Maintaining good health is not the result of extreme effort or great sacrifices. It is the small daily habits that make all the difference. According to Dr Alok Chopra, the founder-director and consultant cardiologist at Delhi’s Aashlok Hospital, a good place to start incorporating such habits is the kitchen.
It is common knowledge that eating healthy is one of the cornerstones of good health. Taking to Instagram on April 6, the cardiologist with over 40 years of experience noted five ingredients that are commonplace in every kitchen that are actually a hindrance to health.
“Your body deserves clean, wholesome food,” he wrote in the caption, “Because what you cook is what you become.” In addition to listing out the ingredients that should be replaced, he also shared a list of healthier alternatives that can take their place.
1. White sugar
White sugar is composed of sucrose and is one of the most common sources of empty calories. It is found in virtually every kitchen, but according to Dr Chopra, it is not all beneficial to our health.
The cardiologist noted that white sugar is “refined, addictive and inflammatory,” adding, “It spikes insulin and feeds gut imbalance.” The alternatives for white sugar that Dr Chopra suggested include small amounts of:
- Jaggery
- Raw honey
- Dates
- Coconut sugar
2. White flour (maida)
Refined white flour or maida finds its utility in various dishes, but it lacks the fibre of whole wheat and provides no nutritional value, shared Dr Chopra. According to him, the ingredient essentially behaves like sugar within the body. Healthier replacements for white flour include:
- Millets
- Whole wheat
- Oats
- Besan
- Almond flour
3. White refined salt
Arguably the most common ingredient across the globe, the white refined salt is not the best choice, according to Dr Chopra. He shared that the salt is stripped of minerals and mixed with chemicals that are not beneficial for health. His suggested alternatives include:
- Rock salt
- Himalayan pink salt
- Naturally sun-dried sea salt
However, it should be noted that white refined and iodised salt is an essential source of the macronutrient iodine, which is essential for thyroid hormone production. Therefore, it is prudent not to exclude it completely from the diet.
4. White refined oils
“White refined oils are chemically extracted and highly inflammatory,” warned the cardiologist. According to him, better alternatives include:
- Cold-pressed mustard oil
- Groundnut oil
- Coconut oil
- Ghee
- Extra virgin olive oil
5. While polished rice
Looks can be deceiving, and white polished rice perfectly fits the category. It has a high glycemic index and low nutritional value, shared Dr Chopra. The replacements for the ingredient that he suggested include:
- Hand-pounded rice
- Brown rice
- Red rice
- Black rice
- Millets
“Remember this: the whiter the food, the more the nutrition has been stripped away. Change your kitchen and your health will follow,” noted the cardiologist.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.
