What you put into your mouth matters because food has the power to help you heal your whole body, health and state of being. You can maintain an ideal weight, remain free of disease, clear sport skin and unlock tons of energy simply by paying attention to what you eat! Foods from nature, by and large, tend to be excellent choices because they are nutrient-dense. While packaged and processed foods might seem tasty, they are stripped of nutrients and not optimal choices for your overall well being. Ayurveda believes that everything you need to heal your body can be found within nature.
Fitness and Health Coach Neha Premjee shares ten fruits, herbs, vegetables, spices and grains you can choose to infuse into your diet for a healthy and fit life!
- Apple: Apples are packed with fibre to help smoothen digestion and stimulate bowel movements. They are Kapha-pacifying in Ayurveda, which means they can help with weight loss. If your primary goal is to lose weight, make sure you bite into, slice or stew your apples as part of your daily diet.
- Mango: Mangos are considered the King of Fruit in Ayurveda! They are an excellent source of beta-carotene, magnesium, and potassium and are known to stabilise blood pressure and reduce inflammation. Do not worry about their “sugar content” because the sugars in mango are processed much more smoothly by the body than artificial sugar! Enjoy them when in the season as an ideal way to start your day.
- Ginger: Ginger is an excellent choice to help stimulate your digestion. If you regularly experience gas or bloating, add slices of ginger to warm water and consume it 30 minutes before lunch. In addition, ginger is an excellent fighter - it improves your immunity and helps your body fight off colds, coughs, lung diseases, high blood pressure and several other ailments.
- Spinach: Considering how low in calories spinach is, it packs in a punch! Spinach is among the most nutrient dense superfoods, containing vitamins, iron, folate, fibre and protein. One cup of cooked spinach contains roughly 6 grams of protein, making it an excellent protein source for vegetarians or vegans.
- Lentils: Dal and lentils are other fantastic sources of plant based protein. Containing protein, fibre and folate, they help prevent damage to artery walls and improve cardiovascular health. Lentils are a great addition to your diet for weight loss since the fibre and protein satiate you for longer.
- Rice: Do not be afraid of rice! Rice is easy on the digestive system, making it a great food when you feel sick and don’t want to tax your digestion. When combined with lentils, they make a complete source of vegetarian protein. In addition, rice provides you with tons of energy and helps your body restore its glycogen levels, making it a great addition to a post workout meal.
- Almonds: Almonds contain a nice hit of Vitamin E. You must include almonds in your diet to help with hair, skin, nails, memory, brain function, digestion, and hormone rebuilding.
- Yoghurt: Fresh, plain yoghurt contains probiotics which are excellent for digestion and intestinal comfort. It can relieve stomach disorders. Include yoghurt mixed with water and drink it as a digestive drink with your lunch to improve digestion.
- Indian gooseberry (amla): Amla is the best food to promote hair growth and help improve kidney health.
- Coconut: One of the best benefits of India is the availability of fresh coconuts! The water is packed with potassium and minerals, and meat is one of the healthiest fat sources. Coconuts do not contain the type of fat you should be afraid of. You can include coconut as part of a healthy weight management regime.