Deepika Rathod

Many people struggle to eat enough vegetables because of personal dislikes, busy lifestyles, reliance on processed foods or a lack of knowledge about preparing vegetables in appealing ways. While vegetables contain cellulose, which the body cannot fully digest, thorough chewing, cooking or blending can make them easier to process. Among nutrient-rich vegetables, carrots stand out for their range of health benefits.

Raksha Bandhan, Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, Christmas, and New Year. The calendar is filling up with celebrations, sweets, late nights, and big meals. Homes are being cleaned, lights are going up, and menus are being planned. But while we prepare our houses, how often do we prepare our bodies? After days of richer food, irregular timings, and less movement, the digestive system, liver, and immune system carry an extra load. A simple, intentional cleanse before and after the festivities can help the body reset without extremes. Two gentle yet powerful tools are intermittent fasting and dry fasting.

I want to talk to you about something I keep seeing everywhere right now. Food trends are moving fast. One week it's millets, the next it's seed cycling, then high-protein everything. Social media is full of colourful bowls and “functional” ingredients. And while some of this is genuinely helpful, I need you to pause and think carefully. Food is no longer just about taste or convenience for many people. That's a good shift. People are starting to ask how food makes them feel. Energy. Digestion. Inflammation. Mental clarity. Long-term health. We're seeing more interest in real, minimally processed ingredients. Fermented foods, colourful plants, turmeric, ginger, bone broth, etc. Ordinary families and working professionals are paying attention, not just fitness enthusiasts. People are tired of feeling tired. They want food that supports them instead of working against them.

Lately with all the festivities around, many of us have been staying up late for parties and get-togethers. And almost everyone I speak to is noticing darker circles under their eyes. The simplest and most important step is better sleep. But dark circles are not only about lack of rest. They can also come from genetics, allergies, sinus issues, nasal congestion, fluid retention, hormone shifts, hyperpigmentation, ageing, or too much sun exposure. Because we spend so much time outdoors, our skin often gets tanned. Applying a little pure coconut oil around the eyes at night can gently support the skin as it recovers while you sleep. Still, the foundation remains good rest. Aim for good quality of uninterrupted sleep. That deep sleep phase is when much of the body's natural repair and detoxification happens.

By now most of us have heard the term oxidative stress. It gets mentioned in conversations about ageing, inflammation, and chronic disease. Oxidative stress happens when there are too many free radicals and not enough antioxidants to neutralise them. Free radicals are unstable molecules that damage cells, proteins, and even DNA. Your body produces them during everyday processes like energy production. The problem begins when the balance tips and damage starts to outpace repair.

Gudmar, also known as Gymnema sylvestre, is a woody climbing shrub native to India and Africa that has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. Its leaves are primarily used in herbal remedies and contain natural compounds such as tannins, saponins and gymnemic acid.

Today I want to talk to you about something that often flies under the radar but can quietly affect how you feel day to day: Candida albicans. Candida is a type of yeast that naturally lives in our mouth, gut, vaginal area, skin and mucosal membranes. In the right amount, it actually helps with digestion and breaking down food. When our immune system is strong and the balance is maintained, everything remains in check, and we feel well. The problem begins when Candida starts to overgrow. That is when symptoms appear.

As the festive season approaches, calendars fill with celebrations, kitchens with sweets and homes with the bustle of preparation. From Raksha Bandhan and Ganesh Chaturthi to Diwali, Christmas and New Year, the coming months bring indulgent meals, late nights and disrupted routines. While we take time to prepare our homes for the festivities, it is just as important to consider how we can support our bodies through the season.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I want to talk to you honestly about something that touches so many of us. Breast cancer is when cells in the breast begin to grow abnormally and form a tumour. It can happen to anyone, though it is far more common in women. Awareness matters because early detection truly changes outcomes. When we understand the signs, the risk factors and the simple things we can do, we give ourselves and the people we love a better chance because the impact of this disease goes far beyond the physical. Treatment can bring fatigue, nausea, changes in appetite, hair loss, pain and hormonal shifts. Mentally it can feel heavy: anxiety, fear, low mood, and a sense that your body is no longer fully yours. Relationships, work and daily energy all get affected. This is why support, rest and nourishment become so important; however, what's more important than this is precaution or prevention, and let's discuss the same today.

High protein diets have become the latest obsession. Everywhere you look, someone is shaking a protein bottle, posting gym selfies, or claiming that more protein equals better health and a leaner body. The trend has spread so fast that many people now treat protein like a daily medicine, without questioning how much is actually needed. Protein is essential because it repairs tissues, builds muscle, supports immunity, and keeps us feeling full. Without enough of it, energy drops, recovery slows, and the body struggles to heal. The problem begins when we treat protein as the only nutrient that matters and push quantities far beyond what the body can handle.