Nutrition

While more and more movies are now exploring mental disorders, talking about them may still be a tabboo in the Indian culture. 

It is also very true that ADHD can be over diagnosed in our society, thus, as caregivers or patients, we need to have access to the right information about the topic. 

In this article, lets get clarity on understanding:

• what ADHD actually is,
• what causes it,
• how it is often misdiagnosed,
• can nutrition help resolve symptoms,
• what are some of our hidden food triggers, and,
• the rise of ADHD in India.

Kerala's cuisine is characterised by its unique blend of flavours and spices, which sets it apart from other regional cuisines in India.

However, with the increasing availability and consumption of processed and fast foods, Kerala has witnessed a rise in obesity rates in recent years. This has led to a renewed focus on traditional plant-forward meals, which are healthier and more sustainable for the environment.

Tamilians who developed the regional cuisine of Tamil Nadu believe that serving food is like a service to humanity.

The region has a very rich food heritage and is characterised by the use of rice, lentils, whole grains, and legumes for staples and a mixed blend of spices, curry leaves, tamarind, chili peppers, coconut, etc for aroma and flavor. 

Every there is a discussion about the best diet for health and longevity, the Mediterranean diet is talked about. Over 3000 research papers have been published about the Mediterranean diet and its impact on chronic diseases. 

The current statistics for the diabetes population in India is expected to rise to over 134 million by 2045 and the reason for this is the increasing prevalence of obesity. Obesity is a huge causative factor for diabetes.

In 2016 Tamil Nadu was considered to have the highest prevalence of diabetes among other states. As per recent data from the National Family Health Survey, diabetes in the rural areas of Tamil Nadu has increased from 3% to 8% and in the urban areas it rose from 6% to almost 14% in the last two decades.

When it comes to nutrition alone, you do not have to eat fancy food for diabetes management, Indian cuisine itself can be your medication.

South Indian cuisine, specifically, is considered to be wholesome and nutrient-rich. However, with modernised cooking techniques, we are using more fats, such as oil's and ghee than ever before. We have also moved away from traditional whole grain's such as millets and red rice to white rice and other processed grains. This posses an additional risk for diabetes. 

In recent years, the vegetarian diet has gained widespread popularity. The traditional Indian diet, also emphasises the consumption of plant-based foods. Vegetables, fruits, grains, and lentils are examples. 

One of the most common diseases which affects a majority of the world's population is Diabetes. Diabetes is a condition where your body fails to effectively produce insulin which is responsible for breaking down sugar in the system, thereby creating a buildup of sugar in the bloodstream.

India is often referred to as the diabetes capital of the world and with reason. Nearly 44 million people in India are diagnosed with diabetes with Kerala taking the lead with a looping 67% of adults attend between 45 and 67.