Sri Lankan Street Foods That Are Actually Good for You

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Sri Lanka offers some of the tastiest street food in the world. When fresh kottu roti is chopped on a smoking-hot griddle, a wade starts to sizzle in the oil, and the isso is spiced to perfection, there’s little temptation to leave! Mostly, however, people think that all street food is unhealthy. Well, not all that much. Now, some Sri Lankan street foods are indeed healthy, nutritious, and beneficial to include in your diet, thereby contributing to a healthy lifestyle. All you have to know is which ones to pick and how much you should ingest of them. Lists the top foods you can spot on the street that are good for you and why they’re good for you.

1.Choose fresh, firm, and plump kernels

Corn is offered at a large number of junctions along the beaches, parks and places of high activity in Sri Lanka. Corn cobs roasted on the cob are some of the healthiest options for the street food parade. Corn contains a high amount of dietary fibre that helps to keep you full and aids digestion. It has B vitamins to promote a healthy nervous system and energy production. About 100 calories, a plain roasted cob of corn is a satisfying snack and it’s quite low-calorie. The main thing is to enjoy it without adding other ingredients or wrapping it in kief. Don’t stuff it with butter or coconut oil (excess fat and calories with little benefit to the nutritive value).

2.Boiled Chickpeas with Lime and Chilli

This satisfies the definition of a simple snack close to the roadside throughout Sri Lanka, and is one of the most nutritionally complete snacks anywhere. Chickpeas contain a high amount of plant-based protein and fibre. Protein makes you feel full for longer after you eat it and helps to maintain your muscle during weight loss. Fibre supports the good bacteria of the gut and helps to reduce the speed at which sugar gets absorbed into the bloodstream, which is the reason for eliminating energy crashes, leading to cravings. A small cup of boiled chickpeas and fresh lime juice, green chilli and a pinch of salt is a good snack that is low-cost and offers solid nutritional content along with each bite.

3.Fresh Coconut Water

The coconut water that has been extracted from a fresh king coconut is one of the best drinks gotten from nature anywhere on the planet. It contains very few calories, is naturally hydrating, and rich in electrolytes such as potassium, magnesium and sodium. These electrolytes replenish the body’s losses during physical exertion or on a hot day. While packaged drinks stacked with added sugars and flavourings are a waste of money, fresh king coconut water boasts some added sugar and is filled with real nutritional benefits. Each fresh coconut has about 45-60 calories. Time to drink it: After exercising or midday (or afternoon), before you have a sweetened soft drink (soda pop) – your body will thank you for it right away.

4.Isso Wade

The plumping result of deep frying the lentils and making them into a fritter, ‘Wade’, is typically not seen as good street food, as it is fried. However, the key ingredient is urad dhal, the name for black-eyed peas. But urad dhal, the base ingredient, is actually healthy! This dhal is rich in protein and fibre, as well as being an excellent source of energy. The main problem with wade is that it gets very oily and few of the fish fries. Isso Wade is a healthier option than just oil-soaked Wade, as the prawn is an additional source of lean protein, making this snack more filling and satisfying, and utilizing less total pieces in comparison. Use one isso wade and don’t use three or four wade and instead use fresh green chilli and lime as the accompaniment to keep the calories in check.

5.Roasted Thika fish with Vegetables

The reputation of the kottu roti is based on the grounds that it is frequently prepared with lots of oil and white flour. However, a healthy kottu with some vegetables, prepared by a decent street food vendor, can be a fairly balanced meal. Shredded roti is a source of carbohydrate for energy. These vegetables (usually cabbage, leeks, carrots and onions) are rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals. The egg provides protein. Have the vendor be careful not to put too much oil on the product and to avoid adding extra sauces and cheeses. Making a vegetable kottu with minimal oil and lots of vegetables is much healthier than most people think, and a filling dish that leaves you satisfied for many hours after.

6.Gotukola Juice

Fresh juice from gotukola is one of the potent health drinks in Sri Lanka, which is available at the herbal drink stalls. High in antioxidants, gotukola has been shown to aid healthy digestion, decrease inflammation and decrease cortisol levels, which is the stress hormone that’s directly tied to women’s belly fat storage. An empty glass, squeezed with some lime and a piece of ginger, will have very few calories and provide a concentrated hit of vitamins and minerals straight into your body. Switch it to your typical streetside beverage rather than a sweetened fruit drink or soft drink and you will feel the difference as well as the difference in your waistline in the first few weeks of making the switch.

UpSmart Street Food Rules!

A few simple rules to ensure a healthy Sri Lankan street food experience. When available, opt for grilled, boiled or steamed foods instead of deep-fried. Consider wade and other fried foods “treat” foods and have them occasionally, not daily. Remove any heavy coconut sauces and chilli. Use fresh coconut water, gotukola juice, or water and replace sweetened bottled water. Take one serving and that’s it. Street food is diverse, colourful, and lots of fun in Sri Lanka. All these simple foods and low-cost options can help you indulge in Sri Lanka’s bold and colourful food scene and enjoy it while you do some good for your health and your weight loss efforts, every day.