South Asian Meals Under 500 Calories
South Asian Meals Under 500 Calories
portions
under 500
 calories
     about this
guide
- Nathan Johnson
CEO, Autonomy
                                   POHA
                                   Approximately 1 to 1.5
                                   standard dinner plates of
                                   cooked poha with
                                   vegetables. Poha is a
                                   traditional Indian dish made
                                   with flattened rice, often
                                   seasoned with mustard
                                   seeds, turmeric, and
                                   garnished with coriander
 Photo Credit: Simmer to Slimmer   leaves.
UPMA
Around 1 to 1.5 standard
dinner plates of cooked
semolina (suji) with
vegetables. Upma is a
savoury porridge-like dish
made from coarse rice flour
or semolina, typically
seasoned with mustard
seeds, curry leaves, and
mixed with vegetables.             Photo Credit: Simmer to Slimmer
                                  IDLI WITH
SAMBAR
MASALA DOSA
1 medium-sized dosa stuffed
with a mixture of potatoes and
spices, served with 50% of a
standard dinner plate of
coconut chutney and sambar.
Masala dosa is a fermented
crepe made from rice batter,
and the filling includes spiced
mashed potatoes.                   Photo Credit: Cook with Manali
                                     PARATHA
WITH
CURD
CHANA CHAAT
Approximately 1.5 standard
dinner plates of chickpea
chaat with chopped onions,
tomatoes, cucumber, and
spices. Chana chaat is a
savoury chickpea salad,
seasoned with various spices
and garnished with fresh
vegetables.
                                         Photo Credit: Red Online
                                     VEGETABLE
UTTAPAM
                                     Approximately 2 medium-sized
                                     uttapams topped with onions,
                                     tomatoes, capsicum, and
                                     cilantro. Uttapam is a thick
                                     pancake made from fermented
                                     rice and urad dal batter, often
Photo Credit: One teaspoon of Life   topped with vegetables.
 ALOO PURI
 2 whole wheat puris
 with a side of potato
 curry, served on a
 standard dinner plate.
 Aloo puri consists of
 deep-fried bread (puri)
 paired with a spiced
 potato curry.
                                          Photo Credit: Delishably
                                       OATS
UPMA
EGG BHURJI
WITH TOAST
Add Approximately 1
standard dinner plate of
egg bhurji served with 2
slices of whole grain toast.
Egg bhurji is a spiced
scrambled egg dish.                      Photo Credit: Seriouseats
                                    CHICKEN TIKKA
                                    MASALA        (250G)
                                    WITH BASMATI RICE
TANDOORI CHICKEN
(1 PIECE, ABOUT 150G) WITH
CUCUMBER RAITA (50G)
AND GRILLED VEGETABLES
(100G)
Tandoori chicken, marinated
in yoghurt and spices,
cooked in a tandoor (clay
oven), served with a
refreshing cucumber raita
and grilled vegetables.             Photo Credit: Sugar Spice & More
                                 CHANA MASALA
STEAMED BROCCOLI
                                 (100G)
                                 Chana masala, a flavorful
                                 chickpea curry, paired with
                                 brown rice and a side of
                                 steamed broccoli.
       Photo Credit: Flannerys
TOMATO SALAD
                                       (100G)
                                       Palak paneer, a creamy
                                       spinach and cottage cheese
                                       curry, served with a soft roti
 Photo Credit: Shweta in the Kitchen   and a cucumber-tomato
                                       salad.
WHEAT CHAPATI
                               (1 PIECE) AND
                               SPINACH SALAD
                               (100G)
                               Dal tadka, a flavorful
                               tempered lentil curry, paired
                               with whole wheat chapati
                               and a spinach salad.
 Photo Credit: Udupi Recipes
                                (200G) WITH
                                BASMATI RICE             (50G)
                                AND ROASTED
BRUSSELS SPROUTS
                                (100G)
                                Masoor dal, a red lentil curry,
                                accompanied by basmati
                                rice and roasted Brussels
                                sprouts.
    Photo Credit: Robin-Ellis
                                      (150G) WITH
                                      MILLET (50G) AND
STIR-FRIED BELL
                                      PEPPERS        (100G)
                                      Bhindi masala, spiced
                                      okra curry, paired with
                                      millet and stir-fried bell
                                      peppers.
