Is Papad Good for Health? Myths vs Facts You Should Know

Do you get super happy when you see a crispy, crunchy papad on your plate during dinner? I know I do! That yummy, salty snap makes any meal feel like a party.

But then, you might have heard adults say things like, “Don’t eat too many papads, they’re not good for you.” So, what’s the real deal? Is papad good for health? Or is it just a tasty treat we should avoid?

Let’s be food detectives and uncover the truth. We’ll separate the myths from the facts. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to think the next time you see a papad!

First, what even is a Papad?

Before we decide if papad is good for health, let’s see what it’s made of. A papad is like a super thin, crispy flatbread. It’s usually made from a dough that includes:

• Flour: This can be from lentils (like urad dal), rice, potatoes, or even chickpeas.
• Spices: Like black pepper, cumin seeds, or chili powder for flavour.
• Salt: To make it tasty.
• Oil: A little bit is often added to the dough.

This dough is rolled out super thin, dried in the sun, and then stored. We usually fry it in oil, roast it over a flame, or microwave it to make it crispy before eating.

Let’s Bust Some Myths!

Myth #1: Papads are JUST Junk Food.

Fact: This isn’t entirely true! Think of it like this: Is potato junk food? Well, it can be if we turn it into greasy chips. But a baked potato is actually healthy. Papads are similar. The problem isn’t always the papad itself, but how we cook it and how many we eat.

The lentil flour in papads can actually give us some protein and fiber. So, saying all papads are junk is a big myth!

Myth #2: All Papads are Created Equal.

Fact: Nope! A papad made from urad dal (a black lentil) is very different from a papad made from rice or potatoes. The ingredient list is the biggest clue to answering which papad is good for health.

So, Is Papad Good For Health? The Real Facts.

The answer is: It can be! It all depends on the type of papad and how it’s cooked. Let’s look at the facts.

Fact #1: Some Papads Can Be Nutritious.

Papads made from lentils (like urad dal, moong dal, or chana dal) are the best choice. Why? Because lentils are packed with:

• Protein: Helps your muscles grow strong.
• Fiber: Helps your tummy feel good and your digestion work smoothly.

So, a lentil-based papad can be good for health because it gives you a small nutrient boost.

Fact #2: The Cooking Method is a SUPER BIG Deal.

This is the most important part! How you make the papad crispy changes everything.

• Frying: Deep-frying papads in lots of oil makes them soak up fat, just like chips. This is the least healthy way and makes a papad more of a “sometimes” treat.
• Roasting: Holding a papad over a gas flame with tongs until it puffs up is a great method! It uses almost no extra oil.
• Microwaving: You can put a papad on a plate and microwave it for 30-60 seconds. It becomes crispy without any extra oil! This is another fantastic, healthy option.

So, a roasted or microwaved papad is good for health compared to a fried one.

Fact #3: Portion Size Matters.

Papads are meant to be a side dish, not the main meal. Eating one papad with your dal and rice is a great idea. Eating five papads instead of your vegetables… not such a great idea. Because papads can be high in salt, it’s best to enjoy just one.

Which Papad is Good For Health?

Now you know the secret! To choose the healthiest papad, look for:

1. The Main Ingredient: Pick papads made from lentils (urad dal, moong dal) instead of rice or potato if you want more protein and fiber.
2. Low Salt: Some brands might have less salt than others.
3. No Artificial Stuff: Check the packet for a simple list of ingredients you can recognize.

The Final Verdict: Myth vs. Fact

• MYTH: All papads are bad for you.
• FACT: How you cook it and what it’s made from makes all the difference. A lentil papad that is roasted or microwaved is good for health in small amounts.

So, can we say papad is good for health? Yes, if we choose wisely! It’s a yummy way to add a little crunch and some nutrients to your meal.

The Smart Way to Enjoy Papad

Here’s your action plan for being a papad superstar:

1. Choose a lentil papad.
2. Ask your family to roast it or microwave it instead of frying.
3. Enjoy ONE delicious papad with your regular healthy meal.

That’s it! Now you know the secret. You don’t have to give up on papads. You just have to enjoy them the smart way.

What’s your favourite way to eat papad? Do you like it roasted or microwaved? Let me know in the comments!