Dehradun is revered for its breathtakingly beautiful sceneries and some of the most renowned hill stations of Uttarakhand. Apart from a gorgeous backdrop, the capital of Uttarakhand is also lined up with museums, monuments and temples. However, what remains the most exciting part of Dehradun is its sensational line-up of cafes that offer a cosy and calm vibe to let you unwind and enjoy a satisfying supper with friends and family.

Here’s a round-up of some of the most Amazing Cafes in Dehradun that will satisfy the hidden gourmet in you.

Kalsang AMA Cafe

With the rustic ambience, Kalsang AMA Café offers, you will lose yourself the moment you step into this beautiful Tibetan themed café. The café boasts of courteous staff, gorgeous interior and drool-worthy food cooked in Tibetan fashion. The café serves as a perfect hangout spot, where you can also binge on innovative delicacies and drinks with your friends and family.

Must-Try Dishes: Blueberry Cheesecake, Pizza, Chocolate Shake, Momos, Fruit Beer, Sandwiches and of course, Coffee! In case you love spicy food, do try the Dragon Momo.
Timings: 10 A.M. to 10:30 P.M.
Location: 88, Opposite Osho, Chander Lok Colony, Rajpur Road, Rajpur, Dehradun
Approximate Cost For Two: INR 600

Waffles and Crepes

Isn’t the name itself making your mouth water? Waffles & Crepes is known for its delicious ice-creams, pizzas, and waffles, which make it one of the best cafes out there. The ambience and infrastructure is nothing exceptional. However, this café will not disappoint you at all if you visit it with your friends or your family to try a new exotic menu. Lose your senses with the most elegant combination of soothing vanilla and tasty cocoa over a soft and delicious base of waffle. If you are a waffle lover, do not miss out on this waffle-mania!

Must-Try Dishes: Prince Pancake, Pizza Crepe, customised Waffles with different bases and toppings. You should try mixing vanilla and chocolate toppings as they blend very well with the waffles.
Timings: 11 A.M. to 11 P.M.
Location: 1 Mohini, Main EC Road, Dehradun
Approximate Cost For Two: INR 400

Rising Dough

Offering delectable food options is what makes Rising Dough an unbeatable winner. Their cakes look so beautiful that they turn out to be both a treat for your eyes and a treat for your taste buds! Relish your soul as you dive into their drool-worthy menu that offers a great variety of cocktails, desserts, and cheesecakes. The lighting at this cafe shines beautifully across the long hallways. These hallways are set with long tables across the walls to create an American-styled bar design. Exotic dishes merging into their Tibetan theme and perfect ambience make this place a fantastic hangout hotspot for anyone.

Must-Try Dishes: Pasta, Chicken Sandwich, Cheesecakes and Apple Pie
Timings: 10:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M.
Location: 67/10, Opposite Meedo Plaza, Rajpur Road, Chukkuwala, Dehradun
Approximate Cost For Two: INR 300

Salt and Cravings

Salt & Cravings offers an ambience worth living your date moments in! Once you let yourself enjoy their food offerings, there is no way you will go on without craving for more. The delicacies are beautifully presented and packed with a great blend of tastes. The interior décor is charming and serene, with its old-world charm. The lightings are dim and whimsical, while the walls feature beautifully lined up pebbles and the long tables can fit in your entire family. Indulge in some soul-satisfying food as you unwind and relax at Salt & Cravings.

Must-Try Dishes: Banoffee Pie, Garlic Bread, Red Velvet Cake, Lemon Cheesecake, Burrito, Hot Chocolate Fudge
Timings: 11 A.M. to 3 P.M. & 7 P.M. to 11 P.M
Location: Hotel President, 6, Astley Hall, Rajpur Road, Karanpur, Dehradun
Approximate Cost For Two: INR 500

Lemon-Grass Garden

Ambiance, ambience and ambience!’ Lemon Grass Garden is the topper of the list if you are looking for cafes that offer the most beautiful ambience. You could rest on the soothing greens of the vast garden featured here and enjoy your day with your friends or a lover. Let nature set a gorgeous backdrop for you here as you try their local delicacies. Looking to spend your Sunday in a place that cuts you off the city hassle? Get your date to Lemon Grass Garden and spend some quality time in the greens, off the screens of the city.

Must-Try Dishes: Green Apple Mojito, Combo Offerings that offer great food combinations at cut-down prices, Pav Bhaji, Hazelnut Café
Timings: 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. The place is perfect for an all-day visit, however, a night-time visit would make your experience much better.
Location: 76, Rajpur Road, Hathibarkala Salwala, Dehradun
Approximate Cost For Two: INR 200-300

Farm to Fork Cafe

A café that offers an ancient English theme easily qualifies to be one of the best cafes you will ever find in Dehradun. The courteous staff at this café ensure their very best to offer you a memorable experience. The very entrance of this cafe features a logo, radiating a welcoming vibe into the beautiful fortress. The décor is stunning, mostly covered out of bamboo stem and glass. Take some book with you as you lose yourself in the vibrancy offered by Farm To Fork Café; a place you will never regret visiting.

