Page 54 - Desi Express Magazine Sept 2019

Diet Goals

Why Protein?

Proteins are the building blocks
of life.They are important for
growth and repair. Proteins also
act as enzymes, hormones, and
neurotransmitters. Protein
deficiency can make one
tired, sick and stunted.
Indian Vegetarian Diet

Is Indian Vegetarian Diet Deficient in Protein?

A big number of Indians are vegetarians. As Indian diaspo- Israel, and Palestine, Egypt).
ra has spread around the globe, many have carried their
culture including vegetarianism with them. From there agriculture travelled westwards to Europe
and eastwards to India around 9000 years ago. It was
Atlanta has a high Indian population and many of them around that time cow were domesticated, and milk
are vegetarians. We see vegetarian restaurants and entered the Indian diet.
grocery stores all around greater Atlanta. Many Hindus,
Vegetarianism became main-stream in India when egetarianism became main-stream in India when
Buddhists, Jains eat vegetarian food which includes all V
plant based food, along with milk and honey, and devoid Emperor Asoka decreed against animal slaughter in
of any meat, fish or eggs. People choose their food for 250 BC. Next major change occurred after Columbus
religious, spiritual, cultural, communal, and for health discovered Americas. Potatoes, tomatoes, chilies, pumpkin,
reasons. It also depends on the season and availability. squash, and Beans (like Rajma) entered the Indian cuisine.
They were brought to India by the Portuguese from the
Traditional diets all over the world are built around new worlds (Americas) around 1500-1600 AD during the
ingredients which are local and readily available. In the reign of Mughal emperor Jahangir.
beginning all human were hunters and gatherers. People
foraged wild fruits, berries and meat of wild animals. T
The process called the Columbian exchange also added he process called the Columbian exchange also added
many fruits like guava, grape, pineapple, papaya and
The Last Ice Age also called the Last Glacial Maximum many others to India. Now all these new world food
The Last Ice Age also called the Last Glacial Maximum
ended around 11,000 years ago. As the glacial ice have become an accepted and integral part of Indian
ended around 11,000 years ago. As the glacial ice
retreated to the polar caps, this opened up vast acres diet over the last 400 years, and their non-Indian origin
of land for grains to flourish. The domestication of grains is lost to most. And, it remains unclear which local Indian
heralded agriculture around 10,000 years ago in the vegetables and food these new world crops replaced
and what was their nutrient value.
Fertile Crescent (presently Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and what was their nutrient value.

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