The Real Secret to Wellness: Insights from Celebrity Nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar

In today’s fast-paced world, every few days, it seems there’s a new viral diet trend that promises a quick fix for weight loss or a detoxified body. From Keto to intermittent fasting, juice cleanses to carb-cutting regimes, many people are eager to try these quick solutions in hopes of fast results. But as celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar warns, such extreme diets can have detrimental long-term effects on our health. These approaches can disturb metabolism, disrupt hormones, weaken immunity, and even impair gut health.

A Voice of Experience: Rujuta Diwekar’s Perspective

In her audiobook Mitihara, available on Audible, Diwekar passionately shares her insights, emphasizing that true wellness arises from steady and sensible eating, rather than sudden restrictions. Her philosophy revolves around four key tenets: eating in rhythm with the seasons, relying on local foods, respecting age-old traditions, and honoring family meal habits. Let’s delve into some actionable tips she advocates to align with these principles.

Sip on Tulsi Tea

One of the standout recommendations from Diwekar is the humble tulsi tea. Commonly prepared in Indian households without considering it a health drink, this brew is rich in immune-boosting properties. By boiling ginger and tulsi together, you create a comforting drink that can be particularly soothing during colds and coughs. It’s a time-tested remedy, safe and far more beneficial than many packaged wellness products floating in the market today.

Whole Fruits over Juices

Another significant shift Diwekar encourages is the preference for whole fruits over fruit juices. While juice may seem like a convenient choice, it often leads to concentrated sugars with none of the beneficial fiber. She recommends consuming fruits whole to fully benefit from their texture and nutrients. An ideal time for consuming fruits is early in the morning or as a light snack between meals—this keeps your energy levels consistent throughout the day.

Move Beyond Calorie Obsession

Many people dwell on calorie counting, believing that weight gain stems from burning fewer calories compared to earlier generations. Diwekar vehemently disagrees, emphasizing that our basic metabolic functions, like breathing and heartbeats, haven’t changed over centuries. The real culprit behind rising obesity rates is the shift towards heavily processed and packaged foods which tend to be low in nutrition but high in calories. Diet foods often don’t offer solutions—if they are ultra-processed, they can do more harm than good.

Eat with the Seasons

With changing weather patterns, our bodies are affected too. Diwekar espouses seasonal eating as a way to maintain balance within ourselves. For instance, as winter approaches, warming foods such as thepla and bhakri may be more comforting, while rice-based meals and refreshing sherbets are ideal for hot summer days. Dinnertime becomes even more crucial during these transitions as it deeply influences digestion and sleep quality.

Questioning Superfoods

In a world that often elevates certain foods to ‘superfood’ status, Diwekar advises caution. Nutritional benefits can be greatly diminished based on how, when, and in what combination foods are consumed. Rushing to add ghee, exotic seeds, protein powders, or superfoods can sometimes lead to poor digestion—more is not always better. It’s essential to strike a balance between quantity and how these foods fit into your overall diet.

Rujuta’s Simple Health Solutions

Rather than turning to expensive health products or complicated diet regimens, Diwekar encourages returning to food basics. This includes comforting options like warm tulsi tea during chilly days, a handful of nuts in the morning, and naturally eating fruits instead of juicing them. Opt for wholesome lunches like thepla or bhakri, followed by a simple homemade dinner at a consistent time.

Rujuta Diwekar’s insights offer an approachable roadmap to wellness—one that emphasizes the simplicity of nature, seasonal eating, and the wisdom of generations. By fostering awareness and respect for our food choices, we can nurture our bodies and move away from the harmful cycle of fad diets.