So how do you calculate calories in homemade food? Read on to learn how to calculate the calories for your favorite homemade meals.

Calculating calories for single-ingredient dishes

Calculating calories in a single-ingredient dish like a roti, a cup of cooked rice, or roasted chicken breast is pretty straightforward. Use an online tool like MyFitnessPal or fatsecret to count calories.

Go to the app of your choice and type in the name of the food item you are searching for. Sometimes there are options like grilled, steamed, or fried, so choose the correct one. Input the right quantity, and you will get the calorie content of that particular food.

Calculating calories for recipes

A lot of food items that we eat have more than one ingredient. Calculating calories for these dishes is a bit more complicated. To do this, follow these steps –

• List out all the ingredients that a dish contains.
• Write the amount of each ingredient that goes in the dish.
• Now use the online tools mentioned above to know the calories of each ingredient.
• Adjust the calories in each ingredient based on the amount used in the recipe.
• Add up all the calories to calculate the total calories in the recipe.

This list will help you calculate the total calorie content of the recipe. To calculate the calories in a single serving, divide the total calories in the dish by the number of servings it contains. For example, if a one-kilogram cake contains 3000 calories, you can cut ten slices of the cake. Then the average calorie content of the cake slice is –

3000 divided by 10 = 300

So, each slice contains 300 calories.

Calculating calories in a homecooked meal

Generally, our meals consist of three or four dishes with multiple ingredients. So to calculate the calorie content of your meal, you will need to know the calories in each dish you eat.

Make a list of all the items in your meal.

Total calories in the meal  – 160 + 120+ 212= 492

Now that you know how many calories are in your homemade meal, you can easily track your calories.

Some FAQs regarding calories counting

How many calories should I eat daily?

The number of calories you consume daily depends on how active you are and whether you want to maintain or lose weight. An average person who exercises regularly should consume between 2000 and 2500 calories a day. If you’re going to lose weight, you can reduce your calorie consumption to 1500 calories a day.

I can not find the exact calories of all the ingredients in my recipe. What should I do?

Do not worry if you cannot calculate the exact calorie content in your recipe. Your calorie calculation does not have to be 100 % accurate every time.

When you calculate the calorie content of your dish regularly, over time, you will be able to estimate the calorie content of the recipe and the serving size.

Which ingredients have the most calories?

• Sugar – One teaspoon contains 16 calories
• Butter – A 100-gram serving contains 499 calories
• White rice – One cup contains 204 calories
• White flour (maida) – 115 calories in 30 grams
• Cheddar cheese – 113 calories in one slice

Which low-calorie snacks can I add to my daily diet?

Here’s a list of some nutritionally rich low-calorie Indian snacks –

• Oats idli (One) – 30 calories
• Upma (one serving) – 192 calories
• Ragi dosa (one) – 132 calories
• Sprouts salad (one bowl) – 62 calories
• Cucumber raita (One bowl) – 40 calories

Final thoughts

When you cook meals at home, you have complete control over what goes into them. Homemade food is made from fresh ingredients and doesn’t contain the preservatives in processed foods. You can also choose to substitute calorie-dense ingredients with healthier options when you cook at home.

So go ahead and calculate the calories in the homemade food using the steps mentioned above. However, don’t get stressed over the accuracy of your calculations. You will get better at calorie counting with time. Educating yourself about the nutritional values and calorie content of the food you prepare will help you make healthy food choices and stay fit.

The post How to Calculate Calories in Homemade Food? appeared first on mealawe.

If you visited your grandmother during winter, you would be treated to special treats like Gond ke laddoo, til pitha, or gajar ka halwa. If you live far away from home and miss these special winter treats, we’ve got some good news. You can order healthy and nutritious winter special foods with Mealawe, Pune’s best homemade food delivery service.

Here are ten classic winter special recipes that you can order from your nearby home kitchens –

1. Sarson ka saag

Sarson ka saag is a traditional Punjabi dish prepared with mustard greens, ginger, and garlic. It is traditionally served with makki ki roti. The green mustard leaves are a good source of iron and dietary fibre. Add a dollop of white butter to this saag and enjoy this winter treat.

2. Bajra khichdi

Bajra khichdi is a traditional Rajasthani dish that is made during the winter season. This nutritious dish has a slightly chewy texture and is easy to prepare. It is rich in phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and fibre. Bajra khichdi also contains iron, which helps prevent and control anemia.

3. Moong dal halwa

Mong dal halwa is a delicious dessert eaten during the winter season. It is supposed to keep the body warm and protect it from winter. It is made with yellow moong dal, milk, and ghee. It is packed with protein and zinc. It also contains potassium and magnesium, which help regulate blood pressure.

