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 Is Dosa healthy?
  Last Updated : Oct 26,2018






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Is Dosa healthy?

Thin, crisp and delicious dosa dipped in chutney is one of the most frequently chosen food option by  most Indians. Traditionally, dosa is made from urad dal and rice. It is a rich source of carbohydrates and is also rich in fat.

Dosa is a fermented food which is easy to digest. Fermentation of foods increases the bioavailability of nutrients which helps the body to assimilate more nutrition. The microorganisms break down the complex protein, carbohydrates and fat efficiently thereby helping to assimilate more nutrients from the food. The bioavailability of proteins and Vitamin B content also increases.

Fermented foods help in reviving the microflora of the gut . Also the lactic acid bacteria produced during fermentation, helps in maintaining the pH of the gut and thereby maintaining a good gut health.

The nourishment of dosa largely depends on the quality and the quantity of the fat used to make it. Dosa is a versatile recipe and can be made with oil, ghee or butter. Preferably, one should use unsaturated fat over saturated fat to ensure the health component. However, all kinds of fats are a combination of both saturated and unsaturated fat.

Ghee and butter in moderate quantities can be used to make dosa. If you want to use oil, use olive oil, canola oil or peanut oil which are rich sources of MUFA which decreases the risk of heart disease as they lower the low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (Bad cholesterol)  in the body. Also oils like flaxseed oil or soybean oil can be used which are good sources of Omega 3 fatty acids.

Dosa provides a perfect cereal pulse combination which makes it a complete protein. For people on gluten free diets, dosas and idlis can be a good option. Note that DOSA is a medium glycemic index food as it provides complete protein or amino acid profile, it is good option for Vegetarians. 

Is Dosa suitable for Diabetics?

Dosa is a moderate Glycemic Index recipe. Since, dosa has a high amount of rice which is rich in simple carbohydrates and it is fermented that is - it is pre digested, it does not prove to be a healthy option for diabetics. 

However, you can try other HEALTHY DOSA variations good for Diabetics. If using rice, use good quality unpolished rice. You can replace the rice with oats or ragi which will increase the fiber content and make recipes like Healthy Oats Dosa and Nachni Dosa. You can also add various other pulses like mung dal or soya to it and make recipes like Quick Mini Soya Dosas which will enhance the protein content and lower the glycemic index of the recipe. Buckwheat is a super food for vegetarians and this Diabetic friendly Buckwheat Dosa is a must to try. You can also add the crunch of various vegetables to it to which will further enhance its nutrient content.

So, instead of going out and having the road side dosa which is made from oil that is re-fried a number of times, make a healthy and easy dosa at home. The road side vendors for sure are not taking care about the quality of fat that is going in your body . 

Below are some very healthy Dosa recipes in addition to the basic Dosa recipe.

