Twig Talk — The Indian Traditional “Superfoods”

What is a superfood? A food that is rich in compounds and is considered beneficial to a person’s health. Is it new, not really? The Indian goddess of food and nourishment — Annapurna Devi, has bestowed the country with strong and blessed food culture.

India has been the rich land of customs, heritage and their richness of food is no less. The recent fad around superfoods has been an eternal part of Indian daily life for ages. I will be sharing how these foods can be part of your daily routine, if not already -

1. Ghee: Ghee is the ingredient that is used in Indian homes since ever. Not only it’s densely packed with nutrition, but it can also enhance brain function, improve digestion, boost immunity, help melt fat, etc.
2. Moringa (Drumsticks): Where Ghee is the crown of the North, Drumsticks is the king of the south. The ingredient is widely used in Sambhar and Avial.
3. Turmeric (Haldi): Every vegetable dish in India has Haldi in it. The use of haldi to increase immunity, build stamina has been proven over time. Turmeric is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent that can be used to fight infections.
4. Amla: Amla and Almonds in the morning, especially during winter, is a custom in few regions of the country. The translucent green fruit has eight times more vitamin C than an orange and around 17 times anti-oxidants than pomegranate. It can help fight the common cold, burn fat, improve eyesight, build immunity, and manage chronic conditions and relieve pain. So warm water followed by Amla (or Amla Candy) and Almonds is the perfect day to kick-start your family’s day.
5. Makhna — Makhna is a popular Indian snack, like the desi version of popcorn. The magnesium content in them makes them very useful for people suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. Replace the chips with Makhna for your child and notice the change.
6. Curd — The hero of our Summers. The usage of curd in the form of Raita, Lassi, Buttermilk (Chach) has been part of at least one of our daily meals. It is the lightest and most-effective fuel you can rely on during summers. It can keep you hydrated and boost your energy levels at the same time.

Twig Gyaan :
Start your day with warm water, and Almonds and Amla.
For breakfast, include curd
For evening snack, dry roasting makhna in Ghee.
Add Haldi in your meals (Veggies and Non-Veg dishes)
Drumsticks for your Sambhars and Daals.