The festival of colours, Holi, holds great cultural and religious significance in India. It commemorates the triumph of good over evil, as symbolised by the annihilation of the demonic figure Holika. The festival teaches us that no matter how powerful evil may seem, it can always be overcome by the power of good and the faith we have in the divine.
Holi is celebrated with great enthusiasm and excitement all over India, with people coming together to throw coloured powder and water at each other, dance to traditional music, and indulge in delicious sweets and snacks like gujiya, thandai, bhajias, and more. While we love to splash colours on our loved ones, why not also celebrate with naturally coloured foods that are healthy for us? Wouldn't it be interesting to eat from a plate that looks like a rainbow and comprises food preparations made with veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds, and other healthy ingredients of different colours?
"The more colours you have on your meal plate, the more varied an antioxidant profile you get. This way, you can avoid the risk of nutritional deficiency, build better immunity, and don’t have to worry about taking supplements; instead, manage your nutritional balance with diet alone by incorporating rainbow-coloured natural foods into your diet," she says. As we continue to discuss the benefits, Dr. Poorvi added further, saying, "It would be ideal to eat 2-3 different kinds of fruits and vegetables every day. But it really depends on what’s available to people and what’s seasonal, which is what the body needs at that particular time of the year. For instance, the season for oranges is just finishing up, and guavas are available now in plenty. These are both very rich in vitamin C, which builds immunity and works well for everyone falling sick between seasons."
This might also be the reason why the Mediterranean diet and cuisine are so popularly recommended by health experts around the world. Their vibrant salads, like the famous Greek salad, fattoush, Mediterranean-inspired salads, and more, are widely consumed everywhere. Tahini, a colorful, healthy dip made from sesame seeds, or muhammara made from red peppers, roasted beets, or even baba ganoush made from eggplant are not only colorful and healthy but also very tasty.
Holi, a significant festival in India, represents the victory of good over evil. People celebrate this festival by playing with colours, dancing, and indulging in sweets and snacks. However, incorporating naturally coloured foods into your diet can help you stay healthy and promote immunity. By including a rainbow of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and other healthy ingredients, you can boost your intake of essential micronutrients and phytonutrients that support good health. Eating a balanced diet with varied antioxidant profiles is the best way to avoid nutritional deficiencies and build immunity. So this Holi, make your meal plate colourful, nutritious, and fun!