Good food is our guilty pleasure. How we define it and how much we allow ourselves to indulge in it marks the distinction between a healthy and bad lifestyle. Our body requires calories and nutrients in balanced amounts daily. Instead of choosing empty calories it hence is advisable to choose food items that provide us nourishment too. Do you make a conscious decision to include or avoid foods that are supposedly good or bad for you?
Traditionally, there has been a neat way of incorporating foods with medicinal properties in our diet. Added to that some modern items which further broaden our scope have made eating healthy an easy and tasty ride.
Ghee
Ghee is clarified butter made with cow or buffalo milk. It is high in Omega 3 fatty acids and also contains Vitamin A. Ayurveda swears by the medicinal properties of ghee and uses it extensively in various treatments. Although it contains fats, ghee aids in weight loss. It is a good source of energy and improves your intestinal health. Use it in your skin and hair care rituals and glow away, naturally.
Ghee is a part of lifestyle in Indian homes. Ghee makes everything taste better, (and if I may) even more than butter. Smear your chapattis with it, add it to your halwas and laddoos, top your rice or upma with a spoonful and enjoy its goodness. Heaven!
Garlic
Garlic, with its strong smell and taste, garners extreme reactions. However, it has some amazing medicinal properties. It contains Vitamins C and B6, manganese and antioxidants. Garlic is a boon for the heart since it reduces cholesterol levels and helps control blood pressure. It improves digestion and is good to for curing acne and asthma.
Garlic is used in gravy preparations around the world. Many Italian and Chinese dishes and sauces have high amounts of garlic. Closer home, garlic is also used in thechas, spicy chutneys and pickles.
Granola
Granola is a healthy, sweet, crunchy and quick breakfast or snack option. It is nutrient-dense and high in fiber. It boosts gut health, has anti-inflammatory properties and can prevent cell damage. People with hypertension would benefit from including it in their daily diet.
You can add it to your milk or top it on your yoghurt or icecream. Put together ingredients of your choice like oats, dry or fresh fruits, maple syrup, sunflower seeds or vanilla and voila, your have your own granola! And yes, you can make granola bars too.
Green tea
Green tea is one of the go-to drinks for weight-watchers. It is full of antioxidants and contains caffeine in small amounts. Green tea improves your cholesterol levels and speeds up your metabolism. It is good for your heart and brain health. It also lowers the risk of certain cancers. What makes it popular lifestyle choice is that it can help in fat burning aiding in weight loss.
Green tea is available in many wonderful flavours like Turmeric, Tulsi, Kaahwa and Hibiscus. It is being increasingly used in skin and haircare products for its detox benefits too.
We can add ginger, grapes, gunpowder, edible gum and many more foods to this list. G sure makes your lifestyle (g)ood, doesn’t it? π
This post is part of the #BlogchatterA2Z challenge byΒ Blogchatter
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Ghee yes ghee is so undermined these days. People think it has fat hence unhealthy you have rightly pointed all its benefits. And as always i picked a new thing today granola. Wonderful and informative
Deepika Sharma
I’m a big fan of ghee and have it everyday. It is always a better choice over refined oil. Glad you’re liking this series. Thank you so much!
A very informative post. In spite of having great health benefits, it is surprising that many in India do not consume garlic for religious reasons.
True. Garlic isn’t allowed by many people and it’s a pity since it is very good for health. Thanks for reading.
Ghee and green tea are my very good friends. But you know, you forgot to mention my best friend’s name- GINGER. I am fond of this tangy root. A great post as usual!!
Oh, but I did! Ginger is added at the end of the post. How can I leave it out? Thanks a lot for suggesting it. π
Oh yes!! But how did I miss it? I just went back there to see that name. π
Good Food is divine. Granola is new to me, will try to add. Lovely post and daily eat well reminders, much needed, thank you
Thanks, Anjali! Granola is new to me too. A refreshing change sometimes. π
These posts are very much needed especially with the impending second wave of the COVID
Love all the items on this list. Granola is my favourite for breakfast
Oooo I love ghee and garlic! I rarely eat granola but green tea I have warmed up to, these days π Waiting for H!
G – ginger, helped a lot during feeding time.
True. Nothing can match the taste and benefits of ghee.