Must-Try Dishes: Thin Crust Pizza, Lime Chicken Breast, Waffles, Pancakes, Moracan Salad, Coffee, Pesto Pasta
Timings: 6 A.M. to 3 A.M.
Location: Shop no.8, Pacific Hills, Mussoorie diversion Malsi, Dehradun
Approximate Cost For Two: INR 1000

Eddie’s Patisserie

There is no shortage of cafés and bakeries in Dehradun. One that stands out from the crowd is Eddie’s Patisserie. Famous for cakes, brownies, pastries and other baked items, this cozy cafe is located in the interiors of the Yamuna colony, away from the hustle and bustle. You cannot tell your vacation to this serene town is complete if you haven’t covered bakeries like Eddie’s. It is located on the first floor and has a big terrace. There are both indoor and outdoor seating options for you to spend quality time with your friends. There are board games for your entertainment too. The peacefulness of the café and their lovely selection of music is apt for having good conversations over a cup of coffee. They have a bookshelf with a good collection of books, so you can pick a book and have a good read. Apart from the mouthwatering desserts, the cafe is popular for burgers. They have brilliantly customized burgers on their menu, all of which are worth trying out.

Must-haves dishes: Cajun spiced chicken burger, waffles, watermelon soda pop, red velvet pastry, blueberry cheesecake, mud cake, caramel cold coffee
Location: 102 Yamuna Colony, Above Punjab National Bank, Khurbura Dehradun
Cost for two: INR 350
Timings: 10:30 AM – 8:30 PM

Cafe De Piccolo

Nestled in between the bungalows of Rajpur is a hut shaped café that gives you a countryside feeling. This Italian themed café named Café de Piccolo is a hidden gem. With both indoor and outdoor seating, it has a very different ambience from other cafés in town. It is recommended to visit the place after dusk because it gets enhanced with bright lights. The light music, the dollhouse-like decor, comfortable seats and the cottage like the shape of the café makes you feel like you are in Italy. The cafe is owned by a married couple: Sudhanshu and Aarti and maintained by a courteous staff. Made of all wood, it looks straight out of a fairytale. You can enjoy the greenery of Dehradun from the glass windows, inside the cafe. The white paint and French doors and windows make it all the more dreamy. The cafe became the talk of the town, even before it was opened. Once you visit this place, you will definitely want to revisit it.

Must- have dishes: Fish and chips, Nutella and banana crepe, banoffee pie, white chocolate latte, black forest waffles and chicken pasta
Location: 180 Rajpur Road, Rajpur
Cost for two: INR 400
Timings: 11 AM – 10:30 PM

Nepalese cuisine is one of the most beautiful things about their culture against popular belief. They have a number of dishes that are a blend of amazing flavours that are lip-smacking. Nepalese cuisine takes influence from its neighbours India, Tibet and China. Nepalese cuisine is supposed to be healthy and cooked in less fat. The common dishes involve soups, lean curries, vegetables, salads, lean meat, pickles, and curd. The ingredients include tomatoes, chillies, coriander, garlic and mustard oil.

Dal-Bhaat

The staple food of each Nepali household, Dal Bhat is mainly rice served along with lentil soup and vegetable curry or chicken (or meat). This meal is the most beloved one amongst Nepali people as it’s wholesome and provides with the needed nutrition.

Momos

The next very popular dish is Momos. This is one of the favourites for tourists and is a must try for everyone visiting Nepal. Momos are small envelopes of white flour stuffed with veggies or minced lamb or chicken. They are served with different kinds of sauces and mayonnaise which makes the combination a delicious snack. This food in Nepal has taken India by storm and is a popular street food across many countries as well.

Wo or Bara

Wo is a kind of pancakes made by the Newari people of Nepal. The Newaris are an indigenous group of locals in the Kathmandu valley. Wo is made with ground lentil (green or black) batter during the ‘Sithi Nakha’, a Newari festival. These Dal patties are light and perfect for snacks. For non-vegetarians, Bara can also be added with minced chicken and battered egg.

Sel Roti

A fusion of doughnut and bagel, Sel Roti is one of the most sought after snack in Nepal during festivals like Tihar and Dashain. It is a circular rice flour bread which is deeply fried to make it crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. It is crispy and sweet and tastes best with yoghurt or veggies. Being a popular festival food in Nepal, this dish is a must on your culinary bucket list.

Everest Beer

This local Nepali beer is made with rice and is a cheap buy. You might want to give it a go if you are a beer fan. There is also another local alcohol called Raksi which is the traditional beverage of Limbu people and it is normally served with pork or beef meat.

Yomari

A sweet dish prepared from rice dough and stuffed with a sweet paste made of coconut, sesame seeds and molasses, Yomari is a festival food in Nepal, made only during the festival of Yomari Punhi. This festival is celebrated each year in the winters to thank the Gods for a good harvest. This dish is very famous is Kathmandu and you might also find its spicy version made with lentil.

Gorkhali Lamb

It is a collection of assorted flavours all stuffed into one package. Gorkhali lamb is essentially a curry dish which is prepared by slow-cooking the lamb in the curry along with potatoes and onions. It is then removed from the curry, grilled and covered with a layer of spicy chilli mix giving it the intense flavour. It is then put back into to curry to cook for a bit longer. Lamb is one of the favourites of the Nepalese and this dish will surely be something worth trying.

Juju Dhau

Also known as the ‘king curd’, Juju Dhau is a type of yoghurt. It is a creamy, thick and sweet dish normally preferred as a dessert. Made with buffalo milk, this dish is very famous among the Newaris people and is a must try if you are visiting Bhaktapur. You’ll find a lot of street-side vendors selling Juju Dhau in Bhaktapur.

Thukpa

It is a noodle soup, served in the mountains of Nepal during winters. It can have meat, egg or simply just vegetables. It is normally served along with a dish called Momos. This dish carries along with it a lot of inspiration from the Tibetan and Chinese cuisines. The meat used in Thukpa can be goat, lamb, chicken or even yak. This dish is more like a survival kit against the shivering cold on the mountains. Along with a great taste, it provides the locals with the perfect nutrients they need.

