During his work-related travel, my father was once accosted by a rather loud man in Delhi, who asked him laughingly, “Tum Madrasi log sirf dahi-chaawal khaate ho naa?” (You Madrasis consume only curd-rice na?) Back then everybody south of the Vindhyas was a madrasi and the curd rice was all too common, so my dad just nodded his head. When the man persisted to say the same thing over and over again laughingly, my dad replied without batting an eyelid, “Haan, subah ko 1 litre, dopahar ko 1 litre aur raat ko 1 litre dahi khaate hain hum!” (Yes, we have 1 lite of curd in the morning, one in the afternoon and one litre at night)
That effectively silenced the man, of course. But there is no denying the fact that we south Indians cannot do without curd rice. It’s our one cure to every situation from a bad tummy, greasy meal to just being plain too lazy to cook. It used to be every father’s favourite back up option to feed their kids back then when their wives were travelling. Today that ubiquitous bowl of curd has gained much favour compared to its fattier and processed cousins like cheese, paneer and cream. Even WHO is all praises for this ‘nourishing meal’ of curd rice. I could go on in this vein, instead let me present you five solid reasons why you should include curd rice in your diet everyday.
1. It boosts digestion and works best for stomach upsets, indigestion and bloating.
2. It’s a good natural substitute for pro-biotic and antibiotics for very young children during early stages of fever.
3. Has the mercury risen too high for your comfort? Just add some curd to your diet and you will feel better.
4. Curd is also a natural fire extinguisher after a very spicy meal. A small cup of curd will keep those spice tears away.
5. It’s high in calcium and good fats and a must have in high protein diets.
6. You apply it on your skin or on your hair for a soft, healthy glow.
7. It increases immunity and the defence mechanism of the body.
8. It improves the absorption of vitamins and minerals from other foods in your body.
9. It’s extremely versatile in flavour and makes for a healthier substitute for milk and cream in your desserts and savoury dishes.
10. Curd is a good stress buster and great mood lifter. Studies show that both the probiotic bacteria and the good fats present in curd lower activity in parts of the brain that deal with pain and emotion, especially when consumed over a long period.
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