๐๐บ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฆ๐๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ณ๐ผ๐ผ๐ฑ๐ ๐๐. ๐๐ผ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฃ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ต๐ผ๐๐๐ฒ๐
๐ ๐๐บ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฆ๐๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ณ๐ผ๐ผ๐ฑ๐ ๐๐. ๐๐ผ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฃ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ต๐ผ๐๐๐ฒ๐
On a recent trip to India I noted a trend.
Itโs interesting how many celebrities and influencers promote Western superfoods like avocado, blueberries, and broccoli as essential for a healthy lifestyle.
While these foods are nutritious, their high cost and limited availability often put them out of reach for the average Indian. This can unintentionally heighten awareness of whatโs unaffordable, leaving many feeling disconnected from their own rich, affordable local food traditions.
Sure, these trendy foods are nutrient-dense. But so are countless Indian ingredients that have nourished generationsโaffordably, locally, and sustainably.
๐ต ๐๐น๐๐ฒ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐. ๐๐บ๐น๐ฎ
Blueberries are rich in antioxidants but hard to find and costly.
Amla (Indian gooseberry), on the other hand, is packed with vitamin C, grows abundantly, and costs next to nothing.
๐ฅฆ ๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ผ๐น๐ถ ๐๐. ๐๐ฎ๐๐น๐ถ๐ณ๐น๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ
Broccoli is popular but mostly imported or specialty-grown.
Cauliflower, its close cousin, is affordable, easily available, and offers nearly the same benefits.
๐ฅ ๐๐๐ผ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ผ ๐๐. ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ฎ๐๐ & ๐๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐๐
Avocados are rich in healthy fats and fiber, but so are:
โข Mustard oil
โข Coconut oil
โข Sesame seeds which are part of local cooking practices for centuries
And fruits like guava and jackfruit offer great fiber and antioxidants.
๐ฟ ๐ข๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ฆ๐๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ณ๐ผ๐ผ๐ฑ๐
โข Millets like ragi and bajra (nutrient-rich & gluten-free)
โข Moringa leaves (high in protein & iron)
โข Turmeric (anti-inflammatory powerhouse)
โข Curry leaves (iron-rich and flavorful)
๐๐ผ๐๐๐ผ๐บ ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ:
Just because a food is called a โsuperfoodโ elsewhere doesnโt mean we have to buy itโespecially if itโs pricey or not grown locally. Eating well should be simple, affordable, and sustainable.
So, let's enjoy global foods if we can access themโbut let's not forget the amazing, nutritious treasures growing all around us!
Letโs support local farmers and celebrate our rich food heritage. Itโs good for our health, community, and culture.