Indian Snacks

A lot of Indian origin snacks like Pani Puri, Jalebi and drinks like Lassi are also available in Nepal. So if you’re looking forward to trying some of the most famous Indian snacks and drinks you’ll surely find them being sold by street-side vendors in Nepal. I’ll advise you to consume these from clean and hygienic stalls where the food served is fresh.

These were the 17 must-try food in Nepal and almost all of them are available everywhere in Nepal and so they won’t be hard to find. Try them all and you won’t regret missing anything in Nepal.

McDonald’s is planning a breakfast revolution with a branded menu that will include culinary delights that range from the quaint — masala dosa burgers with molaga podi sauce — to the familiar — anda bhurji.
The McBreakfast is aimed at luring consumers early in the day with new dishes, some of which will only be available in the morning, in the hope that this will help perk up business in a sluggish industry.

The new menu, a combination of continental and Indian options, will be launched by the weekend, initially in Mumbai and then across India.

“We continue to look at inspiration from Indian cuisine and bring it as a McDonald’s format which will give you flavours from the west but the familiarity of Indian,” said Amit Jatia, vice-chairman of Westlife Development, which runs McDonald’s restaurants in the west and south.
The focus on breakfast isn’t new for McDonald’s. For instance, some of its restaurants have been opening early and dishing out egg, cheese and sausage muffins since 2010.

And neither is the borrowing from Indian food. About two decades ago, McDonald’s took a cue from street food and launched the Aloo Tikki burger, which went on to become one of the fastest-selling products in its stores. What’s new, however, is the launch ofan entire range as a separate menu, according to McDonald’s.

Apart from masala dosa burgers, it will also sell spinach and corn and hash brown brioches, along with plain and masala scrambled eggs, waffles and hotcakes. The company had a similar strategy for coffee and hot beverages when it launched the McCafe three years ago as a distinct format.
The latest move is also an attempt to adopt a healthier tack with most of the dishes being grilled, rather than fried.

Breakfast convenience on the go will increase as more people enter the segment. As a western quick service restaurant, we are going to grow the Indian breakfast market dramatically,” said Jatia, suggesting that there’s enough room and that McDonald’s won’t necessarily compete with the Udupi and Irani restaurants that cater to breakfasters.

The eating-out market in the countryis estimated at $94 billion, or about Rs 5.85 lakh crore, but only 2% of it is organised with national and international food retail brands.

Major chains such as McDonald’s, Yum’s KFC and Pizza Hut and Jubilant FoodWorks, which operates Domino’s Pizza and Dunkin’ Donuts, have been either struggling to grow or posting single-digit growth amid an economic slowdown for almost three years now.

Breakfast is a huge opportunity which is still untapped by organised players. But the biggest challenge is that most consumers still prefer fresh, homemade breakfasts or packaged healthier products such as masala oats. Hence, (demand) will be restricted to consumers who are travelling, said Abneesh Roy, senior vice-president, Edelweiss Financial Services.

In India, McDonald’s has been adding stores, new formats and services, investing nearly 500 crore to open about 120 stores in the past five years. The India focus comes amid the global giant giving up control of its business in China.

With a long history, unique features, numerous styles and exquisite cooking, Chinese cuisine is one important constituent part of Chinese culture. Chinese traditional dishes are famous for color, aroma, taste, meaning and appearance.
The following are the 15 most popular dishes among foreigners and Chinese. These dishes are available in most large restaurants in China. For convenience ordering, we also give their Chinese names.

Hotpot is a dish to tell apart real Chinese food lovers. If you really appreciate hotpot rather than just ordering fired rice, chow mein, and dim sum all the time, you are truly a Chinese cuisine fan!

The secret of whether a hotpot is good or not lies in the broth, in which all the meat slices and vegetables are cooked. Normally you get to choose your own broth flavor, such as mushroom, tomato, original, or spicy. But still, the flavor can be different according to the sauce you choose to go with the meat. There are hundreds of kinds: a classic one is peanut butter with smashed garlic and chopped onion dressed with sesame oil.

Braised Pork Balls

Braised pork balls in gravy are also known as “Chinese meatballs” (many of our clients call them this). If you like meatballs and spaghetti, you’ll probably appreciate Chinese meatballs as well. The super-smooth and flavory gravy is almost like a “drug sauce” keeping your taste buds wanting more and more. How many calories does it have? Trust me, you wouldn’t care at all!

Tip: We suggest that you only order this dish in a decent restaurant where the meat quality is guaranteed and the prescribed lean:fat pork ratio of 7:3 is achieved in each meat ball.

Shrimp with Vermicelli and Garlic

Shrimp with vermicelli and garlic is a dish not only favored by foreigners but also the Chinese younger generation in recent years as well.

This steamed dish brings out the aroma of everything it has. The heavy garlic with a seafood sauce flavor blends with the freshness of juicy shrimp. The vermicelli at the bottom absorbs every single drip of tasty juice running down. Some Chinese yellow wine to capture the aroma and highlight the flavor is the secret to this delicacy.

Dumplings

Dumplings consist of minced meat and chopped vegetables wrapped in a thin dough skin. With a long history of more than 1,800 years, dumplings are a traditional food widely popular in North China.

