FIBRE: THE FORGOTTEN NUTRIENT IN THE MODERN KERALA DIET

Fiber is one of the most ignored nutrients in our diet, yet its absence shows up in many of the lifestyle problems we see today.

- Rajiv Ambat Lifestyle Disorders Coach & Founder - SOLVEMyHealth

In Kerala, our love for porotta and beef curry is almost cultural - and I'll admit, I enjoy it just like any other Malayalee. Most of us know that maida is devoid of any fibre; there’s nothing wrong with having your favorite porotta once in a while, but the key to staying healthy is knowing where to draw the line and how to balance our meals so that we can enjoy our favourite foods without harming our health. The problem is that most of us eat porotta, white rice, and fried food far more often than vegetables, pulses, or whole grains. I have noticed that many of our clients take just two or three tablespoons of vegetable thoran or sabji on the side instead of a full bowl of it in their meals. This low fibre intake, combined with prolonged sitting and poor hydration, is one of the main reasons why constipation and piles have become so common today.

Across India, nearly 70% of people fail to meet their daily fibre requirement, and Kerala is no exception. Even though our state has better health indicators compared to many others, changing eating habits, especially the growing preference for refined and processed foods are taking a toll. Many studies have proven that reduced fibre consumption is linked to rising diabetes and hypertension, constipation and digestion issues.

But fibre deficiency is not just about digestion anymore; it’s a major lifestyle and metabolic health issue that impacts your gut health and by extension, sometimes - even your cognitive health. That said, overdoing fibre and adding too much of it is not a great idea either. So- how much fibre do we need daily? What are the simple ways to add adequate amounts of it to our meals?

What Exactly Is Dietary Fibre?