Is biryani good for weight loss? Check out what Sonali has to say!
Sonali: Mumma!! Biryani khane ka mann hai aj! Fitelo se recipe nikal ke bana do na please.
Mummy: Diet pe hoke, biryani khani hai tujhe?! Chup chap oats khichdi khale. Tumhari favourite Fitelo se hi li hai uski recipe.
Sonali: Oye Maatashri! Apko shayad pata nahi hogga, but biryani se bhi weight loss possible hai.
Mummy: Bas subah se tujhe mei hi mili? You’re saying biryani is good for weight loss?
Sonal: Hanji! Yeh blog padhlo aur saat hi saat, biryani ka saman mei order kardeti hu 😀
But have you ever considered if it is healthy? People often consider biryani to be carb-heavy and unhealthy because it contains rice, oil, and red meat. But we can assure you that this is not the case. According to one study, a hearty plate of biryani can be beneficial to your health and weight loss. Let’s read along to know all the hows!

History Of Biryani
A handi of biryani is a complete meal in itself when combined with rice benefits, meat (or veggies), and spices. A handi of biryani is sufficient, whether it be for a formal event or a casual get-together with friends. This traditional meal is bursting with flavor, with each mouthful infused with fragrant spices. Fans of the meal vouch for its unique flavor.
After Aurangzeb came to power, he sent his Nizams to Hyderabad and Arcot, where their cooks infused regional flavors to cook the Hyderabadi biryani.
When Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was exiled to Kolkata, his chef established the original Kolkata biryani and added potatoes, which are still an essential component of that cuisine. During this time, a vegetarian version of the dish known as tehri biryani is thought to have been developed for the court’s bookkeepers who refused to eat mutton biryani.ught to have been developed for the court’s bookkeepers who refused to eat mutton biryani.
Biryani For Weight Loss: Traditional Options With Nutritional Facts!
There isn’t much that all biryani share in common besides rice. The meats, spices, and cooking methods used in the many varieties of biryani vary.
Non-Vegetarian Biryani
There are numerous non-vegetarian biryanis, each featuring a special combination of spices and flavors. Check them out:
- Chicken Biryani: This traditional biryani meal is composed of marinated chicken, fragrant basmati rice, and a combination of spices.
- Mutton Biryani: Made with slow-cooked mutton, basmati rice, ginger, garlic (लहसुन), and a variety of spices, mutton biryani is a delicious dish. The strong flavor of this dish is well-known.
- Fish Biryani: A coastal delicacy, white fish is typically used to make fish Biryani. Spices like turmeric, red chili powder, and coriander powder are used to flavor it.
- Egg Biryani: Basmati rice, many spices, and hard-boiled eggs are used to make egg biryani. It is well-liked in several parts of India. Egg diet is also a delicious meal for weight loss.
Nutritional Facts Of Non-Veg Biryani
- Non-vegetarian biryani contains more meat than vegetarian biryani, therefore it has more protein and fat. Non-vegetarian biryani typically has 400–450 calories per serving.
- Meat provides protein, whereas the oil and ghee needed to prepare the meal provide fat. Non-vegetarian biryani is also a good source of vitamins, minerals, and a modest amount of carbohydrates and fiber.
Veg Biryani
Vegetarian biryani comes in a variety of varieties, each with its own flavors and ingredients. The following are some of the more popular variations.
- Vegetable Biryani: This traditional biryani recipe uses basmati rice to cook a mixture of carrots, peas, potatoes, and bell peppers.
- Paneer Biryani: With flavors of saffron, cardamom, and cloves, paneer, an Indian cottage cheese, is the main component of paneer biryani. According to NCBI, adding a low-fat paneer will give you more dietary fiber and have many health benefits.
- Mushroom Biryani: To create this biryani, mushrooms are sautéed with onions, spices, and coriander leaves before being cooked with basmati rice and garnished with cashew nuts, raisins, or both.
- Dal Biryani: This dish is made using lentils, such as chana dal or moong dal, and is spiced with cumin, coriander, and turmeric.
