Looking for an Indian Food Calorie Calculator?

arrowTry the Hint app

Paalak Vada

Paalak Vada has 144 calories per serving (1 Large Piece) — that's 287.2 calories per 100g. It provides 4.1g protein, 8.6g carbs, and 10.3g fat. With a low glycemic index (GI: 36), this recipe is suitable for weight loss, diabetes management, heart health and more. The 2.8g of dietary fiber per serving adds to its nutritional value. It contains anti-inflammatory ingredients like turmeric and ginger.

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

Paalak Vada
  • Serving Size 1 Large Piece (50 g)
  • Calories144.0 kcal
  • Carbs8.6 g (34.4 kcal)
  • Protein4.1 g (16.4 kcal)
  • Fats10.3 g (93.1 kcal)

Nutrition Label

Paalak Vada

  • Serving Size1 Large Piece (50 g)
  • Calories144.0 kcal
  • Carbs8.6 g
  • Fiber2.8 g
  • Sugar0.3 g
  • Protein4.1 g
  • Fat10.3 g
  • Saturated fat1.8 g
  • Mono unsaturated fat1.8 g
  • Poly unsaturated fat5.9 g
  • Cholesterol0.0 mg
  • Sodium250.8 mg

Nutrition per 100g

  • Calories287.2 kcal
  • Carbs17.2 g
  • Fiber5.7 g
  • Sugar0.6 g
  • Protein8.2 g
  • Fat20.6 g
  • Cholesterol0.0 mg
  • Sodium500.3 mg

1 serving = 50.1g

Cooking time: 15 minutes

Serves: 8 persons

Ingredients

Sunflower oil
70 Milliliter
Bengal gram dal
2 Table Spoon
Black gram dal
100 Grams
Spinach
50 Grams
Chillies green - all varieties
10 Grams
Coriander leaves
10 Grams
Curry leaves
10 Grams
Ginger fresh
2 Grams
Asafoetida
1 Grams
Coconut kernal dry
15 Grams
Salt
1 Tea Spoon
Water
100 Milliliter

Instructions

1
Preparing batter
Wash and soak dal in water for about 2-3 hours. Drain all the water from the soaked dal. Grind black gram (urad dal) and bengal gram(channa dal) together to smooth paste using very little water. The batter should be thick.
2
Mixing
Add coriander, green chili, corn, ginger, and chopped dry coconut and chopped spinach leaves to the batter. mix it very well. Add a pinch of asafoetida to make it more digestible.
3
Frying
Heat the oil in a frying pan in medium flame. Wet your palms and take a lemon size batter. Make a hole in the center and slide it into the hot oil. The vada should float on top of the oil. Fry on both sides till it becomes golden brown in color.
4
Serving
Serve vada immediately with chutney or sambar.

Glycemic Index

36 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 VadaPalak bhoraPalak vadaSpinach vada
Calories144 kcal131.1 kcal131.1 kcal131.1 kcal
Carbs8.6 g8.3 g8.3 g8.3 g
Protein4.1 g3.8 g3.8 g3.8 g
Fat10.3 g9.2 g9.2 g9.2 g
Fiber2.8 g2.6 g2.6 g2.6 g
Sugar0.3 g0.6 g0.6 g0.6 g
Sodium250.8 mg223.3 mg223.3 mg223.3 mg
Cholesterol0 mg0 mg0 mg0 mg

Health Goals Suitability

Weight Loss

At just 144 kcal per serving, this is an excellent choice for weight management. The low-calorie vegetables keep the energy density low.

Diabetes

With a low glycemic index of 36, this recipe supports stable blood sugar levels. The 2.8g fiber further slows glucose absorption.

Muscle Gain

Low protein content (4.1g 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

Zero cholesterol and low saturated fat (1.8g) make this heart-friendly. Anti-inflammatory ingredients benefit overall heart health. Low sodium content is ideal for blood pressure management.

PCOS

Low GI (36) with 2.8g fiber supports insulin sensitivity — key for PCOS management. Anti-inflammatory ingredients like turmeric and ginger are especially beneficial for PCOS. The high fiber content supports hormone balance by aiding estrogen metabolism.

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 Large Piece (~50.1g). A light, kcal-friendly portion. Pair with roti or salad for a complete meal under 300 kcal.

Muscle Gain

1 Large Piece (~50.1g) plus a protein-rich addition (100g paneer, 2 eggs, or 1 cup dal) to hit 25-30g protein per meal.

Diabetes

1 Large Piece (~50.1g). Pair with whole wheat roti (not rice) to lower glycemic load. Eat protein and fiber portions first, carbs last.

General

1 Large Piece (~50.1g) provides a balanced portion. Adjust based on your daily kcal target — track accurately in the Hint app.

Recipe Modifications

Lower fat

Use low-fat paneer or reduce ghee/butter by half. Switch to a non-stick pan to minimize oil.

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 Vada 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 (287.9-431.9 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. Increased dietary fiber intake is associated with lower body weight

    Slavin JL (2005). Dietary fiber and body weight. Nutrition.

    DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2003.09.004
  3. Dietary fiber slows glucose absorption and reduces post-meal blood sugar spikes

    Weickert MO & Pfeiffer AFH (2008). Metabolic effects of dietary fiber consumption. Journal of Nutrition.

    DOI: 10.1093/jn/138.3.439
  4. 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

Looking for an Indian Food Calorie Calculator?

Try the Hint app

promo banner