Superfoods : Hyper Local Food
Guideline - eat a hyper-local fruit as a mid-meal every day.
1. Here are a few tips to recognize a hyper-local fruit -
- doesn’t have a name in English or has a name you don’t easily recognize,
- may have folklores, songs and festivals around it, and
- was sold outside schools and at railway stations while you were growing up.
2. The guideline is about eating the fresh fruit, not drinking its juice or smoothies, etc., as we lose many nutrients that way.
3. A good time to eat this fresh fruit is as a mid-meal between breakfast and lunch or between lunch and dinner.
Why Hyper Local Food is Superfoods
A staggering 2 billion people across the globe suffer from micronutrient deficiencies and when these are left unaddressed can lead to deformity, disease and, in some cases, even death. Vit D, Vit B12, Iron, along with Vit A, folic acid, etc.
Are some of the common deficiencies that you must have seen around you. Nutrition science has now recognized a definite link between micronutrient deficiencies and non-communicable diseases like Diabetes, BP, PCOD, etc.
Technically, its called as a malnutrition of obesity. And it’s not just NCDs, many other conditions that you see around - allergies, low immunity, IBS, loss of fertility, unexplained flus, etc., are all linked to micro-nutrient deficiencies.
So, what can you do about it?
For one know that the answer is not pills, shots or fortification, that is just business as usual.
The answer lies in embracing our hyper-local fruits.
They are rich sources of vitamins, minerals, fibre and a host of bioactive compounds that are at work as co-factors and signalling agents for thyroid, insulin, sex hormones, etc.
They are good prebiotics that will allow for diversity in probiotic bacteria. From a flat stomach to a flawless skin, from a sharp brain to eyesight, from strong joints to strong memory, they play a role in everything.
They contribute to the soil health of your region and allow for a healthier ecosystem and income for small farmers
I am highlighting just a few but include atleast 12 hyper-local fruits in your diet year around (depending on season, change almost monthly) to stay healthy, glowing and disease free.
Bora (ber),
Maran (coconut flower),
Phalsa (local berry),
Shehtooth (mulberry),
Karvanda ,
Ranjana,
Jamun,
Bel,
Cashew fruit,
Dhurchuk (Seabuckthorn),
Tadgola,
Fresh dates,
Nimboli (neem fruit),
Kamrakh (star fruit),
Ramphal
For the next month, include Bora (ber) or maran (coconut flower) as a mid-meal. You can continue having the common local fruits of the season in addition to the hyper local ones. E.g. Peru (guava) right now.
Local fruits and vegetables benefits for health
Food that’s sourced from your community doesn’t need to be shipped from afar and is very fresh, especially when it comes to produce.
Some foods, especially fruits and veggies, lose nutrients during transportation and storage, making local options usually more nutritious.
Eating local often leads to the discovery of new and unique foods. In particular, CSA boxes are often filled with scrumptious, hard-to-find fruits and vegetables.
Local foods yield less pollution and waste due to their minimal — or complete lack of — packaging, processing, and transportation. Supporting local farmers who implement sustainable techniques also benefits the environment.
Money spent on local foods continues to circulate in your regional economy, supporting local jobs and strong communities.
Purchasing food directly from farmers and purveyors gives you the opportunity to learn more about farming practices and develop connections to your food.
Summary
If you want to eat local foods, check out farmers markets, co-ops, or farm-to-table restaurants in your area.Eating local doesn’t just benefit your health and the farmers in your community. It also has a host of positive economic, social, and environmental effects.
Local foods tend to taste fresher, have more nutrients, and use less packaging. Supporting local food businesses leads to strong local economies.
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