Diet Plan for Weight Loss, Diet Chart & Tips

Are you looking for the best Indian Diet Plan to lose weight? The rules are simple.

All you need to do is start eating right food. However, in India, this can feel like an insurmountable challenge, given our food culture and dietary habits. For instance, a typical Indian meal is high in carbohydrates and sugar – we eat a lot of potatoes, rice, and sweets.

We also love our snacks and can’t imagine a day without our fix of namkeens and bhujias. Even we encourage our friends and family into eating more, as a sign of hospitality and affection, and consider refusing, an extra helping a rebuff.

To top it all, we’ve never embraced physical exercise as essential. So, it isn’t a surprise that India is battling with a growing problem of obesity.

But, the answer doesn’t lie in shunning Indian food in favour of foreign ingredients or fad diets. Moreover, you’ll find that the best Indian diet plan consists of foods that you’ve already got in your kitchen and which will enable you to lose weight by making a few changes to your diet.

Table of Contents

Understand the Science Behind Weight Loss

Weight loss and gain revolve around caloric consumption and expenditure. Simply put, you lose weight when you consume fewer calories than you expend and you gain weight when you consume more calories than you sweat.

To drop those extra kilos, all you need to do is eat within your calorie budget and burn the required number of calories. So, a combination of the two works best suggested experts.

Get your daily requirement of calorie consumption and burn based on your lifestyle and dietary preferences, by signing up on HealthifyMe.

However, simply determining how many calories your body needs isn’t enough. After all, four samosas (600 calories), two slices of pizza (500 calories), and two gulab jamuns (385 calories) may be within your daily requirement of 1500 calories, but these unhealthy food choices will eventually lead to other health problems like high cholesterol and blood sugar.

To lose weight the healthy way, you also need to ensure your Indian diet plan is balanced i.e. it covers all food groups and provides all the nutrients you need necessary for good health.

The Best Diet Plan for Weight Loss

No single food provides all the calories and nutrients that the body needs to stay healthy. That’s why a balanced diet consisting of macronutrients like carbohydrates, protein, and fat along with micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals, is recommended.

The best Indian diet for weight loss is a combination of the five major food groups – fruits and vegetables, cereals and pulses, meat and dairy products, and fats and oils. Furthermore, knowing how to divvy up the food groups, allocate portion sizes, and the best/ideal time to eat is also equally important.

Shalika’s Incredible- Weight Loss Journey

1200 Calorie Weight Loss Diet Chart Plan

A lot can be spoken about what goes into an ideal diet chart. However, one’s nutritional requirement varies based on various factors. It could change depending on gender, for example, male dietary requirements vary from that of a female.

Geography can play a role as well, with North Indian diets being largely different from South Indian ones. So, here meal preferences come into play since the consumption of food by a vegetarian or a vegan differ largely from that by a non-vegetarian.

However, we have put together a diet plan ideal for weight loss with Indian food. This 7 day diet plan also known as a 1200 calorie diet plan is a sample, and should not be followed by any individual without consulting a nutritionist.

Weight Loss Diet Plan Chart – Day 1

• After starting your day with cucumber water, have oats porridge and mixed nuts for breakfast.
• Next, have a roti with dal and gajar matar sabzi for lunch.
• Follow that up with dal and lauki sabzi along with a roti for dinner.

Weight Loss Diet Plan Chart – Day 2

• On the second day, eat a mixed vegetable stuffed roti along with curd for breakfast.
• For lunch, have half a katori of methi rice along with lentil curry.
• Next, end your day with sautéed vegetables and green chutney.

Weight Loss Diet Plan Chart  – Day 3

• Breakfast on day 3 would include Multigrain Toast and Skim Milk Yogurt.
• In the afternoon, have sauteed vegetables along with paneer and some green chutney.
• Half a katori of methi rice and some lentil curry to make sure you end the day on a healthy note.

Weight Loss Diet Plan Chart – Day 4

• Start Day 4 with a Fruit and Nuts Yogurt Smoothie and Egg Omelette
• Follow that up with Moong Dal, Bhindi Sabzi, and roti.
• Complete the day’s food intake with steamed rice and palak chole.

