chillies in the making, yet it is one of the most loved dishes. The Dindigul biryani is a south Indian delicacy, and like south Indian food, it has a unique and enriching taste that makes you go for one more plate.
Biryani food is an excellent meal as long as you have it within a limit. You can order your favourite type of biryani from Ekdum and enjoy a delicious meal.