The Indian diet is one of the healthiest diet, rich in flavour and texture. Most importantly, it is prepared with minimal oil and healthy cooking methods.
The food is prepared from scratch, using fresh produce and less preservatives.
What is the Traditional Indian Diet?
Diversity in Indian culture is represented in the diverse Indian diet. Food across India is quite different for every region. People prefer using locally grown produce, be it spices, herbs, vegetables, and fruits. The meals are a sit-down affair with family, friends.
The basic Indian diet consists of lentils, grains, fresh vegetables, and fruits. Indian cooking uses spices like turmeric, curry leaves, chilly, garlic. Dairy products are also included in the Indian thali regularly.
To sum it up, a regular lunch in an Indian household has all the vitamins, carbohydrates, protein, calcium, antioxidants, and other important nutrients.
Despite all this, we all agree that we are significantly becoming unhealthy. Is the traditional Indian diet not keeping up with the times?
Let’s explore.
The problem
The world has grown and changed in the last few decades. These changes have made their way into our lives and the food we eat. There have been significant changes in our food habits in recent years.
- Breakfast: Quick breakfast options like sugary cereals, cornflakes, instant oats, bread with jam or other sugary spreads.
- Lunch: Canteen lunches, or ordering food, none of the options guarantee high-quality food.
- Snacks: Box of cookies or biscuits, definitely sugar with preservatives, or fried food options.
- Dinner: Preferring a carb-heavy meal over a balanced meal. Opting to order food online or get dinner at a restaurant.
- Overall: Soda and beverages with excessive sugars are never out of sight. All the white sugar that goes in our tea starts right in the morning, and till our coffee in the evening.
It would be a little unfair to call this diet a traditional Indian diet.
Our daily diet these days has
- High amounts of sugar and carbohydrates.
- Very less or no amounts of fresh fruit and vegetables.
- Unhealthy fat.
- More processed food with artificial ingredients.
The choice to make: Switch to Indian Diet
There are various cuisines eaten in the various regions of the country. To summarise all the cuisines have these aspects in common:
- Grains (rice, wheat, millet etc)
- Lentils and legumes (dals, chana, rajma, sambar)
- Seasonal vegetables
- Healthy oils and fats (butter, ghee, coconut oil, sesame seed oil, mustard oil, etc)
- Dairy products (milk, paneer, yoghurt etc)
- Seafood and meat
- Herbs and spices (turmeric, ginger, cardamom, clove, cumin, coriander etc)
Above mentioned are high-nutrient foods that provide carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins and minerals.
Indian cuisine is versatile, delicious and healthy. While it may be a misconception that all Indian food is spicy or heavy, it is important to note that there are regional differences. Not all food is spicy or heavy. Many Indian dishes are vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free, so they are versatile and comprehensive. It is also worth noting that the use of spices and herbs in Indian cooking offers many health benefits.
Indian cuisine includes many green vegetables and fresh fruits that are beneficial, traditional Indian diet also includes yogurts that heal the intestines. It also contains important elements such as garlic, turmeric and chilli pepper. According to Ayurveda, they have medicinal properties.
Balanced diet is including the following foods in our daily diet: chapatis, bread, rice, cereals, corn, potatoes, pulses, beans, poultry and meat, milk, cheese, etc. It is important to mix a variety of foods to meet your nutritional needs.
Not only a balanced diet but also it is important to have a proper eating routine. It is also important to exercise regularly for staying healthy and fit.
Citations
https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/the-ideal-balanced-diet-what-should-you-really-eat-1214286
https://www.indiaparenting.com/balanced-diet.html
