Why White Needs To Be On Your Plate

Written by Nazneen Joshi13th May 2014
Most things sugary, full of calories and rather doughy are of the white variety—which is why this genre, so to speak, has been given a bad rap. This season BeBEAUTIFUL is here to gently remind you to leave the discrimination to the uneducated. From milk to paneer and garlic to white beans, there’s a whole lot of good in white!
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Mother dairy
The number one food group that comes to our mind when we think healthy white is dairy. From cheeses to paneer to dahi and chaas—dairy products are packed with calcium, phosphorus, potassium and vitamins—and of course the yoghurt varieties come with plenty of probiotics too. If you’re not lactose intolerant we suggest you take advantage of this quality protein and make it a part of your daily diet.

Arjun Ahluwalia of Buddha Belly agrees with us when it comes to the goodness of white and dairy: “The beauty of dim sum and Cantonese cuisine in general is that they reflect the delicate balance not just between relatively low carbs and high protein, but also between healthy portions of white foods and wholesome ingredients. At Buddha Belly, for our dumplings, we innovatively fuse delicate wonton wrappers with generous helpings of fresh and crisp vegetables, along with healthy white foods such as cottage and parmesan cheese to allow one to get their healthy dose of dairy.”

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White Fish
Did you know that Japanese women have the highest life span? The reason is their strict diet which largely involves raw white fish, vegetables and green tea. Low in fat and calories—white fish are valuable sources of complete protein, calcium, phosphorous, potassium, iodine and fluorine. Dietary guidelines recommend that you eat at least eight ounces of fish per week.

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Garlic and Onions
Grilled, roasted or sautéed garlic and onions not only add a burst of flavour to literally every dish—but also, reduce the need to use salt as a seasoning because of their pungent flavour. This is turn keeps your cholesterol and blood pressure in check.

BeBEAUTIFUL chatted with Chef Jaydeep Mukherjee  of Indigo Deli who uses the same in his fantastic cuisine. “Healthy whites as ingredients have always been active components on the Deli menus. Potatoes, onions, garlic, mushrooms, turnips, cauliflower, corn and white beans are great sources of dietary fiber, magnesium and potassium—nutrients that we often fall short on.”   

Elaborating on one of our all-time favourite ingredients, he adds, “Garlic—the world’s healthiest food, is the new ‘it’ worldwide. The cardio-protective properties of garlic, its cancer fighting qualities are only a few amongst its extraordinary repertoire of qualities. At Indigo Deli the whole roasted pod of garlic—served with most things grilled and roasted, adds a dash of unique sweetness, smokiness and character to food it is served with. It has a fan club of its own and it’s not unusual to hear for more pods and then another few.”

Nazneen Joshi

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