Popular fillings are mince pork, diced shrimp, ground chicken, beef, and vegetables. They can be cooked by boiling, steaming, or frying. Dumplings are a traditional dish eaten on Chinese New Year’s.

Chowmein

Chow mein is the Cantonese pronunciation of the Chinese characters above, which means stir-fried noodles. Generally speaking, this stir-fried dish consists of noodles, meat (usually chicken, beef, shrimp, or pork), onions and celery.

For making chow mein, the noodles need to be cooked in boiling water for a while. After they becoming cool, then move to the step of stir-frying.

Sweet and Sour Pork

Sweet and sour pork has a bright orange-red color, and a delicious sweet and sour taste.

At the very beginning there was only sweet and sour pork, but to meet demands, there have been some developments on this dish. Now, the pork can be substituted by other ingredients like chicken, beef or pork ribs.

Spring Rolls

Spring rolls are a Cantonese dim sum of cylindrical shape. The filling of spring rolls could be vegetables or meat, and the taste could be either sweet or savory.

After fillings are wrapped in spring roll wrappers, the next step is frying. Then the spring rolls are given their golden yellow color.

It is a dish especially popular in Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Fujian, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, etc.

Eating plenty of vegetables is one of the easiest ways for people to improve their health and well-being.

All vegetables contain healthful vitamins, minerals, and fiber. However, some stand out for their exceptional health benefits.

Some individuals benefit more from certain vegetables than others, depending on their diet, overall health, and nutritional needs.

In this article, we list 15 of the most healthful vegetables, along with some tips to help people enjoy them as part of a balanced diet.

1. Spinach
Spinach is rich in iron.
Spinach is a leafy green vegetable. It is also a great source of calcium, vitamins, iron, and antioxidants. Due to its iron and calcium content, spinach is a great addition to any meat- or dairy-free diet. powered by Rubicon Project, One cup of raw spinach is mostly made up of water and contains only 7 caloriesTrusted Source. It also provides the following nutrients:
an adult’s full daily requirements for vitamin K
high amounts of vitamin A
vitamin C
magnesium
folate
iron
calcium
antioxidants
Vitamin K is essential for a healthy body, and especially so for strong bones. It improves how well the body absorbs calcium.
inach also provides a good amount of iron for energy and healthy blood, and a good level of magnesium for muscle and nerve function. It is also rich in antioxidants. Research reportsTrusted Source that spinach leaves may lower blood pressure and benefit heart health.

2. Kale

Kale is a very popular leafy green vegetable with several health benefits. It provides 7 caloriesTrusted Source per cup of raw leaves and good amounts of vitamins A, C, and K.

Kale may benefit people with high cholesterol. One small studyTrusted Source reports that men with high cholesterol who drank 150 milliliters of kale juice per day for 12 weeks experienced:

a 10 percent reduction in low-density lipoprotein, or “bad,” cholesterol
a 27 percent increase in high-density lipoprotein, or “good,” cholesterol
Other researchTrusted Source suggests that kale juice reduces blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.

3. Broccoli

is an incredibly healthful vegetable that belongs to the same family as cabbage, kale, and cauliflower. These are all cruciferous vegetables.
Eating plenty of vegetables is one of the easiest ways for people to improve their health and well-being.

All vegetables contain healthful vitamins, minerals, and fiber. However, some stand out for their exceptional health benefits.

Some individuals benefit more from certain vegetables than others, depending on their diet, overall health, and nutritional needs.

In this article, we list 15 of the most healthful vegetables, along with some tips to help people enjoy them as part of a balanced diet.

1. Spinach
Spinach is rich in iron.
Spinach is a leafy green vegetable. It is also a great source of calcium, vitamins, iron, and antioxidants.

Due to its iron and calcium content, spinach is a great addition to any meat- or dairy-free diet.

One cup of raw spinach is mostly made up of water and contains only 7 caloriesTrusted Source. It also provides the following nutrients:

an adult’s full daily requirements for vitamin K
high amounts of vitamin A
vitamin C
magnesium
folate
iron
calcium
antioxidants
Vitamin K is essential for a healthy body, and especially so for strong bones. It improves how well the body absorbs calcium.

Spinach also provides a good amount of iron for energy and healthy blood, and a good level of magnesium for muscle and nerve function.

It is also rich in antioxidants. Research reportsTrusted Source that spinach leaves may lower blood pressure and benefit heart health.

How to eat spinach

People enjoy spinach raw in salads, sandwiches, and smoothies. Cooked spinach also has significant health benefits and is a great addition to pasta dishes and soups.

2. Kale
Kale is a very popular leafy green vegetable with several health benefits. It provides 7 caloriesTrusted Source per cup of raw leaves and good amounts of vitamins A, C, and K.

Kale may benefit people with high cholesterol. One small studyTrusted Source reports that men with high cholesterol who drank 150 milliliters of kale juice per day for 12 weeks experienced:

a 10 percent reduction in low-density lipoprotein, or “bad,” cholesterol
a 27 percent increase in high-density lipoprotein, or “good,” cholesterol
Other researchTrusted Source suggests that kale juice reduces blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.

How to eat kale

People use baby kale in pasta dishes, salads, and sandwiches. Also, try making kale chips, or juice kale for its heart-healthy benefits.

3. Broccoli
Broccoli is an incredibly healthful vegetable that belongs to the same family as cabbage, kale, and cauliflower. These are all cruciferous vegetables.

