A nutritious diet is critical for good health. Food contains nutrients that build our strength, heal, and repair it from the inside. But all food is not the same. Some foods are more nutritious than others. These are typically packed with antioxidants that are critical for our body. Ideally, we should try and include these foods in our daily diet.
Kadha
Kadha is a decoction of herbs and spices that are simmered in water for a certain period of time. Based on the ancient practise of Ayurveda, kadha are believed to boost immunity. In fact, most of us have taken kadha for some reason or other, from a persistent cold to a tummy ache. In fact, the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy or AYUSH, recommends kadha for improving immunity against viruses like the SARS-COV-2.
Fortunately, you no longer have to go looking for different ingredients or wait for the kadha to finish simmering. Wellbeing Nutrition’s Grandma’s Kadha is available as an effervescent tablet with each tablet containing 13 medicinal herbs. All you only need to do is add one tablet to a cup of hot water and your kadha is ready. Grandma’s Kadha is vegan, sugar-free, organic, and GMP-certified.
Probiotics + prebiotics
Both probiotics and prebiotics are vital in improving our digestive system. Studies have shown that probiotics help in restoring the balance of microorganisms, particularly the gut microbiome. By boosting the beneficial effect of the microbial community in the gut, it helps in preventing gut inflammation and other intestinal diseases. Prebiotics also have a beneficial impact on gut microbes. It improves our digestive system by facilitating the fermentation pathways it provides in the colon.
Prebiotics can be found in fiber-rich foods, including whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Probiotics are mainly found in fermented foods, such as yogurt. Alternatively, you can also take Wellbeing Nutrition Probiotic + Prebiotic. It contains 6 probiotic cultures with chicory root and apple pomace providing the prebiotic fibre. Add a tablet to a glass of water each day for a shot of good health.
Nuts
From almonds to walnuts and cashews, nuts have always been popular. Despite being high in fats and calories, nuts are often recommended by nutritionists because they are rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are extremely beneficial for our heart. In fact, a 2017 analysis of the eating habits and health outcomes in the US by the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, suggests that the low consumption of nuts and seeds is linked with an increased mortality risk from diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Best of all, nuts also make a very handy snack for when hunger strikes in between meals. Just make sure they are unsalted!Apple cider vinegar
From treating coughs and infections, to weight loss and improving digestion, apple cider vinegar (ACV) has found itself under spotlight on many occasions and for myriad reasons. Raw ACV contains antioxidants that protect our body from damage caused by free radicals. It also contains probiotics that improve gut health and immunity.
Our Apple Cider Vinegar is raw, unfiltered, and unpasteurised. Made from organically-grown Himalayan gold and red apples, it is packed with live cultures. You can add it to a cup of warm water and take it on an empty stomach in the morning or before meals. Alternatively, you can also use it in your vinaigrette or sauces. For an extra dose of wellness, you can also try our ACV with Amla and Turmeric. Also containing cinnamon and black pepper, this formulation adds an extra kick of nutritive goodness.
Leafy greens and vegetables
Leafy greens like spinach, lettuce, bok choy, and vegetables like broccoli are packed with vitamins and minerals that are essential for the functioning of our organs. They also have protective properties, reducing risk of chronic conditions like diabetes or cardiovascular diseases. The USDA recommends taking dark leafy greens as part of a balanced diet.
If you are worried about sourcing green vegetables or leaves, Wellbeing Nutrition offers an ideal alternative with Daily Greens. Available in the form of effervescent tablets, these contain multivitamins from 39 different vegetables, fruits, leafy greens and antioxidant rich superfoods. These include spinach, spirulina, kale, aloe vera, wheatgrass, moringa, and basil. These are completely organic, GMP-certified, and non-GMO.
Fruits
It is with good reason that fruits have been seen as one of the healthiest choices across different cultures. Fruits are a rich source of vitamins and minerals. They also have a high fibre content, which aids digestion and helps maintain our gut health. It helps in reducing the risks of chronic conditions like cancer, obesity, and heart diseases. The WHO recommends 5-9 servings of fruits everyday.
The good news is that our Daily Greens also include fruits with high antioxidant content, such as apples, acerola, black currant, blueberry, blackberry, chokeberry, mangostreen, raspberry and sweet cherries.
References:
- AYUSH Official Website, https://www.ayush.gov.in/
- Effects of probiotics on gut microbiota: mechanisms of intestinal immunomodulation and neuromodulation; Peera Hemarajata and James Versalovic, Therapeutic advances in Gastroenterology, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3539293/
- Health Effects and Sources of Prebiotic Dietary Fiber, Justin L Carlson, Jennifer M Erickson, Beate B Lloyd, and Joanne L, Current Development in Nutrition Slavin1https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6041804/
- Association Between Dietary Factors and Mortality From Heart Disease, Stroke, and Type 2 Diabetes in the United States; Renata Micha, Dariush Mozaffarian; Journal of the American Medical Association, https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2608221
- USDA website, https://www.ars.usda.gov/plains-area/gfnd/gfhnrc/docs/news-2013/dark-green-leafy-vegetables/
- Exploring the Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar; Cleveland Clinic website, https://health.clevelandclinic.org/exploring-the-health-benefits-of-apple-cider-vinegar/
- NHS website, https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/why-5-a-day/
- WHO, https://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/media/en/gs_fv_ppt_lorelei.pdf