4. Nihari

Nihari is a stew in which the shank meat of goat or lamb is cooked with bone marrow. This famous dish dates back to the Mughal era. It is traditionally eaten during chilly winter mornings for breakfast. You can eat it with a khameeri or tandoori roti. Since Nihari contains a lot of proteins and fats, eating it can keep you warm during winter.

5. Panjiri

Panjiri is a winter delicacy made with wheat flour, ghee, sugar, cardamom, spices, and a generous amount of dry fruits. It contains heat-generating ingredients like sonth(dry ginger powder), goond( edible gum), and kamarkas (gum of the Palash tree). Although roasting all the elements can take some time, Panjiri is easy to make. Besides keeping the body warm in winter, Panjiri is also an excellent postpartum food as it speeds up recovery after delivery.

6. Gond ke laddoo

Gond ke laddoo is a popular winter sweet from North India. It is made from gond, an edible gum extracted from tree bark. Its special nutritional powers are believed to beat the winter chills. Once prepared, you can store it for months. It also helps prevent constipation and keeps your digestive system healthy.

7. Kharode soup

Kharode ka soup, also known as paya ka shorba, is clear bone broth made with goat or lamb trotters. It traces its origin back to the Mughal era. It is slow-cooked on low heat for hours to release the nutrients and minerals from the meat. This broth has a rich flavor, are is highly nourishing during sickness or injury. It is a popular non-vegetarian soup taken during the winter season.

8. Til pitha

Til pitha is a traditional Assamese dish. It is a rice flour pancake stuffed with a filling of ground black sesame seeds and jaggery. These crunchy snacks are made during Bihu, the main harvest festival of Assam. Black sesame seeds are prized in Ayurveda for their ability to generate and heat and energy in the body.

9. Gajar ka halwa

Gajar ka halwa or Gajrela is the perfect winter dessert since carrots are available in plenty during the winter. Made by simmering grated carrots in full-fat milk, it is a popular sweet dish during this season. Carrots contain vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene, which helps strengthen the immune system.

10. Rasam

Rasam is the best during chilly winters when you are suffering from a cough or cold. This south Indian soup, made with toor dal, gets its unique flavour and goodness from tomatoes, tamarind, and lemon. Some recipes of rasam also include ginger, pepper, and drumsticks.

Final words

These winter dishes are healthy and tasty. They will help you stay warm and provide you with the nutrients that are necessary for winter.

Order these classic homemade winter specials from Mealawe and ensure that you remain fit and energetic during the winter season. Let us know which one you liked the best!

The post 10 Amazing Winter Food in India to Keep You Warm appeared first on mealawe.

Turmeric (Haldi)

Turmeric is the quintessential Indian spice that is used in almost every dish. Turmeric is a root that looks very similar to ginger. It is dried and ground to form the golden powder we use in our curries.

Turmeric is rich in curcumin, which helps prevent heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s. Its antibacterial and antioxidant properties help in the digestion of food and help in the treatment of arthritis.

Black pepper (Kali Mirch)

Black pepper is often called the king of all spices. Its sharp, pungent flavour can make any dish delicious.

Black pepper helps to boost metabolism, which improves digestion. It is also known for its anti-microbial and anti-cancer properties.

Cumin (Jeera)

Cumin adds an earthy and peppery flavour to the dishes. Jeera is a rich source of iron and also contains calcium and magnesium.

It helps aid digestion, treats insomnia and anemia, and helps fight off colds.

Carom seeds (Ajwain)

Ajwain is bitter and pungent and is often added to curries and pickles. Ajwain is rich in fiber, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.

Ajwain water is commonly used in Indian households to relieve stomach pain and other digestive issues. Ajwain seeds help treat coughs and colds and prevent the risk of kidney stones.

Cardamom (Elaichi)

Cardomom is one of the most expensive spices and has a unique sweet flavour. It is added to sweet as well as savoury dishes in Indian cuisine.

Its anti-inflammatory properties help to soothe the mucous membrane of the lungs, so it can help in reducing coughing and wheezing. It is an appetite stimulator that helps combat gas, nausea, and heartburn.

Coriander (Dhania powder)

Dhania powder is made by roasting and grinding the seeds of the coriander plant. It is one of the most commonly used spices from the Indian spice box.

The health benefits of dhania powder include improving digestion, reducing inflammation, lowering blood sugar, and fighting UTIs.

Indian Cloves (Laung)

Cloves bring a distinctive warm flavour to curries, chutneys, and desserts. It is also ground and added to garam masala.

