Spare a thought to the over looked benefits of street food – Look what Rujuta Diwekar has to say about it….amazing nutrients!
Banana: Potassium, fibre and phytonutrients to help body thermo regulate or to keep body cool in warm climate
High stress jobs increase sugar cravings makes you prone to obesity. Potassium keeps the blood pressure down and the Vit B in it helps you stay calm in panic situations and reduces sugar craving.
Peru or guava: Super source of Vit C and antioxidants, rich in fibre and immune booster
Vit C and antioxidants prevent sun tanning and keep the skin supple and glowing. The immune boosters are required as Mumbai is a high stress and polluted city
Bhel puri/ sev puri chaat family: Dates, pudina, kala namak that are integral to chaat items are good sources of potassium, iron and minerals like selenium, zinc etc. The combinations help maintain electrolyte balance.
Most chaat items because of the micro nutrients present in them provide a laxative effect on the system. And there are a lot of constipated mumbaikars
Wada Pav: Complete meal of carbs, protein, fat and contains good profile of amino acids.
The besan used has the ability to lower cholesterol and so does the lasoon chutney.
Pav bhaji: Has combination of veggies, butter and bread with a dash of nimbu. Almost unbeatable in taste.
This is one meal that nourishes the tired mumbaikars soul and puts zest back into a monotonous life, that’s exactly what the spices do, they “spice up” a dull day.
Meetha pan or magai: Beetel leaf have analgesic and diuretic properties.
Aphrodisiac, if you are too tired for action know what you must chew on.
Bhurji & bread: Protein and Vit D
The tired Mumbaikar needs both the protein for recovery and the Vit D as a lot of Mumbaikars are actually deficient (specially the sobo residents) in this sunshine vitamin
Sandwich: Again a complete meal with veggies and cheese so rich in essential fats too.
Cheese has properties which allow the body to burn fat from the “stubborn areas”. The toasted and grilled version provide the mental satisfaction of “ghar ka khana” too
Dosa of all varieties: Perfect blend of amino acids thanks to the rice and urad dal combo. Most importantly good source of B12
Vit B12 promotes iron absorption. Low Iron and B12 levels are linked to weight gain and high cholesterol levels.
Nariyal pani: The world’s natural and safest “soft drink” rich in electrolytes.
Drink it when you want to flaunt a flat stomach as it rids your body of its bloating
Sugar cane juice: Its alkaline in nature, hydrates body n rich in minerals like iron, magnesium
Beats acidity, burping and farting. Offer it to your smelly colleague in office.