“Fat gives things flavor.” – Julia Child
I think she must have tasted our famous desi ghee gajjar ka halwa! Ghee has been part of Indian staple cooking for centuries and our grandparents couldn’t stop extolling the virtues of ghee, especially in winter. Ghee has its roots in the ancient tradition of Ayurveda, where it was considered a sacred, medicinal and nourishing food. From treating burns and ulcers to keeping your skin healthy, ghee has a plethora of health benefits.
Unfortunately in today’s world where everything needs to be fat-free to be healthy, ghee – the golden elixir- is struggling to prove that our bodies need the good fat it contains.
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Benefits of Ghee
Ghee is considered a superfood and is enriched with fat soluble Vitamin D, Vitamin A and Vitamin E. Vitamin E is an antioxidant and helps repair damaged skin and balances hormones and cholesterol.
This saturated fat has a smoking point of 450 degrees. Why is that important? Most oils are genetically modified cooking oils and are extremely unhealthy. Ghee is safer than butter, peanut oil, soyabean oil and vegetable oil.
It’s also lactose -free which makes it a super healthy alternative for people who are lactose intolerant.
Ghee is rich in butyric acid, a short-chain fatty acid. Beneficial intestinal bacteria convert fibre into butyric acid which supports the production of killer T cells in the gut and a strong immune system.
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Interestingly modern science has found that eating fatty food also stimulates the release of oxytocin in the brain, which is why we feel relaxed and comforted by fatty foods, and why good fats are considered an essential postpartum food.
Ghee for New Moms
In India, post-natal care for mothers hinges on eating food laden with ghee. Ghee is excellent for nourishing and rehydrating your body and helps increase lactation. It also helps prevent that strung out tired feeling. Ghee helps with the secretion of gastric acid, thereby aiding in better digestion. This is extremely important for breastfeeding mothers.
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New moms are asked to eat harira, kheer, panjiri and gondh ke ladoo – all made with ghee. You don’t have to have copious amounts of these foods, but they are rich and nutrient laden so don’t skip them as it helps your body get its strength back. Jaggery mixed with ghee is another favourite on the postnatal care menu. Jaggery is extremely rich in iron and post delivery you need all the help you can.
Ghee for children
In addition to all the points mentioned above, ghee has some great benefits for kids.
Ghee is beneficial for the nerves and brain. It has the essential Omega 3 fatty acids and Omega 6 fatty acids both which are essential in overall development of the child.
Ghee also helps with digestion because it helps secrete stomach acids that aid in digestion.
For young children you could also use ghee as a natural moisturiser. Dab a little on the lips to prevent chapped lips in winter.
Now that winter is here everyone has started craving something rich and sweet – comfort food we call it!. The ghee has been ordered and soon the smell of fresh besan ki barfi, til ke ladoo, moong dal ka halwa, churma ladoo and pinni will be wafting through our houses. These sweets are made with ingredients like ghee, sesame seeds and dry fruits which are best consumed during the winter months. Sesame seeds and dry fruits are known to generate heat in the body and help us cope with the bone-chilling winter.
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Pinni
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Moong Dal Halwa
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Til ke Ladoo
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Ghee was once thought to be unhealthy because it is saturated fat. However, research has revealed that all fats are not unhealthy and that our body needs fat to sustain itself. Dietary fats are essential to give our body energy, protect our organs and give us warmth.
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