Cloves have a special place in Ayurvedic medicine: the antioxidant, antiseptic and antibacterial properties of clove help to treat toothache, stomach problems, and insomnia.

Cinnamon (Dalchini)

Dalchini or cinnamon bark is one of the essential ingredients of spice mixes like garam masala and chai masala. The cinnamaldehyde oil present in dalchini gives it its distinctive taste and aroma.

Dalchini helps treat diabetes and high cholesterol, and it also improves digestion. The oil derived from cinnamon is used to treat tooth decay and gum disease.

Mustard seeds (Sarson or Rai)

Mustard seeds are black or dark brown and have a faint spicy aroma. These seeds are used in tempering, which is added at the end of cooking the dish. When added to hot ghee, they crackle and pop and give a nutty flavour.

Mustard seeds are rich in vitamin B1, phosphorus, manganese, and omega-3 fatty acids. They help boost the immune system, relieve asthma, and treat the common cold.

Asafoetida (Hing)

Hing is the dried gum obtained from the roots of the Ferula plants. This gum is then dried and ground to form a coarse yellow powder. It has a robust pungent odor due to the presence of sulfur compounds.

According to Ayurveda, hing helps to treat gas, bloating, and intestinal worms.

Bay leaf (Tej Patta)

Though tej patta has a sharp and bitter taste, it adds a noticeable fragrance to the food. It is often added to biryani and rice.

Taj patta is rich in vitam in B and C. It has anti-diabetic and anti-aging properties and also helps boost immunity.

Fenugreek (Methi)

Fresh methi and its seeds are an integral part of Indian cuisine. These seeds are used whole and also crushed and used with other spices.

Methi is known to suppress appetite, improve digestion and increase energy. It is also suitable for lactating mothers.

Final thoughts

These are some of the most common spices used in Indian kitchens. These spices give Indian cuisine a unique flavor and keep you healthy and energetic. The home chefs at Mealawe believe in the traditional Indian wisdom of keeping the body and soul healthy with the goodness of food. Order delicious food from Mealawe and enjoy the fabulous flavours and beneficial health properties of all the unique spices in healthy homemade food.

The post Indian Spices Health Benefits appeared first on mealawe.

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Before I explain the harmful health effects of eating out, let me first show you how eating out affects the health of your wallet. Studies show that eating a meal at a restaurant is three times more expensive than cooking at home. The average cost of preparing a simple plate of rice, vegetables, dal, and chapati meal at home is ₹25. The same thali at a budget restaurant will be around ₹80 at least.

A meal at a fast-food restaurant can put you back by Rs 250, while you may have to shell out ₹500 per head at a good multi-cuisine restaurant around town.

When you eat out regularly, these numbers can add up quickly and make a massive dent in your monthly budget.

Cooking at home is not just cheaper; it is also healthier. When we choose our ingredients, we buy good quality products. We choose quality ingredients like organic dals and vegetables, healthy cooking oils, and fresh spices.

Home-cooked meals are healthier because we can control what goes into them: less salt, sugar, and fat and more nutrition. We can also manage our portion sizes much better as we are not encouraged to size up, which is a regular feature of fast food restaurants.

Here are some of the ways that restaurant food can cost your health –

1. Many fast food meals and drinks are packed with carbohydrates and very little fibre, which can lead to insulin spikes. Over time this can lead to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and weight gain.
2. Restaurant and fast food meals have high salt content. High levels of sodium can elevate blood pressure and put a strain on your cardiovascular system.
3. People who eat unhealthy fast food are more likely to have acne breakouts and eczema.
4. Carbohydrates and sugar in fast food can increase acids in your mouth. This acid breaks down tooth enamel and can cause cavities.
5. In restaurants, food comes in contact with packaging, gloves, and other material that contain phthalates. Phthalates are a class of chemicals that are known as endocrine disruptors. They can affect the hormones in the body.

Constant eating out is taking a toll on our health and that of our families. There are more obese kids in our schools now than ever before. And just because your child is thin does not mean he is healthy.

When you commit to healthy home-cooked meals, you commit to good health. Rather than paying for medical expenses later, spend your money on quality food and ingredients.

It is easy to shift to healthier food habits. Take it one step at a time. Here are some ways to change to home-cooked meals –

Keep it simple

Cooking a meal at home does not mean participating in Master Chef. Your goal is to avoid spending too much on restaurant food. So, keep your meals simple and nutritious.

Involve your family

To avoid getting overwhelmed with meal prep, involve your whole family. Get your children to set the table, clean the dishes and dry them. This is also an excellent way for them to learn life skills.

