Eating food in India is more than just that! It’s the mixture of tasty flavors, ancient customs, and awareness of how that food makes us feel. For ages, Ayurveda, an ancient Indian health system, has maintained that a healthy gut is the secret to overall well-being. So how can we employ this amazing food culture to breed a lush garden inside our tummies?
Let’s travel to India deliciously and find out what simple foods will help our stomachs!
Prebiotics: Prebiotics feed good bacteria which are found in your intestine. These useful little creatures help with digestion, keep us well, and may even make us happy!
Here comes Indian cuisine:
Brown Rice & Roti: Avoid white rice and bread; rather choose brown rice and roti. Whole grains have more nutrients as well as fiber that keeps up with good bacteria which support functioning colon.
Green Vegetables: All these vegetables are yummy in India and each type of them helps maintain one’s digestion differently. Spinach contains vitamins thus boosting the growth of healthy microbes in colons. Lady Finger lubricates the intestines so it is added to curries mainly for its slimy texture while cauliflower is also another delicious veggie blessed with high levels of prebiotics. Mix any or all of these into curries for an intestinal-friendly feast!
Onion & Garlic: They are not only for taste! Onions contain inulin, a special type of fiber that nourishes our friendly gut bacteria. Garlic may also support a healthy gut. Mix them into your curries for an additional dose of yummy flavor and good digestion!
Probiotics: The good bacteria are the probiotics themselves! They reside in our intestines, helping us to digest food, fight off baddies such as infections, and even determine our moods.
- Dahi (Yogurt): This is a popular Indian breakfast dish. Dahi is yogurt filled with beneficial bacteria. Eat it plain to reap all the benefits or add fruits and nuts for a deliciously nutritious snack.
- Idli & Dosa: These deliciously fermented rice and lentil pancakes are loved by South Indians. In addition, fermentation makes food more easily digestible and creates a habitat for useful bacteria inside our stomachs.
Fiber: Fiber acts like natural brooms from within us; it keeps things moving along nicely inside us while we’re still full down there.
Here’s how Indian foods provide lots of fiber:
- Sprouts: Mung bean sprouts add some healthy crunch to salads or curries without any trouble at all. Moreover, they serve as prebiotics that promote the growth of good gut flora.
- Flaxseeds: The seeds bear omega-3 fatty acids among other nutrients which are good for digestive health too. Garnish meals or grind into powder form to increase gut performance further.
Keeping Your Belly Happy
- Water is Key: Don’t forget to drink plenty of water! It helps things move smoothly through your system and keeps your gut happy. Aim for eight glasses of water a day.
By adding these easy-to-find Indian foods to your meals, you can grow a healthy garden inside your belly and keep your gut feeling good! Remember, a happy gut means a happy you! So, take this yummy trip to Indian food and feel the joy of nourishing your body from the inside out.