Each cup of chopped and boiled broccoli containsTrusted Source:

55 calories
the full daily requirement for vitamin K
twice the daily recommended amount of vitamin C
Eating plenty of cruciferous vegetables may reduce the risk of cancer, which may be because these vegetables containTrusted Source sulforaphane. In animal researchTrusted Source, sulforaphane reduced the size and number of breast cancer cells and blocked tumor growth.

4. Peas

They are sweet, starchy vegetables that provide 134 caloriesTrusted Source per cooked cup. They are also high in:

fiber, at 9 grams per serving
protein, at 9 grams per serving
vitamins A, C, and K
certain B vitamins
Green peas are a good source of plant-based protein, and eating them is an effective way for vegetarian and vegan people to boost their protein intake.

Peas and other legumes contain fiber, which supports good bacteria in the gut to ensure regular bowel movements and a healthy digestive tract.

They are also rich in saponins, which are plant compounds that may provideTrusted Source antioxidant and anticancer benefits.

5. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are root vegetables that provideTrusted Source 103 calories and 0.17 grams of fat per medium potato, when it is baked with its skin.

Each potato also contains:

much more than an adult’s daily requirement of vitamin A
25 percent of their vitamin C and B-6 requirements
12 percent of their potassium needs
beta-carotene, which may improve eye health and fight cancer
Sweet potatoes may benefit people with diabetes. This is because they are low on the glycemic index scale and high in fiber, so they may help regulate blood sugar.

6. Carrots

Each cup of chopped carrots containsTrusted Source 52 calories and over four times an adult’s daily recommended intake of vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene.

Vitamin A is vital for healthy eyesight, and getting enough of this nutrient may help prevent vision loss.

Certain nutrients in carrots may also have cancer-fighting properties. A 2011 studyTrusted Source reports that carrot juice extract may kill or inhibit the growth of leukemia cells.

The Paleo Diet

This is a natural way of eating, one that almost abandons all intake of sugar. The only sugar in a Paleo diet comes from fruit. However, abandoning sugar is not the only stipulation. Processed foods and grains are also eliminated from the Paleo diet. The fewer number of carbohydrates in your system leads to a decreased amount of glucose. So your system will then begin to use fat as its fuel source. In a Paleo diet, dairy is also eliminated. So what can be eaten? A Paleo diet consists of fish, fowl, vegetables, fruits, nuts, oils, sweet potatoes, eggs and meat, so long as that meat is grass-fed and not grain-fed.

The Blood Type Diet

Some doctors have started to research diets that coincide with particular blood types. The premise of these diets attempts to match people with their common dietary needs based on their blood type. For example, individuals with type O blood are recommended to eat lots of food that are high in protein. In order to lose weight, spinach, red meat, seafood and broccoli are suggested while dairy should be avoided. Those with type A blood are recommended to avoid meat and place an emphasis on turkey, tofu, and fruit while weight loss is contingent on eating a diet that consists primarily of soy, seafood and vegetables. Individuals with type B and AB blood also have their own dietary restrictions and recommendations.

The Vegan Diet

This diet is a form of a vegetarian diet as it eliminates meat and animal products. One of the primary effects of this diet is that it reduces the intake of cholesterol and saturated fat. It takes some planning, but if a vegan diet is rationed out properly, it can have many positive effects. Studies have proven that those who practice a vegan diet minimize their overall risk of coronary heart disease, obesity and high blood pressure. To compensate for a lack of meat, vegans must find a way to incorporate more sources of protein and vitamin B-12 into their diets.

The South Beach Diet

This diet was first introduced in 2003 and is based on the premise of changing one’s overall eating habits by balancing out one’s everyday diet. Certain carbohydrates are completely avoided. It does not eliminate carbohydrates altogether, but aims to educate dieters on which carbs to always avoid. This often leads to developing a healthy way of eating so that it will be sustainable for the rest of people’s lives. The diet includes a selection of healthy fats, lean protein, as well as good carbs.

The Mediterranean Diet

This is another kind of vegetable-heavy diet that avoids a lot of meat, but does not eliminate it altogether. This diet has been proven to help with depression, in addition to controlling blood sugar levels and helping with weight loss. The Mediterranean diet recommends the use of oil as much as possible and that means as an alternative to butter, salad dressings or marinades. It also emphasizes adding vegetables to each meal and favors fish over chicken. Whole grains, nuts and herbs are also used in larger amounts.

Raw Food Diet

This is a diet that places a premium on eating uncooked and unprocessed foods. The diet eliminates the intake of any foods that have been pasteurized or produced with any kind of synthetics or additives. The diet is intended to create a surge in energy, a decrease in inflammation, while also lowering the number of carcinogens in one’s diet.

The Zone diet aims for a nutritional balance of 40 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent fats, and 30 percent protein in each meal. The focus is also on controlling insulin levels, which may result in more successful weight loss and body weight control than other approaches.

The Zone diet encourages the consumption of high-quality carbohydrates – unrefined carbohydrates, and fats, such as olive oil, avocado, and nuts.

Ketogenic diet
The ketogenic diet has been used for decades as a treatment for epilepsy and is also being explored for other uses. It involves reducing carbohydrate intake and upping fat intake. It sounds contrary to common sense, but it allows the body to burn fat as a fuel, rather than carbohydrates.

Healthy fats, such as those in avocados, coconuts, Brazil nuts, seeds, oily fish, and olive oil are liberally added to the diet to maintain an overall emphasis on fat.

The diet causes the break down of fat deposits for fuel and creates substances called ketones through a process called ketosis. This diet has risks including ketoacidosis for people with type 1 diabetes, however, and may result in diabetic coma and death. Although most studies are 2 years or less, there is some promising research in relation to diabetes management, metabolic health, weight loss, and body composition change.