Pack healthy lunches for work and school

You are less likely to order takeout for lunch when you pack your lunch or a snack to take to work. Over time, it will save a substantial amount.

Make meals interesting

Instead of cooking the same dal, sabzi, and roti for every meal, shake up the menu every few days. Add some variety to your meals, like whole wheat pasta or homemade pizza, to get everyone excited about eating at home.

Order from Mealawe

Mealawe, Pune’s own homemade food delivery service, provides healthy meals at your doorstep. Their talented home chefs serve you the same food they serve their families. Their food is affordable and comes with an added dose of nutrition and love.

Eat healthily – It is cheaper

Eating healthy homecooked meals is healthy and cheaper, both in the short-term and long run. All it takes is a little planning and some cooperation from your family. Make Mealawe a part of your family, order homemade food, and enjoy good health.

The post The True Cost of Eating Out !! appeared first on mealawe.

In this article, you will learn about the nutritional values of different types of dals. Take advantage of this information, order your next dal dish from Mealawe and enjoy a nutritious meal with your family.

Split chana dal (Bengal gram dal)

This dal has a slightly nutty flavor and is packed with nutrients. It is used to make dals, soup, curries, snacks, soup, and flour.

It has high fiber and protein content. Since it has a low glycemic index, it is excellent for those at risk of diabetes. Besides B complex vitamins like B1, B2, B3, and B9, it also contains zinc and calcium.

It strengthens bones and helps reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol.

One serving (100 grams) of cooked chana dal contains 90.45 calories.

Also Read: The Science Behind Indian Thali

Toor dal (Pigeon peas)

Toor dal is known by different names all over India. It is also called Arhar dal, Rahri Dal, Tuvar dal, Kandulu, and Thuvara Parippa. In addition to being used to prepare dal for the main meal, it is also used to make dal halwa and paruppa vada.

Besides proteins, carbohydrates, and fiber, this dal also contains vitamins B, C, E, and K and minerals like potassium, magnesium, and zinc.

It helps maintain healthy metabolism and stabilizes blood pressure. It is also good for heart and bone health.

One serving (100 grams) of cooked Toor dal contains 151 calories.

Split yellow moong dal

Moong dal is one of the most commonly used dal in Indian households. It is used to make khichdi, salads, and stuffed paranthas.

It is rich in folate, which helps to produce and maintain cells. Flavonoids present in moong dal help to lower inflammation. It also contains magnesium which helps to build immunity. It also is a good source of phosphorus.

This dal is low in calories and fat and rich in protein and fiber. It is also a rich source of B vitamins, which are essential for metabolism.

One serving (100 grams) of yellow moong dal contains 116 calories.

Masoor dal

While the split variant of this dal comes in shades of orange, yellow, or pink, the unsplit Masoor dal is brown.

Masoor dal is a good source of vitamins A, C, and E, which are essential for healthy eyesight. Its high calcium and phosphorus content makes regular consumption of this dal good for bones and teeth. Masoor dal is excellent for anemic and pregnant women as it is iron-rich.

One serving (100 grams) of split masoor dal contains 147 calories.

Whole black urad dal

This dal is popular all over the country. It is used to make dal makhani, a popular north Indian dish, while in the south, the split version of this dal is used to make dosa, vada, and papad.

Urad dal is rich in dietary fiber, isoflavones, and vitamin B complex. It improves digestion, boosts energy, improves skin health, and promotes heart health. The antioxidants in this dal also help to reduce pain and inflammation in the body.

One serving (100 grams) of whole black urad dal contains 191 calories.

Rajma (red kidney beans)

Rajma originally came to India from Central America but is now a popular dish all over India. The varieties of rajma grown in India include red rajma, black rajma, Kashmiri rajma, whate rajma, and chitra rajma.

Rajma has a low glycemic index and contains lean proteins, some carbs, and very little fat. It is rich in amino acids like arginine and leucine, which help to control insulin levels. Consuming rajma regularly can also help lower high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

One serving (100 grams) of boiled rajma contains 140 calories.

Kabuli chana (Chick peas)

Kabuli chana is an all-time favorite of the young and the old. It’s called chhole in Punjab, Kondaikadali in Tamil, Kadale in Kannada, Sanagalu in Telugu, and Kadala in Malayalam.

These chana are an excellent source of fiber, folate, manganese, and tryptophan and provide nutrients like iron, phosphorus, copper, and protein.

The high fiber content helps in reducing cholesterol and improving digestion. Kabuli chana also contains phytochemicals like saponins that have antioxidant effects.

One serving (100 grams) of Kabuli chana contains 164 calories.

