Let’s face it – chaat is tasty, appetising and probably not all that unhealthy. However, if you’re on a weight loss regime then you’re responsible for every bite you eat, including the leafy plate of chaat.

We’re here to help you find a middle path between hard-core foodism and starving oneself.

Listed below are some of the most popular chaats and their calorie values:

  1. Aloo Chaat
    Deep fried crispy brown potatoes served with chaat masala and a mixture of sweet and tangy chutney make for a lip-smacking snack. Potatoes are healthy on their own but deep frying them makes them fattening and unhealthy. A healthier preparation would be pan-fried or baked potatoes with less oil. Also, keep the portion size in mind while indulging in aloo chaat.
    Calories: Approximately 350 calories (based on serving size).
  2. Bhel Puri
    Bhel puri is made from puffed rice (murmura, muri) with mash boiled potatoes, sev (remember they are fried!), tomatoes and onions along with tangy tamarind sauce and spicy coriander sauce. Bhel puri is a healthy chaat option if you’re watching your waistline.
    Calories: Approximately 200-250 calories (based on serving size).
  3. Pani Puri
    Pani puri, a.k.a. puchka, gol gappa, bataashaa and gup shup, is a round, hollow, fried crispy shell, filled with tangy tamarind water, chili, chaat masala, potato, onion and boiled chhole (chickpeas). Even though the shell is fried, filling is mostly healthy, so this one is on our approved list of chaats.
    Calories: 150-180 calories for 4-5 medium sizes pieces.
  4. Papri Chaat
    This is essentially a mixture of crispy fried dough wafers made from refined wheat flour (maida), chick peas, boiled potatoes and yoghurt, which is served with tamarind chutney and garnished with sev. It has the nutritional benefits of boiled vegetables and yoghurt, but the base (papri) is fried and made from maida, which has a high glycemic index and is loaded with calories and fat.
    Calories: Approximately 300 calories for a medium size serving.

So, above was a list of the popular chaats available in the market but now we will take you through chaat recipes, which are all the way healthy and have comparatively less calories for the days when you just have to have chaat without compromising on your health.

Chaats are considered street food for the most part. However, if you would like to prepare your portions at home, then below are some easy and tasty preparations.

Aloo Matar Chaat
Ingredients

  • 1 cup boiled and peeled potato cubes
  • 1/4 cup boiled green peas
  • 1 tsp finely chopped green chillies
  • 1 tsp chaat masala
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • salt to taste

Garnish
1 tbsp finely chopped coriander (dhania)

Method
Heat the oil in a broad non-stick pan, add the potatoes and cook on a medium flame for 3 to 4 minutes or until the potatoes are brown in colour.
Add the remaining ingredients, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 1 to 2 minutes.
Serve hot; garnished with coriander.

Aloo Paneer Chaat
Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup boiled potato cubes
  • 1 cup low fat paneer (cottage cheese) cubes
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 3/4 cup boiled green peas
  • 1/2 tsp finely chopped ginger
  • salt to taste
  • 1 1/2 tsp chaat masala
  • 2 tsp finely chopped green chillies
  • 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice

Garnish
2 tbsp finely chopped coriander (dhania)

Method

Heat the oil on a non-stick tava (griddle), add the potatoes and cook on a medium flame while stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes or till the potatoes are brown on all the sides.
Slide the potatoes around the circumference of the tava (griddle).
Add the green peas and ginger in the same oil, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 1 to 2 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
Add the paneer, salt, chaat masala, green chillies and lemon juice, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
Toss well with all the ingredients.
Serve immediately; garnished with coriander.

Matar chaat or fruit chaat are the healthiest chaat options.

Anyway, now that you know your chaats better, next time you wouldn’t be as clueless at the chaat stall. Occasional indulgence is alright just make sure that you know your portion size and get your exercise regularly.