Embracing Traditional Food Wisdom

Retracing our roots and rediscovering our highly evolved indian food culture helps us thrive, even in the modern era.

- Akshay Sharma

The food and wellness industries constantly repackage age-old dietary principles and sell it to unassuming consumers as the latest fad – think of how haldi doodh, the immunity-boosting drink of Indian households, became a ‘turmeric latte’; or how the healing properties of Ayurvedic food combinations were imported by the west as ‘ginger-lemon shots’. Reclaiming our traditional food wisdom is essential for creating a balanced diet that serves our long-term health goals.

Follow Basic Food Rules

Some of the food wisdom we inherit seems like common sense but is in fact backed by science and endorsed by experts – for example, chewing food slowly, sitting down to eat or drink, eating with all senses without distractions, wrapping up dinner early, and so on. However, we often disregard these practical tips in favor of complicated or trending diets. It is essential to remember the basics – to eat cooked food instead of raw or boiled vegetables, and eat different food groups in traditional combinations and proportions – such as eating carbohydrates with proteins – in order to ensure optimum delivery and assimilation of nutrients in the body.