Almost a decade ago, the World Health Organisation had sounded a warning on the increasing rate of urban mortality in India. It was estimated that by 2020, almost 65% of urban deaths will be due to “lifestyle diseases” such as diabetes, obesity, stroke, cancer and depression, among so many others. Here are the latest statistics:

• 4 people die of heart attack every minute in India (mostly aged between 30 and 50)

• 25% of those who die of stroke are aged below 40

• 8-10% of children in government schools and 25-30% of children in private schools are overweight or obese

Keeping these facts in mind, it isn’t a stretch to state that our food habits play a decisive role in our longevity or, more importantly perhaps, in the quality of our lives. The changing lifestyle may have brought its own set of diseases, but fortunately, it has also taught us much about nutrition and superfoods. Superfoods are eats that are naturally loaded with vitamins, minerals, polyphenols and antioxidants that are known to fight these very lifestyle diseases of high BP, cholesterol or cancer. They also ensure that your daily nutritional needs are well taken care of. By including superfoods that contain phytonutrients in your daily diet, you can boost your immunity. Quinoa, kale, broccoli, garlic, onion, wild salmon, spinach, nuts and sardines are all great for this reason. Did you know that pumpkin seeds are great for the heart? They are a nutritional powerhouse, rich in magnesium, zinc, copper and various other minerals. A cup of black beans gives you plenty of protein, fibre and flavonoids, but without loading you with saturated fat in the way red meat does. Just 14 walnut halves give you more than twice your daily dose of alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fat that has been shown to improve memory and coordination. Broccoli sprouts have 10 times more glucoraphanin, a cancer-preventing compound, than regular broccoli, while peanut butter has the amino acid arginine that will keep your blood vessels in shape. Check out this great list of 52 healthiest superfoods for more fun facts. Superfoods don’t always have to be hard to source. They can be everyday items such as lentils, coconut or olive oil, almonds, spinach, eggs, fruits and tea. In fact, a popular post by the The New York Times listed nutritionist Jonny Bowden’s 11 best foods that you aren’t eating, which included items such as cabbage and cinnamon. Who would have guessed! So the bottom line is, your lifestyle irrefutably puts you at risk of certain diseases, and eating right can be the difference between life and death. A little effort in this direction can go a long way in improving the quality of your life in the years to come. Now that’s a New Year’s resolution worth going for, isn’t it?   Get onto www.getgrowchef.com now to find out how you can get superfoods in your diet everyday.

← Previous Post Next Post →