This is my last post for #BlogchatterA2Z and I’m filled with a bittersweet feeling. While on one hand, I’m immensely grateful for the writing discipline and month-long distraction from devastating news, I can now thankfully sleep soundly without dreaming of alphabet-wise food lists! 😉 Knowledge grows as we give it away and this series has helped me make conscious changes in our everyday diet. Also, I’m touched by how everyone around lifted my spirits up when I was overwhelmed and egged me on to write and enjoy this experience. A ‘z’ephyr of encouragement, warmth and support if you may! 🙂

From Zero-calorie drinks to Zebra cake, Z offers many interesting choices. There’s a long list of international chocolate, drinks and snacks brands with Z like Zevia, Zambezi Lager, Zip, Zotter, Zenia’s Chocolate, etc. However, as I always do in this #BlogchatterA2Z series, I’m going to share foods that do more than satisfy your taste buds.

Zest

Zest is obtained by scraping or cutting rinds (outer skins) of citrus fruits like orange and lemon. It contains a lot of flavour and is often added to cakes, pastries, candies, chocolates etc. Zest has a wonderful aroma and adds freshness to any recipe. Orange peels are rich in plant compounds and contain fiber and many essential nutrients. They’re often dried and used in skincare routine with face packs. Lemon peels too are nutritious and contain antioxidants. They promote heart health.

Zest is added to lemon pickles, marmalades and also liqueurs. It is cut into long spirals and provides a dash of colour to any garnish. Salads, sauces and biscuits often use zest for added aroma.

Zucchini

Zucchini is an exotic import in Indian food culture and is fast gaining popularity. Like tomato, it is a fruit but often confused as vegetable and available in different colours like yellow, light and dark green. Zucchini is an excellent source of Vitamin A and provides various plant compounds and minerals like iron, zinc, and calcium. It contains a high amount of antioxidants and is good for digestion. Zucchini is rich in water and with regular use can aid in weight loss. It boosts heart health and helps lower blood sugar levels. Its high Vitamin A content can contribute to strengthening your vision.

Raw zucchini is higher in Vitamin C while cooked has good Vitamin A content. Either way, it adds nutrition to various dishes like salads, stews, spaghetti, soups, rice, pasta, etc. Pan-fried zucchini chips, breads, muffins or cakes are other delicious ways to add it to your diet.

Zunka

Zunka is a traditional recipe made in Maharashtra, North Karnataka and Goa. Its main ingredient is gram flour (besan) which is mixed with water and then cooked in oil with green chillies and basic spices. It is light, filling and provides all the nutritional benefits of gram like high protein content, fiber and carbs. Traditionally, it is called pithla and eaten with jowar or bajra bhakri or rice. A spicy thecha completes this simple but lip-smacking meal.

Zunka has a dry or semi-solid consistency and can be given a yummy twist by adding garlic, tomatoes, spring onions, methi leaves etc. Although known as peasant’s meal, Zunka bhakar is extremely popular and has many exclusive outlets too.

“Exercise is king. Nutrition is queen. Put them together and you’ve got a kingdom.” ~ Jack Lalanne. A good lifestyle is the best gift you owe to yourself and it needs a lot more than kneejerk reactions like fancy diets or gym subscriptions to achieve that. Healthy eating depends upon healthy choices which can be inculcated in your life with mindful effort. I hope my Nutritious Foods for a Fit Lifestyle series for #BlogchatterA2Z has armed you with the right nutritional information and motivated you to eat right and stay fit!

This post is part of the #BlogchatterA2Z challenge by Blogchatter

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