10 Desi Superfoods for a Health Kick: Fuel Your Body the Natural Way. Dive into nutrient-packed desi foods to boost health!
Namaste, readers! In today’s fast-paced life, it's easy to grab a quick snack
rather than a healthy meal. But what if we told you that feeling energetic and healthy is simpler than you think? It's all about making smart food choices.
We're not talking about fancy imported ingredients here, but readily available, nutrient-packed desi foods that can give your health a real boost. Forget expensive supplements; let’s dive into ten easily available food items rich in nutrients, to make you feel good and increase your health.
Get ready to feel the difference!
The Humble Spinach (Palak): Your Iron Powerhouse
Spinach, or palak as we fondly call it, is more than just a saag staple. It's a nutritional powerhouse packed with iron, vitamins A and C, and antioxidants. Iron is crucial for carrying oxygen throughout your body, fighting fatigue and keeping you energized.
The vitamins in spinach support your immune system and keep your skin glowing. Plus, antioxidants protect your cells from damage caused by pollution and stress. You can add spinach to your dals, make a quick palak paneer, blend it into a smoothie, or simply toss it into your salad.
Don’t underestimate the power of these leafy greens! It is easy to include to almost anything and the effect is significant.
One interesting way to eat spinach is not to overcook it.
Overcooking spinach drains most of its nutrients, so it is very important to only cook it for a short period of time. Spinach is also very effective when it comes to weight loss. Spinach is rich in fibre, so they make you full and there is less room for unhealthy food intake.
Another great thing about spinach is that they are low in calories but rich in nutrients. Just one cup of spinach every day can improve your health. The presence of Vitamin K and Vitamin A makes the bones stronger and is therefore, good to prevent osteoperosis.
The Mighty Yogurt (Dahi): Gut Health Hero
Dahi, or yogurt, is a staple in most Indian households, and for good reason. It's a fantastic source of probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that live in your gut. These probiotics support healthy digestion, boost your immune system, and can even improve your mood!
Yogurt is also rich in calcium, important for those strong bones. Choose plain, unsweetened yogurt to avoid added sugars. You can enjoy it with your meals, make a refreshing raita, or use it as a base for a fruit smoothie. Dahi is very common in Indian homes but most do not know it has probiotics.
It is a great choice for all ages and is simple to include in a daily diet.
Dahi is also very helpful for those who are trying to lose weight. The calcium in yogurt can help to speed up the process of weight loss.
Yogurt also has essential nutrients which keeps you full for a longer duration of time. Those who eat yogurt or dahi regularly are also less prone to infections. Always consider eating yogurt more often so that you are protected and also in good health.
If you are lactose intolerant, you can try lactose free versions of the product. Also, eating or applying on your skin can also help with the moisture of your skin.
The Zesty Lemon (Nimbu): Vitamin C Booster
A simple squeeze of lemon can do wonders for your health. Lemons are packed with vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that strengthens your immune system and protects you from colds and flu. Vitamin C also helps your body absorb iron from plant-based foods.
Start your day with a glass of warm lemon water, add a squeeze to your salads and dals. Even a little bit of lemon juice can elevate the taste of almost any dish. Keep in mind to not use too much of it as it can upset your stomach.
You will feel that drinking lemon water everyday makes you feel better.
One should always consider adding lemon in their diet every day to derive good health benefits. If you are looking for a refreshing drink, add lemon in a plain glass of water along with some salt and sugar. It tastes amazing.
The same can be added to your salad to make it delicious and more healthy. Drinking lemon juice everyday is a great option. You can squeeze a lemon on your face too to remove any kind of tan. Always consider including a lemon in your food everyday.
The vitamin C content in lemon keeps you healthy and keeps your immune system strong.
The Golden Spice Turmeric (Haldi): Anti-Inflammatory Marvel
Turmeric, or haldi, has been used in Indian cooking and traditional medicine for centuries. Its active compound, curcumin, is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Turmeric can help reduce inflammation in your body, protect your cells from damage, and may even improve brain function.
