Hyderabad, March 11, 2024.....Eat regional, seasonal, traditional and just simple food said Rujuta Diwekar, Celebrity Nutritionist while addressing a 300-plus audience, who were the members of the FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) in the city at Hotel Taj Deccan.

Rujuta, the nutritionist, author and health advocate was in conversation with Ritu Shah, Chairperson of FLO.

Eat as per your hunger, not as per a fixed measure. Don't eat as if you are born to eat, but eat to live, she said. She was talking about 'The 40 Mantra', how to navigate the changes the age brings in.  Ageing is graceful.  It is not a curse. It is a biological process. Ageing is a blessing.  So don't worry about taking care of it after reaching 40 years of age.  You must have started taking care of it well before that. 

In 1947 the life expectancy of an average Indian woman was 40 to 42 years, but now it is 75 and can be even more.  So must age gracefully.  Ageing must be celebrated. 

Advising on not perioding for months or not stopping when perioding, she suggested a few foods such as tubers, lentils, chenna, moong daal, and fresh fruits like bananas. 

The problem starts when you don't eat correctly or wholesome food. Eat good food.  Exercise well.  Don't exercise like 'kuttha'(dog).  Exercise just like a human being.  So that next day you still feel like continuing it, she said

Speaking about good sleep she said, 'Good sleep is very important.  Rateh jageh rahenge tho,  jawani ko denge (if you awake all through the night without sleeping, soon you will lose your youthness). Women produce hormones during the night and men during the day.  So a good eight-hour sleep is a must.  Focus on sleep.  Eat properly, and then any food supplements taken will work. 

Ghee by nature is lipolytic. It’s fat that breaks down other fats. Gee is one of the few foods she recommended to eat. The other food she suggested was white butter (Makkan).  White Butter is a natural, un-processed version of butter and contains healthy fats. It can be easily made at home with the help of Malai, she said.  The other foods she suggested were Millet and fresh seasonal foods.

Investing in your health does not just bring a longer life; it brings a richer one," said Ritu Shah, Chairperson of FLO giving her welcome address.

She further said that Rujuta, the beacon of nutrition and wellness, whose voice cuts through the noise of fleeting diet trends, reminds us of the power of simplicity in nourishing our bodies and minds. Her mantra, 'Eat local, think global,' is not just a slogan but a lifeline to reconnect with our roots while embracing the best the world has to offer.

Over the years, Rujuta has become a household name, guiding everyone from homemakers in the quiet corners of our cities to luminaries such as Kareena Kapoor and Anil Ambani and walking the global stage. Her work, which has lasted more than twenty years, has been a testament to the transformative power of eating right and living well. Her books, which have touched over a million lives across languages and

borders, continue to inspire a nation on its journey towards better health, Ritu added

Today, let's embark on a journey together towards understanding the 40+ mantra— navigating health, beauty, and the intricate dance of hormones with grace and wisdom. It's an invitation to embrace the years ahead with vitality and joy, knowing well that age is but a number when your spirit is nourished and vibrant.

Over 300 FLO members attended the session which lasted over 45 minutes and concluded with a question-and-answer session.