Food You Eat is Poisonous

I wanted to give an energy drink to my son. I bought a health-drink called Bournvita. It was pretty tasty, kids likes it but guess what it is not a health-drink.

Until I realized that half of it was sugar! This is an easy way to push your kid into ADHD, Diabetes and what not. I’ve stopped giving any health-drink then on.

This is not just about this one product. Most products you see in the market today has one of these poisons.

• sugars (in different names)
• flour (maida)
• hydrogenated vegetable oils
• Refined vegetable oils, palm oils, palmoleine oils, canola oil etc.
• colors
• preservatives

We can’t trust organizations like FSSAI to do anything. We have to be vigilant.

Adulteration in India

India’s battle with food adulteration is not new. From turmeric laced with lead chromate to milk diluted with water and urea, the list is endless.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has its hands full, but the enforcement often feels like a drop in the ocean.

• Milk: Often mixed with water, urea, detergents, and other substances to increase volume.
• Spices: Turmeric, chili powder, and cumin are often adulterated with brick dust, lead, or other harmful substances.
• Edible Oils: Refined oils might contain harmful trans fats or be mixed with cheaper, less healthy oils.

The realization that most of what I consumed could potentially be harmful was unsettling. This wasn’t just about avoiding certain foods; it was about questioning the integrity of our entire food system.

Where to Find Pure Food

The logical next step was to seek out pure, unadulterated food. Here’s where the challenge intensified:

• Organic Markets: They exist, but the authenticity of ‘organic’ labels can be questionable. The cost is also significantly higher, which isn’t always feasible for everyone.
• Farming Your Own: This became my path. Growing your own food isn’t just about ensuring purity; it’s about reconnecting with nature, understanding the source of your sustenance, and the hard work behind every grain. However, this isn’t an overnight solution.

The Dangers of Modern Diets

My journey also led me to scrutinize the modern Indian diet which is getting more westernized:

• Maida, Refined Oils, and Sugar: These are staples in bakeries and fast foods. Maida (refined flour) lacks essential nutrients, refined oils are often high in trans fats, and sugar is linked with numerous health issues. Avoiding these has been pivotal for my health.
• Addiction to Sugars: It’s not just about sweets. Sugars hide in processed foods, juices, and even in items labeled as “healthy.” Keeping my kids away from this cycle was a priority, fostering a taste for natural flavors over artificial sweetness.

Our local oil produced without the refining process is actually good but westerns introduced refined-oils. They kinda projected it as good oils. It is literally called good oil in Kannada.

We should return to using traditional oils like coconut oil, ghee, and wood-pressed oils made using age-old methods.

Survival Cooking

Learning to cook wasn’t just about survival; it was about empowerment. Here’s what I’ve learned:

• Minimalism in Cooking: Keeping meals simple with fewer ingredients not only reduces exposure to potential adulterants but also highlights the taste of each component. A simple dish of dal chawal (lentils and rice) or roti with homemade pickle can be incredibly satisfying.
• Avoiding Processed Foods: Cooking from scratch ensures you know exactly what goes into your meals. No preservatives, no hidden sugars, just fresh ingredients.

The Land of Opportunity

Buying land to grow food was an idea that seemed out of reach at first:

• Cost Considerations: I waited for a dip in land prices. Remote areas are cheaper, and they often come with the added benefit of less polluted environments.
• Permaculture Over Traditional Farming: Instead of conventional crop farming, I adopted permaculture principles. This involves:
  • Tree-based Agriculture: Incorporating trees into the farm design for sustainability, soil health, and biodiversity.
  • No Chemicals: Avoiding synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, using natural methods to enrich the soil and control pests.

Redefining Meals

The notion that one must eat three large meals a day, predominantly consisting of dal chawal or roti, is a construct we’ve accepted. Here’s how I’ve reshaped my eating habits:

• Flexibility: An avocado for breakfast, a handful of nuts, or a smoothie might suffice. The key is listening to your body’s needs rather than societal expectations.
• Breaking Free from Tradition: Not every meal needs to follow the traditional Indian format. Incorporating global cuisines or raw foods can be both nutritious and liberating.

The root cause of most illnesses can be traced back to what’s on your plate.

My New Normal

This journey has been about more than just food. It’s about autonomy, health, and living in harmony with the environment. Here’s what I’ve embraced:

• Self-Sufficiency: By growing my own food, I’ve reduced my dependency on potentially harmful market products.
• Health as Wealth: Realizing that what we eat impacts our health, I’ve made choices that prioritize long-term well-being over temporary satisfaction.
• Sustainability: Permaculture has taught me about sustainable living, reducing waste, and nurturing the land that feeds us.

This path isn’t for everyone, but for those who choose it, it’s transformative. It’s about reclaiming control over one of the most basic yet profound aspects of our lives—what we eat.

And in doing so, we not only nourish our bodies but also our spirits, connecting with the earth in ways that urban life often forgets.

Follow these people to find more

• Pure, White and Deadly by John Yudkin
• The Big Fat Surprise by Nina Teicholz
• The Complete Guide to Fasting by Jason Fung