Weight Watchers diet
Weight Watchers focuses on losing weight through diet, exercise, and a support network.

Weight Watchers Inc. was started in the 1960s by a homemaker who had lost some weight and was concerned she might put it back on. So, she created a network of friends. Weight Watchers is a huge company, with branches all over the world.

Dieters can join either physically and attend regular meetings, or online. In both cases, there is lots of support and education available for the dieter.

Western diet: Risks
Doctor Tasnime Akbaraly from Montpellier, France, and team carried out a study that found that the Western style diet, which is high in sweet and fried foods, raises a person’s risk of dying early. They published their findings in the American Journal of Medicine.

Akbaraly said “The impact of diet on specific age-related diseases has been studied extensively, but few investigations have adopted a more holistic approach to determine the association of diet with overall health at older ages. We examined whether diet, assessed in midlife, using dietary patterns and adherence to the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), is associated with aging phenotypes, identified after a mean 16-year follow-up.”

The team found that study participants who strayed from the “Alternative Healthy Eating Index” had a considerably higher risk of cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular death.

A healthy diet helps pave the way to a healthy heart and blood vessels, strong bones and muscles, a sharp mind, and so much more.

Confused about what constitutes a healthy diet? You aren’t alone. Over the years, what seemed to be flip flops from medical research combined with the flood of diet books and diet plans based on little or no science have muddied the water. But a consensus has emerged about the basics, which are really pretty simple.

An important take-home message is to focus on the types of foods you eat and your overall dietary pattern, instead of on individual nutrients such as fat, dietary cholesterol, or specific vitamins. There are no single nutrients or vitamins that can make you healthy. Instead, there is a short list of key food types that together can dramatically reduce your risk for heart disease.

Eat more of these foods: fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish and seafood, vegetable oils, beans, nuts, and seeds.

Eat less of these foods: whole milk and other full-fat dairy foods, red meat, processed meats, highly refined and processed grains and sugars, and sugary drinks.

The fundamentals of healthy eating
While some extreme diets may suggest otherwise, we all need a balance of protein, fat, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals in our diets to sustain a healthy body. You don’t need to eliminate certain categories of food from your diet, but rather select the healthiest options from each category.

Protein gives you the energy to get up and go—and keep going—while also supporting mood and cognitive function. Too much protein can be harmful to people with kidney disease, but the latest research suggests that many of us need more high-quality protein, especially as we age. That doesn’t mean you have to eat more animal products—a variety of plant-based sources of protein each day can ensure your body gets all the essential protein it needs.

Fat. Not all fat is the same. While bad fats can wreck your diet and increase your risk of certain diseases, good fats protect your brain and heart. In fact, healthy fats—such as omega-3s—are vital to your physical and emotional health. Including more healthy fat in your diet can help improve your mood, boost your well-being, and even trim your waistline.

Fiber. Eating foods high in dietary fiber (grains, fruit, vegetables, nuts, and beans) can help you stay regular and lower your risk for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. It can also improve your skin and even help you to lose weight.

Calcium. As well as leading to osteoporosis, not getting enough calcium in your diet can also contribute to anxiety, depression, and sleep difficulties. Whatever your age or gender, it’s vital to include calcium-rich foods in your diet, limit those that deplete calcium, and get enough magnesium and vitamins D and K to help calcium do its job.

Carbohydrates are one of your body’s main sources of energy. But most should come from complex, unrefined carbs (vegetables, whole grains, fruit) rather than sugars and refined carbs. Cutting back on white bread, pastries, starches, and sugar can prevent rapid spikes in blood sugar, fluctuations in mood and energy, and a build-up of fat, especially around your waistline.

Making the switch to a healthy diet

Switching to a healthy diet doesn’t have to be an all or nothing proposition. You don’t have to be perfect, you don’t have to completely eliminate foods you enjoy, and you don’t have to change everything all at once—that usually only leads to cheating or giving up on your new eating plan.

A better approach is to make a few small changes at a time. Keeping your goals modest can help you achieve more in the long term without feeling deprived or overwhelmed by a major diet overhaul. Think of planning a healthy diet as a number of small, manageable steps—like adding a salad to your diet once a day. As your small changes become habit, you can continue to add more healthy choices.

Setting yourself up for success

To set yourself up for success, try to keep things simple. Eating a healthier diet doesn’t have to be complicated. Instead of being overly concerned with counting calories, for example, think of your diet in terms of color, variety, and freshness. Focus on avoiding packaged and processed foods and opting for more fresh ingredients whenever possible.

Prepare more of your own meals. Cooking more meals at home can help you take charge of what you’re eating and better monitor exactly what goes into your food. You’ll eat fewer calories and avoid the chemical additives, added sugar, and unhealthy fats of packaged and takeout foods that can leave you feeling tired, bloated, and irritable, and exacerbate symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety.

Make the right changes. When cutting back on unhealthy foods in your diet, it’s important to replace them with healthy alternatives. Replacing dangerous trans fats with healthy fats (such as switching fried chicken for grilled salmon) will make a positive difference to your health. Switching animal fats for refined carbohydrates, though (such as switching your breakfast bacon for a donut), won’t lower your risk for heart disease or improve your mood.

Read the labels. It’s important to be aware of what’s in your food as manufacturers often hide large amounts of sugar or unhealthy fats in packaged food, even food claiming to be healthy.

