The key to eating well

Right Diet

I want to eat something different” - this demand from kids is often seen as a nightmare for parents. As a result, they are often left racking their brains. Further, this may become especially difficult if one is pressed for time and perhaps, on occasion, does not want to spend too much time in the kitchen.

This is where ‘fireless cooking’ can come to your rescue. While the use of fire has become an integral part of modern cooking, it doesn’t necessarily have to be so. This is particularly true if you are trying to introduce the world of cooking to your children through easy-to-make recipes. However, it is important to keep in mind that all of this needs to be done under adult supervision and guidance. “It is also important to be careful while using anything hot (such as hot oil) and sharp knifes around children,” says Rajeev Bhadani, executive chef, Zzungry, a food delivery service.

Rajeev himself was introduced to cooking at a very young age, but had never really given it serious thought. Like many others in the country, he hoped to be an engineer. However, all this changed when he saw an advertisement on “something about the hotel industry.” Soon after, he enrolled at the Institute Of Hospitality Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition in Mumbai. The rest, as they say, is history and everything seemed to have fallen in place. In a chat with Deccan Herald, Rajeev reveals his inspiration, benefits of an Indian diet and more. Excerpts:

Who inspired you to cook?

My grandfather. He is a good cook and I used to watch him cook all the time. Afterwards, I used to cook what he had made, all by myself. This, I believe, gave me an edge over my classmates at college.

Benefits of a healthy Indian diet...

Many believe that Indian food is not healthy. It is often thought to be rich and heavy on the stomach. However, this is not the case. There are a lot of misconceptions regarding Indian food and this is one of them. Indian food can be healthy as there are so many varieties available to consumers. It’s all about making the right choices. For instance, grains such as ragi, barley, jowar and bajra have immense health benefits for the body including providing vitamins, minerals and fibre.

Another food that has immense health benefits is germinated wheat juice. This is highly beneficial and can help cure many illnesses. There are also many spices such as turmeric and pepper that help in making a diet healthy and balanced. Another aspect that can help in this light is Ayurvedic cuisine, which shows how to optimise the health benefits of ingredients for your body.

What makes a balanced diet?

A balanced diet would have to include healthy fats such as those found in olive oil or sunflower oil, and essential nutrients that include vitamins (fortified cereals, green vegetables), carbohydrates (dairy, starchy vegetables), minerals (legumes, citrus fruits), proteins (pulses, milk, egg) and healthy fats (nuts, dark chocolate). Above all, one must drink enough water. At the same time, however, one must avoid food items that will not give any benefits. For instance, one must avoid dalda as the body will not be able to digest it.

Another food item that one must avoid is refined grains as it does not have any fibre and will not give the body any energy. In essence, they are just empty calories.

How to keep the ‘fireless’ dishes healthy?

This can be done rather easily and in a systematic manner. If you are letting your child give you a hand, while prepping for the recipe,  control the amount of each ingredient that goes in. As a result, this will make the dish healthier and ensure that the children won’t go overboard or feel the need to add anything extra. For instance, although cheese is a much-loved food among many children, it is not healthy if it is eaten in excess. Hence, moderation is key for any ingredient.

Trends in food...

For me, it will be fusion. Also, there will be a lot more focus on keeping the food simple and appealing.

What are some tips to keep a meal healthy?

It is essential to have all the required nutrients in a meal.  Keeping everything hygienic is also of utmost importance, including the kitchen and the utensils.