Calories in Dhokla - Nutritional Information and Benefits

Dhokla is one of the most popular food items, not only in Gujarat, but also in some of the major parts of India. It is loved for its rich, fluffy taste and served hot as a part of North Indian cuisine. But do you know of the nutrients that are present in dhoklas and the health benefits that you can derive from them? This article will be a perfect guide for you to know the nutrients, calories, health benefits, and other details about dhoklas.

Calorie content in dhoklas:

The net calorie content in dhoklas can often differ based on the types of dhoklas that you are consuming, the amount of oil or ghee that is used for tempering, or the way in which the dhoklas are cooked. Dhoklas are more or less quite low in calorie content. Generally, the net calorie content in a medium-sized dhokla made of plain gram flour or besan, which may weigh around 50 to 60 grams, can contain approximately 70 to 80 calories. The calorie intake may increase to around 210 to 250 kcal if you are consuming 3 to 4 pieces of dhokla.

Nutrients that are present in dhoklas:

Dhokla is not a nutritionally rich food like fruits or vegetables, but there are different types of nutrients, such as protein, vitamins, minerals, and so on, that will help you to derive a lot of health benefits. Some of the major nutritional components that are present in dhoklas can be listed below:

1. Protein:

Dhoklas are mostly made of gram flour or besan, which helps you to get enough amounts of plant-based protein components. In fact, you are likely to get around 5 to 7 grams of protein from each serving of dhokla. The protein that you get from dhoklas is essential for better growth and development, provides satiety, and can also aid in muscle repair.

2. Carbohydrate:

Another major macronutrient that is present in dhoklas is carbohydrate. The complex carbohydrates in dhoklas can help to provide enough amount of energy so that you can perform your activities properly.

3. Dietary fibre:

Dhoklas contain some traces of dietary fibres, which, when consumed, can help you to stay regular by improving your digestive system, and can help you to develop a better gut system.

4. Fats:

Though dhoklas are more or less low in fat content, steamed dhoklas can consist of some amounts of fats, which can help in your overall wellness.

5. Vitamins and Minerals:

Apart from macronutrients, there are also certain types of micronutrients that are present in dhoklas. Dhoklas consist of vitamin B complex, especially folate or folic acid, along with components like thiamine, which are required for better functioning of the nervous system and improve energy metabolism.

Dhoklas consist of minerals like iron, magnesium, potassium, and calcium, which can aid in improving the health of your muscles, regulate better blood circulation, and aid in improving bone strength as well.

Health benefits of dhoklas:

Since there are different types of nutrients in dhoklas, you are likely to get different types of health benefits, some of which can be listed here as follows:

1. Dhoklas aid in weight management:

The high dietary fibre content in dhoklas can help to provide enough satiety, which can aid in healthy weight management by keeping you full for a long time and limiting calorie intake.

2. Dhoklas are healthy for the heart:

The nutrients in dhokla are beneficial for maintaining healthy blood pressure levels and thus keep your heart healthy.

3. Dhokla can improve digestion:

The high fibre content in dhoklas can help to improve digestion and keep the gut healthy for better bowel movement.

Which doctor to consult before consuming dhoklas?

Before you start adding dhoklas to your diet, it is important to know whether you can have them at all or if they are food for you based on your medical history. For this, you need to consult a registered dietitian or a nutrition expert who will be able to tell you how many dhoklas you can have each day based on your calorie requirements, how you can make the dhoklas, and other details.

Final Thoughts:

Dhoklas will always remain one of the most popularly consumed and most loved in many Indian and Gujarati households. Dhoklas are not only rich in fibre, protein, and carbohydrates, but also consist of micro-nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and plant-based compounds from besan, which can help to provide enough health benefits to the body, such as improving your gut and digestive health, supporting weight management, improving your heart health, and so on.

Also Check: Calories in Upma - Nutritional Values & Healthy Benefits