2020: Pandemic, Health & Nutrition

The year 2020 brought us many unusual terms like lockdown, pandemic, quarantine, vaccines, social distancing, etc. Although all of these were already known to many, this pandemic introduced these terms newly, making them more familiar. Similarly, although we may have efficacious health systems and resources accessible, we have been accessing them only for therapeutic uses. The outbreak of this novel virus and the novicity it caused in its prevention and treatment bought about a change in the treatment approach. Where indubitably, the diseased are nursed, but also the healthy population is focused on to maintain and improve their health status. Calling for a transition from sick care to actual health care. Connoting a broader approach towards health, focusing on how your body is functioning rather than just looking at how you are feeling.

The world put into practice the adage of 'prevention is better than cure’ perhaps as the cure remains unknown. It also breaks in the clouds for nutrition as a means of preventing chronic diseases. The obscurity of the treatment made us go back to our enriching treasure of resources and knowledge. We are privileged to have a wide variety of natural ingredients that also have therapeutic values. Every food we eat creates an impact on our bodies and health. Hence, mindful eating is of importance as our culture has taught us for ages. This pandemic made the world understood the importance of nutrition and exercise to help beat such infectious diseases. Immunity became the new buzz word. The concept of boosting immunity through real food and exercise has surfaced. Even, the symptomatic treatment plans comprised of a nutritious diet and a hygienic lifestyle for the sufferers. As the pandemic made us housebound, we began buying, cooking, and eating differently. Limitations on market trips made us shop groceries with a more focused list rather than lingering and buying some superfluous stuff.Pressure on our pockets turned affordable pantry into delicious, healthy meals.The absence of domestic help made us prepare solid, belly-filling one-pot meals. Instead of luxury, we settled with minimalism. Geeking, we couldn't get enough of our kadha and haldi doodh. Immune-boosting foods, chyawanprash, vitamin C-rich oranges, sweet lime, lime water, hot water, etc. were not only practiced by the youth but across the population. In a few words, COVID improved our relationship with the food, the food-as-medicine aspect of Ayurveda has embraced again, and the healing power of nutrition revived. The grim repercussions of Covid-19 showed us the importance of early planning and preparedness for the impending events in the future. Many of us followed these rules in the lockdown, signifying our wills and potentials to adapt. Let us retain this relationship with health and food for our lives. We should understand that our prime priority should be the preservation of health than the prevention of diseases. We should learn to embrace the wisdom of the real value of food. Let us unwrap something constructive regarding our health and wellbeing from this year full of unpredictability and subversiveness. As correctly quoted by Dr. James, If this pandemic inspires our nation to transition from sick care to health care and changes the narrative from "take this medicine" to nutrition as a means of preventing chronic diseases then COVID could be the biggest lifesaver in history.

- Harshada Kalvankar