8 healthy Indian street foods you can eat without guilt

India Today

a day ago

A bustling Indian market glitters with colourful lights as a noisy crowd bargains and traffic horns blare in the background. In one corner, you might just hear someone say, 'Bhaiya, do plate golgappe,' while oil sizzles on the pan for aloo tikkis.Because who doesn't love a bite (or more) of street food during a hectic shopping spree? But not all your street food indulgences have to be loaded with empty calories. Of course, relishing a samosa, kachori, or puchka occasionally is perfectly fine - but there are also plenty of street food options that offer a fine balance of health and taste.advertisementLet's have a look at some of the street foods that are NOT unhealthy:8 healthy street foodsBhel Puri: This popular Indian snack is made with murmure (puffed rice), sliced vegetables, a little bit of tamarind, and some spices. Puffed rice is low in calories, while the veggies and spices bring their own nutritional value. It makes for a quick and crispy healthy street food that might just be dietician-approved. Just ensure you go low on the sauce content.Chana Chaat: Chickpeas are a good source of protein and fibre. Add some spices, tomatoes, onions, cucumber, and chilli, and customise it into your own plate of chaat. This is a healthy mix of nutrition and flavour.
Indian street food (Photo: Pexels)
Corn Cob: A little smoky, a little salty, corn cob or bhutta is saintly street food on the go. It's roasted on flames and smeared with lemon and salt. Corn is a good source of fibre and antioxidants, and helps you enjoy street food guilt-free.Idli: Soft, fluffy, and steamed to perfection, this South Indian staple is made from a fermented batter of rice and urad dal. It's low in calories but rich in fibre and gut-friendly too.Coconut Slices: Not just coconut water, vendors also sell slices wrapped in newspaper. When hungry and not in the mood to indulge too much, a slice or two can be a smart pick. It may also help with a feeling of fullness and aid digestion.
Corn cob (Photo: Pexels)
Fruit Chaat: You can easily find a fruit vendor on Indian streets. Whether you buy one whole fruit (like a banana or a sliced guava), or opt for a fruit chaat - you get a quick, clean bite loaded with fibre and antioxidants. Squeezed lemon and chaat masala adds on to the street-style authenticity.Boiled Eggs: There's no surprise about how healthy eggs are. Season them with spices, garnish with coriander, and enjoy a protein-packed snack straight off the vendor's cart.Moong Dal Cheela: This is street-side clean eating at its best, served right off a hot tawa. Made with soaked lentils, herbs, and spices, and paired with chutney, it's a wholesome, high-protein dish that still feels indulgent.India is a diverse land with a rich culinary heritage, and street food is an integral part of it - found in every city and town. For every plate of aloo tikki, chowmein, or momos, there have always been healthier alternatives like bhel (or its Bengali counterpart, jhalmuri), chana chaat, roasted corn, and others mentioned above.- EndsTrending Reel