As we know, parampara is the succession of knowledge from one generation to the next. That’s what prompted nutritionist Madhavi Sharma to launch ‘Parampara – Honouring Traditional Food’, Annual Planner to ensure we don’t lose touch with what our ancestors have weaved in our native oral tradition of food wisdom amidst the loud noises propagated by the profit-driven food giants.
Our ancestors always acknowledged the deeper connection between our health and natural rhythms. They understood that our life is intertwined with the life of nature. The great rhythms and forces of nature bring about the alternation of day and night and the rhythmic cycles of seasons. These seasons directly impact the crop cycle and the availability of specific food in the season. The food choices we make have a direct bearing on our health.
In current age and time, we need to be even more vigilant about what we eat, how we eat to stay healthy and boost our immunity. People are inundated with a plethora of information about fad diets. If all this has contributed to anything in our lives, it is the tsunami of health concerns like weight gain, low immunity and communicable diseases.
‘Parampara’, an annual calendar unearths the deeper connection between seasons, festive rituals, food choices and health. It’s not just easy to refer to, but also reiterates the science and common-sense approach towards food. In simple words, it would become a part of one’s life. The lengths to which people are willing to inflict torture upon themselves in the name of ‘weight-loss’ is appalling. Fearing food, dreading festivities, fasting for long hours, feeling guilty about eating tasty food, seeking permissions for ‘cheat meals’, holidaying at detox retreats have become the new normal—which isn’t healthy!
Appetite is a moving entity. It is subject to change and thus there is no reason to standardise by counting/weighing one’s food. Instead, if we engage in mindful eating, we will be guided by our own bodies on how much is sufficient.
The planner design is simple. Each month begins with details of the season and weather in that month and the corresponding impact on the body. Food wisdom to help you align your body to that weather is explained. There is a mention of the traditional festivals and rituals falling in the month. A section titled “Let’s decode the Rituals” helps unravel the ‘science’ that our ancestors beautifully weaved into a story/fable for the larger purpose of health and vitality. Festive delicacies and seasonal foods for the month are also highlighted.
Nutritional insights are provided in a simple manner so people can easily incorporate and benefit in their daily lives. We are a microcosm of our universe. Changes in the macrocosm are brought by the seasons that influence our mind and body health. To adapt ourselves to these external changes, we must align our lifestyle. Food is an inherent component of a healthy lifestyle, thus food education holds the key to an improved quality of life. Being in good health requires continually adjusting to the changes in the outer environment through the food we choose to eat.
Thus, the core element of my approach is a sustainable diet—a diet that you can follow till the last day of your life, enjoying all the special occasions and festivals, with your family and loved ones.
‘Parampara’ will help you organise your day with more positivity and conscious awareness to what you feed your body and mind, thus empowering everyone to make healthy choices.
The writer is a nutritionist, certified diabetes educator & founder, Informed Health.