GM Diet Indian Version

  GM Diet Indian Version Good Health    

The GM diet is among the most popular diet fads practiced by Indians mainly because of its vegetarian attributes and reduced consumption of meat. This weight loss management system also appeals to Indian delicacies that dwell mainly with vegetables.

Day 1. All fruits. All kinds of fruit may be consumed except for bananas. 10-12 glasses of water should be consumed throughout the day.

Day 2. All vegetables. All sorts of vegetables may be consumed during the second day. Potatoes may be served during breakfast to boost energy levels. A mixture of greens and boiled vegetables as well as the GM diet wonder soup may be served during lunch and dinner.

Day 3. Mixture of fruits and vegetables. A mix of fruits and vegetables may be consumed on Day 3, together with 10-12 glasses of water. Bananas are still not allowed in this day.

Day 4. Banana and milk. Skim milk and banana, together with the GM wonder soup or any type of vegetable soup may be served on this day. For Indian practitioners, yogurt may be served instead of skim milk.

Day 5. Brown rice, curd and tomatoes. Soybean curd or 1 cup of brown rice may be used as a substitute for beef, or a cup of cottage cheese. Tomatoes are important to match with the day’s meal, along with cucumbers.

Day 6. Brown rice and vegetables. On Day 6, brown rice or other beef substitute will be matched with vegetables, but potatoes are still restricted. It is best to consume cottage cheese and soybean curd in vegetable bowls.

Day 7. Brown rice, vegetables and fruits. Two cups of brown rice may be consumed together with unlimited servings of vegetables and fruits. Fruit juice may also be taken along with 8-10 glasses of water.

Seasonal fruits and vegetables for Diet

   The injunctions found in the Dharmaśāstras are summarized more clearly by Patrick Olivelle  in his article "From Feast to Fast: Food and the Indian Ascetic." In his work, Olivelle breaks down more clearly what the Dharmaśāstra prescribes for individual parts of Hindu society. All the topics that Kane touched on, mentioned above, are explained here in a way which relates food to both everyday life for Hindus as well as life in the cosmic realm.

Another concept of fast food that is becoming popular is that of Food Courts. It is like     putting together a number of Darshinis serving different cuisines under one roof. Here also one has to purchase coupons and collect the food from one of the several counters. Each one of these counters serves specific variety of food and may be owned by different individuals or caterers. Food Courts are normally located on much bigger premises and may provide seating facility in addition to the stand and eat arrangement.

Typically one entrepreneur owns or takes on lease the entire premises and promotes the place under one name. He then lets out individual counters to different independent operators to offer different menu. Internal competition is avoided by not allowing more than one counter to offer similar food.

The Indian version of the GM diet does not vary too much from that of the regular version except for the beef intake in Days 5 and 6. For the Indian version, cottage cheese can be used as an alternate to beef. Thus for diet, cottage cheese is served as a substitute to beef and this works very well. For folks that are not vegetarian and who eat fish, fish can be a great alternate to meat and can be used in meals and diet plan schedule.

The Indian version of the GM diet is pretty close to the original. There are slight changes and they are described below.

Cow Milk

Consuming butter milk with cumin powder while eating or after meals is beneficial. It is better to reduce the intake of non-vegetarian and oily foods in winters. Milk, clarified butter, mawa, rabri, kheer, cream and sweets are foods that provide energy.

Moderate consumption of fat, especially 2 tsps of ghee from cow’s milk daily, helps produce enough heat in the body and is good for skin and joints.

Wheat, millet, maize, gram, moong, black gram and masoor are especially beneficial.

High-energy-dense wholegrains, especially bajra and makai (corn); energy and protein-dense whole legumes, nuts and oilseeds help increase the body temperature.

During winter, one likes to eat gajar halwa and dishes prepared with sesame seeds and jaggery.

It is best to consume seasonal fruits and vegetables, as they are loaded with nutrients. For example, orange, sweet lime and amla that are available in winters are rich in Vitamin C, which helps build immunity. Juices of amla, carrot and tomato are highly beneficial. Amla products like murabba, amla juice and chawanprash are beneficial in winters.

Leafy vegetables like methi, palak and sarson that are rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin C are good antioxidants.

Root vegetables such as carrots, white radish, onion and garlic are preferable, as they are warm in nature.You should also consume carrot, radish, tomato and cucumber in form of salads.

The body needs more calories to keep warm during the winter season. This can be provided by consuming starchy roots like potato and yam.

Other food items like groundnut, date, papaya, banana, apple, pomegranate and cheeku are also beneficial. It is good to eat dates boiled in milk for two hours after evening meals.

Soups are an excellent and easy way to incorporate all the dietary elements of the winter diet; and soups cooked in a slow-cooker are ideal. Baking or roasting vegetables and meats will give you the added benefit of warming your home and filling it with an aroma that will nourish your spirit.

The following Indian Version diet is advisable in winters:

- A cup of herbal tea infused with ginger, tulsi, lemon grass, cardamom, pepper & honey

- A warm cup of cow’s milk with haldi at bedtime

- A bowl of lentil soup

- Make sure that you drink enough water (8-10 glasses of water daily) even if not thirsty It is important to incorporate sesame seeds and groundnuts in your food during winters, as they are rich in proteins and help overcome the cold. Many Indian dishes use groundnuts as the main ingredient. Sesame seeds can be used to make til laddus.

Mustard oil is great for winter season as it is rich in vitamins and antioxidants.

Being high in calories, it is od for the season and it is recommended in cholesterol reduction programs.