by The term “superfoods” has gained hype on social media over the past decade, but what does it mean? According to Merriam-Webster, superfoods are “foods (such as salmon, broccoli, or blueberries) that are high in compounds (such as antioxidants, fiber, or fatty acids) considered beneficial to a person’s health.” While they can be a great addition to your healthy diet, it can be a bit difficult to keep track of which superfoods to include due to the viral speed at which information is shared. The other thing is that fancy superfoods may burn a hole in your pocket or be unavailable in India.
If you have to struggle with that too, don’t worry as nutritionist leema mahajan recently shared desi alternatives to “angrezi” superfoods that you can add to your diet.
Indian Alternatives to International Superfoods
1. Replace Blueberries With Jamun
Blueberries can be a great addition to your diet, but only once in a while! The reason: They can be expensive and not readily available all the time. So it can be a bit stressful. Come in, Ham! A great ‘desi’ alternative to blueberries that are not only seasonal but also amazing for your health. According to the study published in PLoS One, dried and powdered jamun can help you control your blood sugar levels. Along with diabetes, it can also help with heart disease and gastrointestinal problems, according to a study published in the journal Molecules.
Jamun is a nutrient powerhouse that offers a host of health benefits. This tart yet delicious fruit is available from May to August at much lower prices than blueberries, writes Mahajan.
Also read: 8 reasons why you need to eat jamun this summer
2. Choose amaranth instead of quinoa
Do you start your day with quinoa? Lots of people do it and for the right reasons. It is one of the healthiest and most versatile ingredients that help you prepare various dishes. But it is not everyone’s choice. If you want to replace it, Amarnath is the perfect alternative that not only contains good amounts of protein, but it “outshines quinoa in the amount of iron it contains. Quinoa has 3g of iron per 100g, while amaranth has 5g of iron per 100g, he adds.
3. Moringa powder over matcha tea
Matcha is one of the biggest parts of the superfood craze that has been making the rounds. If you have heard of it and tried it but did not like it, then you should go for moringa powder. Whether you like the taste or find it expensive, this alternative is for you because moringa powder offers so many benefits.
Also read: 6 very good reasons why you need moringa powder in your life
Immersed in a wellness pool, every part of the moringa tree contains health benefits. Whether you choose its leaves, roots or fruits, it contains all 9 essential amino acids and provides more fiber, calcium and vitamins A, C and E, compared to Matcha, the nutritionist mentioned in the post.
4. Sabza Seeds vs Chia Seeds
Raise your hand if you’ve heard that drinking chia seed water in the morning can do wonders for your health! While they are healthy, they can be expensive. Chia seeds are native to Mexico, while basil or sabza seeds are “shudh desi”.
Basil seeds are loaded with numerous nutrients, making them one of the best foods out there. Several studies have found that including basil seeds in your diet can help prevent type 2 diabetes, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, prevent depression, protect you from bacterial infections, etc. However, Mahajan shares that this may not be an “eye.” -comparison by eye. While chia seeds are a good source of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids, sabza seeds are a good source of iron.
5. Choose cabbage over kale, bokchoy, and asparagus
How many times have you found kale at the grocery store or your local vendor? Kale isn’t readily available, especially from street vendors, and that makes cabbage an easier option, the nutritionist recommends. If you don’t want to spend triple on vegetables, opt for cabbage. Loaded with antioxidants, vitamins C and K, phytosterols, and insoluble fiber, cabbage has been found to be extremely beneficial for health.
If you want to quickly replace the “angrezi superfoods” with some “desi” options, then you can go for the superfoods mentioned above. However, do not forget to consult with your doctor/nutritionist to avoid any complications.
