Ghee has its place in all the Indian households. Whether it is making Besan Ladoos or it is making Tadke wali Dal, all these things are incomplete without adding a dash of Pure Ghee in them. Indian sweets especially ask for using Pure Ghee. But there have been questions about it from the nutritional perspective.
Ghee, leading to fatness or fitness? Let’s find out:
Ghee or clarified butter is traditionally derived by cooking thick cream or malai on low flame until the cream settles at the bottom of the vessel and leaves ghee floating on top.
The ghee derived from such a process is pure and packed with the richness of vitamins which work as antioxidants and are fat-soluble.
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Packed with Vitamins
Vitamin A which is protects our eyes from various dis-eases, supports our bone health and reduces protection of oil on the skin which causes cancer, is found majorly in Ghee.
Vitamin E and Vitamin K both which are fat-soluble make ghee a healthier option for consumption. Not to forget that Vitamin E is found useful in preventing dementia. (as per live science)
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Helps control weight gain
Ghee is filled with MCT (medium chain fatty acids) which are proved to be good for the human body and its metabolism. Due to MCT’s tendency to be rapidly absorbed by the body, it helps get dissolved in the blood faster and doesn’t leave any bad fat residue in the body.
This way you can consume ghee in moderate amount and not gain weight instead, because of the MCT boosting your metabolism, it’ll aid in weight loss
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Excellent for skin and hair
Because of its richness in Vitamin A, E & K, it is a superfood for the skin and hair. Apart from consuming it daily, it could also include 1 tsp of ghee in your skin and hair pack and you’ll see visible results.
Your skin will retain its natural moisture and your hair will look lustrous like never before. It’s best to have a hair-champi done with ghee once a week.
How much ghee must we consume daily?
It highly depends on the lifestyle you live. If you are from the urban part of the world and have a sedentary lifestyle, it is best advisable you consume not more than 2 tsp daily. You may have this divided in various meals or have it included in either lunch or dinner
Is it okay if I buy ghee from the market? What’s the difference?
Does your favorite morning beverage like organic tea, coffee, milkshake, smoothie taste different when you make it vs. the one that’s prepared at stalls/shops outside? It does, right?
Such is the story with this vitamin-packed health food – ghee. It tastes best when it’s home-made as it will then have all its fat-soluble vitamins and fibers retained and can show visible changes in your health. Also, the factory – made ghee may have stabilizers,
But I don’t know how to make ghee at home. What is the recipe to make ghee?
Let’s give you a quick method to make Ghee at home:
- Freeze all the cream/malai from the milk you consume daily.
- Once you get a full bowl, transfer it to a pan, on low flame.
- Keep stirring the cream and scrape the sides.
- Let it cook on slow flame.
- The cream may leave a strange aroma (like that of sour cream), this is totally normal.
- After about an hour, you’ll notice plenty of liquid floating on the top while the cream has settled at the bottom of the pan and may have turned brown.
- Switch off the flame, let’s strain the liquid now in an empty – glass or metal container with the help of a sieve or muslin cloth. Be careful of the hot liquid.
- Your ghee is ready to use!!
Expert tip: Use the cream that must’ve turned brownish while making Ghee to make a dessert recipe. Simply mix this cooked cream or chhena with sugar syrup/brown sugar add a few nuts and let it set. Cut into slices and enjoy!! Here are the few more recipes you can make with ghee.
What are the various ways to consume ghee daily?
- 1 tsp with milk is advisable if you are looking at maximizing it’s benefits for your bone health although, not recommended if you’re on a weight loss diet.
- Ghee can add wonderful flavor to your regular dal, khichdi or pulao. Simply heat 2 tsp of ghee, add grated ginger, chopped garlic, jeera, asafoetida, let it all splutter and it’s ready to be used at your favourite tadka.
- Ghee can also be used in desserts like sheera as it enhances the taste, flavour and benefits.
We’ll recommend consuming home-made ghee or a trusted brand’s ghee in your daily diet. You’ll see it’s benefits with due course of time.