is dosa healthy

1.  
 by Tarla Dalal
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dosa recipe | with dosa batter recipe | South Indian dosa | how to make dosa | with 22 amazing images. Dosa has put South India on every culinary hot spot of the world. We show you how to make dosa with detailed step by step recipe on how to make the perfect dosa batter. Dosa is as popular in South Indian cuisine as Idli is! Crisp and thin pancakes made of a rice and urad dal batter, dosas are even more exciting than idlis. In fact, while idlis are considered to be an easy, comfortable steamed food, dosas are often considered a more indulgent alternative! While dosas were traditionally made using iron griddles, nowadays non-stick tavas have made the job much easier. You can roast your dosas using oil, ghee or sometimes butter too! . Dosa is a pancake. One of the most popular snacks in all of South India, over time it has become popular all over the country and globally too. Dosa is made by spreading a batter on a hot griddle and cooking it with a little oil, or sometimes even no oil, till it turns golden brown and crisp. While most people use a non-stick tava these days, you can also opt for a traditional iron tava, which will enhance the taste as well as give you a nutrient boost. To make dosa, first you need to make the dosa batter. For making the dosa batter, combine the urad dal and fenugreek seeds in a deep bowl, soak it in enough water for 4 hours.Combine the rice, parboiled rice and thick rice flakes in a deep bowl , soak it in enough water for 4 hours. Drain the urad dal and fenugreek seeds and blend in a mixer to a smooth paste using approx. 1 cup of water. Transfer the mixture into a deep bowl and keep aside. Drain the rice, parboiled rice and thick rice flakes blend in a mixer to a smooth paste using approx. 1 cup of water. Transfer the mixture into the same bowl, add the salt and mix well. Cover and ferment in a warm place for 12 hours. Further, to make dosa, heat a non-stick tava (griddle), sprinkle a little water on the tava (griddle) and wipe it off gently using a cloth. Pour a ladleful of the dosa batter on it and spread it in a circular motion to make a 225 mm. (9”) diameter thin circle. Smear a little ghee over it and along the edges and cook on a high flame till the dosa turns brown in colour and crisp. Fold over to make a semi-circle or a roll. Serve South Indian dosa immediately Enjoy dosa hot and crisp, with coconut chutney and Sambhar. If you are going to have the dosas after a while, make them slightly thick, so that they will remain soft and springy even after a while. Enjoy dosa recipe | with dosa batter recipe | South Indian dosa | how to make dosa | detailed step by step recipe with photos and video below.
 
