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Introduction
WHAT DOES "Good Food" signify to you? "Simply scrumptious" ? "Only healthy"? "Mainly low-cal"? "Restaurant fare"? "Home food"? Or any food which is "nutritious and delicious" ? Sure! Food should be delicious and pleasing not just to the palate but also to the eye; it should also provide that vital, vibrant nutrition and not be plain junk food. Agree? Now, more than ever, I am constantly eating. Since, I am in the midst of writing three food books, it's an almost non-stop round of tasting. And everywhere I find plenty of junk food, food that is empty of nutrition and high on flavouring and additives. For the past few months, I have been receiving several messages and mails from many of my readers pointing out that they are more than ever interested in the aspect of food and health.
Reader Vidyalakshmi Sudhakar points out, "Our grandmas diets are wonder diets; they are prepared to not only suit the climate and use the ingredients of the region but also provide complete food value." Her long and interesting e-mail underlines the health-giving properties of South Indian food, be it idli, sambar, chutney-vadai (nothing can match this ideal breakfast, which not only has complete nutrients but is also good for digestion). Or thuvar dal sambhar with plain rasam/jeera rasam or keerai (spinach). Even kootu with vegetables, the traditional preparation of "sundal" with different types of pulses ,are all wholesome foods. I couldn't agree with her more.
I look forward to hearing your views too and meanwhile, here's a quick look at what's wrong with junk foods.
*Usually high in sugar — can cause fluctuations in blood sugar,
*High in artificial sweeteners — maybe linked with behavioural problems,
*Usually high in saturated fats,
*Tend to be low in vitamins and minerals,
*Fizzy drinks are high in phosphorous — can interfere with absorption of calcium,
*Usually high in flavouring, colouring and additives, which can lead to all kinds of problems from allergies to cancer.
Once again, thank you and sorry! Thanks ever so much for your magnificent e-mails, calls and letters and sorry for not being able to print them as soon as they are received. Will do so as soon as possible. That's a promise. Do keep calling and do keep smiling.
(Rashmi Uday Singh is a food reporter,critic and author for 21 years. Food and health are her passions. Her path-breaking TV serials "Health Today",nationally best-selling " Good Food Guides " the "Good Food Gallerie" and the Good Food Academy are a part of her continuing and pioneering effort to make the world a more delicious and happy place. It is not her policy to accept free meals or anything that will compromise objective food reviews.)
Dial 8281010 or mail us at Good Food Line, Metro Plus, The Hindu, Kasturi Buildings,859/860 Anna Salai, Chennai- 600002 or e-mail rashmiudaysingh@hotmail.com
RASHMI UDAY SINGH
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