The concept of superfoods has gained popularity, especially given the need to boost our immunity during these challenging times. Superfoods offer health benefits thanks to their exceptional nutrient density; they are not difficult to include in your daily routine either.
This is among several key aspects of superfoods highlighted by leading celebrity nutritionist and health advocate Rujuta Diwekar. In her latest audiobook titled Eating in the Age of Dieting available on Audible, Rujuta recommends a list of superfoods that everyone “must eat” to boost immunity and secure all necessary nutrients in the body. “Eating right is like a skill, just like swimming and cycling. It may take time for you to learn it, but once you do, it stays with you forever,” she adds.
5 Superfoods Kareena Swears By
1. Banana
While we all already know that bananas are a good source of energy, Rujuta talks about the additional benefits of this superfood. As per the nutritionist, bananas are a “mood booster, fertility booster and an immunity booster”. They also help in aiding digestion and are excellent keepers of gut integrity and hormone health.
For those who are not so fond of bananas, nutritionist Rujuta recommends banana flour. She says, “It’s the kind of food that’s fit for the goodness within.” The food is simple, and helps in fighting acne and overcoming migraine along with regulating insulin sensitivity. It is a must in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. In her own words, “Banana zaroor khaana!”
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2. Jackfruit
Jackfruit is a versatile fruit and, in recent years, it has become global. The bulky and virtuous jackfruit from India’s southern coast is now a favourite meat-substitute for vegans and vegetarians across the world.
Jackfruit is known to entice the cells of our body to absorb and assimilate the many phytonutrients it carries. Also, an “aam aadmi fruit,” jackfruit is rich in vitamins, fibre and minerals, containing everything that is beneficial for humans. Jackfruit seeds can be boiled or roasted or can be eaten in any form you like. P.S.: Monsoons are a great time for jackfruits.
3. Sitaphal/Custard Apple
Rich in iron, potassium, fibre and Vitamin B6, sitaphal assists in providing natural sugar to the body. In her audiobook, Rijuta also busts the most common myth around this humble fruit and states it is low in glycemic index. Custard apples are also filled with carotenoids, which fight against the free radicals that may cause various diseases in our body. It is a ‘must eat’ seasonal food when the world today fights a pandemic.
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4. Jaam/Jamun
While the pandemic has forced us to stay indoors, don’t let it shut the doors on curiosity and cheerfulness. Available during monsoon, Jamun is a great seasonal fruit and another superfood that is rich in protein, fibre, antioxidants, calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, manganese, and Vitamins C and B6 among several other nutrients. Jamun is also an excellent choice for people who are vulnerable to cold and have low immunity. The various properties of this fruit can help boost the same and keep diabetes in check.
5. The Microberry Kusum
A forgotten fruit but with many beauty benefits, ‘kusum’ (also called ‘sonave’) is a wild, uncultivated fruit that grows in forests all over India and South-East Asia. Kusum has a sweet-sour and playful taste. The fruit is known for its therapeutic properties, and assists in preventing hair loss and acne that is caused by androgens.
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Lead image credit: Instagram/KareenaKapoorKhan
