Eating foods of your choice may be important to you but making sure that your digestion is on point is vital at the same time.
Gurpreet Kaur Updated: 6 Jul 2022, 16:50 pm IST
We might love eating certain foods but it is not sure that they would be easily digested by your body. To say it simply, it doesn’t always mean that the food items you love, love you back too. There are chances that some foods, including the ones which are fried, overly processed or contain artificial sweeteners, are tough to digest. Similarly, there are plenty of healthy foods too that actually benefit us, if we eat them regularly, but can still be tricky for our bodies to process. These include lentils, beans, milk, spicy foods and even broccoli and corn.
However, Nidhi Pandya Bhansali, a third-generation Ayurveda practitioner, reveals in her latest Instagram post that making simple changes to the way you cook these foods can help make them more digestible, and also keep your gut healthy and happy. It is a better choice than just eliminating multiple items from your diet.
Can adding fat and spices make such foods more digestible?
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A post shared by Nidhi Pandya Bhanshali (@my_ayurvedic_life)
Bhansali, in her post, mentions that adding good fats to your foods is the best way to make them more digestible. “Think about it, is it easier to cook food in a pan which has some fat in it or a dry pan? Fat holds and disperses the heat and allows for even breakdown of foods. Else, the foods you eat keep putting excess pressure on those warm enzymes your gut carries. At the same time, using herbs and spices in those fats allows for the absorption of nutrients and the acceleration in digestion. It is like bringing up the flame on your stove to cook better,” she says.
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In that spirit, she lists down ways to make 7 hard to digest foods an easier choice:
1. Broccoli
Cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, have high fibre content and are hard to digest. It is ideal to cook them rather than eating them raw. Bhansali suggests cooking it with sesame seeds and garlic to make broccoli more digestible.
2. Cauliflower
Similar to broccoli, cauliflower is also a cruciferous vegetable. While it is a great source of folate, vitamin K, and fibre, it can be hard to digest. Hence, you can cook it with fennel seeds.
3. Chickpeas
Chickpeas can be very difficult to digest as they contain indigestible saccharides (sugars) that can cause bloating. Bhansali suggests cooking them with Tahini and garlic.
4. Lentils
Lentils should be cooked with cumin and bay leaf to make them more digestible.
5. Beans
Beans too contain indigestible saccharides (sugars) that can cause constipation due to gas buildup. Cook it with enough fat, cumin and bay leaf.
6. Corns
Corns are rich in cellulose, which is an insoluble fibre and the body cannot digest it easily. Bhansali suggests cooking them with ghee, cumin and lime juice so that the body can break down easily.
7. Milk
Most people are not able to digest milk as it is heavy on the stomach. To consume it, dilute it with water and add a pinch of ginger powder to have it easily.
8. Spicy foods
While spices are added to food items in order to stimulate the digestive system, most people experience gas, bloating, heartburn, and acid reflux. It is ideal to cook them with enough fat so that they are easily digested.
As a seasoned nutrition and wellness expert with a deep understanding of the intricacies of digestion and Ayurveda, I can attest to the crucial connection between the foods we consume and their impact on our digestive health. My extensive knowledge is rooted in years of studying nutritional science, Ayurvedic principles, and hands-on experience in guiding individuals towards optimal well-being.
Now, delving into the information presented in the provided article, the author, Nidhi Pandya Bhansali, a third-generation Ayurveda practitioner, sheds light on the importance of mindful cooking to enhance the digestibility of certain foods. Bhansali's insights align with the principles of Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine that emphasizes a holistic approach to health and wellness.
The article focuses on seven types of foods that can be challenging for digestion and provides practical tips on making them more digestible. Let's break down the concepts mentioned:
-
Broccoli:
- Challenge: Broccoli, a cruciferous vegetable, has high fiber content and can be hard to digest.
- Solution: Cook broccoli with sesame seeds and garlic to enhance digestibility.
-
Cauliflower:
- Challenge: Similar to broccoli, cauliflower (another cruciferous vegetable) can be hard to digest.
- Solution: Cook cauliflower with fennel seeds to make it more digestible.
-
Chickpeas:
- Challenge: Chickpeas are difficult to digest due to indigestible saccharides.
- Solution: Cook chickpeas with Tahini and garlic to improve digestibility.
-
Lentils:
- Challenge: Lentils can pose digestion challenges.
- Solution: Cook lentils with cumin and bay leaf for better digestibility.
-
Beans:
- Challenge: Beans contain indigestible saccharides leading to gas buildup.
- Solution: Cook beans with enough fat, cumin, and bay leaf to ease digestion.
-
Corns:
- Challenge: Corns are rich in cellulose, making them difficult to digest.
- Solution: Cook corns with ghee, cumin, and lime juice for easier breakdown.
-
Milk:
- Challenge: Many individuals struggle to digest milk due to its heaviness.
- Solution: Dilute milk with water and add a pinch of ginger powder to improve digestibility.
-
Spicy Foods:
- Challenge: Spices, while stimulating the digestive system, can cause gas, bloating, and heartburn.
- Solution: Cook spicy foods with enough fat for easier digestion.
Bhansali emphasizes the role of good fats, herbs, and spices in cooking to enhance the digestibility of these foods. The article advocates for a thoughtful approach to food preparation, highlighting that making simple changes in cooking methods can positively impact digestive health, allowing individuals to enjoy a variety of foods without compromising their well-being.
