Saluting Women: Nutrition in Traditional Cooking

Foods from the land and sea once provided everything for people. Today, a mix of market and traditional food is common for most people, but the latter remains an important source of many nutrients, both in North and South India. On this hearty occasion of Women's Day, we elucidate on the rightful need of the nutrients that only traditional cooking can bring, with a pat on the back on all the women in the country who remember their recipes in this globalized, cosmopolitan society.

Indian cuisine reflects a 5000-year history of various groups and cultures interacting with the subcontinent, leading to diversity of flavours and regional cuisines found in modern-day India. Later, the Mughals, British, and Portuguese influence added to the already diverse Indian Cuisine with the assimilation of their own dishes and tastes, but Indian cuisine as a concept forged ahead and still remains highly relevant today.

The traditional Indian diet is one characterized by little meat, plenty of pulses, vegetables, rice and wholegrain wheat, making it low in fat and high in fibre. In the past, ghee tended to be used sparingly as it was expensive for less-wealthy families, but the situation is different today, and the benefits of ghee far outweigh the price in any case. In addition, dairy products are readily available and two glasses of milk a day provide just the right amount of calcium to the growing Indian child. Indian sweets and jaggery are given as a treat, and are not something to be eaten daily.

Since a lot of the side dishes are full of vegetables, beans, and lean protein, the nutrition in Indian food is abundant. There will always be a whole wheat option for naan, called roti, and typically you will find brown Basmati rice can be subbed for the white rice which is the usual base. Therefore, Indian meals provide nutrition in the form of antioxidants, fiber, vitamins and minerals.

As far as the numbers go, there are 152 calories in a 1 small cup serving of South Indian Sambar. Coupled with only 1.2g Fat, this liquid serving is often mixed with carb-rich rice to provide for a full meal - often lunch or dinner in the average South Indian home. Newer substitutes have tried to flaunt their style, but the Sambhar has remained strong, alongside many of its pan-Indian counterparts - Kheer, Rasam and Pulao among them.

So go ahead ladies, celebrate the wonderful occasion of women's day by delving into the age old and nutrition-rich recipes from your region. Rice, Wheat or Ragi - you know it's good for health!

A popular ethnic Indian cereal is the aforementioned Finger Millet, known as the Ragi, particularly in South India. Soulfull is a popular manufacturer that specializes in the production and marketing of a wide variety of Fills, Flakes, Idli and Dosa mixes. Head over to soulfull.in to stock up on your favourite items on the occasion of Women's Day today!