does poha increase weight - #23642
I am really curious about whether poha increases weight or not. Last month, I started eating it for breakfast because I heard it's healthy. My mom always makes this delicious poha with peanuts and spices, and honestly, I love it! But for some reason, I feel like my clothes have been getting tighter. I don’t know if it’s just me being paranoid or if eating poha actually contributes to weight gain. I used to have a pretty fast metabolism, but lately, I haven't been as active due to work. I've read mixed things online; some say that poha is a good option for weight loss, while others mention it can add calories. It's confusing! I've tried cutting back on junk food, but I love snacking on poha when I'm working late. Does anyone have experience with this? Can poha be part of my diet without making me gain weight, or should I be careful with portion sizes? Just trying to figure this out before summer!
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Doctors’ responses
It’s quite understandable to be curious about this. Poha, or flattened rice, is quite a common breakfast choice in many Indian households. It’s considered light and can be nutritious, depending on how it’s prepared. Now, coming to whether it contributes to weight gain or not, it’s good to consider a few aspects.
In Ayurveda, food is not merely about calories but about balancing the doshas - Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Poha is typically Tridoshic and can be suitable for all three doshas if prepared correctly. It’s excellent for digestion and can be light on the stomach, which sounds great for your breakfast choice. When you eat poha with moderation, especially in the morning when your digestive fire or ‘Agni’ is stronger, it can be well assimilated by the body without contributing to weight gain.
Since you mentioned that you aren’t as active as before and have noticed tighter clothes, it might be more about the imbalance between your energy intake and expenditure. Even healthy foods can contribute to weight gain if eaten in larger quantities than your body needs. Peanuts and oils can add additional calories, beneficial fats are necessary for health but just consider portion control.
Try having smaller portions of poha with plenty of vegetables to increase fiber - carrots, peas, or capsicum could be included. Cooking it with minimal oil can also help manage calorie intake. Depending on your Dosha, you might opt for more or less oil and spices.
Consider incorporating more movement into your day, even if it’s brief walks or stretching exercises to stimulate metabolism. Often, such small shifts can influence weight. Also, mindfulness while eating, avoiding distractions, or late-night snacking on poha might also help. It’s really about finding that balance between taste and nourishment. So, poha can be part of your diet - just keep an eye on how much you’re eating and perhaps vary your meals a little to include a range of different foods.

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