- Cauliflower biryani: Biryani cooked with cauliflower florets and flavored with cumin, coriander, and turmeric.
- Soya Chunk Biryani: In this biryani, soya chunks are prepared with basmati rice and spiced with cumin, coriander, and turmeric.
Nutritional Facts Of Veg Biryani
Veg each serving of biryani normally contains 250–300 calories, largely from carbs. It offers a small quantity of fat and a considerable amount of protein.
Rice and veggies are utilized to provide carbohydrates, whereas lentils and vegetables provide proteins. It is also a great source of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber.

Is Biryani Good For Weight Loss?
Given its high calorie and fat content, biryani is not a good choice for those trying to lose weight. In addition, the biryani’s ingredients of rice, meat, and spices add a lot of calories and saturated fat, and the ghee or oil used in the cooking process adds even more calories and fat.
However, lowering your meal size can play the part quite well. Reduce the number of additional oils and fats and add extra veggies to the dish.
Many forms of biryani have different calorie and fat content, for instance, chicken and veggie biryani is usually a better choice than lamb biryani.
For people who are looking for weight loss, vegetable biryani can be a great option. The veggies used to make this form of biryani can be rich in fiber and nutrients, which adds to its potential health advantages.
If you want to make this dish as healthy as possible, brown rice is preferable to white rice. According to research, whole grains’ higher vitamin and fiber content helps people lose weight.
Not just with the taste, but this delicious dish also serves healthy and nutritional value.
7 Amazing Tips To Enjoy Biryani For Weight Loss!
Craving Biryani, but worried about the waistline? Don’t worry! You can enjoy this tasty dish while working on your weight loss goals. Here’s how to enjoy it – it’s simple, smart, and not at all guilty-inducing:
1. Add Lean Proteins: The use of chicken or fish instead of red meats like mutton makes a big difference. The key is that it is low in fat but filling enough that you will not feel compelled to add extra calories.
2. Go for Brown Rice or Quinoa: Is biryani rice healthy? It is if you swap regular white rice with brown rice or even quinoa. According to the National Library Of Medicine, these options are rich in fiber, which keeps you fuller for longer and aids digestion while giving you the same biryani flavor you love.
3. Load Up on Veggies: A biryani packed with vegetables is delicious and full of nutrients! Adding vitamins, minerals, and fiber without many calories balances your meal and fills you up.
4. Control Portion Sizes: You do not have to take a whole serving; instead, you can have a little biryani and match it up with salad or yogurt. In this way, you would get the flavor but keep your calorie count in hand.
5. Cook at Home: Making biryani at home allows the control of ingredients and cooking methods. You can reduce the amount of oil used, have healthier spices, and even add more veggies, making it a much lighter yet tasty option.
6. Use Lesser Oil and Ghee: While oil and ghee are essential for that rich biryani flavor, their use can significantly reduce the calorie count if done in moderation. Try to add them a little less.
7. Add Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs such as cilantro and mint might add extra nutrients without adding calories, but they also enhance the flavor. They are also antioxidants!
By doing so, you’ll really be able to enjoy a flavorful plate of biryani and have it fit well into your weight loss diet plan! Go on, dig in, and relish each bite—all without having to feel guilty.
Shahi Biryani Recipes By Fitelo
Delicious cooking with these tummy-full recipes is on the way! Check them out!
Millet Biryani With Only 200 Calories [2022] – Fitelo
Presenting you with millet biryani which is only 200 calories. Woohoo! Excited? You should be, as this recipe is rich in health benefits and will not harm your weight. So, you can, therefore, eat it as your lunch or dinner and make your day happy and flavourful. Let us go through the method and try it now.
Hyderabadi Biryani Recipe: How To Make It At Home
You can simply enjoy this delicious dish at your home. Let’s try Fitelo style biryani which is super easy to make and tastes just like ‘Behrouz biryani’. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s start!!
