Eat your Way to Good Health

#learningsfromcovid 

Nutrition is not generic, know yourself and Eat what works for body 

fermented foods

probiotic micro greens 

activated Pre-biotic

Symbiotic Raw

Vegan Supergrains 

Future of Food?

Eat right for your Body type

Blessed to be growing old with good health, I am conscious that my body is adapting and changing with time and so are my responses to it. Following a visit to a ‘nadi’ doctor, I was made aware of my body type – ‘high pitha,’ which I have interpreted as having a defined link to my energy, enthusiasm and food intake. Of Indian origin, I stand 6 feet tall and weigh 78 kilos. I lend myself to perspective. Questionable on the front of being lean mean and do not consider myself to be as fit a machine, as I hope for. 

But my body has been good to me and I have tried to love it back; the mutual respect has made it adapt well to the environs of working the kitchens for 23 long years, averaging 14-17 hours daily. For me, what works is intermittent fasting…but this may not be the answer to all body woes. In my (nearly!) 50 years of staying young there are inspirational stories of gratitude…and a lot of these is what has made me tick.  

In childhood, my mum would give me masala chai with malai (cream). Now I have learnt that Bullet coffee works for my body, so I try to alter the grid with fresh GLH, ginger lemon and honey in winter, TGL come summer or a turmeric ginger Lime concoction with a spoon full of coconut oil. I have recently tried to say off gluten, dairy and sugar for 10 days. From a wholistic life point of view, I felt my evenings got messed…I consider myself a ‘morning tea addict!’ The ginger, turmeric, lime brew has been a saviour- sans the coconut oil.

I have more recently ‘grown’ into a love of vegetarianism and am learning to ‘read’ rather than ‘skim’ labels so I realise that millets are in, but quinoa is out. Fish is a welcome intake but I feel this has a lot to do with cooking for my precious bundles of joy who are developing their own distinct likes and dislikes. 

I love to incorporate yuzu into my umami preferences but certainly lime falls into the category of eat-how-much-you-want, as it is easily available…freeze it…grate it over salads and squeeze it into drinks. A sure shot hit! I am increasingly using fresh frozen turmeric and ginger, not only in the accepted, conventional ways, but by blending it into beverages and food to get a complete activated flavour. 

The superfood moringa sadly does not collaborate with my digestive juices…so I try to listen to my body and enjoy the fruit of drum stick in sambhar instead. Stories to tell of many superfoods and ideas to corroborate and work my digestive system to optimum level.

From a personal standpoint, vegan alternatives do not gel with my food philosophy…I am perhaps biased to try them, being drawn to research that says, that way of life, will interfere with my mind and my system. I however welcome experimenting with veganism for the sake of adventure. I will try to remain open minded for others who embrace this life as I know that there are so many varieties of protein in Indian and Asian Cuisine. That being said, the novelty of insect protein was one I was not prepared for…grasshoppers tasted like well, ‘grass.’ Crickets were interesting and red ants had an amazing texture; and I can see myself replacing milk protein with the tiny buggers! I don’t think I need to get a derivative when I can get the real deal...

The internet is flooded with information about COVID-19- what is happening and how fast. Humanity has currently been reduced to a ‘number’- affected cases, number of deaths and hopeful recoveries. For those in the food and well-being sector, one common thread remains interwoven into most advice being publicly disseminated. My take away learning is that mankind will evolve upward and onward…. the fittest will survive. 

There is an infection enigma. Some people are able to resist the infectious agents well, while others are leaving families and friends heartbroken. Because our bodies provide comfortable ‘homes’ to unfriendly virus and bacteria, they enable these “micro-beasts” to thrive. That is where our immune systems take center stage…providing the proactive battle ground against these “white walkers.”

Surplus ‘noise on the virtual platforms, from health gurus to multivitamin supplement activists, claim that we need immune support to sustain healthy immune function. However, well-meaning research has propagated that vitamin supplements are not beneficial to immunity system – often just going in and out of your body without absorption and in healthy people, may even prove harmful. 

So what I am suggesting is an approach of moderation, and an approach of self-love towards your bodies. Moderation isn’t particularly erogenous, and it isn’t available for quick purchase in a vial or capsule. 

• Do what ‘agrees’ with your body. You are not living in mine, and I am not living in Boris Johnson’s body! Embracing the basic of holistic living means you eat what you feel is right for your body. 
• Smoking…there’s not much that I need to say on this front. Especially since COVID-19 has clear, proven respiratory links
• Like any armed contingent, allow your natural immunity to forge ahead on good, regular nourishment. Eating with family is key. In a lighter vein, my dog’s vet told me to reduce his food portions as he as overweight. I got inspired to reduce the food on my plate as well gradually. If it works for him, it will work on me!
• Exercise- make it a habit. Yes exercise has been known to cause change in antibodies and the WBCs which fight disease, but as an immediate side effect, exercise promotes blood circulation and retards the release of stress hormones. The uncertainties we are facing, urges us to de-stress…lower stress hormones may be the silent unsung heroes protecting us against illness. I follow the leader here, my wife, who does inspires me to perspire!
• Sure, for those of us who need a drink- let’s go ahead and live life, but let the moderation gnome keep us in check. 
• ZZZZ-sleep adequately. You know how much you need. Listen to your body without testing its limits. I feel I am more rested on my own bed, or maybe next to my partner.
• If there is one thing that COVID-19 has unanimously taught us all, it has to be the focus on basics - hygiene and effective ways of washing our hands; frequently, and the without short cuts which we naturally resort to in our hectic lives.
• Last but not the least- and the only thing that I will promulgate to be done without any sense of moderation- Have faith and gratitude. Put positive vibes out into the universe and it will respond and come back in multiples. We are in need of those endorphins!

BELIEVE 

#staysafe #inthistogether