Add a pinch of turmeric to your dals, curries, and milk (haldi doodh) for a daily dose of its goodness. You can mix turmeric and honey together to make a face pack too. Turmeric in milk or specifically in gold milk is a age old tradition in India. People still practice it from time to time.
As we all know that having turmeric milk helps with a sore throat. Similarly, applying turmeric on your face can help with acne or any skin blemishes. Turmeric has the potential to help in all ways. Just remember to include it in your diet and your skin care routine as well.
Turmeric mixed with aloe vera gel is a great combination. A pinch of turmeric in your dals will not even impact the flavour of your dish significantly and it helps with improving the health of your body overall. Turmeric is very good when it comes to inflammation in the body.
The Seedy Goodness of Flaxseeds (Alsi): Omega-3 Powerhouse
Flaxseeds, or alsi, are tiny seeds packed with omega-3 fatty acids, fibre, and lignans. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for brain health, heart health, and reducing inflammation. Fibre keeps your digestive system running smoothly helps prevent constipation and lowers cholesterol.
Lignans have antioxidant and hormone-balancing properties. You can add ground flaxseeds to your smoothies, yogurt, oatmeal, or sprinkle them on your salads. Flaxseed is a great source to improve and fulfill deficiencies in your body. A very small amount can have a very big impact.
If you don't like the taste of raw fluxseeds, you can consider roasting and powdering them. They have a very nutty flavour which when combines with food improves the taste. There are various benefits of flaxseeds, it is rich in fibre. Thus, it helps in managing your weight.
If you are trying to lose weight, adding a small amount of flaxseed in your diet can do wonders. In addition, it also helps with the cholesterol levels in your body and improving heart health. You can always add flaxseed in your recipes.
The Nutty Almond (Badam): Brain Booster
Almonds, or badam, are a favorite snack for kids and adults alike, and they're packed with nutrients. They're a good source of healthy fats, vitamin E, magnesium, and protein. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects your cells from damage and supports healthy skin.
Magnesium is crucial for nerve and muscle function, blood sugar control, and blood pressure regulation. Almonds are also known to improve memory and brain function. Soak a few almonds overnight and peel them before eating for maximum benefit.
Almonds are easily available and can be stored anywhere too. Having almonds is extremely beneficial for people who are recovering from any kind of disease or illness. It helps in improving the health from within. It also contains good fats. Thus, eating them everyday does not make you fat.
Almonds also help in keeping you satiated. They are a very good source of improving your health and also for good skin. If you apply almond oil in your hair, it nourishes your scalp.
Indian Gooseberry (Amla): The Vitamin C champion
Amla, also known as Indian Gooseberry, is a vitamin C powerhouse and a traditional Ayurvedic medicine.
It is a well-known herb known to improve immunity in individuals for all ages. It can be eaten raw, or can be added in a form of drink as well.
It also is known to heal skin problems, improve hair health and improve gut health. Amla is also well-known to purify blood, and therefore, should be included in a daily diet.
Lentils (Daal): The Protein Hub
Lentils are a staple in any Indian household and is eaten with roti or rice. They are a good source of zinc, and is an excellent source of protein. It includes all essential amino acid, is filled with fibre and is a well know protein hub for plant based population.
A bowl of daal can keep you full for along time.
Brown Rice
Switch to brown rice that white rice. The extra fibre makes it gut-friendly, helps with digestion, and controls blood sugar levels. It also prevents bloating and stomach problems.
Bananas
Easily available, are rich in fibre, and help in digestion. Prevents weight-gain and is good for stomach.
Incorporating these ten desi superfoods into your daily diet is a simple and effective way to boost your health and energy levels. These are easily available in India.
So ditch the expensive supplements and embrace the power of natural, whole foods. Your body will thank you for it!
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