    Photo Credit: Ministry of Curry
                                     (1 SERVING, ABOUT
                                     200G) WITH A SIDE
OF CUCUMBER AND
TOMATO SLICES
                                     (100G)
                                     Samosa chaat, a popular
                                     street food, featuring
                                     mashed samosas topped
                                     with flavorful chutneys and
 Photo Credit: Green heart of love
                                     spices, served with
                                     cucumber and tomato slices.
                                   (200G) WITH
                                   BROWN RICE
                                   (50G) AND
                                   GRILLED
                                   EGGPLANT          (100G
                                   Tofu tikka, marinated and
                                   grilled tofu, served with
                                   brown rice and grilled
  Photo Credit: Watch What U Eat   eggplant.
                                   (200G) WITH
                                   CUCUMBER RAITA
MUSHROOM MASALA
(200G) WITH WHOLE
WHEAT ROTI (1 PIECE)
AND MIXED GREENS (100G)
Mushroom masala, a
savoury mushroom curry,
served with whole wheat
roti and mixed greens.
                                     (100G)
                                     Aloo methi, a potato and
                                     fenugreek curry, paired with
                                     brown rice and stir-fried
                                     green beans.
                                    CHILLA(2 PIECES,
                                    ABOUT 150G) WITH
MINT CHUTNEY
                                    (30G)
                                    Moong dal chilla, savoury
                                    pancakes made from mung
                                    beans, served with mint
                                    chutney.
    Photo Credit: Fun Food Frolic
SAMOSA CHAAT (1
SERVING, ABOUT 200G)
WITH A SIDE OF CUCUMBER
AND TOMATO SLICES (100G)
Samosa chaat, mashed
samosas topped with
chutneys and spices,
served with cucumber and
tomato slices.
                                    Photo Credit: J Cooking Odyssey
                                   CUCUMBER RAITA
                                   (50G) WITH
                                   CARROT STICKS
                                   (100G
                                   Cucumber raita, a
                                   yoghurt-based side dish
                                   with cucumber, paired
                                   with carrot sticks.
                                       (200G) WITH
                                       WHOLE WHEAT
TOAST
                                       (1 SLICE)
                                       Tofu bhurji, a spiced
                                       scrambled tofu dish,
                                       served with whole wheat
                                       toast
Photo Credit: .Indian veggie delight
 PAPAD KI SABZI
 (150G) WITH
 STEAMED BROWN
 RICE (50G)
 Papad ki sabzi, a curry
 made from lentil wafers,
 served with steamed
 brown rice
                                       Photo Credit: Mad about Kitchen.
                                  METHI THEPLA                   (2
                                  PIECES, ABOUT
                                  100G     ) WITH
                                  MINT CHUTNEY
                                  (30G)
                                  Methi thepla, flatbreads
                                  made with fenugreek leaves,
                                  served with mint chutney.
 Photo Credit: The whisk Addict
VEGETABLE DALIA
(150G) WITH A SIDE
OF MIXED SALAD
(100G)
Vegetable dalia, cracked
wheat cooked with
vegetables, served with a
side of mixed salad.
                                    Photo Credit: Whisk Affair
                                  SARSON DA
                                  SAAG       (150G)
                                  WITH MAKKI KI
                                  ROTI       (1 PIECE):
                                  Sarson da saag, mustard
                                  greens curry, served with
                                  makki ki roti.
                                   PER PIECE            )
                                   A deep-fried pastry filled
                                   with spiced potatoes,
                                   peas, and sometimes
                                   meat. It's triangular and
                                   has a crispy, flaky
                                   exterior.
    Photo Credit: Food Network
KACHORI (150-250
CALORIES PER
PIECE)
A round, fried bread
made from refined flour
and filled with a mixture
of moong dal and spices.
                                     PER CUP           )
                                     A savoury snack made of
                                     puffed rice, vegetables, and
                                     a tangy tamarind sauce. It's
                                     light, crunchy, and often
                                     served with a variety of
                                     chutneys.
Photo Credit: Honey What’s Cooking
 PAKORA (50-100
 CALORIES PER
 PIECE)
 Deep-fried fritters made
 with gram flour and a
 variety of fillings like
 vegetables, paneer, or
 chicken. They are crispy
 and golden brown.