The Pumpkin Biryani Recipe
Craving for biryani? But afraid that you might gain some kilos? Then this Pumpkin Biryani Recipe is the one for you! It is full of flavor and gives you the nutritional benefits of all the spices used.
Brown Rice Biryani: Low-Calorie Vegetable Biryani Recipe
Even though it takes some time to prepare, this brown rice biryani recipe is well worth the effort. It is tasty and rather filling at the same time. Choose this healthy biryani recipe if you’re preparing to host a gathering at your house it will be a hit with your guests.

Bottom Line
Yes, biryani can fit into a weight loss plan with the right choices! While it’s often considered a calorie-heavy, high-fat dish, you can enjoy it while working toward your health goals. Let’s revisit the key points:
- Lean Proteins and Veggies: Make use of lean proteins such as chicken or fish; for a vegetarian version, that cuts down more on calorie count.
- Brown Rice Instead of White Rice: Switch from white rice to brown rice for weight loss, which is rich in fiber and adds more nutrition to aid in weight loss.
- Portion Control: Eat less to avoid overeating and unnecessary calorie intake.
- Less Ghee or Oil: Try to reduce the intake of excessive ghee or oil.
- High in Fiber and Protein: Non-veg and veggie biryanis provide a good balance of protein and fiber, which keeps you full longer.
- Anti-Inflammatory Spices: Ingredients such as turmeric and cumin can aid digestion and help in weight management.
- Choose Vegetable Biryani: This is quite a good option, as vegetables are low in calories but rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
So, if you love biryani, go ahead and indulge—just make sure to customize it with healthy ingredients, moderate your portion size, and enjoy it as part of a balanced diet.
After all, weight loss doesn’t mean giving up on your favorite foods; instead, it means making a healthier choice.
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Who says losing weight is impossible? Mehak is a living example! Once obese, she is now in the shape she always dreamed of. Prevention of obesity is possible with determination and the right support. With Fitelo’s expert dietitians, you’ll never fail to reach your fitness goals. Plus, your weight loss journey will never be boring, thanks to delicious, creative recipes you never thought possible!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Eat Biryani During Weight Loss?
As part of a balanced diet, you must eat it in moderation. Because biryani contains a lot of calories, it’s important to control amounts and combine them with other nutrient-rich foods.
Biryani Is Healthy Or Unhealthy?
This can be a healthy version of biryani if lean proteins are used, with brown rice and plenty of vegetables, alongside limited oil and ghee. Traditionally, though, its high oil quotient, fatty meats, and white rice make it an unhealthy food choice when consumed in large amounts.
How Many Calories Is 1 Biryani?
The calorie count differs with different types of biryani and ingredients. In general, a serving of vegetable biryani would range from 250 to 300 calories, while non-vegetarian biryani might be around 400-450 calories per serving.
How Many Times Can I Eat Biryani In A Week?
You can enjoy it once or twice a week if the biryani is prepared with healthier ingredients such as lean proteins and minimal usage of oil. Moderation is crucial, as an occasional indulgence can result in consuming too many calories.
Does Biryani Include A Lot of Fat?
Depending on the recipe and the components used, biryani may include a lot of fat. In addition, many biryani recipes call for nuts and dried fruits, which may increase the dish’s overall fat content. But, selecting leaner meats, using less ghee or oil, and excluding high-fat components like nuts and dried fruits will help make a biryani dish lower in fat.

Contact Us Today
We’re never leaving you hanging with doubts, queries, as well as confusing questions. We understand how all this information gets really overwhelming as well as a little confusing on your way to a healthy lifestyle. Hence, you can always contact us at any time as our experts are here to guide you 24/7. Also, we will help you achieve your weight loss goals.
Disclaimer
This blog post was written to help you to make healthy and better food choices altogether. So, be aware and take care. The important thing to consider is your own health before starting a diet that is restrictive. Always seek advice from a doctor/dietitian before starting if you have any concerns.
Eat Healthy, Live Healthy as well as Enjoy a long happy life
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