Weight Loss Diet Plan Chart – Day 5

• Have a glass of skimmed milk and peas poha for breakfast on the fifth day.
• Eat a missi roti with low fat paneer curry in the afternoon.
• End the day with roti, curd and aloo baingan tamatar ki sabzi.

Weight Loss Diet Plan Chart – Day 6

• On Day 6, have idli with sambar for breakfast
• For lunch, roti with curd and aloo baingan tamatar ki sabzi
• To end Day 6, eat green gram with roti and bhindi sabzi

Weight Loss Diet Plan Chart – Day 7

• On the seventh day, start with besan chilla and green garlic chutney.
• Have steamed rice and palak chole for lunch.
• End the week on a healthy note with low fat paneer curry and missi roti.

Balanced Diet Plans for Weight Loss

While creating a diet chart, it is important to make sure, that the food you eat is balanced and also you receive all the required nutrients for your body. Thus, make sure that you include the following nutrients in your diet plan:

1. Carbohydrates Diet Plan

Carbs are the body’s main source of energy and should make up half of your daily calorie requirement. However, it’s important to choose the right type of carbs.

For example, simple carbs, such as bread, biscuit, white rice, and wheat flour, contain too much sugar and are bad for you. Instead, opt for complex carbs that are high in fiber and packed with nutrients as compared to simple carbs.

Read more: Essential Guide to the Low Carbohydrate Diet

This is because Fiber-rich complex carbs are harder to digest, leaving you feeling full for longer, and are therefore the best option for weight control. Brown rice, Oats and millets such as ragi Jowar and Bajra are all good complex carb choices.

2. Proteins Diet Plan

Most Indians fail to meet their daily protein requirement. This is troublesome, as proteins are essential to help the body build and repair tissue, muscles, cartilage, and skin, as well as to pump your blood. Hence, a high protein diet can also help you lose weight, as it helps build muscle – which burns more calories than fat.

Read more: Protein Rich Food – Vegetarian Diet Plan, Benefits & Recipes

For instance, about 30% of your diet should consist of protein in the form of whole pulses (rajma, chole, lobhia green gram), paneer, chana, milk, leafy greens, eggs, white meat, or sprouts. Having one helping of protein with every meal is essential.

3. Fats Diet Plan

Fats, a food group with a negative reputation, is necessary for the body because they produce hormones, store vitamins, and offer energy.

Experts suggest one-fifth or 20% of your diet must consist of healthy fats – polyunsaturated, monounsaturated, and Omega-3 fatty acids. Hence, as per research having a healthy approach to your fat diet plan will be beneficial. 

Read more: Low-Fat Diet – Everything You Should Know

For example, using a combination of oils for different meals – including olive oil, rice bran oil, mustard oil, soya bean, sesame, sunflower, and groundnut oil – along with restricted quantities of butter and ghee is the most optimal way to consume fats. But,  you must avoid trans fats at all costs found in fried snacks and baked items.

4. Vitamins and Minerals Diet Plan

Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, calcium and iron are essential for the body as they support metabolism, nerve and muscle function, bone maintenance, and cell production.

Since, these are primarily derived from plants, meat and fish, minerals can also be found in nuts, oilseeds, fruits and green leafy vegetables.

Experts and nutritionists recommend consuming 100 grams of greens and 100 grams of fruits accordingly.

5. Indian Weight Loss Diet Plan Meal Swaps

One of the easiest ways to eat healthy is to swap out the unhealthy foods from your Indian Diet plan with its healthier alternatives. 

For example, instead of fulfiling your cravings for a snack with packed potato chips go with a healthy alternative of air-popped popcorn. Furthermore, you can also look at other wonderful healthy meal swap choices that you could try in the future.

Along with a balanced Weight loss diet chart plan, these habits will help you stay healthy:

• Opt for 5-6 meals a day: Instead of three large meals, try having three modest meals and a few snack breaks in controlled portions for the day. Spacing your meals across regular intervals prevents acidity and bloating and also keeps hunger pangs at bay. So, quit your junk food habit by making healthier snacking choices in your indian diet plan.
• Have an early dinner: Indians eat dinner later than the other societies across the world. Since metabolism slows down at night, a late dinner can lead to weight gain. Experts recommend you eat your last meal of the day by 8 pm.
• Drink a lot of water: How does drinking more water help you lose weight? For starters, it’s zero calories. Also, drinking a glass of water can help curb hunger pangs. Have six to eight glasses of water daily to lose weight and also find a list of drinks that will help you lose weight here.
• Eat a lot of fiber: A person needs at least 15 gm of fiber every day, as it aids digestion and heart health. Oats, lentils, flax seeds, apples and broccoli are some great sources of fiber.

