India

6 Indian foods to avoid if you want to lose weight fast

Watch out
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Watch out

Speeding weight loss means trimming ultra‑processed, deep‑fried, sugar‑sweetened, and refined‑flour items. ICMR‑NIN 2024 says minimize UPFs/HFSS, limit sugar and salt, and watch oils—without abandoning desi taste.
Deep‑fried snacks (samosa, kachori, pakora)
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Deep‑fried snacks (samosa, kachori, pakora)
Crisp, yes—also calorie‑dense and easy to overeat. Frequent fried foods link to higher obesity risk; save for rare treats and air‑fry/bake with chutneys and salads for volume.
 Refined‑flour breads (maida naan, bhatura, white‑flour kulcha)
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Refined‑flour breads (maida naan, bhatura, white‑flour kulcha)
Maida spikes calories without fiber. Swap to phulka, jowar/bajra rotis, or hand‑pounded rice; add dal or paneer for fullness that lasts past chai‑time cravings.
 Sugar‑sweetened beverages (aerated drinks, sweet lassi, packaged juices)
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Sugar‑sweetened beverages (aerated drinks, sweet lassi, packaged juices)
Hidden sugars drain calorie budgets fast. Guidelines advise <5% energy from added sugar; choose chaas, unsweetened tea/coffee, nimbu pani with salt‑jeera.
 Ultra‑processed munchies (namkeen mixes, biscuits, instant noodles)
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Ultra‑processed munchies (namkeen mixes, biscuits, instant noodles)
High in fat‑sugar‑salt, low in fiber; UPF intake tracks with weight gain and cardiometabolic risk. Keep them outside the house; lean on roasted chana, nuts, fruit.
Reused frying oil and heavy gravies
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Reused frying oil and heavy gravies
Repeated frying increases harmful compounds; heavy cream‑cashew gravies concentrate calories. Favor tadka‑style sabzis, grill/tandoor methods, and fresh oil use, per safety guidance.
 Restaurant biryani and large combo meals
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Restaurant biryani and large combo meals
Big portions, refined carbs, oils, and sides stack up fast. Split portions, add raita‑salad, or pick tandoori + roti combos to halve calories without losing the outing.
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