Final thoughts

A single serving of dal can provide a variety of nutrients like protein, iron, potassium, zinc, and several vitamins. A bowl of dal with your meal can give you proper nutrition and the energy that you need. With all the health benefits and goodness that dals provide, aren’t you tempted to choose from the dal options available at Mealawe?

The post Health Benefits of the 7 Main Dals of Indian Household appeared first on mealawe.

If you want to enjoy these healthy meals without the bother of having to cook them, Mealawe is the right choice for you. This homemade food delivery service offers you a range of thalis, including North Indian thali, Tamil Iyer thali, Gujarati thali, and non-vegetarian thali.

But before you do that, let us learn some more about the science behind the Indian thali.

According to Ayurveda, the presence of all six tastes in a meal are essential for a nutritious diet.

Having each of these tastes in a particular order also helps the digestive process. These six tastes are –

1. Madhura – sweet
2. Amla – salt
3. Lavana – sour
4. Katu – pugent
5. Tikta – bitter
6. Kashaya – astringent

Combining one grain, one lentil, some vegetables, sour chutney or pickle, curd, tempering, ghee, and spices makes the thali wholesome. Let us break these down further to analyze what makes thali the perfect nutritionally balanced meal.

Rotis/rice/dosa

Dishes like chapati, dosa, thepla, pulao, and khichdi are a must in every thali. These dishes contain carbohydrates from whole grains like wheat, makki, jowar, bajra, and rice. Whole grains contain complex carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals like iron, selenium, magnesium, folic acid, riboflavin, thiamin, and niacin. They help reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, and stroke.

Dal

Every thali contains dal cooked in some form. Some whole dals like green moong, horse gram, and chana are soaked and sprouted to make salads. Moong, masoor, urad rajma, lobia, and toor dal are some common dals used to prepare the thali. Dals contain fiber, vitamins, minerals, and protein.

Vegetables

No Indian thali is complete without a few vegetable dishes. You will find sarson ka saag in a Punjabi thali, a Bengali thali may contain Potol bhaja, a Gujarati thali will have shaak, and a Maharashtrian thali will contain batatyachi bhaji. The variety of vegetables in the thali provides phytonutrients and fiber. They help prevent micronutrient malnutrition, cardiovascular disease, cataract, and cancer.

Pickles

Pickle is an essential component of Indian meals. Some of India’s most commonly used pickles include mango pickles, gooseberry pickles, lemon pickles, carrot pickles, ginger pickles, garlic pickles, and onion pickles. Pickles are usually made by fermentation and are rich in nutrients and antioxidants required by the body.

Papad

The humble papad has a vital place in every Indian thali. Generally made from dried lentils, it can either be fried or roasted. It is a good appetizer. Roasted papads help absorb the fatty materials from the mouth. They are gluten-free and rich in protein and fiber.

Chutney

Chutney is integral to every Indian thali, be it Punjabi, Gujarati, or South Indian. Made from fresh herbs, vegetables, fruits, and spices, a chutney can add a zing to every meal. Tomato chutney, coconut chutney, mint chutney, or date tamarind chutney are popular accompaniments to meals and snacks. The sterol and flavonoids in chutney help in improving insulin sensitivity. They also provide probiotics, which increase good bacteria in the gut.

Curd/raita/ buttermilk

These milk-based foods are a part of the Indian thali. They cool the body and help meet the calcium requirement of the body. Curd has good bacteria that enable good digestion.

Non-vegetarian dishes

If you opt for a non-vegetarian thali, you will be treated to a wide variety of non-vegetarian dishes like butter chicken, fish gravy, prawn cadline curry, pork vindaloo, machher jhol, rogan josh, and yakhni. These dishes are rich in proteins.

Sweets

The Indian thali will satiate your sweet tooth as well. Since a limited amount is served in the thali, you need not worry about the calorie content too.

The average calorie content in a vegetarian thali

1.  Rice (1 cup)– 206 calories
2. Chapati (1 unit)– 80 calories
3. Dry vegetable dish ( 1 cup) – 150 calories
4. Dal (1 cup) – 106 calories
5. Raita (1 cup) – 46 calories
6. Sweet (1 unit) – 150 calories

Total –  736 Calories

The average calorie content in a non-vegetarian thali

1. Rice (1 cup)– 206 calories
2. Chapati (1 unit)– 80 calories
3. Chicken curry ( 200 gms) – 270 calories
4. Dal (1 cup) – 106 calories
5. Raita (1 cup) – 46 calories
6. Sweet (1 unit) – 150 calories

Total – 858 calories

The bottom line

Indian cuisine varies from region to region as it uses local spices and herbs. However, the one unifying factor here is the use of thali to serve the food. Using a combination of locally sourced foods in the correct quantity and with the right spices yields maximum health benefits. So, go ahead and try this wholesome meal from Mealawe.

