Food is often regarded as the most important factor in keeping the body fit. Striking a balance in the nutrient-intake will help maintain the body's weight and thus reduce the hassle of going to a gym or fitness-club. With fast-food restaurants opening rapidly across the country, and people finding less time to sit down for a healthy home-made meal, food will perhaps be the biggest factor that will shape a Nepali's body.
Nepali style
Surprisingly though, Nepali food is quite healthy. Experts agree that Nepali food is quite balanced and has little of any spices and fat. Rice and potatoes are rich in carbohydrates, our main source of energy, and green vegetables are sufficient for our daily vitamin intake. Lentils, another regular item on the Nepali plate, are rich in protein. However, Nepali food lacks fiber, which is vital in stimulating the stomach and intestines and tightening our muscles. Fiber is abundant in grains, veggies, fruit peels and seeds. Preeti Mallik of Shahanshah Hotel says, "Nepali people should include Roti or Chapati in their diet more often."
But if someone sees signs of gaining weight (or feels it), then cutting down on traditional Nepali rice and potatoes would be the first rule of the thumb to follow. Because extra carbohydrates make the body disregard fat whilst utilizing energy, extra fat keeps getting stored, increasing the chances of obesity.
Meal time
Another important aspect in maintaining our weight is the frequency of meals per day. A heavy breakfast, followed by a light lunch and then dinner is the most suitable schedule for Nepalis. We tend to imbalance our diet because we favour dal-bhat. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and often the most discarded. A balanced breakfast helps to make us feel full throughout the day and removes the temptations of nasty fatty foods.
No Junk
One thing that experts believe should absolutely be avoided is junk-food, which has been notoriously linked with lethal diseases like cancer and is also a key factor in causing weight gain. Unfortunately, the lack of tasty alternatives during snack-time has meant that the younger generation generally prefer munching on instant noodles rather than going for something a little more home-made.
Aqua best
Water is generally the last unsung hero of a balanced diet. It is responsible for everything that goes on in the body, ranging from controlling our temperature, to helping us digest and so on. But Nepalis tend to drink a glass immediately after a meal and forget about it till the next plate is served. Drinking water right after a meal makes one feel bloated and messes the digestive process up in the body. Moreover, a single glass after every meal is not much. The ideal number would be eight to ten glasses a day. After all, it just goes to show that often the simplest and least eye-catching of things are the healthiest for us.
