To start off: I dont eat a special diet by any means. I eat traditional foods that would have just been called ‘food’ 10-30 years ago depending on where you lived. Now its labeled ‘natural’, ‘healthy’, ‘clean’ etc. I eat fresh veggies, fruit and sea food. I love to home cook all my meals. I hate boxed/canned food, it takes the pleasure out of food. I am not carb or fat phobic. I do love raw veggies and salads without my trying. I hate plastic. I hate food that is infested with chemicals and created in laboratories.

My background: I grew up in India. My parents never fed me junk food or deep fried food growing up. We ate simply and well. And my mom was such a good cook that we never really felt the need for anything else. Our ancestors are farmers and we have a deep appreciation for nature, soil and vegetation in general. I love making things from scratch and on my own. I love to make and create things with my hands. I enjoy colors, nature and science. Its all interlinked with food now that i understand more about it all! I went off the radar when i moved away from home, living on street/junk food for a bit and found my way back when my body started to repel it all.

Food Rules: Like Michael Pollan suggested: stick to the outer perimeter of the grocery store, the fresh produce isles. Do not eat foods your grandmother has never heard of. My exception to this rule: avocados and berries. Living in India in the last century, she never heard of this stuff.

Current environment: I am surrounded by people who thrive on junk food. Every get together is infested with coke, sugary snacks, chips and other cheap junk that you can buy on every street corner.

What i face: “She only eats healthy food” which sounds bad sometimes, depending on how and to whom u say it. “Its okay to eat some junk once in a while”. “You are thin, its okay”. “Oh common Archana”. “Organic is for idiots who voluntarily let people swindle their money”. etc …

On being Indian: I am surrounded by engineers and doctors. I think we use science only when needed or selectively. When you go to work to make money. When you are sick and need a doctor. Providing a scientific argument or research findings is often countered by “look at me, i am living and fine’.  How can i say, ‘Oh well, for now!’ without being rude ? I also think Indian food as currently being eaten is absolute crap. To elaborate: read this page. I agree with the author and couldnt have said it better myself.

On Western diet embracing Indian ways: With the growth of yoga in the US, i see people digging into Vedic lifestyle and diet. Turmeric, ginger, garlic, cumin are now touted as the ‘IT’ foods. But notice that its not the grain-intensive diet that we Indians currently eat, that is being picked up. Yes, we have amazing ingredients that are traditionally available to us. But i dont see the yuppie Indians eat it like it should be anymore !

My pride: I think the storm is coming. The 80′s revolutionized and changed the world when they did. It was the time when organic movement started. Women joined the work force. And arranged marriages stated to look ridiculous. I am proud to be one of the people who are at the grass root of a food revolution that is happening. The wheel is set in motion. I dont care if these people dont think i am ‘cool’, i love that i created my own life style and traditions that i will pass on. And i take pride in being an engineer who adores science too much to ignore the research and evidence.

End of the day: Its (just) food. Its a free country. Everyone can do what they want without stepping on others shoes. No reason to ridicule, shout or call names. If you are happy with your body and energy levels and your families health, that is all that matters. I personally cant feed the people i love junk food, just cant do it.

On being an Engineer: I took a VLSI course in grad school. It forces you to think in terms of atoms. Everything needs to be considered at atomic level and visualized to understand the making of systems that work well. And after watching a video on how Ramen looks inside the stomach, learning what foods with high glycemic index do to your blood and how everything effects the hormones in your body, i cant simply ignore it all. Food matters for the overall well being.