5 Desi summer lunches that are light & healthy

Written by: Deepa Sarkar Reviewed by: Dr. Swati Mishra

[{"selector":"#anim-f139bf67-e89e-40b0-b0e3-25d9730cabda","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7439c536-202f-4220-8e64-5beedb4fd012","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 209.50752%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Summer calls for light meals that are easy to digest and provide some hydration. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

[{"selector":"#anim-0a0035d1-831b-4986-93ba-d6ce46d200fd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b89ca84b-e619-4054-a464-40a4efee44e4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 167.95226%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Let's explore 5 Indian lunch recipes that are nutrient-packed & perfect for keeping you refreshed and full. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Khichdi with Curd

[{"selector":"#anim-12fe53d2-0be8-446d-ac5b-400c9b19725c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b5eba18c-240b-4158-a0bc-f02d852ea335","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 139.19330%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ca5f52b3-3072-4633-a53d-d0aaa8206296","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8b8871c4-b5d5-4da0-89a2-becb8ba8f3ff","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 656.17314%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Moong dal khichdi is a light meal with a good source of protein. Pair this with chilled curd to make a cooling meal loaded with probiotics. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Cucumber Raita & Bajra Roti

[{"selector":"#anim-552d35f2-4f42-4adb-8396-529cad661674","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a1df0a2d-472a-41b4-bdd5-ce75d8ebcc21","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 125.42485%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-04a4f51a-0c7c-49f5-bbfe-faff7c87509d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f7cff018-99fa-41fc-9ed1-b0732ef96e33","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 412.27210%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Bajra (pearl millet) cools the body & is rich in fiber. Pair it with cucumber raita to improve digestion & hydration during hot, summer afternoons. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Vegetable Curd Rice

[{"selector":"#anim-6548f16b-00b6-4dd9-88a2-e2dfbc4a058b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-81cdedb5-0f67-4b0a-a4bc-81a4215a4f28","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 131.30719%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6620625f-aaa2-49b2-ba8c-e38b86a5d5e0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9030f8fa-2245-4c56-8956-03012600fff5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 711.72879%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] This South Indian special summer dish is a probiotic powerhouse. The curd aids gut health, while carrots, cucumber, & curry leaves add taste & nutrition. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Palak Moong Dal with Jeera Rice

[{"selector":"#anim-9b907f94-f299-4d7d-a32e-bd20cbfa6628","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-000b1c58-3871-4d35-b1c6-b7bb4ecba3c9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 131.30719%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a4ab1ec1-0a2f-46e3-bd3b-3ea2397a2695","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-29a9cac0-59ae-4d81-b3a4-63cfd5be2a16","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 427.19754%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Palak (Spinach) is an iron-rich antioxidant. Cooked with protein-filled moong dal & paired with jeera rice, it makes a wholesome combo for summers. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Lauki Sabzi with Rice

[{"selector":"#anim-914970ab-073b-475b-b9f1-6ae9f3ff011e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fae9960c-d0cc-4f5d-ba5b-9ef576cd86f1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 131.30719%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f3757842-0abe-4680-a689-11c5bf27eb0e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5c1f75b4-270b-4d20-b186-b40458de9327","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 711.72879%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Lauki (Bottle Gourd) contains 96% water & carries essential vitamins. Combine it with steamed rice or millet to make for a simple and detoxifying meal. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Final Takeaway

[{"selector":"#anim-ee33047f-3e12-4e83-82d8-9303e55fc316","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-105a68f0-0fd2-49bb-b2e1-25bbb71669aa","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 146.04260%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-264de0cf-4c83-4809-9271-afea496f7289","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0ecc0883-d1f7-4e83-88f4-feceb0e10a85","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 683.95088%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] You don’t have to give up flavor for nutrition. These light desi meals are perfect for summer, helping you stay nourished, cool, and satisfied. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

If you found this helpful,

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