Maintaining gut health is important, because it can boost your overall immunity and also influence your mood. While the diet you follow is important, how you eat the food, the frequency of meals and exercising and getting rest are also key factors for the smooth functioning of the body.
Nutritionist Bhakti Kapoor took to Instagram to write that a healthy gut means “you have a stronger immune system, a better mood, effective digestion that’s free of discomfort and a healthy brain and heart”. “Anxiety and depression also affect your gut health. Finding ways to manage your mental health and stress levels may help reduce uncomfortable GI symptoms and get your body back in balance,” she explained in a long post.
According to the expert, one can tell if they are having health problems. “Bloating, gas, diarrhea, stomach pain or nausea are all pretty direct signs that something in the gut isn’t working as it should.”
Healthy snacking:
Indian consumers are getting experimental with the evolving role of healthy snacking. A recent report concluded that nearly 81 per cent of Indians prefer replacing at least one meal of the day with a snack. Consumers are now looking for various snacking alternatives to balance their indulgence and functional food needs. Multiple studies have shown that consumers see snacks as more than munching; they seek healthy snacks as meal alternatives, comfort food, and wellness promoters. No single snack can satiate all the emotional, mental, and physical health parameters, which is why snacking has emerged as a critical exponent for consumers to help with their nutritional and physical needs. It is also a preferred alternative that helps boost mood and find a sense of comfort and relaxation.
Super Foods:
Superfoods like Millets, Ragi, Jowar, and Bajra have been a part of India’s food history for centuries. India grows nearly 80 varieties of millets; hence every state of India can boast a different type of millet. In the recent budget announcement, the Finance Minister of India announced 2022-23 as the ‘International Year of Millets.’ The government of India will further support millet cultivation and help companies brand the product for national and international trade.
As consumers are shifting to healthy alternatives, the evolution of ‘superfoods’ has gained momentum. Although people in tier 3 or 4 cities still consume Bajra, Ragi, or Jowar as part of their
daily diet, it is slowly growing out of its nascent stage for the urban cities. With the potential growth opportunity, many industry players are venturing into providing a solid base for convenient and traditional superfoods.
Non-Native Foods:
Olive oil is generally used in gourmet food preparation and is an aspirational flavour for out-of-home consumption for Indians. However, it has gained popularity in India as a “Healthier Oil” for at-home consumption in the last few years. According to the Indian Olive Association, 12,000 metric tonnes of olive oil is consumed by Indians annually. For the previous five years, India imported around 11,000 to 12,000 metric tonnes of olive oil annually, which was only 3,373 metric tonnes in 2010.
Over the last few months, brands have been educating consumers about the benefits and usage of olive oil for the Indian cooking experience. Recently, few brands from the edible olive oil industry have collaborated with food bloggers and chefs to create content related to cooking and using olive oil for Desi dishes.
Indian consumers are developing a taste for exotic vegetables and fruits as well. This new trend has increased interest in exotic vegetables and fruits like broccoli, red cabbage, zucchini, capsicum (red/ yellow), and dragon fruits (also considered a superfood) imported from South-East Asia).
As such, what can you personally do to ensure fewer visits to the doctor, and to keep your gut happy and healthy? Here’s what Kapoor recommended:
Dos:
* Eat a variety of plant-based foods.
* Have a diet rich in pre and probiotics.
* Stay hydrated.
* Chew your food and slow down while eating.
* Get good quality sleep every night and move your body daily.
* Cook food in olive oil, avocado oil, flax or walnut oil.
Don’ts:
* Eat the same food every day.
* Have a diet that comprises processed food.
* Consume drinks with added sugars and artificial sweeteners.
* Prioritise work over physical and mental health.
* Eat on the go.
* Load up on vegetable oils like canola, peanut, sunflower, etc.
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