Focus on how you feel after eating. This will help foster healthy new habits and tastes. The healthier the food you eat, the better you’ll feel after a meal. The more junk food you eat, the more likely you are to feel uncomfortable, nauseous, or drained of energy.

Drink plenty of water. Water helps flush our systems of waste products and toxins, yet many of us go through life dehydrated—causing tiredness, low energy, and headaches. It’s common to mistake thirst for hunger, so staying well hydrated will also help you make healthier food choices.

The capital of Uttarakhand, Dehradun is known for its culture and history. Immortalized by author Ruskin Bond in many of his stories, this tourist hot spot has become even more popular in recent years as connectivity has improved.

Local food carts are a common sight all over the place and serve a great purpose as many that visit are on tight budgets and schedules. Good food, easily available on the move, will give you an insight on what keeps the locals going in this city.

If you happen to be visiting the city, be sure to take along our list of 12 best street food in Dehradun to experience the city through its delectable foods.

1. MOMOS

The momo has always been a popular local roadside snack all over the city and around. Made with all sorts of delicious fillings, both vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian, wrapped in a thin sheet of dough, steamed or fried, and served with a spicy dipping sauce, these little dumplings can go down fast!

K.C. Momos a little ahead from Silver City is famous for these scrumptious morsels, as well as their soups. Head here for absolutely the best mutton momos in the city.

Where- K.C Momos, Rajpur Road

2. Chhole Poori

What could be more satisfying than a bowl of piping-hot chhole and crispy pooris? This spicy chickpea gravy, or chhole, is a common sight at many roadside vendors all across the city and as such has become one of the more popular street food dishes to make a mini meal of on the go.

If you have a craving for some superb chhole poori while in Dehradun, then you need to head to Chetan Poori Wala at Hanuman Chowk. It is the best in the city and they have been featured on a few food shows, too.

• Where: Hanuman Chowk

3. Chowmein

The proximity of Dehradun to China is probably the main reason there are so many influences and similarities in the food and even culture of the two. Chowmein, a delicious stir-fried Chinese noodle dish, with fresh, crisp vegetables and slivers of meat, is a common sight being tossed up around street corner carts all over.

For some great chowmein in the city you have to visit he famous Bobby Fast Food Corner. Open only in the evenings post 5 till midnight, they serve many other great Indo-Chinese delights, too.

Where: Opposite Orient Cinema, Gandhi Park, Dehradun

4. Paneer Samosa

Every state, city and even locality seems to have its own version of this deep-fried snack and Dehradun is no exception. The samosa’s flaky pastry, usually stuffed with spicy potato is a hungry travellers delight.

In Dehradun, a little stall near Bindal Bridge has added their own mouthwatering twist to this already delicious delight. The paneer samosas available at Jaina Ke Samose are like nothing you have had, with fresh cottage cheese and light crust, they are a must try if you are in the city.

• Where: Chakrata Roa

5. Tandoori Momos

Usually steamed or fried, the momo is a common snack found all over Dehradun, especially around street corners in busy areas, catering to the general public walking by and look for a quick bite. For an unusual twist to the well known and loved dumpling, Lala Jees Angithi is serving them grilled over a tandoor with a variety of stuffings and dips.

Also available are other tandoori delights but be sure to come here and sample the momos as they are something you have probably not tried before.

• Where: Chakrata Road

6. The Buffet Snacks Shop, Rajpur Road
Spot the best Burgers & Bread Rolls across the city at The Buffet! Buffet Snacks Shop is a small fast food joint located in Rajpur Road opposite to Gandhi Park. It is one of the famous fast food corners where you can enjoy the perfect crispy burgers at the price as low as Rs 18. No, we are not joking! The most amazing thing is it can beat Mcdonald’s burgers. Apart from Burgers, you can enjoy Bread rolls, all types of shakes & coffee at a very nominal price.

Standard Bakery is another of Dehradun’s famous bakeries, and its rusks are a must try for every tea and coffee lover. Soft and crisp at the same time, these rusks live up to their decades-long legacy. Its difficult to have a better tea in Dehradun without a rusk from Standard Bakery. A number of people from all over India get these rusks parcelled to them, a testament to their quality. Definitely pick up a packet when you’re in Dehradun.

9. Butter Toffees from Ellora’s Bakery
Dehradun has a strong bakery culture, and many of its bakeries have been functional since the British period. Ellora is one of these renowned bakeries, and it offers the best butter toffees in the world. They are called Stick Jaws and are as sinful as they are delectable. You can take your pick from the regular butter flavor or the chocolate flavor, which are equally good. First timers, should get them from Melting Moments on Rajpur Road, which is the latest branch of Ellora’s Bakery.

10.Ras Malai From Kumar Sweets
Kumar Sweets is one of the most famous vegetarian establishments in Dehradun, with quite a few outlets. Everything on the menu is delicious, from all sorts of sweets to Indian snacks and beverages. But the ras malai, which is served in earthen khullars, is out of this world. Flavoured generously with saffron and soft to the touch, ras malai is definitely something you should try at least once. While you’re at it, also try the savoury snacks

On December 25, 1955, the Times of India (ToI) reported that Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first president of India, would cut a special, 40-pound Christmas cake that day: “Slices of the cake and sweets will be distributed among the staff and their children.”

This was a relatively rare mention, at that time, of a cake in a formal context. ToI was, of course, full of advertisements for cakes from well-known Bombay bakers like Bosotto, and tips for making Christmas cake at home. But this was restricted to large cities, or hill stations and towns where the British presence had been strong.

