Let me start by asking the million-dollar question: How many steps in your daily skincare routine do you perform? The art, or perhaps the ritual, of cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection cannot be undermined. I agree, absolutely, vehemently, and diligently! But, but… is that enough?

We are trained and pruned in such a way that cosmetics and unnecessary skincare devices are ‘influenced’ into our minds. So how many steps? Five,six, or ten? To be honest, I have never encountered answers to this genre of questions during my years of post-graduation study. By then, I realized these are the new subset of questions with the same old answers – old wine in a new bottle.

The key to having glowing skin is always holistic care. The right kind of food, cooked the right way in exactly the right proportions, will always remain the crux of maintaining a healthy body.

Let’s explore some common misconceptions about diets. Is ghee good for me? Absolutely, yes. Kerala sadhya starts with ghee and dal mixed with rice – just a teaspoonful of pure heaven, followed by a battalion of spicy and savoury vegetarian dishes. If one is familiar with North Indian dishes, hot, steaming parathas are often served with melting ghee. Ghee is rich in antioxidants and a number of nutrients, and it should usually be taken in moderation at the beginning of any diet to ensure better absorption of vitamins. See how brilliantly our traditional dishes are placed and planned.

Milk or curd – which is a better source of calcium?

Both are good sources of calcium, but the inner dermatologist in me is screaming ‘curd.’ So, curd, or, let’s say, unprocessed yogurt prepared at home is perhaps the best source of not only calcium but also a plethora of gut-friendly probiotic bacteria. Now, improving the healthy bacteria in the gut not only improves our skin, reduces acne, but also decreases atopic eczema, psoriasis, and a range of other skin diseases.

What are AGEs, and how do they affect my skin?

AGEs, or advanced glycation end products, originate from a diet containing high amounts of refined sugar. They not only accelerate aging but also increase DNA damage and the risk of skin cancer. So, say no to all the donuts, sweets, and bakery items.

Is the cooking method determine in the nutrition value?

Absolutely! Choose simple, home-cooked food prepared from scratch, usually boiled or steamed. Remember, the more colors your plate has, the better the nutrient yield. Simply put different colors of cooked vegetables and fruits not only add flavour and texture but also provide hundreds of nutrients as well. Baking has also been considered a healthy way of cooking, but the commercially available high salt and fat-containing food prepared this way is not at all advisable.

What can I snack on?

A healthy trail mix containing multiple nuts and seeds, for example, pumpkin and chia seeds, not only brings satiety but also improves our overall nutrient intake. Sweet potatoes, tomatoes, fruits, egg whites, sprouts, poha, homemade ladoos, and oats are some examples of the best of healthy snacks. The key is to test the varied pulses, seeds, jaggery, and Indian street spices like chaat in the right ratio so that the flavours are easy on our tongue and belly too. Thus, the correct way to stay fit and young is by following our traditional diet, exercising daily, and taking good care of your skin. To get a personalized routine, visit your dermatologist.