Eat mindfully, eat food as food and relish it merrily- that’s how you eat right for best of both worlds.
Once in the Ashrama of Sage Charvaka, he asked his disciples as what is the best way to gain complete health?
His bright disciple Vagbhatta replied
“Rutu bhuk, Mit bhuk and Hita bhuk”– I.e., Having a good & controlled diet in accordance to seasons!
So profound and so true.
To begin with, let us Bust few myths about food on the go!
Myth 1: Low-fat or no-fat diets are good for you.
Fact: The body needs fat for energy, tissue repair and to transport vitamins A, D, E and K around the body.
There’s no need to follow a fat-free diet. Cutting down on saturated fats and eating unsaturated fats, found in things like olive oil and avocados, will help.’
Myth 2: Crash dieting or fasting makes you lose weight.
Fact: This may be true in the short term, but ultimately it can hinder weight loss.
Losing weight over the long term burns off fat. Crash dieting or fasting not only removes fat but also lean muscle and tissue.
The loss of lean muscle causes a fall in your basal metabolic rate –the number of calories your body needs on a daily basis.
This means your body will need fewer calories than it did previously, making weight gain more likely once you stop dieting.
It’s also why exercise is recommended in any weight-loss plan to build muscle and maintain your metabolic rate.
Myth 3: Food eaten late at night is more fattening.
Fact: Many diets tell you not to eat after a certain time in the evening. They say the body will store more fat because it is not burned off with any activity.
It’s not when you eat that’s important, but the total amount you consume in a 24-hour period.
Myth 4: Low-fat foods help you lose weight.
Fact: ‘Low-fat’ or ‘fat-free’ doesn’t necessarily mean low calorie or calorie-free,
Check the calorie content of foods, especially cakes, biscuits, crisps, ice creams and ready meals.
Extra sugars and thickeners are often added to boost flavour and texture, so calorie content may be only a bit less, or similar to standard products.
Watching the quantity is important.
Myth 5: Cholesterol is bad for you.
Fact: Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is made mostly by the liver.
It can be bad for us, because it forms deposits that line and clog our arteries. Clogged arteries contribute to heart disease.
But we all need some blood cholesterol because it’s used to build cells and make vital hormones – and there’s good and bad cholesterol.
Saturated fats found in food like meat, cheese, cream, butter and processed pastries tend to raise low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, known as ‘bad’ cholesterol, which delivers cholesterol to the arteries.
High density lipoprotein (HDL), or ‘good’ cholesterol, transports cholesterol away from the arteries, back to the liver.’
So, choose unsaturated fats such as vegetable oils, nuts and seeds.
Myth 6: Vegetarians can’t build muscle.
Fact: Vegetarians can be as muscular as meat eaters by getting their protein from vegetable sources such as nuts, pulses and grains.
Myth 7 – Skipping breakfast is a good way to lose weight.
Fact: Skipping meals, especially breakfast, can make you feel tired and hungry and more likely to reach for high-fat, high-calorie snacks. In fact, people who eat breakfast are more likely to maintain a healthy weight than those who don’t.
Myth 8 – No treats and snacking.
Fact: Depriving yourself of all the foods you enjoy won’t work. You’ll eventually give into temptation and abandon your efforts. There’s no harm in allowing yourself a treat now and again.
Eating healthy snacks between meals can actually help you to control your appetite. Fruit, vegetables and yoghurt are great choices.
Myth 9- You can eat whatever you want if you do workout.
Fact: Unfortunately, a half hour run on the treadmill or some intense workout isn’t going to help you lose weight if you reward yourself by downing a few slices of cake and an order of French fries. Moreover, those estimated machine readouts are not at all accurate! You must work out and eat right.
Myth 10: You will burn more fat if you don’t eat before a workout.
Fact: Without the proper fuel you won’t be able to work out for as long or hard as you need to if you want to see a difference in your body. Workouts on empty stomach can cause low blood sugar and lightheaded-ness, which can be dangerous when you sweat.
Myth 11: Protein shakes and bars help you lose weight.
Fact: Although packaged protein products can be a part of an all-around healthy diet, they aren’t any better than a sit-down meal comprised of similar nutrients. Many popular products are filled with bloat-causing and at times carcinogenic additives. A number of the artificial foods also use artificial sweeteners in place of sugar, which cause weight gain over time. So, whip up your own protein shakes at home using fresh fruits, veggies, milk or water and a low-sugar protein powder. Also, substitute your shake or bar for a snack or a meal and not in addition to your regular diet.
To add, 5 reasons why Indian food is best-
1.Indian food includes an array of fresh vegetables and fruits cooked in a multitude of ways that help retain their freshness and nutrients. Thus, Indian food allows you to enjoy their health benefits in a more enjoyable way than their original form.
2.Traditional Indian food almost always uses fresh ingredients which means less preservatives and overall healthier food. By cooking Indian food the authentic way, you avoid prepared and preserved meals that do not provide the nutrients you need.
3.Indian cooking uses spices like turmeric, ginger, garlic, fenugreek, sesame, etc. – all of which have medicinal and healing properties. Thus, the spices used to make the dishes are actually good for the body and don’t just taste nice.
4.Traditional Indian meals include carbohydrates, proteins, fats and fibres, all of which are elements that you need for a balanced diet.
5.Yoghurts are often used in Indian food which keep the digestive tract healthy because of the good bacteria that they contain. They are also packed with calcium, which means eating them regularly can help you keep from gaining excess body fat, and it can help prevent developing insulin resistance, which is often a precursor to both diabetes and coronary heart disease.
Folks, Open your heart and enjoy your food!
Eat right, relish right and get your results right!
Reach out to me on WhatsApp on 8928458479 if you need more answers about your wellness & your daily dose of health regimes.
Add Comment