In conclusion to everything stated above. you don’t necessarily have to ditch your regular food habits or make massive changes to your diet, all you need is to follow the best balanced Indian diet plan to get fit!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What is the 7 Day Challenge diet?

A. The 7 Day GM Challenge diet is a popular diet plan that helps you lose 5kgs to 7kgs of weight. You can have more information about this diet, here.

Q. What is the diet chart to lose weight? 

A. You can follow healthifyMe’s carefully curated, 1200 calorie diet plan to lose weight. 

Q. Which Indian food is best for weight loss?

A. There is no single best Indian food for weight loss. Any whole food found in its natural state can be suited for weight loss such as dals, pulses, nuts, seeds, spices etc.

Q. What drink helps burn fat?

A. There are no miracle drinks to burn fat. However, diet may include drinks like Jeera Water, lemon water, amla juice can help boost your metabolism and may help in getting rid of the excess fat.

Q. What is the most effective weight loss diet?

A. A diet which focuses on whole foods rich in nutrients is effective and sustainable if followed consistently. However, the above diet chart is highly effective to shed some kilos. 

Q. What are the 9 Rules to Lose weight?

A. Out of the many rules to lose weight, the 9 important ones are as follows – keep yourself hydrated, improve your eating habits, look for a suitable calorie deficit plan, include protein in your diet, workout regularly, keep yourself physically active, maintain a healthy lifestyle, allow yourself a cheat day, sleep better.

Q. Is Indian diet healthy?

A. Indian diets are diverse and many are healthy because they include varied cereals, pulses, fruits and vegetables and less meat consumption.

Q. Is banana good for weight loss?

A. Bananas are loaded with fiber that slows the digestion process, making you feel full and help in weight loss. However, bananas are high in calories as well so one needs to limit the portion size.

Q. What are the 5 foods you should not eat to lose weight?

A. There can be few foods that you can avoid to maintain your weight like Processed Food, Junk food, Alcoholic beverages, Sugary drinks and Desserts.

Q. How can I lose 5kg in a month on an Indian diet?

A. Burning fat depends on a lot of factors that must be considered before setting up a goal. Your current Age, BMI, Gender as well as lifestyle plays a key role in the process. However, you can follow our Best Indian Diet Plan for Weight Loss article which will help you in the process. 

Q. Does jeera water reduce weight?

A. Yes, Jeera Water is known to boost metabolism and burn fat. Explore more about Jeera Water here.

Q. Can I lose 10 kg in a month? 

A. Losing 10 kgs in a month is not a healthy goal and can lead to nutritional deficiencies. Weight depends on a lot of criterions like Age, Gender, BMI, etc. Also, making some changes in your diet and lifestyle can help you lose weight. You can follow our Best Indian Diet Plan for Weight Loss to work dedicatedly towards the goal .

Q. What Indian food can I eat with type 2 diabetes?

A. You can eat foods like Brown Rice, Multigrain chapati, legumes and pulses, all leafy green vegetables etc. Consult your dietitian about the dos/don’ts before you add something to your diet plan. 

Q. What is the best Indian breakfast for diabetics type 2?  

A. Vegetable Oats or Moong Dal cheela can be one of the best Indian breakfast for type 2 diabetics. 

Q. Which diet plan is best for PCOS weight loss?

A. Learn more about PCOS weight loss diet in your article ‘How to Control PCOS with your Diet’. 

Q. Can PCOS patients reduce weight?

A. Yes, however, it can be a struggle. It is essential for you to consult a doctor before committing to a diet plan. 

Q. Does vegetarian diet promote weight loss?

A. One might think it is difficult for vegetarians to lose weight, because it is difficult for them to fulfil the protein intake. However, one might include curd, paneer and lentils in their diets. These are high-protein vegetarian foods that promote weight loss. 

External Links: 

1. A healthy approach to dietary fats: understanding the science and taking action to reduce consumer confusion (2017). – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5577766/