The post The Science Behind the Indian Thali appeared first on mealawe.

There are several messes, cloud kitchens, eateries, home kitchens, etc. around you that offer tiffin services. But selecting the best tiffin service which caters to your need, such as good taste, healthy, cost, etc., is not easy. To start with, you may have to rule out places which are commercialized setups such as restaurants, cloud kitchens, messes, etc. There are other criteria as well.

Let’s delve further into this article as we will enable you to take an informed decision and choose the best tiffin service where you stay.

Choosing between healthy & unhealthy

When you are going ahead with daily meal service, such as tiffin service, you cannot compromise on the quality of food. People often get carried away with cheap meal options and offers. Messes, restaurants or any other commercialized kitchens can never serve you quality food which is healthy for your stomach.

You may get the taste but in the longer run, the food will affect your stomach big time. Commercialized kitchens hardly care for hygiene, quality of raw materials, etc. Usually, to meet the cost of food (after deducting offers), they cut down on –

Food preparation time

When you talk about commercial kitchens, everything is money in the chain of food preparation. Sometimes, they may even skip raw material washing or may prepare different curries and refrigerate them for days.

They use high flame cooking to prepare food fast for a larger customer base. High flame cooking takes away all kinds of nutrients from the prepared food.

Raw material quality

Restaurants and messes merely take care of food raw material quality. Everything is purchased in bulk and sometimes they even use cold storage to keep perishable items fresh for months. You cannot expect healthiness in tiffin or meals if they are made up of such kind of raw materials.

Another important factor in food preparation is the use of cooking oil. Small restaurants and messes use 10-20 times fried cooking oil which comes at a price point of Rs. 20-30/- per litre. Food prepared in such oil would be unhealthy.

Packaging quality

Sometimes you may end up getting tiffin in plastic bags, silver foil bags, thermocol containers, etc. Are they good when it comes to food containers? Absolutely NOT! Non-recyclable plastic containers, bags, etc. react with hot and cold food they alter the chemical composition of food. Even healthy food contained in plastic bags turns into unhealthy food for consumption.

On the other side, if you choose and order homemade tiffin from any home kitchen, then you can rest assured that you will get authentic homemade food. These home kitchens are nothing but families like yours and mine. There are several home kitchens around you in every city.

All these home kitchens mostly consume what they serve to people. They are not a typical commercial setup where they can compromise on quality. However, they might charge you Rs. 10/- to Rs. 20/- more than what messes or any restaurant or Dhaba may charge. But at the end of the day, you will get authentic, tasty, and healthy homemade food.

Regional taste and menu

There is no point in ordering tiffin from a Gujarati home kitchen if you belong to Maharashtra. Eating once from a cross-cultural region is fine, but eating daily such food would bore you.

Check home kitchen’s regional roots and style of cooking. If possible, you can also ask for a variety of menus that you would get on a day-to-day basis. Most of the good home kitchens can also provide you with all kinds of menu items that you will get in tiffin on a weekly basis.

You can go for a tiffin subscription once you are convinced with the style and region of cooking of that particular home kitchen.

Tiffin cost

In today’s world, everything boils down to money. But you have to remember that quality and tasty food won’t come at a cheap price. After all, it is about health! I do recommend you to spend a few rupees more on health.

Also, there are a variety of tiffin options available with home kitchens. If you are light on a budget then I would recommend you to stick to budget tiffins such as Roti/Chapati and Sabzi. It is wise to consume healthy combo as Roti and Sabzi (Vegetable) or Dal, Chawal, and Sabzi.

People get carried away with a variety of items offered in tiffins such as Roti, Dal, Chawal, Sabzi, Salad, and Sweet. This option is good but it will come at an additional cost. The typical price of tiffin would look as follow –

• Budget Veg Tiffin (3 Roti, Sabzi, Salad) – Rs. 70/- to Rs. 80/-
• Budget Non-Veg Tiffin (3 Roti, Non-Veg Curry, Salad) – Rs. 90/- to Rs. 110/-
• Deluxe Veg Tiffin (2 Roti, Rice, Dal, Sabzi, Salad) – Rs. 90/- to Rs. 120/-
• Deluxe Non-Veg Tiffin (2 Roti, Rice, Dal, Non-Veg Curry, Salad) – Rs. 120/- to Rs. 140/-

The above price point may again vary based on the type and quantity of food items. Please make a note that this is not a benchmark.

