A Healthy Lifestyle For A Healthy Life

Drawing on her knowledge and years of experience treating her clients, Naini Setalvad offers some tips to age well

Why fear age? You have been growing older since the day you were born! In fact, you feel younger as you age because you do not have to conform to societal norms, and you can finally put yourself first. But the biggest perk of ageing is the wisdom that comes along with it. So, let me share with you the nutritional wisdom I have garnered over the past 21 years, which will assure you age disease-free. Do not worry; you do not have to go looking for exotic ingredients anywhere. Our rich Indian cuisine has the answer to all our woes.

Organic food: If you ask me, farm to fork is the only way to go. If we are asking our kids to stay away from junk food due to additives and food colourings, then why are we doing ourselves a disservice by consuming chemicals and pesticides? Vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, and seeds are truly healthy only when they are unadulterated. For that, see to it that your produce is fresh, seasonal, and local. Such food is also more sustainable and devoid of any toxins that can lead to diseases.

Perfect digestion:I am a firm believer that you may not necessarily be what you eat, but you are definitely what you digest. Poor digestion is the root cause of all problems. It has been linked to skin disease, gastritis, diabetes, and even cancer risk. What is worse, an unsettled stomach can leave you irritable and moody. Why bring upon yourself a host of issues when all you need to do is eat digestion-friendly foods like banana, papaya, ginger, cumin, asafoetida, fibre-rich vegetables, and spices? Make sure spices are tempered in good quality fat for better absorption and to protect the stomach lining.