Eating exotic international cuisines almost daily has become the norm in most urban households today. The rise of social media and extreme exposure to global culture has resulted in youth and kids all over India fancying transnational food regularly. From Pizzas, Tacos, Cheeseburgers, and Sandwiches to Fried Rice, Dumplings, and Ramen, everyone is crazy about having more than the basic, Anna (Rice), Saaru (Rasam), Palya (Curry/Vegetables).
People want variety, people want spice, and people want more than plain old rice.
But in this sensation to keep up with intercultural trends, people often prioritize taste over health and have to deal with the consequences of these decisions much later in life. In this blog, I highlight the steps one can take toward a healthier diet without compromising on taste, especially not their love for international cuisine.
Buying native, locally grown produce
It's a commonly known truth that using native produce in your daily cooking is always healthier than the wholesomest imported/locally-grown international produce. Native ingredients like Okra, Ridge gourd, Eggplant, Sweet potato, etc., are more suitable for Indian climatic conditions than international superfoods like Avocados, Kale, Asparagus, Broccoli, etc., simply because they are supposed to be grown on Indian soil. Buying produce that is native to this country and is grown locally is the freshest possible produce you can find, given that the harvest-to-table time is the least. The risk of food contamination increases as the number of stops between the farm and your kitchen increase. Additionally, local food is higher in nutrition, is richer in flavor, and is seasonal. Meaning that you'll be eating a variety of flavorful food while being healthy.
Eating fresh, homemade meals frequently
With hustle-culture becoming a standard in today's society, it has become difficult to have fresh, homemade meals at all times during the day. While it may not always be possible to whip up a whole meal from scratch, using as many fresh ingredients and products as possible to build your meals helps ensure that you and your family consume minimal chemicals/preservatives, artificial colors, stabilizers, etc.
So how can you make these changes without compromising on all the international food you relish?
Simple, by ensuring the usage of fresh components in your meals at each step, and compensating firangi ingredients for desi ingredients. Using fresh fruits and vegetables is a given, but using unprocessed, fresh sauces, powders, and spices ensures that everything that is going into your meal is fresh, making the overall meal extremely fresh and healthy. Additionally, use native, locally sourced ingredients as your base and choose international flavors and cooking methods to bring global taste into your meals. A well-made alternative brings in the same essence of flavors, making your daily meals effortlessly gourmet, satisfying all your exotic cravings.
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