Is Moong Dal Namkeen Actually Healthy? Find Out And Snack Smart
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Tea time snack is a seriously taken ritual in Indian homes, and you cannot mess with it! Indians take their chai and namkeen so seriously that they can fight courts for it, and one such beloved tea-time snack item is the moong dal namkeen. There is something unique about moong dal namkeen that makes it difficult to resist. The tiny golden-yellow lentils, deep fried, and seasoned with the right amount of salt, along with the evening chai, are not just a tea-time snack but comfort. Apart from its crunch, what makes it more appealing is its healthy factor. Moong dal namkeen is often branded as ‘better than chips’ or ‘protein-rich’, making you feel less guilty about eating a handful of the namkeen or one packet in a sitting. 

But take a pause, and ask yourselves if moong dal namkeen is actually healthy? Or is it just branded that way? Because there are fewer chances of a deep-fried snack being healthy. Take a look at the nutritional qualities of moong dal namkeen, its pros and cons, and learn about more ways of snacking smartly! 

Video Credits: Chef Kunal Kaur/ YouTube

Good Properties Of Moong Dal Namkeen

  • You are right when you say you are eating some protein with the moong dal namkeen. Moong dal is rich in plant-based protein. 100 grams of raw moong dal has about 24 grams of protein, making it a great option for vegetarians. 
  • Moong dal also scores less on refined carbs, as compared to other namkeens like sev or fried mixture. 
  • Moong dal is also gluten-free, making it a great option for calorie counters. 
  • Many people find moong-based snacks easier on the stomach than heavier fried options.
  • So, if you have to pick between potato chips and moong dal namkeen, moong dal will always be a smarter choice to pick. 

Also Read: Moong Dal Vadi: The Forgotten Protein Bomb In Indian Kitchen

Things You Ought To Be Careful About

  • While raw moong dal does have protein, when you have the namkeen, it is deep-fried and loaded with oil. This means trans fats and excessive saturated fats are also involved in its making and hence consumption. 
  • Consuming the fried moong dal namkeen can also give you a high sodium intake. One small bowl of moong dal namkeen has almost a quarter of your daily sodium limit, which can cause bloating! 
  • 100 grams of moong dal namkeen can thus have around 500 to 550 grams of calories, overshooting your calorie intake!

Snack Smartly With These Tips

  • After reading this, if you still cannot resist having the crunchy, salted moong dal namkeen, here is how you can snack it smartly, to avoid its health disadvantages. 
  • Portion control is the key. Stick to eating 30 grams of the namkeen, rather than having a bowl full of it. 
  • You can choose to look for brands that have their air-fried or roasted versions. If not, air-fry it at home to avoid the heavy calories from deep-frying. 
  • Balancing is the key when you consume something deep-fried! Try pairing it with salad or sprouts to have a more balanced snack.