Lassi helps in weight loss due to its protein content, fostering satiety, muscle retention, and a slight metabolic increase. Additionally, lassi aids in hydration, serving as a fulfilling, low-calorie option compared to sugary snacks. The perfect drink for summer has excellent cooling properties and substantially helps in hydrating the body, improves digestion as well as provides the body with several necessary nutrients. Some of these nutrients include protein, healthy fats, calcium, Vitamin A, Iron, sodium and potassium. Read further to find a reasonable answer to your doubts of, is lassi good for weight loss?
Can I Drink Lassi during weight loss
Yes, there are weight loss benefits of lassi especially given its protein content. Protein controls your hunger hormones which cancels the risk of overconsumption of calories and thus helps in managing weight by preventing overeating and promoting satiety. While losing weight, it is important to prevent the loss of muscle mass which can be assisted with the consumption of lassi. The higher thermic energy of protein present in lassi increases the expenditure of energy which effectively boosts your resting metabolism which lets your body burn calories even during rest. When prepared with low fat yoghurts and less sweeteners, lassi can be brilliantly a low-calorie and fulfilling drink. Lassi also has probiotic properties which increases the growth of the healthy gut microbiome that typically improves digestion and gut health. Now that you have your answer for, is lassi good for weight loss, you may also be curious about, Is curd good for weight loss?
Benefits of Lassi for weight loss
Hailing from the agricultural land of Punjab, the traditional glass of lassi is definitely a go to drink for numerous Indians. However, this may raise the question, is lassi good for weight loss? Lassi is vastly rich in nutrients such as protein, calcium, vitamin B12, potassium and probiotics, all of which together contributes to enhancing our overall health and also assisting weight loss. Below mentioned are some of the Weight loss benefits of lassi.
- Probiotics in Lassi
- Boosts hydration
- Rich in nutrients
- Provides cooling effects
- Improves gut health
1. Probiotics in Lassi
Lassi is made through fermentation and thus contains healthy microbes which promotes the growth of good gut bacteria which keeps the overall gut health at par. They are also extensively helpful in reducing bloating and inflammation which in turn prevents weight gain. These probiotics also help convert the food into energy which helps in keeping one energised throughout the day and also reduces visceral fat. When asked, is lassi good for weight loss, you can answer it positively citing its probiotic properties.
2. Boosts hydration
Proper hydration is essential to accelerate effective weight loss as it aids in digestion and also promotes fullness. Lassi with its content of curd and water makes for an excellent hydrating drink departing cooling properties. The weight loss benefits of lassi reflected in its hydrating properties help by eliminating toxins and waste products from the body. This in turn helps to reduce appetite and prevents binge eating.
3. Rich in nutrients
The nutritional composition of the drink makes it an absolutely healthy delight that doesn’t just cater to our taste but enhances one’s overall well being. Some of these nutrients include protein, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, C & E and folic acid. The essential nutrients and minerals help maintain a healthy balance of electrolytes in the body preventing water retention and thus promoting weight loss. If you are constantly stressing over the query of, is lassi good for weight loss, we are here to clear your doubts.
4. Provides cooling effects
Another weight loss benefits of lassi relies on its power of providing a cooling effect making it a perfect substitute for carbonated drinks. Stress is known to increase cortisol levels which in turn leads to unhealthy eating patterns and habits such as stress eating. However, the yoghurt present in lassi helps in regulating body temperature and thus sedating stress which further assists with weight loss.
5. Promotes metabolism
The content of lassi is rich in protein which is beneficial in increasing satiety hormones as well as reducing hunger hormones which promotes fullness and prevents overeating. Moreover, the protein also requires a higher amount of energy than fats or carbs which promotes resting metabolism helping to burn calories even when the body is at rest. You may also want to check out How to lose 10 kg in a month.
6. Improves gut health
One of the most crucial weight loss benefits of lassi includes its ability to improve gut health. The probiotics present in yoghurt helps in enhancing the growth of healthy gut bacteria which improves digestion and keeps the gut healthy. The lactic acid present in lassi also smoothens the intestines thus making the overall digestion process simpler.
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How to Drink Lassi for Weight Loss?
Below mentioned are some tips to drink lassi to extract its weight management properties.
1. Limit added sugars
It is advisable to not include added sweeteners into your lassi as it will increase the calorie content and also lead to blood sugar spikes. Instead one can add natural sweeteners like honey or fruits into their lassi to enhance the taste as well make it healthier.
2. Opt for fat-free yoghurt
It is also advisable to choose low fat or greek yoghurt which will reduce the fat content and also decrease the overall calorie count. This way you can cherish the delicacy of lassi without having to worry about excess calorie consumption.
3. Portion control
Although extremely beneficial for your health and aids weight loss, one should be mindful of the portion size while consuming lassi. Resort to drinking a moderate amount to prevent overconsumption of calories and keep yourself satiated.
4. Add fruits
It can be really useful to include fruits like apples or berries into your glass of lassi. This will act as a natural sweetener as well as also increase the nutritional properties of your overall drink.
