Food is rational. It is culture, habit, identity, and craving, says Manali Vora, the founder of Solidarity Nutritions. Solidarity Nutritions was founded in 2018 with an overall experience of a decade in the health sector to provide the best dietary support & health supplements to all individuals, including sportspeople, athletes, bodybuilders, and sedentary individuals. In an interview with Business Review Live, she shares her insights on diet and how a healthy diet can be structured from food available in your kitchen itself.
Many parts of the world are chillier and darker by this time of year. Chilling weather might trigger an evolutionary relic inside us to fatten up to these harsh environmental conditions. Could those factors affect the foods you are hankering for?
Seasonal changes might influence the hormonal balance of glucocorticoids, leptin, and ghrelin, which control hunger and appetite.
Diminished sunlight plays a major role in food cravings. Sunlight is one factor that triggers the release of the hormone serotonin, a neurotransmitter that has been shown to boost mood significantly. Carbohydrate intake increases serotonin levels, and people may crave carbohydrates to improve their mood. That is particularly seen in people with seasonal depression who may have lower serotonin levels and mood because of reduced exposure to sunlight.
People usually turn towards comfort foods, mostly high in calories and binging more than on regular stress-free days to cope with this. Cravings for chocolate, cakes, cheese, or croissants in winters, especially during the global covid 19 pandemic, do not imply that overindulgence is a wise decision. These are ‘hedonic hunger’, and moderate indulgence can satisfy our appetites more healthily.
According to Dietitian Manali Vora, swapping Ghee with refined oils is the biggest blunder of modern-day cooking; fancy promising oils are the culprits. According to her, Ghee consists of fat-soluble vitamins, which aid weight loss.
Ghee plays a vital role in maintaining hormonal balance and maintaining healthy cholesterol. The high heating point of Ghee prevents it from producing free radicals that damage the cell functions on cellular levels. Pure Ghee is made of cow’s milk. It contains plenty of omega-3 fatty acids along with Vitamin A. Beyond kitchens, Ghee also finds a coveted space in beauty and hair care rituals.
Ghee is good when consumed in moderate quantity, and so is Jaggery. But the combination of the two is an Ayurveda works wonders for many ailments as it is packed with everything our body needs.
Ghee and Jaggery make a lethal combination as the mixture has calcium, selenium, zinc, manganese, magnesium, iron, fatty acids, and vitamins. Rich in iron and essential fatty acids, this combo won’t just keep the sweet tooth at bay but also help balance hormones and boost immunity.
The combination also has calcium which is excellent for the bones.
Never Give up On Ghee!
- Ghee is a natural lubricant with omega 3 fatty acids, which combats the pain caused by Arthritis.
- It enhances the digest fire (digestive fire), improving absorption and assimilation.
- Ghee is a natural vigour (Ojas) nutrient that is the subtle essence of all the body tissues (dhatu).
- Ghee improves memory and strengthens the brain and nervous system.
- Ghee lubricates the connective tissues present inside the body, making the body more flexible.
- Concerning the three doshas, Ghee pacifies Vata and Pitta.
Some benefits of Ghee
- Anti-ageing: The antioxidant-rich mixture helps in giving a freshness to the skin. It slows downs the signs of ageing, keeping wrinkles at bay before time.
- Clear skin: The duo helps in eliminating all the toxins from the body, cleansing our blood and this, in turn, keeps the skin clean, preventing a regular occurrence of pimples.
- Migraine: Migraines are a common phenomenon these days, especially those who sit in front of the screen all day long due to work. Having a bit of Jaggery and organic Ghee is very supportive in that arena.
- Orthocare: Joint pains can be taken care of, especially in the cold winter season. One of the reasons why some of our grandparents walk straight at their age as this is a combo that has been popular for ages. It proves to be a great relief in relieving joint pains. But remember, moderation is the key.
- Menstruation: when the combo is had with a bit of ginger, it helps in cleansing the blood, and the amount of iron in the blood is also balanced. Jaggery has the presence of folate, which helps in giving strength to the blood. The folate in Jaggery gives strength to the blood.
- Digestion: It is one very crucial benefit that Ghee and Jaggery have. It helps relieve gastric problems and makes it easy for the digestive juices to do their job. The Ghee lubricates the intestines, which in turn prevents constipation & improves bowel movements.
- Ghee for weight loss: Since Ghee is rich in omega 3 fats (DHA) and omega 6 (CLA), it can be great for weight loss. Omega 6 fats have been shown to increase lean body mass while reducing fat mass. Experts have also found that Ghee helps in mobilising fat cells to be burnt for energy. Ghee is packed with essential amino acids that can shrink the size of fat cells. Also, omega 3 fatty acid in Ghee can help you lose inches and ultimately help you shed those extra kilos.
One-two small spoons of Ghee is the advisable amount daily. It is advised to have Ghee if you are trying to lose weight, says Dietitian Manali Vora. She adds that since Ghee is almost 99.5 percent fat, the quantity must be watched; anything more than 2 spoons is not recommended, especially in clinical cases.
Also, if we have other sources of omega 3 like flaxseeds, walnuts we actually may not need Ghee as a source of omega 3, explains Dietitian Manali Vora.
Connect Dietitian Manali Vora on: www.solidaritynutritions.com
Book your Appointment: +91 7777089964
