When you pick up a packaged snack, the label gives you information about what you’re consuming, and rightly so. But think about this: when you savour a plate of kachori from a street vendor, enjoy a slice of cake, or dine on a meal lovingly prepared by a family member, the transparency fades. Do you truly know the ingredients, their quantities, or how these dishes were prepared? If you had this information, would it impact your frequency or portion size? What does this mean for your relationship with food when transparency touches only a part of what you eat?

Each ingredient has a role to play in your health, and shifting from simply consuming to actively understanding what goes into our meals can profoundly transform our relationship with food. It aligns our dietary choices with our health goals, enhancing our enjoyment and appreciation for our favourite treats—whether it’s a samosa, a slice of cake, or a frothy frappe.

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Empowering Steps Toward Food Awareness:

1. Get Involved: Whenever possible, take part in food preparation. If direct involvement isn’t feasible, try to learn how your favourite meals are prepared. This effort can deepen your commitment to healthier eating.

2. Ask Questions: Engage with those who prepare your food. Inquiring about ingredients and methods helps peel back the layers of your meals, providing insights into what you are truly consuming.

3. Learn Basic Recipes: Mastering the basics gives you control over your diet and demystifies even complex culinary practices.

 

This proactive approach does more than safeguard our health—it enriches our culinary experiences, transforming passive consumption into an engaging, mindful exploration. As you navigate your food journey, blend awareness with enjoyment and make each meal a conscious, fulfilling experience.

So, next time you sit down to eat, take a moment to consider what’s on your plate and the journey it took to get there.

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With thoughtful intentions,

Dr. Kavita Bhatnagar