India Post News Service

NEW DELHI: Tired of the side effects of modern medicine, many Indians in the metro cities are literally going back to nature. They are following the Satvik ahaar Satvik ahaar is an organically grown, balanced Indian diet based on the principles of Ayurveda that rids the body of toxins and fat. Going satvik is in a sense, going back in time when the vegetables and fruits you ate came from soil replenished with healthy manure and mulch.

Ayurveda talks about the satvik diet, essentially a vegetarian diet comprising fresh fruits, green vegetables, cereals and grains grown organically and good for body and mind. Food, according to Ayurveda, directly affects the mind by causing an increase or decrease in the quality of brainpower. This diet is believed to quell lethargy, restlessness and irritability largely caused due to intake of spicy and oily food.

Coming to food that harms the system, it's not only the fitness enthusiasts who are worried. Dieticians and nutritionists are giving their patients that extra shove in the clean-food direction. Awareness on healthy food habits is growing in urban India.

A number of organic stores are springing up in major Indian cities as the shift to healthy living catches on. Whether it is Ahumcaara - the health and well-being stores in Chennai -, Cloy Foods in Mumbai, Bapoorou Parupudi's Farm in Hyderabad, Ostara Shop in Bangalore or the Dubden Healthy Living Store in Delhi, the trend is all too visible.

In fact, a visit to the Dubden Healthy Living Store in Delhi reaffirms your belief that soul food is indeed the latest health fad. Most health food products in specialty stores are not as pricey as one would expect.

A loaf of bread made of ragi is usually priced at around Rs 35, puffed bajra Rs 25 for a 200 gm packet. For diabetics, 400 ml of jamun fruit juice is priced at Rs 70, 250 mg of oil-free pickle at Rs 40 and 100 gm of fig and nut bars come to you at Rs 45.

Needless to say the response is phenomenal. A number of hotels and restaurants too are offering organic satvik ahaar cooked according to Ayurveda. Café Sattva in Mumbai and the Institute of Naturopathy in Pune and Saccha Khana in Delhi are just a few places that serve health foods. Other cities too have their share of organic food eateries and stores.

Health enthusiasts feel that it is high time someone broke the impression of Satvik Ahaar being bland and uninteresting. A shift towards healthful cuisines should be seen as an attempt to give to the body food that is wholesome while pleasing to the senses.

Nutritious foods offer a whole variety to choose from and you don't have to make too many changes in your eating habits. When you use oil in your cooking, dieticians recommend olive or sesame oil. Similarly, instead of the usual tea that we are accustomed to, one should switch to green tea.

Green chillies, bishop seeds, cumin and turmeric are extremely good for the body as they provide a defence mechanism against diabetes and heart-related diseases.

However, most nutritionists and doctors warn that these health foods are not medicines and are not curative by themselves. But taken regularly they account for good health and prevent and fight the onslaught of diseases.

Health foods cannot change a family history of diseases related to diabetes, heart and liver. They do not guarantee a disease-free life, but can definitely help combat diseases. So, let healthy food be your medicine rather than medicine being your food! That's what healthy eating is all about.