5. Include protein powder
If you are looking to gain some of that muscle mass and increase your protein intake, you can always add protein powder into your lassi. A scoop of protein powder will help boost your metabolism further and can also be easily enjoyed as a post workout drink for muscle recovery.
The question that follows, is lassi good for weight loss, is often about what is the best time to consume the same?
What is the best time to have Lassi for weight loss benefits?
Early morning is deemed as the best time to have lassi for weight loss preferably on empty stomach. This helps in giving an early morning boost to your metabolism as well as better help absorb the nutrients. Moreover, the satiating properties of lassi will keep you full for long and prevent overeating in further meals. The drink can also be consumed after workout since it contains protein, it can aid with muscle recovery. Lassi can be an excellent Home remedies for weight loss.
How to add Lassi in diet plan for weight loss?
There are various ways by which one can include lassi into their weight loss diet plan such as an early morning drink or post-workout. Below mentioned are some of the ways to consume the delightful drink.
1. Early morning drink
Consuming lassi as an early morning drink helps activate the healthy gut bacteria and thus benefit overall gut health. It also gives a boost to one’s metabolism along with assisting in better absorption of nutrients.
2. Post workout
Post workout drinks should be enriched with protein to assist muscle recovery and tissue repair. Lassi makes for an excellent post workout drink given its protein content. It can be further enhanced by adding a scoop or two of protein powder into your drink.
3. Evening snack
Evening snacks should be chosen carefully as it can lead to overeating and excess consumption of calories. Enjoy lassi as an evening snack with dry fruits or berries which will help in curbing cravings and also prevent overeating. A dish similar to lassi is buttermilk and there are ample Benefits of buttermilk which can also be consumed as an evening drink.
How to make Weight loss Lassi
The basic recipe of lassi can be made more enjoyable with several twists by adding fruits or seeds and nuts to enhance its taste and also increase the nutritional value. Below given are some of the recipes to enjoy the weight loss benefits of lassi.
1. Salted Lassi
Ingredients
- Curd- 1 cup
- Salt- 0.5 tsp
How to make
- In a blender add curd, salt, jeera powder and blend till smooth consistency
- Serve chilled
2. Banana Lassi
Ingredients
- Curd- 1 cup
- Banana- 0.25 cup
- Sugar- 2 tsp
How to make
- Take a blender, add sliced banana, curd, sugar and start the blender
- Garnish with sliced almonds and serve cold
3. Dry fruits Lassi
Ingredients
- Curd- 1 cup
- Pistachio Nuts- 2 tsp
- Sugar- 1 tsp
- Walnuts- 2 tsp
- Cashew Nuts- 1 tsp
How to make
- In a blender, add curd along with chopped almonds, chopped walnuts, chopped cashew nuts, chopped pistachios, sugar, and blend to a smooth consistency
- Serve chilled
4. Tender Coconut Lassi
Ingredients
- Curd- 0.25 cup
- Coconut Grated- 1 tbsp
- Mint Leaves- 2 tsp
- Sugar- 2 tsp
- Coconut Water- 100 ml
How to make
- In a blender add curd, grated coconut, sugar, chopped pudina and coconut water
- Blend it to smooth consistency and serve chilled
Expert Review on Is Lassi good for weight loss
Dr. Amit Kochar is a nutritionist and he emphasises on the excellent health benefits of lassi. The nutritional powerhouse of lassi aids in weight loss, promotes satiety, improves immunity and gut health as well as lowers cholesterol thus also reducing the risk of heart diseases. However, it is important to be mindful about not eating excess added sugars into your lassi and opt for greek yoghurt or fat-free curd to keep the calorie intake low. Although the drink can be consumed at various times of the day, early morning is deemed as the best time as it will accelerate your metabolism and also improve digestion.
References
“Consumption of probiotic yogurt and vitamin D‐fortified yogurt increases fasting level of GLP‐1 in obese adults undergoing low‐calorie diet: A double‐blind randomized controlled trial.” 2022. NCBI. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9548356/.
“Is consuming yoghurt associated with weight management outcomes? Results from a systematic review.” 2015. NCBI. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4856732/.
Saha, Anupam. 2021. “(PDF) Dietetic Benefits of Yogurt Based Beverage (Lassi) Becoming Fact-Finding Probe in Research.” ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351686248_Dietetic_Benefits_of_Yogurt_Based_Beverage_Lassi_Becoming_Fact-Finding_Probe_in_Research.
FAQs
1. Is lassi high in calories?
1 glass of lassi contains about 150 to 200 calories which can be high and may lead to weight gain if consumed in excess. However, when consumed in moderation without added sugars and fat-free yogurt, it can be made a part of an overall weight loss diet plan.
2. Is it OK to drink lassi everyday?
Lassi helps in keeping the blood pressure at low levels which will benefit people dealing with hypertension and heart diseases. However, it is recommended to consult your dietitian first before determining the total glasses of lassi you should consume in a day.
3. Does lassi increase sugar?
If consumed with natural sweeteners and fat-free yoghurt or greek yoghurt, lassi will not increase blood sugar spike.
4. Can I drink lassi on empty stomach?
One can consume lassi empty stomach during the morning as it will activate the healthy gut bacteria which can improve the digestion process and alo kick-start your metabolism.
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