In a world where we are being bombarded with dos and don't with respect to food -- so much so that we are confused about what we can or cannot eat -- hear the commonsensical advice Krish Ashok offers for 2025. An engineer by profession and not a chef, he is constantly researching food and is the author of Masala Lab: The Science of Indian Cooking.
Avoid food fads. Ashok says, 'Single ingredients are neither heroes nor villains' because everything should be had in moderation. Excessive consumption of any single ingredient can be detrimental. Moderation is key.
'Choice of cookware has little to no effect on the nutritional value of your food'. Ashok suggests opting for what is affordable or convenient.
The two things, Ashok says you could do that will help is to eat enough proteins of all kinds. And strength training exercises are beneficial for overall health.
Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, and legumes, suggests Ashok. Reduce your intake of grains and fats.
The bottomline is to watch how much fat you are consuming in total, and not worry about the type of oil you are using, says Ashok. Saturated fats should be consumed in moderation.
Cooking at home is healthier and safer. Eating out or ordering food in or eating readymade ultra-processed food can lead to excessive calorie intake. Similarly be mindful of the amount of snacks you eat and not the type of snack.
Don't get mislead by food ingredients. Says Ashok: Jaggery is still a form of sugar. Ghee is still a type of fat. Whole grain bsicuits are still biscuits.
Air fryers, microwaves, and non-stick cookware are safe for use and do not pose a cancer risk. 'No single thing causes cancer' is his advice.
Ashok says, 'Detox is a scam'. Your liver and kidneys are responsible for the detoxification processes and only they can achieve that for your body.
The most effective healthy daily diet is one that you are able to 'sustain' and therefore maintain longer term. It's not about drastic changes. Or fads. He also adds, importantly and cheekily, that '90 second content is not knowledge' but is meant to tickle your brain to research things further and know things better.