But then the little voice pops up: “maida though…”

Don’t worry, I’ve been there. The good news is — you don’t have to give up momos to eat clean. 

You can make them right at home, no maida needed. Swap it with whole wheat atta, ragi, jowar, or multigrain flour. Same soft bite, same juicy filling, just way lighter. And because we’re steaming them instead of frying, there’s barely any oil.

Perfect for monsoon cravings. Perfect if you’re trying to eat a little better too.

I tested 5 versions at home and these are the ones that actually tasted amazing, not like “healthy food” you force yourself to eat:

1. Whole Wheat Vegetable Momos

The classic, but better.
What’s in them: Finely chopped cabbage, carrot, bell pepper and spring onions sautéed with a little ginger.
How long: About 25 mins to prep, 12 mins to steam
Why I love them: They’re full of fiber so 2-3 actually keep me full. No 5pm hunger pangs after.

2. Ragi Paneer Momos

This one surprised me. My kids couldn’t even tell it wasn’t maida.
What’s in them: Soft crumbled paneer mixed with carrot, bell pepper and ginger.
How long: 25 mins to prep, 12 mins to steam
Why I love them: Ragi gives you calcium and fiber, paneer gives protein. It’s basically a snack that’s good for bones too. Bonus: it’s gluten-free friendly.

3. Multigrain Tofu Momos

For all my vegan friends who miss momos.
What’s in them: Crumbled tofu with cabbage, carrot and a hint of ginger.
How long: 25 mins to prep, 12 mins to steam
Why I love them: Plant protein + multigrain wrapper = you feel good after eating them. Not heavy, not greasy. Just satisfying.

4. Whole Wheat Chicken Momos

Because sometimes you need that meaty bite.
What’s in them: Lean minced chicken with cabbage, carrot and ginger. Seasoned just right.
How long: 25 mins to prep, 15 mins to steam till the chicken is fully cooked
Why I love them: It’s like having a proper meal in a momo. High protein, whole grain, and still feels like street food.

5. Jowar Spinach Momos

Don’t knock it till you try it.
What’s in them: Chopped spinach, carrot, cabbage and ginger. Simple, but so flavorful.
How long: 25 mins to prep, 12 mins to steam
Why I love them: Jowar has iron, spinach has folate. It’s basically sneaking greens into a snack and actually enjoying it.

Why #NoMaida now ?

1. Fiber for days: Whole grains digest slower. That means no energy crash later.

2. Actual nutrients: Ragi for calcium. Jowar for iron. Whole wheat for vitamins. You’re not just filling your stomach.

3. No guilt: Steamed, not fried. So you can have that second plate.

4. Make it yours: Veg? Paneer? Tofu? Chicken? The wrapper works with everything.

Real talk tip: Ragi and jowar dough can feel a bit dry on their own. Just add a little whole wheat flour while kneading. It makes rolling so much easier and the momos don’t crack.

And don’t forget the chutney. Mint, tomato, or that fiery red momo chutney. Dip, bite, and listen to the rain.

So… which one are you going to make this weekend?

The protein-packed ragi paneer or the green goodness jowar spinach? 

Cardiologist Dr Sanjay Bhojraj, with 20+ years of experience, says the answer is not that simple. In an Instagram post on July 22, he broke down a new avocado study and gave a warning.

What The New Avocado Study Found

A 6-month study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association followed adults with higher body weight. One group ate 1 avocado every day.

Here’s what happened:
They didn’t lose much weight. But their LDL cholesterol profile improved.

Dr Bhojraj explains: “Not all LDL is the same. Smaller, denser LDL particles cause more plaque buildup. This study showed a shift toward larger, less harmful LDL. That’s a meaningful change.”

So Are Avocados Good For Your Heart?

Yes, but with a catch. The study looked at risk markers, not actual heart attacks. So it doesn’t prove avocados prevent heart disease.

Dr Bhojraj says the real benefit comes from what you replace with avocado. 

“if avocado replaces processed fats or refined carbs, that’s a win. If it’s just added on top of everything else…different story,” he said.

Avocados Might Be A Waste Unless You Do This

According to the cardiologist, just adding avocado to an unhealthy diet won’t help. 

To actually see benefits, you also need:
1. Healthy diet - less junk and processed food
2. Regular exercise
3. Good sleep
4. Stress management“If everything else stays the same – diet, movement, habits – it’s not going to move things the way you think it will,” Dr Bhojraj added.

Bottom Line

Avocados have healthy fats that can improve cholesterol. But they are not a magic fix. They work best when you swap them for unhealthy foods and follow an overall healthy lifestyle.

Note: This article is for information only. Please talk to your doctor before making any diet changes.Dr Sanjay Bhojraj is a board-certified cardiologist and Functional Medicine expert. He is also the founder of the Well12 programme.