Delivery service

Gone are the days when you have to physically go to restaurants for takeaway orders. Once or twice is fine but when it comes to daily tiffin service, you have to look for options where home delivery of tiffin is possible.

Mealawe is a homemade food delivery service where you get a dedicated rider for delivering every tiffin to your doorstep. Again, delivery comes at a price, so do not negotiate with the home kitchen for adjusting delivery cost in tiffin cost.

Remember, they will compromise on food quality to serve you a cheap meal. 

Number of tiffins in subscription

Once you narrow down to your favourite home kitchen, it is vital to try their meal or tiffin. The kitchen shall provide you with an option to order one tiffin for tasting purposes. Mealawe is a platform where there are a number of home kitchens that serve homemade tiffin subscriptions.

Once you like any home kitchen, you shall have an option to select a certain number of tiffins. It is not always for users to go for 30 tiffins on a monthly basis. Mealawe offers you options to go for 10, 20, and 30 meal subscriptions. We also have a provision to reschedule any day to some other day if you miss a tiffin in between.

Final words

It is not so difficult to choose the best tiffin service anywhere in the city. But it is important to keep restaurants, messes, restaurant delivery apps, cloud kitchens, etc. at bay as they cannot serve you healthy food in tiffin or meal subscription.

Go for home kitchens as they are family and mostly they serve what they eat. You cannot get more quality assurance other than this. Mealawe has a beautiful tagline which says “isme hai, maa kaa pyar”. Also, be ready to spend a few more bucks; after all it is your health. People eat outside unhealthy food for days and become ill in the longer run. So, be wise and choose home kitchens.

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Mealawe is a homemade food delivery mobile application and at Mealawe, we believe in promoting cuisines from various parts of our county. Let us learn more about traditional Indian dishes, the science behind them, how they are prepared, and their benefits.

Tadka (tempering)

Many people believe tempering is done to enhance the flavour of the dish. However, tempering also extracts the nutrition and medicinal benefits of the spices used. Traditionally, ghee or vegetable oil is used for tempering.

Spices like cumin, bay leaf, fenugreek, mustard seeds, asafoetida, and curry leaves are added to the ghee. Besides adding flavour to the food, they also have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that make the food suitable for the heart and digestion.

Roti

Roti or chapati is prepared in every Indian home regularly. Since they are made with whole grain wheat, rotis are rich in fibre, carbohydrates, and proteins. They provide energy to the body and increase blood circulation. They are also easy to digest. According to Ayurveda, roti helps to balance the vata and pitta dosha.

Rice and Dal

Rice and dal(lentils) are probably the most popular combination of homecooked Indian food. Dal and rice contain different types of proteins, so eating them together gives complete protein nutrition. Rice is rich in sulfur-based amino acids, while dal is rich in lysine amino acids.

Both dal and rice are rich in fibre, which helps improve digestion and keep diseases like diabetes in check.

Idli

Idli is prepared from the fermented batter of rice and black gram. The fermentation process makes idli more digestible. Fermentation also improves the nutritional and protein efficiency of idlis.

Idli batter also contains probiotic microorganisms like Lactobacillus Plantarum and Lactobacillus Lactis, which produce vitamin B12 and B-galactosidase enzyme, which enhance the probiotic activity.

Roasted Ragi

Ragi is a finger millet that is rich in dietary fibre and nutrients. Due to gelatinization, roasting ragi improves its taste, digestibility, and solubility or starch. It is rich in vitamin C, B-complex, E, and calcium.

It also contains proteins, unsaturated fats, and fibre. Germinating ragi improves the bioavailability of iron and zinc. This superfood is often included in the diet of babies. It can also help handle irritable bowel syndrome.

Dhokla

Dhokla is prepared from the fermentation of besan (Bengal gram) and rice. Fermentation of the batter improves the flavour of the dhokla. The yeast used for culture produces folic acid and helps make the dhokla spongy. The antioxidant properties of dhokla also help in keeping stress-induced degenerative diseases at bay.

Saag

Saag is a popular leaf-based dish from north India. It is made from mustard leaves, spinach, basella, or collard greens. It also includes maize powder, which makes the saag smooth and adds to the flavour. Since it is prepared from green leaves, it is a powerhouse of antioxidants. Besides iron, it contains vitamins A, C, E, and K. Steamed mustard leaves can bind bile acids, which helps lower cholesterol.

Dahi (Yogurt)

Dahi is a naturally fermented cow or buffalo milk product. It is a part of the daily diet of most Indians, and it contains B vitamins, folic acid, and riboflavin. Dahi contains lactic acid bacteria, which has a probiotic effect. It helps improve intestinal health and controls diarrhoea.

