Brown bread not a very healthy option: Experts

While green tea may be promoted as a healthy option, it may not really be so. Also, the brown bread found in the market is nothing but white bread with chemicals. Many such bits of information were shared by health experts at a panel discussion in the city on Sunday. The experts also gave tips for a healthy life.

The interactive session helped in clearing a number of myths among people about healthy food, calories and proper time of food consumption. Nutritionist and diet advisor Suman Agrawal, celeb chef Pranav Joshi and fitness expert Neha Shah patiently answered queries by visitors.

According to the experts, the brown bread may not be as healthy as is being touted, nor is the green tea the best available option for beverages. On the contrary, experts say brown bread is to be avoided. Elaborating on it, Agrawal said, “Brown bread available in the market is nothing but white bread in coloured form with chemicals. Instead, stick to white bread which at least won’t have any chemicals or added colours.”

Talking about the belief that green tea is healthy for diet, Joshi said, “Green tea is healthy, but not completely. It reduces folic acid levels in the body, leading to blisters in mouth. It shouldn’t be consumed often. Pregnant women should stay away from green tea.”

Clearing the myth about cooking oil, Shah said that while olive oil is considered healthy, it should be used only for salads. “Olive oil shouldn’t be used for Indian recipes as they involve heating oil at a burning temperature. It is not advisable to use olive oil for cooking at such a high temperature.

Instead, it is better to use different types of oil for cooking so that one can get more nutrition,” added Shah.

Similarly, microwave cooking, and usage of Teflon and non stick pans are a strict no-no. Agrawal said, “Non-stick pans and Teflon-coated ones are very dangerous and cause thyroid problems.

When Teflon coating starts peeling from the surface of the pan, it mixes with the food which people consume.” Instead, she added, one can go for steel vessels/pans for cooking.

The event also saw the launch of ‘Unjunked- Healthy Eating for Weight Loss’, a book by Agrawal.

Through this book, Agrawal aims to clear the myth that healthy and diet food is all about boiled and raw food. With more than 80 simple, healthy and quick-to-cook recipes including desserts, pastas, wraps etc, Agrawal has given a healthy twist to the recipes.