Why Mango Coconut Laddoo Is Perfect for Summer  

Ripe mangoes are some of the most favourite fruits in Indian summers. For dessert, coconut and these fruits naturally sweeten each other, making it both great for dessert in the afternoon, festive sweet as well as post-meal sweet. These laddoos are also seen as a healthier dessert option since they are made with natural ingredients. Mangoes provide fibre and vitamins, sweet and natural; coconut adds texture and richness. Nuts such as almonds and cashews impart additional crunch and nutrition. There's a twist here: Dates become a kind of natural sweetener, so the product is inherently higher in nutrition and suitable for even more mindful eating and weight-loss-friendly snack regimens.

How Mango Coconut Laddoo Is Different from Coconut Laddoo

 
Coconut laddoos are generally made from milk, sugar, or condensed milk. However, mango coconut laddoos are made of fresh mango pulp with a lighter texture and fruity tropical flavor. Instead of regular coconut sweets, the juicy flavour and vibrant golden colour will make this a summer dessert with a fresh tropical flavor.

Quick Recipe Details  

Prep Time: 15 minutes  
Cook Time: No cooking needed  
Servings: 10 laddoos  
Calories: Around 95 calories per laddoo  
Taste: Fruity, sweet, and coconut-rich  
Difficulty Level: Easy  

No-Cook Mango Coconut Laddoo Recipe  

Ingredients  
1 cup thick mango pulp  
1½ cups desiccated coconut  
6 soft chopped dates  
2 tablespoons chopped almonds  
2 tablespoons chopped cashews  
½ teaspoon cardamom powder  
Extra coconut for coating  

Step-by-Step Method  

Add mango pulp, chopped dates, cardamom powder, almonds, and cashews to a bowl, then combine. Slowly mix in desiccated coconut until the mixture becomes thick like dough. Refrigerate the mixture for 15–20 minutes. Roll small portions into round laddoos. Coat each laddoo with extra coconut. Chill again before serving for the best taste.

Simple Ways to Make It More Nutritious  
Add Chia Seeds  
The chia seeds add both fibre and nutrition without radically changing the flavor.

Use Alphonso or Kesar Mangoes  
This mango variety will be much stronger to taste and produce a much brighter colour.

Add Pumpkin Seeds  
Pumpkin seeds provide crunch and plant protein.

Mix Pistachios  
Pistachios add texture and make the laddoos appear more appealing.

Replace Dates with Figs  
Soft figs impart another fruity sweetness that pairs well with mango and coconut.

Add Oats Powder  
Oats enhance texture and also add additional fibre to the recipe.

Serve Chilled  
In summer it is more refreshing and the mango flavour benefits from cold laddoos.

Mango Coconut Laddoo (Nutritional Benefits)  
With seasonal fruit, coconut, and nuts, mango coconut laddoos create a balanced sweet treat packed with natural ingredients. They have abundant fibre, energy, healthy fats, and vitamins, which is a good change for a healthier sweet than your average sweets.

Fitness trainer Zoe Modgill recently explained in the media why many Indian women struggle with weight loss, low energy, weak hair and poor recovery despite eating home-cooked meals daily.

According to Zoe meals like dal, roti, sabzi, poha, dosa, khichdi and upma are healthy.. They are not always enough to meet the bodys protein needs. She explained that every meal should include a protein source like eggs, paneer, tofu, chicken, fish, curd, whey protein, soya chunks, chana, rajma or dal in the quantity.

Some simple protein hacks can help women. Zoe shared that most Indian women are not lacking discipline when it comes to fitness. Instead many are simply not getting protein in their daily meals. Protein is important for weight loss, muscle strength, hormonal balance, hair growth, better skin, energy levels, faster recovery and healthy ageing. We need protein to stay healthy.

She advised women to choose 4 to 5 protein sources to reach around 90 to 120 grams of protein intake. This can be easy.

Here are some easy protein options she recommended:

 4 whole eggs = 24g protein

 200g egg whites = 22g

 100g chicken breast = 25-30g

 100g fish = 22-25g

 100g prawns = 20-24g

 100g paneer = 18-20g

 150g tofu = 18-22g

 200g yoghurt or hung curd = 18-22g

 1 scoop whey protein = 22-25g

 1 cup cooked chana, rajma or dal = 12-18g

 50g soya chunks = 25g+

 100g tempeh = 18-20g

 A bowl of curd with 2 boiled eggs = 25g

 2 besan chillas with curd = 22-28g

 Paneer or tofu bhurji with 1 roti = 25g+

These simple food combinations can easily fit into a routine. They can help women improve their nutrition without making diet changes. I think that's great.

Protein is one of the nutrients for women. It supports the body in ways. Women experience hormonal changes during different life stages. These include menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. Experts say protein helps maintain muscle mass. It supports bone health. It improves metabolism. Keeps hormones balanced.

It also helps control hunger and cravings. This makes it easier to manage weight.

Protein is made up of acids. These include nine acids that the body cannot produce on its own. We need to get these nutrients from food sources.

Health experts believe that adding protein to meals can improve overall health. This is especially true for women managing work schedules and family responsibilities