Christmas cakes at least had a traditional presence on the calendar. Other formal cakes, like wedding cakes, were much rarer. Traditional Indian weddings simply weren’t structured to feature a climactic cake-cutting moment. They were seen as too Western for the occasion, and there was also the concern about guests who were strictly vegetarian refusing a cake that might contain eggs. Cakes were for children’s birthday parties or events like office celebrations, where they were usually bought from bakeries.

People are willing to take the challenge of making increasingly complicated cakes, even those usually left to professional bakers. “We are selling lots of tiers and figures to top the cakes for people who want to make their wedding cakes at home,” she says. And December now sees even more demand from the Christmas cakes market. “I know a family who has taken a week off just to make Christmas cakes in the old way, everyone doing it together

An even more dramatic sign of the cake boom was provided by Cakeology, a baking trade show that had its second event in Mumbai in September this year. Cakeology was started by Khushi Malani and Farzana Gandhi, who had noted the increasing interest in home baking and felt the time was ripe for a show focused on it. “The interest in the event has grown tremendously over the past year. There was a 30-35% increase in both exhibitor as well as visitor footfall,” says Gandhi.
Companies sold cooking chocolate and fruit pastes for macaroons alongside others demonstrating ovens and mixers. Visitors eagerly reached for free samples of food colours in vivid shades, and signed up for classes in making sugar flowers and other elaborate edible decorations. Muffin pre-mixes were sold alongside cake moulds in fanciful shapes and chemical additives for professional bakers.

But the centre of attention at the show was a gigantic cake in the life-size shape of an Indian bride in a flowing lehnga and groom in ornate kurta and turban. Forget bride and groom choosing a wedding cake — here they were the cake, in a prospect of symbolic celebratory cannibalism which had visitors queuing up to take selfies with it.

Indian cuisine is continually put on foodie lists all over the world and no wonder, with the variety of flavors and regions, Indian food is vastly diverse, and not to mention delicious!

If you are an Indian food newbie, here are some dishes that will have you sounding like an expert.

Butter Chicken
Curry first came to America via the British as a turmeric-coloured Anglo-Indian version made from a commercial curry mixture with heavy cream. Predictably, the Indian influence has added spicy curries and much more to the cuisine in countries like Canada, America and United Kingdom. Dublin in Ireland has over 20 curry houses in the city. In the Caribbean, India curry powders are quite popular that include mild or hot Madras curry, Garam masala and a locally made type to suit Creole tastes. Needless to add, today Butter Chicken with garlic naan is a hot favourite.

Masala Tea
We Indians love our boiled-in-the-pan masala chai. It is amazing to see that a creation such as masala tea could be considered special and is treated with such reverence all over the globe. Indians are spoilt for choice as far from small cafes to speciality Indian restaurants. In fact, the Chai Latte is a trend that started with inspiration from the Masala Tea. In Bahrain, you will come across almost in every restaurant which is quite similar to masala chai.

Biryani
Consumers are now aware about Indian cuisine and ingredients through travel, restaurants, stores, etc. As much as the Biryani identity is a distinctive one today, pigeon holing the best Biryani outside India is a devilishly difficult task to do. Interestingly, Biryani Parcels are known to fly down to Dubai every day from Hyderabad.

Masala Dosa
A feel of nostalgia comes over your senses as you stroll along the jam-packed street, stopping at stalls in little India all over South East Asia. Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore especially have quite a few banana leaf south Indian restaurants, along with Punjabi establishments, owing to large Indian population, proximity to India and the availability of Indian ingredients.

Samosa
Though Indian cuisine has been around for over 5,000 years, its ability to transform and adapt to new ingredients, tastes and cooking techniques makes it an ideal medium with which to tempt consumers f taste buds globally. Globally, everyone loves these savoury pastries filled with spicy potato and pea mash served with coriander chutney. Middle Eastern countries offer a similar version called Sambousek with different stuffing and in Bhutan for example you would come across Samosa with cheese filling.

Tandoori Chicken
Tandoori chicken a popular North Indian dish consisting of roasted chicken prepared with yogurt and spices. The name comes from the type of cylindrical clay oven, a tandoor, in which the dish is traditionally prepared. The chicken is marinated in yogurt and seasoned with the spice mixture tandoori masala. Cayenne pepper, red chili powder or Kashmiri red chili powder is used to give it a fiery red hue. This dish goes so well with steaming basmati rice and crispy naan.

Malaai Kofta
Malai Kofta is a tasty vegetarian alternative. Restaurant style malai kofta is cooked in a creamy gravy made of tomatoes and cashew nuts. Malai actually means, “cream” and both the kofta and the sauce literally melts in your mouth. A heavenly dish that soaks up rice nicely.

Rogan Josh
Rogan josh (or roghan josh) is a staple of Kashmiri cuisine: originally it was brought to Kashmir by the Mughals. It is one of the main dishes of the Kashmiri multi-course meal (the “Wazwan”). It consists of braised lamb chunks cooked with a gravy based on browned onions or shallots, yogurt, garlic, ginger and aromatic spices (cloves, bay leaves, cardamom and cinnamon). Its characteristic brilliant red color traditionally comes from liberal amounts of dried Kashmiri chillies that have been de-seeded to reduce their heat: these chillies are considerably milder than the typical dried cayenne chillies of Indian cuisine. The recipe’s spiciness is one of fragrance rather than heat, and the dish is mild enough to be appreciated by western palates that may not be use to spicy tastes. If you love lamb, this is a must eat dish.