Hi
Different people at home want different things to eat.
If I make bhajiyas for my children, my in-laws eat too which is not good.
My husband has gained weight.
I am fed up of planning menus.
How can I make healthy food for all and keep the family happy?
Sarika

The pandemic has led to lethargy in today’s lifestyle although there are many who have explored their culinary skills.

Eating healthy includes having whole grain cereals and legumes, more vegetables, fruits and nuts, etc, to include the healthy fibre component.

While eating outside, make sure these foods are added in the meal.

Include low fat foods like roasted, baked or boiled lean meat, sauteed vegetables, etc.

Avoid fatty foods, fast foods, savouries, sweets, chocolates, desserts, packaged foods, etc. Make sure you remain well hydrated and focus on portion size.

It is good that you are now aware of the significance of a healthy lifestyle.

Make an effort to educate your family about the repercussions of the unhealthy food habits they follow.

It may not be very easy but it can be slowly and gently conveyed by you becoming a role model.

And impress upon the ladies, at least one of them, about the detrimental effects of the excessive oily and rich foods they cook.

Explain the adverse conditions like high cholesterol, liver diseases, heart conditions, etc, which are more likely to affect the men in the family.

Include healthy and easily accessible foods like fruits, nuts and buttermilk as fillers.

Have small frequent meals.

Adopt a regular exercise regimen for body toning and burning excess fat.

I suggest learn to cook easy and healthy food options for yourself.

True wellness is being in harmony with Nature and its laws so that you can enjoy its blessings and lead a healthy and peaceful life.

A few practices to begin with:

Always eat fresh. Both packaged or stale food are not good for your body.

Try at least one fruit meal in a day if possible.

Eat all seasonal vegetables and fruits, as much variety as you can, but nothing in excess.

Don’t overeat or overfeed. Natural hunger is a sign of good health; if someone is not feeling hungry, we should look at the cause rather than force feeding.

Look at your shopping cart. Does it have more packaged foods or fresh vegetables and fruits? Try making pickles, jams and sauces at home rather than buying the packaged variety.

Salt and sugar should be regulated.

White sugar is harmful. Replace today with traditional forms like khand and jaggery but beware of artificial colouring.

Avoid fermented foods in the evening.

Lastly, avoid meals after 7-8 pm as anything consumed post sunset is hard on digestion; stale food in intestines is the root cause of most diseases.