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The glorious traditions of South India
Traditional method of eating hand pound rice, par boiled rice provide many health benefits.
- Habit of eating ragi with greens is again very healthy and prevents many diseases.
- Vegetables are usually incorporated in dal preparations e.g. sambhar, kootu. This also increases the glycemic index of food and provides variety of nutrients and anti-oxidants. This also ensures that a variety of vegetables get consumed everyday, as sambhar is an essential food item consumed by most house holds.
- Variety of greens e.g. drumstick leaves, amranthus, gongu, agathi, curry leaves, manathakali leaves etc are used. These are cheap and easily available, many grown in the kitchen gardens which don't impose an extra expenditure on the family. Vegetable preparations are made with less oil which provide greater nutrition with less calories.
- Fish is being consumed regularly in the coastal areas. Consumption of sweet preparation was only for special occasions instead of being a part of daily menu preventing obesity and other related diseases. Consumption of traditional chutneys and thovials made with spices provided many health benefits through micronutrients, anti-oxidants and vitamins. Butter milk, coconut water is commonly used as thirst quencher, which again is very nutrients and gives the body vitality, vitamins and vigour. Masalas are made at home, like sambhar masala, rasam powder etc. which protect against cancer and other diseases and strengthens the immune system.
The culture and tradition of pursuing classical arts in the form of classical dance and music provided much relaxation, stress relieving and bonding between the family and the community. It provides immense physical activity and fitness with a large proportion of muscles of the body being used. It also helped individuals and families to be closer to their own tradition and cultural values. Classical arts is also a medium through which training in morals and character are provided much of which is done through mythological stories and narrations.
The glorious traditions of Western India
Use of variety of coarse cereals, pulses & blends (e.g. thalipeeth, ghavan, bajri, bhakri, jowari flours, handwa mix etc) is healthy.
- Consumption of variety of nuts & oil seeds is beneficial ans should be reinforced.
- Vegetables & Dals are made using less visible oil.
- Varieties of locally available greens are consumed for e.g. radish leaves cauliflower greens, ambadi ki bhaji, shepu, mayalu, math, chaulai etc.
Folk dances are very popular in the western states of India. The entire family participates in them. This ensures physical activity and stress busting and ensures bonding in the family and the community. Here participation by all family members is the key.
The glorious traditions of Eastern India Consumption of different types of seasonal locally grown green leafy vegetables is very healthy.
- Regular consumption of fish prepared by boiling, steaming, roasting is also healthy and provides many health benefits. (hyperlink to the fish page of the food pyramid website)
- Minimal use of spices and hence decreased use of oil is also healthy.
- Consumption of seasonal locally available fruits and vegetables including garlic is beneficial and healthy.
- Consumption of processed and junk foods is not common amongst the people of eastern India . They must realize the indirect protection from many diseases which they get because of this.
- Consumption of fermented rice (Pointabhat) is healthy.
The culture of classical arts is very deep in eastern India which helps release stress and ensures bonding amongst family and the community.
Folk dances are very popular in the many parts of eastern India . This provides physical activity and stress busting and ensures bonding in the family and the community. |
