Nutrition Guide

Nutrition is interpreted as the study of the organic process by which an organism assimilates and uses food and liquids for normal functioning, growth and maintenance and to maintain the balance between health and disease. Also included is the idea of an optimal balance of nutrients and whole foods, to enable the optimal performance of the body.

You can  help promote good nutrition by setting a good example. Healthy eating habits and regular exercise should be a regular part of your family's life.

Calories and Fat in the food and their nutrition depends on the way the food is cooked. An Indian dish may be very high in calories/energy (mostly from fat) if it is cooked by deep frying, or it may be low in calories or fat it is stir fried or baked.

The North Indian dishes are very rich in taste and presentation as compared to South Indian foods. Compared to South Indian food, North Indian food is prepared in a different manner. The methods of cooking in North India create dishes that are very rich in taste and presentation. The North Indian foods, specially Punjabi foods are generally higher in calories and fat and lower in nutritional value, than South Indian foods because Punjabi cooking involves tarka (frying) in butter or oil that gives unique Indian taste and texture.

From a nutritional standpoint, the rich creamy dishes are often very high in fat but on the flip-side, the tandoori dishes are low in fat.

Overcooking vegetables does result in loss of nutritional value. Much of the vitamins and minerals leach out of the vegetable e.g. saag (spinach and mustard) is good for fiber as compare to its nutrients.

Tips for Healthy Diet

1. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables for fibers
2. Eat pulses, whole grains food for minerals and vitamins
3. Reduce salt and sugar intake, add herbs and spices for taste
4. Cut down processed food, cook by steaming and stir fry
5. Do exercise and eat in moderation