5 Daily Foods You Are Eating the Wrong Way

In this article, I will share with you five daily foods that you might be eating the wrong way. Despite having a good Indian diet, many of us face health problems, and the way we consume these foods could be a major reason. I will also explain when and how you should eat these foods so you can get the maximum benefit. So without any further delay, let’s get started.

1. Dal – The Indian Superfood

Indian food is incomplete without dal, and rightly so. Dal is rich in protein, iron, folate, fiber, and many other essential micronutrients. Not only do they give strength to the body, but they are also a natural multivitamin food. Studies have shown that eating dals keeps your blood sugars low and digestive system robust.

However, many people experience gas and bloating after eating a bowl of dal. The reason lies in three common mistakes made during preparation:

1. Not soaking the dal: While whole lentils are often soaked, split lentils are usually not soaked because their cooking time is less. This is a mistake. Any lentil, whole or split, should invariably be soaked. Modern studies have shown that soaking lentils makes them easier to digest and improves nutrient absorption. Whole lentils require 4 to 6 hours of soaking, while split lentils should be soaked for at least 2 to 3 hours.
2. Discarding soaking water: People often throw away the water in which dal was soaked and use fresh water for cooking. This is wrong because soaking causes dal to release nutrients into the water. Draining this water means losing nutrition. The right way is to wash dal properly, soak it in enough water, cover it, and after a few hours, cook it using the same water.
3. Eating limited varieties of dal: Eating only one or two varieties of lentils limits the range of nutrients you get. The more varieties you eat, the lesser the chances of nutritional deficiencies. Also, if dals make you feel gassy, you might be missing out on adding carminative spices like hing (asafoetida), ginger, and bay leaf while tempering the dal.

The beauty of dal is that when combined with rice or roti, the meal becomes a complete source of protein containing all nine essential amino acids. So, if you want to get the maximum benefit from this superfood, make and eat dal the right way.

2. Cashews – Nutritional Powerhouse

If cashews are your go-to choice when offered a dry fruit tray, then don’t think twice. Studies have proven that people who regularly eat cashews have lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels. But many people unknowingly eat cashews the wrong way.

Cashews are nutritionally dense but eating them raw means missing out on many benefits. This is because cashews have the highest anti-nutrients among nuts. Anti-nutrients bind with vital nutrients and prevent their absorption, so even after eating cashews, you might not get their benefits.

There are two ways to remove anti-nutrients:

• Soaking: Soaking cashews in water releases anti-nutrients into the water, which should be discarded.
• Roasting: Roasting not only removes anti-nutrients but also increases the antioxidant content in cashews.

Cashews are often linked to weight gain, but studies suggest otherwise. The problem is that many people eat too many cashews in one serving. Eating more than 7-8 cashews invites body fat, mouth ulcers, constipation, skin rashes, and other heat-related problems.

According to Ayurveda:

• Dry roasted cashews without salt help in weight loss.
• Cashews roasted in oil or boiled in milk help in weight gain.

So, eat cashews soaked or roasted and savor their nutty taste.

3. Mixed Fruit Chaat – Not Always Healthy

Mixed fruit chaat seems like a healthy snack, tasty and providing diverse nutrition. But this is not entirely right. Our body secretes different enzymes to digest different varieties of fruits. For example, banana is sweet and starchy, while orange is citric and tangy. Both require different enzymes and have different digestion rates.

If you mix these fruits, you confuse your digestive system, which can cause gas and bloating. Ayurveda firmly states that melons like watermelon and muskmelon are best eaten alone because they digest faster than other fruits.

You can mix citrus fruits with other citrus fruits or sweet fruits with other sweet fruits, but to avoid complexity, it is best to eat one fruit at a time. Remember, a fruit a day keeps many problems at bay, provided you don’t mix them.

4. Rice – The Staple Food

Rice is a staple food for about 50% of the Indian population. It is light on the system, gluten-free, and contains many essential micronutrients. However, many people make one common mistake while cooking rice that deprives them of its benefits.

People often cook rice in extra water and then drain off the excess water. Though this method prevents rice from sticking, the drained water is actually the most nutrient-dense part of rice. This nutrient-rich water is called "Rice Maand" in Ayurveda and is used as medicine for various health problems.

To get the maximum benefits, wash rice thoroughly, soak it for a few hours, and then cook it with the required quantity of water without draining any excess. If you are diabetic, you can separate the extra starchy water and use it differently.

5. Seeds – Tiny Nutritional Powerhouses

Seeds like flax, pumpkin, sesame, sunflower, and chia are excellent sources of healthy fats, fiber, protein, and antioxidants. Studies suggest that seeds, if taken the right way, can be medicine for your liver.

However, many people make two mistakes while consuming seeds, which cause allergic reactions like headaches, skin problems, and abdominal pain:

1. Eating seeds raw: Seeds eaten raw are a waste for the body. You should either roast or soak them. If soaked, discard the soaked water.
2. Overconsumption: The recommended dose of seeds is not more than 20 grams per day, roughly two tablespoons. Eating too many seeds can cause severe allergic reactions.

After roasting, seeds can be powdered and added to chapati dough, rice, oatmeal, or smoothies. However, the shelf life of powdered seeds is not more than a week, so it’s best to grind them fresh as needed.

Seeds are a boon for health, provided you consume them the right way.

Also Read: 5 Amazing Foods to Improve Gut Health

Summary Table: Common Mistakes and Correct Ways to Eat These Foods

Food	Common Mistakes	Correct Way to Eat
Dal	Not soaking split lentils, discarding soaking water, eating limited varieties, no carminative spices	Soak all lentils properly, cook in soaking water, eat multiple varieties, add spices like hing, ginger, bay leaf
Cashews	Eating raw cashews, consuming too many	Soak or roast cashews, eat 7-8 cashews per serving
Mixed Fruit Chaat	Mixing fruits with different digestion rates and enzymes	Eat one fruit at a time; eat melons alone; mix only similar fruits
Rice	Cooking rice in excess water and draining it	Cook rice with the right amount of water without draining; soak before cooking
Seeds	Eating raw seeds, overconsumption	Roast or soak seeds; consume 2 tbsp per day; grind fresh if powdered

Conclusion

These five foods – dal, cashews, mixed fruit chaat, rice, and seeds – are staples in many Indian diets and are packed with nutrients. However, eating them the wrong way can cause digestive problems, nutritional deficiencies, or other health issues. By following the correct preparation and consumption methods discussed above, you can maximize their health benefits and avoid common pitfalls.

Remember, knowing the benefits of food is one thing, but eating them the way they are meant to be eaten is a different story altogether. This is an important principle emphasized by Ayurveda and modern nutrition science alike.

Eat smart, stay healthy!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Why should I soak lentils before cooking?

Soaking lentils makes them easier to digest and improves the absorption of nutrients. It also reduces the cooking time.

Q2: Can I eat raw cashews?

Raw cashews contain anti-nutrients that prevent nutrient absorption. It is better to soak or roast cashews to remove these anti-nutrients and enhance their benefits.

Q3: Is mixed fruit chaat a healthy snack?

Mixed fruit chaat can cause digestive issues because different fruits require different enzymes and digestion times. It’s best to eat one fruit at a time or mix fruits that have similar digestion characteristics.

Q4: Why should I not drain excess water after cooking rice?

The excess water drained after cooking rice contains many nutrients. Discarding it means losing these nutrients. Cooking rice with the right amount of water and not draining it preserves its nutritional value.

Q5: How much seeds should I consume daily?

The recommended amount is about 20 grams or two tablespoons per day. Overconsumption can cause allergic reactions and other health issues.