                                     Photo Credit: Kitchen Sanctuary
                                   DHOKLA             (80-100
                                   CALORIES PER
                                   PIECE      )
                                   A steamed, savoury cake
                                   made from rice and chickpea
                                   flour. It's light, fluffy, and
                                   typically served with green
                                   chutney.
                                (150-200
                                CALORIES PER
                                CUP    )
                                A spicy street food made
                                from fried potatoes, spices,
                                and various chutneys. It's
                                tangy and savoury.
    Photo Credit: Tarla Dalal
                                   CUP    )
                                   Flattened rice cooked with
                                   spices, onions, and often
                                   mixed with peas and
                                   peanuts. It's a light and easy-
                                   to-digest meal.
   Photo Credit: Indischwindisch
KHANDVI (40-60
CALORIES PER PIECE)
A delicate snack made
from gram flour and
yoghurt, rolled into thin
layers and seasoned with
mustard seeds and curry
leaves.
                              (150-200
                              CALORIES PER
                              100G      )
                              Marinated pieces of paneer
                              (Indian cottage cheese)
                              grilled to perfection. It's a
                              popular vegetarian
Photo Credit: Healthify me    alternative to chicken tikka.
                                  (150-200
                                  CALORIES PER
                                  PIECE     )
                                  A popular Mumbai snack,
                                  consisting of a potato
                                  fritter stuffed inside a
                                  bread bun.
        Photo Credit: Hub Pages
                              (100-150
                              CALORIES PER
                              CUP    )
                              A dish made with crispy
                              dough wafers (papri),
                              boiled chickpeas, potatoes,
                              yoghurt, and tamarind
                              chutney.
   Photo Credit: Manus Menu
                                    (150-200
                                    CALORIES PER
                                    PIECE      )
                                    Bread slices filled with
                                    spiced potato mixture,
                                    coated in gram flour batter,
                                    and deep-fried.
  Photo Credit: Cubes n Juliennes
CHIVDA (100-150
CALORIES PER CUP)
A savoury snack mix made
from dried rice flakes, nuts,
spices, and sometimes
dried fruits. It's crunchy
and very addictive.
                                    (150-200
                                    CALORIES PER
                                    DOSA        )
                                    A thin, crispy rice and lentil
                                    crepe filled with a spicy
                                    potato filling. It's served
                                    with coconut chutney and
                                    sambar.
    Photo Credit: Apollo Sugar
                                  (150-200
                                  CALORIES PER
                                  100G       )
                                  A vegetarian alternative to
                                  meat, made from soya
                                  beans and spices. It's often
                                  grilled or cooked in rich
                                  gravies
    Photo Credit: The Statesman
                                      BALLS           (100-150
                                      CALORIES PER
                                      PIECE       )
                                      Deep-fried balls made
                                      from a mixture of cheese,
                                      corn, and spices. They're
                                      crunchy on the outside
                                      and gooey on the inside.
   Photo Credit: Naturally Nidhi
                                    (1 PIECE: 100-150
                                    CALORIES)
CHILLI PANEER
(1 SERVING: 200-300
CALORIES)
A popular Indo-Chinese dish,
Chilli Paneer is made with
cubes of paneer (Indian
cottage cheese) sautéed with
bell peppers, onions, and spicy
chilli sauce. It is often served
as a flavorful appetizer or side
dish.                                  Photo Credit: Yellow Chilis
                                  CORN CHAAT
                                  (1 CUP: 100-150
                                  CALORIES)
KESARI (1 SERVING:
150-200 CALORIES)
Kesari is a sweet, saffron-
infused semolina pudding.
It's a popular South Indian
dessert made with ghee
(clarified butter), sugar, and
flavoured with cardamom,
often garnished with nuts
and dried fruits.
                                  Photo Credit: Veg Recipes of India
                                   VEGETABLE
                                   CUTLET          (1 PIECE:
                                   100-150
                                   CALORIES            )
                                   These are crispy, deep-fried
                                   patties made from a mix of
                                   mashed vegetables, spices,
                                   and breadcrumbs. They are
                                   often served with chutneys
                                   or ketchup as a snack or
  Photo Credit: Sharmis Passions   appetizer.
GATHIYA (50G:
APPROXIMATELY 200-
250 CALORIES)
Gathiya is a crunchy, spicy,
and slightly thick snack
made from chickpea flour.
