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Paalak sooji idli

Paalak sooji idli has 49.3 calories per serving (1 Small Piece) — that's 162.3 calories per 100g. It provides 1.8g protein, 9.1g carbs, and 0.6g fat. With a low glycemic index (GI: 35), this recipe is suitable for diabetes management, heart health. It contains anti-inflammatory ingredients like turmeric and ginger. The probiotic content supports gut health.

Track the exact calories and macros of Paalak sooji idli in the Hint app — India's comprehensive recipe and nutrition tracking platform.

Paalak sooji idli
  • Serving Size 1 Small Piece (30 g)
  • Calories49.3 kcal
  • Carbs9.1 g (36.5 kcal)
  • Protein1.8 g (7.4 kcal)
  • Fats0.6 g (5.5 kcal)

Nutrition Label

Paalak sooji idli

  • Serving Size1 Small Piece (30 g)
  • Calories49.3 kcal
  • Carbs9.1 g
  • Fiber1.5 g
  • Sugar0.2 g
  • Protein1.8 g
  • Fat0.6 g
  • Saturated fat0.3 g
  • Mono unsaturated fat0.1 g
  • Poly unsaturated fat0.1 g
  • Cholesterol1.3 mg
  • Sodium56.2 mg

Nutrition per 100g

  • Calories162.3 kcal
  • Carbs30.0 g
  • Fiber5.0 g
  • Sugar0.8 g
  • Protein6.1 g
  • Fat2.0 g
  • Cholesterol4.4 mg
  • Sodium184.9 mg

1 serving = 30.4g

Cooking time: 35 minutes

Serves: 19 persons

Ingredients

Ghee clarified butter
1 Tea Spoon
Wheat semolina
240 Grams
Bengal gram dal
1 Tea Spoon
Spinach
100 Grams
Chillies green - all varieties
10 Grams
Curry leaves
10 Grams
Ginger fresh
2 Grams
Asafoetida
1 Grams
Cumin seeds
1 Grams
Mustard seeds
1 Grams
Salt
0.5 Tea Spoon
Water
100 Milliliter
Curd
100 Grams

Instructions

1
Roasting
Heat ghee in a pan. Add mustard seeds and let them begin to splutter, add the chana dal, till they turn golden and crunchy. Then add the cumin seeds and fry for 4 to 5 seconds. Now add the chopped curry leaves, asafoetida, finely chopped ginger, and green chilies. Mix well and fry for 10 seconds. Keep the heat to a low. Next, add sooji. Mix well and stirring often roast the sooji till they become aromatic.
2
Making Batter
To the roasted sooji, add salt. Now add curd, chopped palak, and water as required to make the desired consistency. Mix well and let the batter rest covered for 20 minutes.
3
Making Idli
Scoop the batter into an idli plate. Place in steamer and steam for 12-15 minutes on medium flame or till a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
4
Serving
Finally, soft idlis are ready to serve along with chutney and sambar.

Glycemic Index

35 Low
Low
Medium
High

Likely to produce a slower, steadier rise in blood glucose for most people.

How to flatten the spike

  • Pair this dish with a protein source (dal, paneer, eggs, fish, or curd).
  • Add a fiber-rich side salad or non-starchy vegetables.
  • Avoid combining this with another high-carb side in the same meal.

Compare & Substitute

NutrientPaalak sooji idliRava idliSemolina idliOats sooji idli
Calories49.3 kcal58.2 kcal58.2 kcal72.9 kcal
Carbs9.1 g10.9 g10.9 g12.8 g
Protein1.8 g2.1 g2.1 g2.6 g
Fat0.6 g0.7 g0.7 g1.3 g
Fiber1.5 g1.7 g1.7 g2 g
Sugar0.2 g0.3 g0.3 g0.2 g
Sodium56.2 mg65.3 mg65.3 mg52.8 mg
Cholesterol1.3 mg1.6 mg1.6 mg1.3 mg

Health Goals Suitability

Weight Loss

At 49.3 kcal per serving, this can fit into a weight loss diet with mindful portion control.

Diabetes

With a low glycemic index of 35, this recipe supports stable blood sugar levels.

Muscle Gain

Low protein content (1.8g per serving) — not sufficient alone for muscle building. Combine with high-protein sides like paneer, eggs, chicken, dal, or a protein shake to reach 25-30g protein per meal.

Heart Health

Low cholesterol (1.3mg) and low saturated fat (0.3g) make this heart-friendly. Anti-inflammatory ingredients benefit overall heart health. Low sodium content is ideal for blood pressure management.

PCOS

Women with PCOS should pair this with fiber-rich vegetables and a protein source to improve the insulin response.

Thyroid

Contains cruciferous vegetables which are goitrogenic when raw. However, cooking significantly reduces goitrogen activity. If you have hypothyroidism, ensure these are well-cooked and maintain a gap of 30-60 minutes from thyroid medication.

Portion Guidance

Weight Loss

1 Small Piece (~30.4g). A light, kcal-friendly portion. Pair with roti or salad for a complete meal under 300 kcal.

Muscle Gain

1 Small Piece (~30.4g) plus a protein-rich addition (100g paneer, 2 eggs, or 1 cup dal) to hit 25-30g protein per meal.

Diabetes

1 Small Piece (~30.4g). Pair with whole wheat roti (not rice) to lower glycemic load. Eat protein and fiber portions first, carbs last.

General

1 Small Piece (~30.4g) provides a balanced portion. Adjust based on your daily kcal target — track accurately in the Hint app.

Recipe Modifications

Boost protein

Add 50g paneer, a boiled egg, or a side of sprouted moong dal. Stirring in 1 tbsp of peanut butter also adds 4g protein.

Meal prep friendly

Paalak sooji idli stores well for 2-3 days refrigerated. Reheat on stovetop for best texture. Prepare ingredients in advance for quick weeknight cooking.

Common Mistakes

Using too much oil or ghee

Why it matters: Excess oil can double the calorie content without adding nutritional value.

Fix: Measure oil with a tablespoon instead of pouring freely. 1 tbsp = 120 kcal.

Not measuring serving size

Why it matters: The nutrition values are for 1 standard serving. Eating 2-3x the serving means 2-3x the kcal (98.6-148 kcal).

Fix: Use the Hint app to scan and log the exact portion you eat for accurate tracking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Scientific References

  1. Low glycemic index foods help improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes

    Brand-Miller J et al. (2003). Low-glycemic index diets in the management of diabetes. Diabetes Care.

    DOI: 10.2337/diacare.26.8.2261
  2. Curcumin in turmeric has significant anti-inflammatory properties

    Hewlings SJ & Kalman DS (2017). Curcumin: A Review of Its Effects on Human Health. Foods.

    DOI: 10.3390/foods6100092
  3. Probiotic-rich fermented foods support gut microbiome diversity and digestive health

    Hill C et al. (2014). The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics consensus statement. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology.

    DOI: 10.1038/nrgastro.2014.66
  4. Cruciferous vegetables may interfere with thyroid function when consumed raw in large amounts, but cooking largely deactivates goitrogens

    Felker P et al. (2016). Concentrations of thiocyanate and goitrin in human plasma after ingestion of cooked cruciferous vegetables. Nutrition Reviews.

    DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuw028

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