Saturday, January 31, 2009

How do you say Dosa is a Healthy, Nutritious Meal?

Tiskoo eating dosa

Our body needs carbohydrates, proteins, calcium, fats, vitamins, mineral salts, fibre.


Dosa has all this.


Carbohydrates are the source of energy. Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen are essential to keep us energetic and active. Food items such as potato, rice, spaghetti, yams, bread and cereals contain carbohydrates. These are the food items rich in starch.


Dosa has rice - starch - carbohydrates.


Proteins are turned into amino acids by our digestive system before they enter our blood. Proteins contain Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Sulphur. Proteins are absolutely necessary for the growth of our body and for repairing injured cells.


Dosa has lentils - proteins


Fat is also a source of energy. Just like proteins fats too contain Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen. Just by avoiding fat we cannot avoid putting on weight. Carbohydrates and proteins can also turn into fat. So it is necessary eat the right amount of energy containing food. How much energy we can take in? Naturally it depends on how much we can use through physical day-to-day activities and exercise.


To make dosa you use cooking oil. That gives you fat. And you can make it, according to your preference. Make it almost fat free or add more oil to make the dosa crispy, the choice is yours.


Mineral salts such as iron, calcium, sodium and iodine are necessary for different purposes. Iron is necessary for making hemoglobin. Decrease of hemoglobin leads to symptoms of anemia. Especially for pregnant women it is crucial to avoid problems of anemia. Calcium is essential for our bones, teeth and muscles. Nerve cells need sodium and our thyroid glands require iodine.


Dosa has calcium, iron and magnesium.


Fiber is important for good digestion, clear skin and healthy bowel movements.


Dosa has dietary fiber.


You can make different types of dosa. For example, carrot dosa gives you A. If you need more carbohydrates you can make masala dosa. Masala dosa has potatoes and that gives you more starch and more carbohydrates.


Dosa can be a good nutritious healthy meal for young and old including children.