It's a staple in Gujarati
cuisine and is often enjoyed
with a cup of tea.                    Photo Credit: Janifarsan
                                      MURUKKU                (50G:
                                      APPROXIMATEL
Y 200-250
                                      CALORIES           )
                                      A South Indian snack,
                                      Murukku is made from rice
                                      flour and urad dal flour,
                                      seasoned with sesame
                                      seeds, cumin, and
                                      sometimes garlic. It has a
                                      distinct spiral shape and is
Photo Credit: Indian Healthy Recipe   known for its crispy texture.
200-250
                                   CALORIES            )
                                   A small, thin, crunchy noodle-
                                   like snack made from
                                   chickpea flour paste,
                                   flavoured with turmeric and
                                   ajwain (carom seeds), and
    Photo Credit:Tarla Dalal       deep-fried until crisp.
MATHRI (50G:
APPROXIMATELY 200-
250 CALORIES)
A traditional North Indian
snack, Mathri is a flaky biscuit
made from flour, water, and
cumin seeds. It's deep-fried
and can be enjoyed plain or
with pickles.
                                   Photo Credit: Indian Healthy Recipe
                                        CHAKLI       (50G:
                                        APPROXIMATEL
Y 200-250
                                        CALORIES :       )
                                        Chakli is a spiral-shaped,
                                        crunchy snack made from
                                        rice flour, gram flour, and
                                        spices like sesame seeds
                                        and carom seeds. It's deep-
                                        fried and known for its spicy
  Photo Credit: Shweta in the Kitchen   and savoury taste.
PAKORA (50G:
APPROXIMATELY 150-200
CALORIES, CAN VARY BASED
ON INGREDIENTS)
Pakoras are Indian fritters made
by dipping vegetables, paneer,
or meat in a spiced gram flour
batter and deep-frying them.
The ingredients and spices
used can vary, which also
                                 Photo Credit: Indian Healthy Recipe
affects the calorie count.
                                    BHAKARWADI
                                    (50G:
                                    APPROXIMATELY
250-300
                                    CALORIES             )
                                    A traditional Maharashtrian
                                    snack, Bhakarwadi is a sweet
                                    and spicy rolled pastry filled
                                    with a mixture of coconut,
                                    sesame seeds, and poppy
 Photo Credit: What’s Cooking Mom
                                    seeds, and then deep-fried.
SHAKARPARA (50G:
APPROXIMATELY 200-
250 CALORIES)
These are sweet, bite-sized,
diamond-shaped pieces of
dough (made of flour, ghee,
and sugar), deep-fried till
they turn golden brown. They
are a popular festive snack.
                                      Photo Credit: Piping Pot Curry
                                      KHAKRA           (50G:
                                      APPROXIMATEL
Y 150-200
                                      CALORIES            )
                                      Khakra is a thin, crispy
                                      flatbread typically made
                                      from whole wheat flour and
                                      spices. It is a staple in
                                      Gujarati cuisine and is often
   Photo Credit: Archana's Kitchen    enjoyed as a light snack.
TABLESPOON
CHUTNEY 1
TABLESPOON
MINT CHUTNEY 1
TABLESPOON (15 ML):
AROUND 5-10 CALORIES
A refreshing condiment made
from fresh mint leaves,
cilantro, lemon juice, and
spices. It's commonly used in
Indian cuisine as a dip or
spread.
                                       Photo Credit: Fun Food Frolic
                                         TOMATO CHUTNEY 1
CALORIES
MANGO PICKLE 1
TABLESPOON (15 ML):
AROUND 15-20 CALORIES
Mango pickle is a spicy and
tangy condiment made from
unripe mangoes, oil, and a
mix of spices. It's a common
accompaniment in Indian
meals, adding a burst of
flavour.                                Photo Credit: Mangalore Cook Book
                                    RAITA(CUCUMBER AND
                                    YOGURT) 1
AROUND 10-15
CALORIES
MUSTARD SAUCE 1
TABLESPOON (15 ML):
AROUND 10-15 CALORIES
A tangy and spicy sauce
made from mustard seeds,
vinegar, and various
seasonings. It's widely used
as a condiment in Western
cuisine.
                                       Photo Credit: Alexandra Cooks
                                SOY SAUCE 1
                                TABLESPOON               (15
                                    )
                                ML : AROUND 10-
15 CALORIES
CHUTNEY 1
                                     TABLESPOON                (15
                                         )
                                     ML : AROUND 5-10
CALORIES