Curd is often mixed with cucumber to make cucumber raita, a staple dish during summer. Cucumber gives a cooling effect and improves bowel movements. Cucumbers are also known to detoxify and cleanse your body.

Vegetable curry

The curry is the base of many Indian dishes. Made by blending onion, ginger, garlic, tomatoes, and spices like turmeric, red pepper, black pepper, cumin, cardamom, and coriander, the Indian curry has many health benefits.

You can add lentils and vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, and potato to this dish. Spices like turmeric and black pepper improve immunity. Curry has antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic properties.

Final words

There is so much diversity in the traditional regional cuisines of India. Regardless of the region, the traditional Indian cuisine is rich in nutrition. Even today, the meals prepared in households are made from what fresh produce is available in the markets.

We can say the same for the home cooks at Mealawe, who provide you with daily healthy meals from their home kitchens. Order from Mealawe at your convenience and enjoy their healthy and nourishing meals.

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For those who don’t have the time to cook or have never learned how to cook, homemade food delivery services like Mealawe are the way to go. These services provide high-quality meals with fresh and nutritious ingredients for their consumers.

Here are some more facts that you should know about the benefits of homemade food –

1.    Homemade food is hygienic

A meal prepared at home is way more hygienic than a restaurant meal. Homemade food is prepared in clean surroundings with utmost care. We cannot be sure about the hygiene levels in the restaurant kitchens. Eating more homemade food can reduce your risk of contracting foodborne illnesses.

2.    Homemade food is healthier

When we prepare food at home, we ensure that the ingredients are fresh and natural. The nutritional value of these foods is much higher than that of restaurant foods. Fast food restaurants add a lot of salt, sugar, and unhealthy oil to their food. Eating healthy homecooked meals boosts your immune system and reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and high blood pressure.

3.    Homemade food is low in calories

Eating out or ordering food is a definite no-no if you plan to lose weight. To maintain your calorie intake and keep your weight in check, you must carefully prepare your meals and reduce the amount of salt, sugar, and saturated fats. Traditional Indian dishes are much healthier and lower in calories than fast foods.

4.    Homemade food provides a balanced diet

We are all well aware of the importance of eating balanced meals. We can stay fit and healthy only if we consume the correct quantities of all macro and micronutrients. A traditional Indian meal contains carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients for our health. Restaurants are more focused on their food’s taste, so they compromise on the nutritional content.

5.    Homemade food is economical

Eating out every day can make a significant dent in your household budget. Buy your groceries in bulk and cook meals at home. You can pre-prepare food for the week and store them in your refrigerator.

6.    Portion control is more manageable with homemade food

When you order food, the portion sizes are pretty large. You tend to overeat in such cases. If the portion is too small, you may not fill your stomach well and feel cranky. When you cook at home, portion control is much easier. Even if you have cooked more than you can eat, you can store the leftovers in the fridge and eat them later.

7.    Easier to avoid allergic reactions

If you are allergic to certain foods, cooking meals at home is better than ordering in. You can control what you put in the food you make. You might not know all the ingredients in a restaurant meal.

8.    Good for children

All parents are concerned about the health of their children. We strive to provide them with the best of everything, so why not food? Research has shown that children that eat more homemade meals are less prone to infections and weight gain. Home-cooked food contains more fruits and vegetables and less trans fats and sugar.

9.    Homemade food improves family bonding

Eating meals at home with your loved ones is an excellent way to bond. You can try out new dishes and experiment with new flavours. You can try different cuisines and make mealtime an adventure for your family.

10. Saves time

We often order food when we do not have the time to cook food at home. Cooking at home can be a huge time saver. Many dishes can be prepared in just 30 minutes – which is usually the time it takes for a pizza to arrive at your doorstep. Driving to a restaurant, ordering your meal, and waiting for it to arrive at your table can take much longer. It will be more satisfying for you to cook a meal than wait for the food to arrive at your doorstep.

11. Eating homemade foods is educational

Eating homemade meals can be an educational experience. You can learn and teach others about the nutritional benefits of the ingredients used. Browse the menu of Mealawe, and you will find many cuisines to choose from. You can learn more about different cultures and traditions when you eat foods from different cuisines.

Final bites

Adopting a diet of healthy homemade meals can boost your mood and improve your resilience to stress. Eating together at the dining table every day also helps make the family bonds stronger. Eating wholesome meals can give you more energy and help you sleep better at night.

Mealawe offers homemade food straight to your door. Download their app and discover local home-based cooks in your neighborhood; check out their menus and let them handle the cooking for you. After all, when you feel healthier, you feel happier.

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