Indian food can be healthy or rich: it depends on the region and the dish. Dishes built on lentils, vegetables and rice with little cream or deep-frying are lighter than cream-based curries and fried snacks. Kerala cooking uses coconut, rice, lentils and vegetables, so many dishes are lighter, but no restaurant meal is diet food and Herb does not publish calories.
“Indian food” is not one thing
A creamy butter-based curry with naan and a bowl of sambar with idli sit at opposite ends of the scale, yet both are called Indian food. When people ask whether Indian food is healthy, the honest answer is: it depends what you order.
What tends to make a dish lighter
- Lentils and pulses as the base – sambar, parippu, chickpea and black chickpea curries bring protein and fibre.
- Vegetables doing the work – thoran, avial and stews where vegetables, not sauce, are the point.
- Steamed or griddled, not deep-fried – idli is steamed and dosa is cooked on a griddle.
- Coconut instead of cream – a different richness, though coconut milk is still calorific.
- Fermented batters – the traditional way to make dosa and idli.
What to watch
- Fried starters such as vada and fritters are delicious but richer.
- Ghee, paneer and cream add richness to some dishes, even on vegetarian menus.
- Large portions and sweet desserts add up on any cuisine.
- Salt and sugar vary by kitchen; ask if you are watching them for medical reasons.
Lighter choices on the Herb menu (Leicester prices)
- Idli (£5.95) or Idli Sambar (£9.95) – steamed rice cakes with sambar.
- Thakkali Rasam (£4.45) – a light, peppery tomato broth.
- Plain Dosa (£6.89) with sambar and chutney.
- Vegetable curries with rice – koonu curry, kadala curry, herbal parippu.
- Herbed Quinoa Salad (£9.98) and Herb Kayal Salad (£11.65).
- Slim Thali (£16.85) – seven small vegetable dishes with rice and bread, a balanced plate.
The Leamington Spa menu has its own prices: see the Leamington Spa menu.
A note on health claims
Herb’s kitchen draws on Ayurvedic ideas about herbs and balance, but this guide is about food choices, not medical advice. The menus show prices and V, GF and NF tags, not calories or nutrition. If you need information for a medical or allergy reason, ask a senior member of the team before you order.
More
Read healthy food in Leicester, healthy eating out in Leamington Spa and the guide to Kerala cuisine.
FAQ
Is Indian food healthy?
It depends on the region and the dish. Dishes built on lentils, vegetables and rice with little cream or frying are lighter than rich, cream-based or deep-fried dishes.
Is South Indian food healthier than North Indian food?
South Indian menus lean on rice, lentils, vegetables and coconut rather than cream and butter, so many dishes are lighter, but fried items and rich desserts exist on every menu.
Does Herb publish calories?
No. Herb's menus show prices and V, GF and NF tags, not calories. Ask the team if you need information for a medical or allergy reason.
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