Top Dals That Must Be Part of Your Daily Diet

Most of us are guilty of drooling over a well-cooked dal at some point in time or the other. The aroma of a well-cooked Dal can make our mouth water at any time. Dal is a super-nutritious food eaten across the country with equal zeal. India is the largest producer of pulses globally, accounting for about 24% of the global output. Besides being the prime protein source to the body, they have other numerous benefits.

Dal is of two kinds: Polished Dals and Unpolished Dals. Polished dals are cleaned, washed and processed to give them a shinier look to entice the buyers. Polishing removes the husk from the dals that are the major carrier of nutrients and often adds unhealthy chemicals to the body. On the other hand, unpolished dals are the ones that are just cleaned and sold in the market. They retain necessary nutrients and are considered healthy. Let’s discuss some nutritious, unpolished dals that should be part of your daily diet.

Arhar Dal

Also called toor dal, arhar dal is loaded with protein, carbohydrates and fibre. Sambar, the must-have popular south Indian dish, is made with arhar dal. Unpolished arhar dal is known to satisfy your daily demand for minerals like calcium, iron and is a great source of folic acid. Folic acid helps the body produce and maintain new cells (essential in foetal growth) and prevent any changes in the DNA, which may cause cancer. Hence, arhar dal is a reliable source to maintain the folic acid levels in the body.

Moong Dal

Moong Dal is an extreme source of protein. Besides, it has a high quantity of fibre that keeps away the hunger pangs by helping you feel fuller for a long time. Unpolished moong dal is one of the most delicious dals eaten as curry or even as a salted snack, is low in fat and rich in protein and fibre, which helps to keep a check on weight. It is loaded with B vitamins and can effectively control PMS systems. It is known to lower the cholesterol levels in the body and reduce the risk of heart disease too. Buy unpolished moong dal from your nearest store and avail the benefits today.

Chana Dal

Chana dal or the black/brown chickpeas is one of the sauciest and healthy lentil dishes that is tasty and healthy at the same time. It consists of nutty split chickpeas that are pressure-cooked and is later fried lightly on the stove with various spices and aromatics. Unpolished chana dal is low in fats, vegan protein and high fibre that help to stabilize the blood glucose levels. It makes the dal a favourite choice for those preferring a low-carb or diabetic-friendly diet. Chana Dal also lowers cholesterol levels that reduce the risk of heart disease.

Urad Dal

Urad dal is a necessary ingredient in renowned dishes like dosa, idli, Dahi vada and more. It is available in various forms like whole gram, split gram and white de-skinned gram. As it is rich in soluble and insoluble fibres, urad dal is excellent for digestion. Besides, unpolished urad dal enhances the strength of the bones and provides energy. It regulates blood sugar levels, making it suitable for diabetes. Urad dal is also known for maintaining skin and hair health. 

Besides those listed above, our rich food heritage celebrates many other unique pulses, beans and legumes that can be cooked into delicious dals. Lobia, moth beans, kabooli dal, soya dal... etc., are some dals that are mouthwatering and healthy to consume.