Rice

Plain pulao

Also called: plain pulao, plain pulav, plain pilaf, pulao plain, plain pulao (veg), plain pulao, plain pulav, plain pilau

Plain pulao is that simple, comforting rice dish you often see in home lunches, tiffin boxes, or on a busy weekday with raita or dal. It’s lightly spiced with whole masalas like cumin, cinnamon, clove, and bay leaf, so it smells amazing even though it stays quite basic and easy to eat.

Key Takeaway: One plate of Plain pulao (200g) contains 280.4 kcal, 4.6g protein, 43.6g carbs, and 9.2g fat. Plain pulao is fairly gentle on the stomach because it uses simple rice, onion, and whole spices instead of heavy masala. The onion adds a bit of prebiotic fibre, while cumin, cinnamon, and bay leaf can support digestion and help reduce that heavy, bloated feeling after a meal. With 3.4g fibre per plate, it’s not very high-fibre, so pairing it with curd, dal, or a sabzi can make it easier on the gut and more filling. One practical tip: if you often feel sleepy or sluggish after rice, serve it with a protein side and a little salad to slow down the carb hit.
280.4 kcal
4.6g Protein
43.6g Carbs
9.2g Fat

Per 1 plate (200g)

Calorie Breakdown

7%
63%
30%
Protein Carbs Fat

Nutrition Facts

Nutrient Per plate (200g) Per 100g
Calories 280.4 kcal 140.2 kcal
Protein 4.6g 2.3g
Carbohydrates 43.6g 21.8g
Fat 9.2g 4.6g
Fiber 3.4g 1.7g
Sugar 2.2g 1.1g
Micronutrients (per 100g)
Sodium 193.76 mg
Calcium 12.76 mg
Iron 0.41 mg
Vitamin C 3.42 mg
Folate 22.63 µg

What Goes Into It

Per serving (1 plate)

Rice 80g
Onion 50g
Black cardamom 0.5g
Clove 1g
Cumin seeds 1.2g
Bay leaf 0.4g
Cinnamon 2.5g
Fat 15g
Salt 3.8g

gastroenterology Gut Health Insight

Plain pulao is fairly gentle on the stomach because it uses simple rice, onion, and whole spices instead of heavy masala. The onion adds a bit of prebiotic fibre, while cumin, cinnamon, and bay leaf can support digestion and help reduce that heavy, bloated feeling after a meal. With 3.4g fibre per plate, it’s not very high-fibre, so pairing it with curd, dal, or a sabzi can make it easier on the gut and more filling. One practical tip: if you often feel sleepy or sluggish after rice, serve it with a protein side and a little salad to slow down the carb hit.

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verified ICMR-NIN Verified Data

Nutrition data sourced from ICMR-NIN Indian Food Composition Tables (IFCT) and the Indian Nutrient Database (INDB 2024). Values are per standard serving and may vary with preparation method.

Curated by Ashutosh Swaraj, Founder of Shellel