Pickles versus chutney: What is the healthier choice?

As Indians, we really cannot do without a serving of chutney or spicy pickle in the dinner plate! Homemade or store-bought, there is something really yummy about their taste but many avoid them, calling them unhealthy! After all, think of the added spoons of oil the pickle has or the preservative? We are guessing this doesn't sound so appetizing now! But hold that thought right there! There is a big myth we need to bust right here. Pickles and chutneys are actually a healthy option to include in your diet. It is just a matter to know which is the healthier choice you can have without posing a risk to your health!

Celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar, who has helped many celebs get in shape depending on desi food, suggests that everyone include at least a tablespoon or two of achaar (pickle) every single day. The same goes to chutneys as they are healthier than dips and sauces.
First, let's actually breakdown how healthy they are. Do you love pickles but stay away because of their high salt or oil content? It would be better for you to indulge, says nutrition and exercise science expert Rujuta Diwekar.

What makes them so healthy?

Pickles are like a fermented product in the making. When you let the oil and salt mix together, the good bacteria present on the surface get a chance to grow, which is good or the gut as they have good anti-bacterial properties in them. Thus, the salt present in them won't actually give you bad blood pressure but help you aid digestion. For more help, you can also use healthier options like sendha namak (rock salt) to lower the salt content in it. The same goes for oil. Plus, pickles are usually made out of the choicest of vegetables which contain a high quantity of Vitamin A, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin C, antioxidants and folate, which are all good for the body. In fact, consuming it in the right quantity can also help cut down on chances of bloating, anaemia and IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). Hence, pickle is not at all unhealthy and not just a desi food preparation.

Chutneys, on the other hand, is a good replacement option for calorie ridden dips and sauces. And not to forget, they are as fresh as they can get. Chutney is usually prepared out of fresh roots and leaves which ensure that you get all the nutrients out of the raw ingredients. They are also fat-free and use very less oil. The addition of natural healing roots like garlic, ginger, salt or sugar makes them even more healthy and beneficial. With the number of antioxidants present in them, they protect your body against any danger and keep it protected against free radicals, which can affect your DNA structuring. Since it is raw in nature, the enzymes present in it help in keeping digestive troubles away. That is why it is advised parents give their children chutneys and traditional food preparations to eat right from the start.

How much should you have it, ideally?

Ideally, for good health, you should aim at including a little bit of fresh chutneys and pickles in your meal, which should include green leafy veggies, pulses, salads. However, make sure that you do not go overboard with the salt or oil content in the condiments. If you use too much oil, you risk making the preparation too spicy. Also, since both these condiments are rich in micro-nutrients and enzymes, it is ideal to have a small quantity of it.

Source: indiatimes.com