Why gut health and immunity are important during coronavirus, explains Manoj Kutteri of Atmantan Wellness Centre
Manoj Kutteri, Director of Atmantan, says maintaining a healthy gut and improving our general immunity plays a critical role in our fight against coronavirus. Here’s an interview with the wellness expert.
Atmantan wellness centre in Maharashtra is a place for people to reconnect with themselves, revitalise their body and mind, and find inner peace and healing.
Amidst lush green surroundings and using renewable energy all year round, Atmantan encourages its guests to embrace an eco-friendly, sustainable, and positive way of life.
Breathtaking view from Atmantan Wellness Resort.
Manoj Kutteri, Director, Atmantan, is a trained wellness professional, with over 20 years of experience in Neuropathy, Ayurveda, Nutrition, Acupuncture, and Yoga.
In an exclusive interview with YS Weekender, Manoj discusses the importance of active nutrition, and how, by taking the necessary steps, we can improve our overall gut health and immunity during the coronavirus outbreak.
Manoj Kutteri, Director, Atmantan and sous Chef Abhishek Kulshreshtha.
YSW: With the coronavirus outbreak, what role does wellness play today?
MK: While there is still a treatment and vaccination underway, I feel taking care of one’s overall wellbeing has a huge role to play during the coronavirus outbreak.
We have learnt that senior citizens or individuals with compromising immune conditions are at a higher risk of developing this disease. Hence, improving our immune functions with a positive lifestyle is of vital importance to keep the infection at bay.
YSW: Why is boosting our gut health and immunity important during these testing times? How will it help?
MK: The coronavirus enters the body through the mucus membrane in the mouth, eyes, and nose. The main target organs for this infection are the lungs, digestive system, and the spleen.
Hence, maintaining a healthy gut, improving the immunity of the lungs, and improving our general immunity plays a critical role.
Head to the kitchen and try out the Gazpacho soup and Heaven tart.
YSW: What are some of the foods we should eat during this time that are healthy and good for our overall wellbeing?
MK: We must remember to focus on the micronutrients that contribute to a healthy immune system.
This includes Vitamin D, C, E, and K, and also minerals such as Zinc, Magnesium, Calcium, and Selenium among others.
Fruits and vegetables are also highly recommended. Leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, celery etc., fruits such as pomegranate, guava, and citrus fruits (lime, lemon, oranges, pineapple) are considered to be healthy.
Besides this, India is gifted with many herbs and spices such as tulsi, turmeric, garlic, cinnamon, licorice, ginger, etc. High on powerful anti-oxidants, these are also considered to be very beneficial in maintaining our adaptive immunity.
Herbal remedy
A herbal concoction can be made by boiling 500ml of water with equal portions of ginger, garlic, licorice, tulsi, and a pinch of turmeric and little jaggery. Boil and reduce this concoction to half. The same can be consumed when warm, and this will be quite useful.
Sunset smoothie and Iron man smoothie can easily be prepared at home.
Here are some recipes suggested by the Atmantan wellness sous chef Abhishek Kulshreshtha to improve gut health that you and your family can try at home.
Chilled summer soup
Ingredients:
- 30gm muskmelon
- ½ cucumber
- ½ tsp ginger
- Sprig of mint
- ½ cup ice
Process:
- Roughly cut muskmelon and cucumber into dices
- Add small chunks of ginger
- Add all the three ingredients into a blender along with some infused water
- Add ½ cup of ice for muskmelon to not change its colour
- After blending, we get a chilled frothy summer soup
- Garnish it with a sprig of mint and edible flower
(Note: 90 ml of soup has 112 calories)
Atmantan Gazpacho Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 cucumber
- 2 celery sticks
- 1 raw tomato
- 1 tsp lime juice
- 1 tsp parsley
- ¼ tsp pink salt
- ¼ tsp freshly crushed black pepper
- ¼ tsp freshly ground cayenne pepper
- For garnish - extra virgin olive oil and sprig of mint
Process:
- Roughly cut the red bell pepper, celery stick, cucumber, and tomato
- Add all the diced ingredients into a blender along with some infused water
- Add ½ cup of ice to maintain the temperature while blending
- Squeeze in a teaspoon of lime to add the citrusy flavour
- Add parsley to the blender
- Add in pink salt and freshly crushed black pepper
- Add some freshly ground cayenne pepper, which has anti-cancerous property
- Blend all the ingredients together
- Serve the soup in a bowl
- Garnish it with some extra virgin olive oil and a squeeze of lime juice
- Add a few mint leaves along with some edible flowers
(Note: 60 ml of soup has 42 calories)
Sunset Smoothie
Ingredients:
- ½ cup papaya
- ½ cup pineapple
- ½ cup fresh orange Juice
- ½ cup Ice
Process:
- Roughly dice papaya and pineapple
- Add both the fruits in a blender
- Add some fresh orange juice
- Add some ice
- Blend it to a creamy mixture consistency
- Pour it into the serving glass
(Note: 1 portion has 115 calories)
Ironman Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 100ml infused water
- ½ cup ice
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 tbsp-soaked chia seeds
- 1 tsp organic honey
- 1 tbsp raw cocoa powder
- 1 tsp pink salt
Process:
- Add 2 peeled bananas in a blender
- Add unsweetened raw cocoa powder
- Add some chia seeds (rich in Omega 3)
- Add a pinch of pink salt
- Add ½ cup of ice cubes to retain the colour and flavour of fruits
- Add some organic honey
- Blend the mixture to a smooth consistency
- Pour it into a serving glass
- Garnish with some edible flower and a sprig of mint
(Note: 1 portion has 156 calories)
Heaven Tart
Ingredients:
- 5 soaked dates
- 2 tsp grated coconut
- 1/2 cup soaked cashew nuts
- 4 roasted almonds
- 2 tsp honey
- 2 tbsp raw cocoa powder
- For garnish - Pistachio powder and red rose petals
Process:
- Add soaked cashews to the blender. Make sure the cashews are soaked only 20 mins prior blending to retain its natural colour
- Add some organic honey to it. If vegan, one can add coconut flour syrup, agave nectar, organic maple syrup or purees of fruits
- Blend cashews and honey to a creamy consistency
- Take the puree in a bowl
- Blend the soaked dates into a puree (separately blend the dates and cashews)
- Layer both the purees in a moulding bowl
- Refrigerate it for 20 mins
- Unmould the tart in your serving plate
- Garnish it with red rose petals and freshly grated coconut
- Top it up with some roasted almonds and pistachio powder
(Note: 1 portion has 38 calories)
(Edited by Megha Reddy)
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