Priyanka Chopra Jonas reveals Nick Jonas' favourite food: 5 reasons it is healthier than you think
When Priyanka Chopra Jonas sat down for a chat with fans in an IMDb interview a few years ago, she opened up about the simple Indian meals she misses most while living in Los Angeles. Homemade roti and dal, she said, the everyday comfort food that feels like home. Then came the question about her husband. What does Nick Jonas love from Indian cuisine? Her answer was straightforward and sweet: any kind of paneer.
Nick has backed that up himself more than once. He even mentioned liking it alongside dosa and lamb biryani. For a global pop star who grew up far from the flavours of India, falling hard for this soft, mild Indian cottage cheese feels both unexpected and completely understandable. Paneer is creamy, versatile and comforting. What many people do not realise is how much quiet nutritional value sits inside those plain white cubes.
Here are five solid reasons Nick’s favourite Indian food is healthier than it often gets credit for.
It packs serious high-quality proteinPaneer is one of the strongest vegetarian protein sources you can find. The Journal of Food Science and Technology notes that it has around 16-18% grams of protein. It also contains all the essential amino acids the body needs.
Because it digests slowly, it keeps you feeling full for longer and supports muscle repair and growth. Whether you are training, recovering or simply trying not to reach for snacks every hour, a serving of paneer does real work.
It strengthens bones and teeth with calcium and phosphorusDairy’s reputation for bone health is well earned, and paneer delivers. It is naturally high in calcium and phosphorus, two minerals that work together to build and maintain strong bones and teeth. Regular inclusion in the diet can help protect against bone loss later in life. For growing kids, active adults and older people alike, that combination is hard to beat.
It is gentle on blood sugarUnlike many carb-heavy Indian dishes, paneer is naturally low in carbohydrates. That makes it a smart choice for people watching their blood sugar. The protein and fat slow down digestion, so energy arrives steadily rather than in sharp spikes and crashes.
Some nutrition experts also point to its magnesium content, which plays a role in helping the body manage glucose more smoothly.
It supports weight management without feeling like diet foodHigh-protein foods that keep you satisfied are gold when the goal is managing weight. Paneer does exactly that. You can grill it, scramble it into a bhurji, toss it into a salad or cook it in a light gravy and still feel properly fed.
Because it is so filling, people often end up eating fewer overall calories without feeling deprived. The conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) present in dairy may also give a small extra nudge toward fat metabolism.
It is versatile and easier to digest than many people expectFresh homemade paneer is relatively low in lactose compared with milk, so many people who struggle with dairy find they can handle it better. It also carries useful amounts of vitamins and minerals that support everyday energy and immunity.
Best of all, it fits into almost any meal, breakfast, lunch or dinner, without needing complicated cooking. From a simple pan-fried tikka to a spinach-based curry, it adapts to whatever the kitchen (or the takeaway order) needs.
Of course, like most good things, moderation matters. Full-fat paneer is higher in saturated fat, so balancing portions and choosing lighter preparations keeps the benefits front and centre. Still, when a global star like Nick Jonas keeps coming back to “any kind of paneer,” it is a reminder that some of the healthiest foods are the ones that have been sitting quietly on Indian tables for generations.
Nick has backed that up himself more than once. He even mentioned liking it alongside dosa and lamb biryani. For a global pop star who grew up far from the flavours of India, falling hard for this soft, mild Indian cottage cheese feels both unexpected and completely understandable. Paneer is creamy, versatile and comforting. What many people do not realise is how much quiet nutritional value sits inside those plain white cubes.
Here are five solid reasons Nick’s favourite Indian food is healthier than it often gets credit for.
It packs serious high-quality proteinPaneer is one of the strongest vegetarian protein sources you can find. The Journal of Food Science and Technology notes that it has around 16-18% grams of protein. It also contains all the essential amino acids the body needs.
Because it digests slowly, it keeps you feeling full for longer and supports muscle repair and growth. Whether you are training, recovering or simply trying not to reach for snacks every hour, a serving of paneer does real work.
It strengthens bones and teeth with calcium and phosphorusDairy’s reputation for bone health is well earned, and paneer delivers. It is naturally high in calcium and phosphorus, two minerals that work together to build and maintain strong bones and teeth. Regular inclusion in the diet can help protect against bone loss later in life. For growing kids, active adults and older people alike, that combination is hard to beat.
It is gentle on blood sugarUnlike many carb-heavy Indian dishes, paneer is naturally low in carbohydrates. That makes it a smart choice for people watching their blood sugar. The protein and fat slow down digestion, so energy arrives steadily rather than in sharp spikes and crashes.
Some nutrition experts also point to its magnesium content, which plays a role in helping the body manage glucose more smoothly.
It supports weight management without feeling like diet foodHigh-protein foods that keep you satisfied are gold when the goal is managing weight. Paneer does exactly that. You can grill it, scramble it into a bhurji, toss it into a salad or cook it in a light gravy and still feel properly fed.
Because it is so filling, people often end up eating fewer overall calories without feeling deprived. The conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) present in dairy may also give a small extra nudge toward fat metabolism.
It is versatile and easier to digest than many people expectFresh homemade paneer is relatively low in lactose compared with milk, so many people who struggle with dairy find they can handle it better. It also carries useful amounts of vitamins and minerals that support everyday energy and immunity.
Best of all, it fits into almost any meal, breakfast, lunch or dinner, without needing complicated cooking. From a simple pan-fried tikka to a spinach-based curry, it adapts to whatever the kitchen (or the takeaway order) needs.
Of course, like most good things, moderation matters. Full-fat paneer is higher in saturated fat, so balancing portions and choosing lighter preparations keeps the benefits front and centre. Still, when a global star like Nick Jonas keeps coming back to “any kind of paneer,” it is a reminder that some of the healthiest foods are the ones that have been sitting quietly on Indian tables for generations.
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