Cookery expert Lakshmi Nair is often appreciated for her energetic personality, age defying beauty and fitness. It won't be an exaggeration to say that age has been on a reverse gear in Lakshmi Nair’s case. Many wonder how she manages her fitness regime even as she is extremely busy with her cookery shows and travels. Lakshmi opens up about her fitness secrets and shares some tips with the readers.
Food balance
“Many ask me how I don’t put on weight even though I am someone who is always in the world of food. I am generally a healthy person who enjoys food very much. However, I have never been obese as I follow a proper diet. I always try to maintain a healthy balance when it comes to food. Besides, I don’t over eat; and eat only when I am famished. I had breakfast a while ago, but I wouldn’t eat lunch without feeling hungry, even if it is a little late. I wouldn’t have lunch just because it is lunch time as I do not eat according to a timetable,” explains Lakshmi.
Lakshmi makes sure that she stays away from ‘heavy’ food. For instance, she enjoys her favourite sweets very much. So, to make a balance, Lakshmi has given up beverages like tea and coffee. She is keen to avoid sugar that is added in drinks as much as possible. She prefers eating fruits to drinking fruit juices. Lakshmi drinks a glass of warm water either before or after every meal to make digestion easier. It is particularly effective if you have eaten fatty foods.
Favourite dish
“Ethapazham (big banana) is my weakness. I love eating it steamed or fried in ghee. I enjoy the local snacks especially pazhampori (banana fritters) very much. Snacks like kozhukatta (steamed rice balls with coconut and jaggery fillings) and ilayada (sweet rice patties) that are cooked in steam are also my favourites. I usually eat rice in small portions often accompanied by avial, kichadi, pachadi or thoran (stir fry). I don’t eat sambar and am not very particular about having gravy with rice. However, puliserry and rasam are my favourites. I also like having rice with some coconut chutney or chutney powder,” Lakshmi reveals her most liked dishes.
When it comes to fish, the cookery vlogger likes dried fishes the most. Lakshmi would be very happy if there is a lobster dish or anchovy peera (cooked in spiced coconut), a bit of pickle and fresh homemade curd for lunch. At home, she makes sure that there is always curd in the fridge. “My favourite combination is rice, curd, chutney and brown gram thoran. As I cannot eat all these when I am travelling, I try different foods and cuisines. Besides, I make sure that I drink lots of water as it is very important for your health,” notes Lakshmi.
Fitness secret
Lakshmi is not someone who prefers working out in the gym. She practices yoga at home or do simple ground exercises. Besides, she enjoys brisk walking which she thinks is an excellent form of exercise. “People often ask me whether I have any health issues as I pant while talking. They even advise me to do a check up or take care of my health. All I have to tell them is that I have done all the checkups and everything is fine. I pant, not because I have a health problem. It has unknowingly become a part of my body language since years. I always try to be happy and keep away stress as much as possible. I believe that doing what you love and being in constant contact with the younger generation makes you mentally younger as well,” Lakshmi Nair signs off with a smile.
