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Chopping
Wash the spinach leaves, onions and chop them into small pieces.
Palak curry
Palak curry has 81.3 calories per serving (1 Small Cup) — that's 81.4 calories per 100g. It provides 3g protein, 6.6g carbs, and 4.8g fat. With a low glycemic index (GI: 48), this recipe is suitable for weight loss, diabetes management, heart health and more. The 3.1g 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 Palak curry in the Hint app — India's comprehensive recipe and nutrition tracking platform.
- Serving Size 1 Small Cup (100 g)
- Calories81.3 kcal
- Carbs6.6 g (26.3 kcal)
- Protein3.0 g (12.2 kcal)
- Fats4.8 g (42.9 kcal)
Nutrition Label
Palak curry
- Serving Size1 Small Cup (100 g)
- Calories81.3 kcal
- Carbs6.6 g
- Fiber3.1 g
- Sugar1.7 g
- Protein3.0 g
- Fat4.8 g
- Saturated fat0.9 g
- Mono unsaturated fat1.7 g
- Poly unsaturated fat1.7 g
- Cholesterol0.0 mg
- Sodium275.2 mg
Nutrition per 100g
- Calories81.4 kcal
- Carbs6.6 g
- Fiber3.1 g
- Sugar1.7 g
- Protein3.0 g
- Fat4.8 g
- Cholesterol0.0 mg
- Sodium275.6 mg
1 serving = 99.9g
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4 persons
Ingredients
Bengal gram dal
10 Grams
Black gram dal
5 Grams
Spinach
250 Grams
Chillies green - all varieties
5 Grams
Curry leaves
5 Grams
Onion small
100 Grams
Chillies red
3 Grams
Cumin seeds
0.5 Tea Spoon
Mustard seeds
0.5 Tea Spoon
Rice bran oil
1 Table Spoon
Salt
0.5 Tea Spoon
Instructions
1
2
Cooking
Heat the oil in a nonstick pan. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves, chana dal (bengal gram), urad dal (black gram dal), and saute them until the urad dal turns golden brown. Add green chilies, red chilies, chopped onions, spinach, and fry them until the spinach is completely cooked. Add salt and cover the pan with a lid for 5 more minutes.
3
Serve
Once the curry is done, serve it hot with rice or roti
Also Known As
Glycemic Index
48 Low
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
| Nutrient | Palak curry | Amaranth leaves curry | Amaranthu Ila curry | Laal Maathachi Bhaji |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 81.3 kcal | 84.8 kcal | 84.8 kcal | 84.8 kcal |
| Carbs | 6.6 g | 6.7 g | 6.7 g | 6.7 g |
| Protein | 3 g | 3.8 g | 3.8 g | 3.8 g |
| Fat | 4.8 g | 4.7 g | 4.7 g | 4.7 g |
| Fiber | 3.1 g | 4.3 g | 4.3 g | 4.3 g |
| Sugar | 1.7 g | 1.7 g | 1.7 g | 1.7 g |
| Sodium | 275.2 mg | 258.4 mg | 258.4 mg | 258.4 mg |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg |
Similar Recipes
Health Goals Suitability
Weight Loss
At just 81.3 kcal per serving, this is an excellent choice for weight management. The 3.1g of dietary fiber promotes satiety, helping you feel full longer. The low-calorie vegetables keep the energy density low.
Diabetes
With a low glycemic index of 48, this recipe supports stable blood sugar levels. The 3.1g fiber further slows glucose absorption.
Muscle Gain
Low protein content (3g 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 (0.9g) make this heart-friendly. Anti-inflammatory ingredients benefit overall heart health. Low sodium content is ideal for blood pressure management.
PCOS
Low GI (48) with 3.1g 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 Small Cup (~99.9g). A light, kcal-friendly portion. Pair with roti or salad for a complete meal under 300 kcal.
Muscle Gain
1 Small Cup (~99.9g) plus a protein-rich addition (100g paneer, 2 eggs, or 1 cup dal) to hit 25-30g protein per meal.
Diabetes
1 Small Cup (~99.9g). Pair with whole wheat roti (not rice) to lower glycemic load. Eat protein and fiber portions first, carbs last.
General
1 Small Cup (~99.9g) 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.
Lower glycemic load
Replace refined flour (maida) with whole wheat atta, or swap white rice with brown rice or millets like jowar/bajra.
Make diabetes-friendly
Replace potato with cauliflower or bottle gourd. Add a squeeze of lemon — the acidity lowers glycemic response.
Meal prep friendly
Palak curry stores well for 2-3 days refrigerated. Reheat on stovetop for best texture. Prepare ingredients in advance for quick weeknight cooking.
Common Mistakes
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 (162.6-243.9 kcal).
Fix: Use the Hint app to scan and log the exact portion you eat for accurate tracking.
Pairing with another high-GI food
Why it matters: Eating rice with another starchy dish doubles the glycemic load, causing sharp blood sugar spikes.
Fix: Choose one carb source per meal. Pair with roti instead of rice, or add a protein-rich side.
Frequently Asked Questions
One serving of Palak curry contains 81.3 kcal (3g protein, 6.6g carbs, 4.8g fat). That's 81.4 kcal per 100g. You can track exact portions in the Hint app.
At just 81.3 kcal per serving, this is an excellent choice for weight management. The 3.1g of dietary fiber promotes satiety, helping you feel full longer. The low-calorie vegetables keep the energy density low. Pair with a salad or raita for a filling, low-calorie meal.
With a low glycemic index of 48, this recipe supports stable blood sugar levels. The 3.1g fiber further slows glucose absorption. The glycemic index is 48 (Low). Always consult your dietitian for personalized guidance — Hint Premium connects you with expert dietitians.
Palak curry has 3g protein per serving. For a protein boost, combine with paneer, eggs, dal, or chicken.
Yes, Palak curry is light enough for dinner at 81.3 kcal. Having a lighter dinner 2-3 hours before sleep supports better digestion and weight management.
Since Palak curry is low in protein, pair it with dal, paneer, curd, or eggs. Add a fiber-rich salad for completeness. Track your full meal in the Hint app for accurate nutrition totals.
Low GI (48) with 3.1g 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.
Scientific References
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.26.8.2261Increased dietary fiber intake is associated with lower body weight
Slavin JL (2005). Dietary fiber and body weight. Nutrition.
DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2003.09.004Dietary 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/138.3.439Curcumin 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
