Being born and raised as a Bengali may make you experience the pleasures hidden in the water! In other words, your Bengali soul and spirit may get enriched with the pleasures that you derive from the great taste of fish recipes. Bengalis and East Indians in general, are known for their love of fish dishes! In fact, the Bengali recipes have earned a worldwide recognition. When you talk about Bengalis, you'll certainly discuss about "Machher Jhol', "Rui Machher Kalia", Bhetki Fry and "Ilisher Paturi"! As you know, oil and spice concentrations are the major building blocks of a great taste, so it means that you are not taking in loads of calories from the oil alone, but the incredible taste is also urging you to eat more and more. Under such a situation, you may not know when and how to put a "full stop". But your doctor, neighbors and other well-wishers have also asked you to keep a check on your weight! You may find a sample 1200 calorie diet plan working for you:
| Food Item | Amount | Calories (kcal) | Protein (g) |
| Breakfast (8:00- 9:00 am) | |||
| Rice cheela with onions | 2 no. | 200 | 3 |
| OR, Besan cheela with onions | 2 no. | 200 | 12 |
| Tea/ coffee (with 50 ml milk) | 150 ml | 125 | 2 |
| Apple | 1 | 30 | - |
| Mid-Morning (11:00 – 12:00 noon) | |||
| Buttermilk | 150 ml | 20 | 1 |
| OR, Sprouts salad | 100 g | 100 | 6 |
| Lunch (1:00 - 2:00 pm) | |||
| Wheat bran chapati (no oil) | 2 | 200 | 6 |
| Chicken curry | 50 g | 200 | 8 |
| OR, Arhar dal | 50 g | 150 | 6 |
| Salad | 100 g | 40 | 1 |
| Evening (4:00 - 5:00 pm) | |||
| Murmura chaat | 100 g | 40 | 2 |
| OR, steamed corn | 100 g | 40 | - |
| Tea/ coffee (with 50 ml milk) | 150 ml | 125 | 2 |
| Dinner (8:00 - 9:00p m) | |||
| Poha with onions and tomato | 100 g | 150 | 2 |
| OR, Wheat bran chapati | 1 | 100 | 3 |
| Green veg salad | 100 g | 40 | 1 |
| Total (around) | 1200 kcal | 40 g | |
It is admitted that our "provoked" tongue will always try to lick the hot and spicy fishes and then again, it will attempt to venture with the other extreme taste- the taste of Mitha Dahi, Rasgullas, Amriti, Chhanar Pulav, Sheeta Bhog, Chitrakoot and khejurer gurer payesh. This is the Bengali tradition - ending up a meal with some heartwarming sweet dishes! The fact is that, you can enjoy all the goodness in the East Indian cuisine and keep a control on the calorie meter provided you check your portion intakes. Remember, all the good things come in small packets!