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2.  
 by Tarla Dalal
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oats dosa recipe | oats dosa for weight loss | Indian oats dosa with urad dal | oats dosa – healthy breakfast | with 17 amazing images. oats dosa is a dosa which requires no soaking – you just need to blend and ferment, so it is relatively easier. Learn how to make Indian oats dosa with urad dal. Here is an Indian oats dosa with urad dal which is devoid of rice. It is made with fibre-rich oats and is good for diabetics. It is gluten-free and a good source of protein. To make oats dosa, combine the oats and urad dal in a mixer and blend to a smooth powder. Add 1½ cups of water and blend again till smooth. Transfer the mixture into a deep bowl, cover it with a lid and keep aside to ferment in a warm place for 10 to 12 hours. After fermentation, add the salt and mix the batter very well. Heat a non-stick tava (griddle), sprinkle a little water on the tava (griddle) and wipe it off gently using a cloth. Pour a ladleful of the batter on it and spread it in a circular motion to make a 175 mm. (7”) diameter thin circle. Smear 1 tsp of ghee over it and along the edges and cook on a high flame till the dosa turns brown in colour and crisp. Fold over to make a semi-circle or a roll. Repeat steps 5 to 8 to make 4 more dosas. Serve immediately with sambhar. Idli and Dosas need no introduction. One of the most famous South Indian breakfast or snack dishes, the dosa is quite versatile too. This oats dosa is a healthy breakfast option. The oats dosa for weight loss tastes as good as regular dosas, especially when served with the trademark coconut chutney and sambar team! Being free of high glycemic index rice, this dosa is perfect for an obesity menu too. Heart patients and those with high blood pressure too can include them in their diet. Tips for oats dosa. 1. In the winter season, the batter takes a little more time to ferment than 12 hours. To speeden up the process of fermentation, you can add ½ tsp of fenugreek seeds along with water before fermentation. 2. Cook the dosa on a high flame for uniform cooking and golden brown colour. You can also try other dosa recipes like Quinoa Dosa. Enjoy oats dosa recipe | oats dosa for weight loss | Indian oats dosa with urad dal | oats dosa – healthy breakfast | with step by step images and video below.
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An interesting variant of the ever-popular dosa, these Quick Mini Soya Dosas are made with a combination of soya and rice flours. The best part is that it is made with readymade flours, and does not require you to soak or grind anything, not even the urad. A sprinkling of fruit salt replaces the fermentation process, resulting in reasonably springy dosas, which are softened further by the addition of veggies like cucumber. Kids and adults alike will love these sumptuous and tasty mini dosas, which taste great with coriander-coconut chutney!
4.  
 by Tarla Dalal
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ragi dosa recipe | nachni dosa | finger millet dosa | healthy ragi dosa | with 28 amazing images. Ragi dosa also known as nachni dosa or finger millet dosa is consumed as breakfast in South-Indian states and now also all over India because of the health benefits of finger millet! Ragi is a super millet which is commonly eaten in South Indian states, generally milled to flour and used to make many dishes, one of which is nachni dosa! The batter to make this nutritious and tasty Nachni Dosa is easier to make than regular dosas because we have used nachni flour. So, you just need to grind the urad dal. I make ragi dosa for breakfast, breakfast or when in mood to have a light healthy meal. Allow the batter to ferment well, so you get really crisp ragi dosas. As a variation, you can even add grated carrots or finely chopped onions and green chillies to the batter before making the dosas! All you need is 5 ingredients to prepare the ragi dosa. Methi seeds help with fermenting and gives aroma to the batter! See why we think this is called healthy ragi dosa? Nachni or ragi flour is a good source of calcium. Urad dal, paired with it in this dosa, is a good source of protein. Both these key nutrients together help in building strong bones, which are the pillars of our body. 3.2 g of protein and 77.3 mg (13%) of calcium is what this each Nachni Dosa offers. As we age our body’s capacity to absorb calcium decreases. So this Nachni Dosa is a great way to make up for your day’s calcium requirement by having a calcium rich breakfast. All you need to remember is to not use too much oil for cooking them, as excess fat hinders calcium absorption. Here are some tips for perfect nachni dosa recipe. 1. If you have made batter in large quantity then always take required amount of batter in a separate bowl and adjust the consistency of batter. 2. If using leftover batter from the fridge then bring it to room temperature and then make dosa. 3. Further, If it gets too hot then sprinkle some water to bring down the temperature of the tava. By doing so the ragi dosa will not stick to the pan. The ideal temperature of tava is very important to make the perfectly dosa. 4. Lastly, If using cast iron tawa, please pre-season it well ahead of time. Serve ragi dosa it with healthy coconut chutney and Sambar for a real healthy treat. Enjoy ragi dosa recipe | nachni dosa | finger millet dosa | healthy ragi dosa | with detailed step by step recipe photos and video below.
5.  
 by Tarla Dalal
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buckwheat dosa recipe | kuttu dosa | healthy Indian buckwheat crepes | instant buckwheat dosa | with 15 amazing images. buckwheat dosa known as kuttu dosa is an instant buckwheat dosa which requires no fermentation. Here is an easy and healthy Indian buckwheat crepes prepared with buckwheat and urad dal. The twist here is that the ingredients are powdered, tempered and then mixed into a batter, which can be cooked immediately into yummy buckwheat dosas. See why this is a healthy Indian buckwheat crepes? Buckwheat is a very good source of iron and good to prevent anaemia. Rich in folate and good food for pregnant women . Buckwheat keeps your heart healthy and high in fibre and diabetic friendly. So dig into this buckwheat dosa. Serve the buckwheat dosa fresh off the tava with a chutney of your choice, preferably Green Chutney. Besides buckwheat dosa, we have many more recipes using buckwheat in our collection like Buckwheat Dhoklas , Buckwheat and Sprouts Khichdi , Buckwheat and Quinoa Bread etc. Learn how to make buckwheat dosa recipe | kuttu dosa | healthy Indian buckwheat crepes | instant buckwheat dosa | with detailed step by step photos below.
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Reviews

Is Dosa healthy?
5
 on 21 May 18 05:52 PM


Brilliant information to Dosa lovers like me. Alway having various types of dosas for breakfast at downstair at my office premises, now not sure it healthy. Now onwards I will tell my wife to make Rice, Nachni, Oats, Soya and Moongdal dosas for me at home only with coconut & other chutneys by Tarla Mam.
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