Nurturing your body with the right food: Pooja Makhija

Dishes like idli, poha, and upma are considered ideal for breakfast. But aren’t they carbohydrates? Carbs make up 80 per cent of my food. Please suggest some protein-packed breakfast options for me? Eating two boiled eggs isn’t filling enough.
—Mehjabeen Siddique

Yes, they very much are. And what is wrong with that? Carbs are your energy givers and the best way to break-fast after a long night of no food intake. It saddens me to constantly see carbohydrates shown in a bad light. Carbs are not fat, they are not the reason you can’t lose weight, they are not the reason for that bulging belly. Carbohydrates sustain your body with energy it needs for breathing, circulation, digestion and all other metabolic functioning that sustains life. Carbs spare protein to take care of growth, repair wear and tear. The best way to start the day is with a good breakfast packed with carbs (and also some proteins) that can  kick-start your metabolism. Carbohydrates should constitute 60-65 per cent of your daily intake—and that holds true even if you are trying to lose weight. Always complete your meals with a good carb plus protein, like eggs with bread, idli with sambhar, poha with sprouts. That way you get the best from both, energy from carb, and sustenance strength from protein. Balance is the key—one nutrient is not better than the other—they maximise each other when had in correct conjunction. Happy eating.

On late nightouts when I am partying with friends, I tend to reach for energy drinks to stay awake. If I don’t grab a can I can’t stay awake beyond 10.30 pm. But I’ve read a lot on the harmful effects of energy drinks. Is there an alternative that will help me stay up longer on such days?
—Nicole Dias

Remember this: your food is real, long-term, safe, tried and tested sustenance fuel. If you eat right during the day—small frequent, balanced meals—then your blood sugars levels remain stable without many lows and peaks, and thus you are more in control of your moods, stamina and energy levels. When you do the reverse—keep large gaps and then eat large meals (which is what generally happens after long gaps) then your blood sugar levels are all over the place, and thus energy levels are at their lowest. Therefore, the best way to have that duracell-battery even after a long day’s work to enjoy that de-stressing time with friends, is to always give your food due credit and eat your meals on time. Hydrate well so that the lethargy is not dehydration-induced. And of course make sure you clock in adequate sleep through the week else no battery can last long enough. Rock the party.

(Mail your queries at: dnahealthpage@gmail.com; you can contact Pooja at: admin@poojamakhija.com)

Pooja Makhija, Consulting Nutritionist And Clinical Dietitian