Books: The Commonsense Diet: Stop Overthinking, Start Eating: By Rujuta Diwekar

 

I had heard the name of nutritionist and author Rujuta Diwekar on the internet a lot and this is her first book I chanced to go through and I found her book totally worth the hype. After reading the book, I understood why she was so popular. It is because she makes so much sense in what she says. I highly recommend this book to one and all.

At first glance, I had also wondered if her name had a spelling mistake, because we come across Rutuja (meaning seasonal) but not Rujuta a lot. I searched and found that Rujuta is a real word/feminine name and it means Honesty/Sincerity.

This book is written in a witty style, perhaps her trademark style and it is real fun reading it. I shall remember this book as much as for the facts and education in it as much the humorous way it is written.

The book encourages us to reject fads and extreme restrictions in favor of traditional Indian wisdom in foods and nutrition. Her core philosophy revolves around making sustainable, guilt-free food choices rooted in local, seasonal, and homemade meals. She emphasizes that "diets" don't work in the long term because they are temporary fixes. Instead, good health is a result of consistent, common-sense habits. She debunks popular myths, like eliminating carbs or fats, stressing that these demonizations are harmful.

Key points from the book:

Local, Seasonal, Traditional Food: The book strongly advocates for consuming food that is grown locally, available seasonally, and prepared using traditional methods. This means embracing regional staples like dal-chawal (lentils and rice) with ghee, poha, or idli, rather than imported superfoods or processed items.

Mindful Eating: Rujuta Diwekar promotes paying attention to your food, savoring each bite, and eating slowly. This helps in recognizing hunger and fullness cues, preventing overeating, and fostering a healthier relationship with food, free from guilt. She even proposes the "Jordan formula" – taking a second bite only if you're sure you can eat a third, to encourage mindful consumption.

No Meal Skipping: Especially breakfast, regular meals are crucial for stable blood sugar and sustained energy, preventing cravings and overeating later.

Ghee is Good: Contrary to popular diet trends, she champions the inclusion of ghee (clarified butter) in moderation, highlighting its benefits for nutrient absorption and satiety.

Holistic Wellness: The book extends beyond just food, emphasizing the interconnectedness of diet, exercise, sleep, and mental well-being. Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and managing stress are integral components of her "commonsense" approach.

Rejecting Fad Diets & Overthinking: Rujuta constantly urges readers to simplify their approach to food, tune out the constant noise of conflicting diet advice, and trust in the inherent wisdom of generations before us. Health is not complicated; it's about going back to basics.

Ultimately, "The Commonsense Diet" aims to empower individuals to make peace with their plates, enjoy food without fear, and build lasting healthy habits by embracing simple, time-tested wisdom of our country.

- Rahul