“When I was young and dealing with body issues, a few uncles used to tell me that my aim in life should be to look like Aishwarya Rai. It crushed me. Today, I’m super stoked to be on the same list as her, and not because of the way I look,” posted Pooja Dhingra on her Instagram page, when she was featured on a list of 19 inspirational women in the country.
In an interview wit MetroPlus about her latest book, The Wholesome Kitchen , the 31-year-old pastry chef and businesswoman recounts her journey to rediscover a healthy lifestyle, while indulging in the good things that life has to offer — like a guilt-free red velvet brownie. Who’s going to say no to that?
The Big Book of Treats was full of decadence, and The Wholesome Kitchen is all about mindful eating. Which one do you relate to more?
Baking has been a passion since childhood. The many years I’ve spent in the pastry kitchen haven given me so much joy and satisfaction. Fitness and exercise too has been a constant source of strength. Dance, yoga and running a half marathon have all led up to this moment in my life, where I am experimenting with healthy ingredients and mindful eating. As contrasting as it sounds, I completely relate to both.
What made you write The Wholesome Kitchen ?
The last few years I’ve been incredibly focussed on my health. My love for desserts and all things sweet, conversations with friends (and now contributors for the book) led to experiments with different ingredients, cooking without sugar, and eventually, The Wholesome Kitchen .
What was Viddhi Dhingra’s input to the book?
Viddhi came on board as a professional nutritionist and played a vital role in helping me devise recipes with specific fitness goals. Her input was important on each recipe, to make sure it was as nutritionally balanced as tasty.
Energise, Nourish, Refresh and Indulge: could you explain why the book was split into these particular sections?
The categorisation is based both on each dish’s nutritional value, and on how you will feel when you eat or drink it. So you might choose to have a bowl of crunchy granola from the ‘Energise’ section for breakfast or snack. Similarly, a ‘Nourish’ recipe might be a great option for lunch. Lemon loaf, in the ‘Refresh’ section, works well both as a dessert or as a side to your cup of coffee. ‘Indulge’ is, well, all about indulging yourself any time of day.
What would you tell people who use lack of time as an excuse for not eating healthy?
Being healthy requires effort. Planning is everything when it comes to making healthy choices.
The book has several recipes that aren’t time-consuming and can be easily carried as healthy snacks. Spend a little time on the weekend and make a healthy meal plan that is also one you look forward to. This always motivates me.
What are your favourite healthy ingredients?
Coconut oil, almonds and dark chocolate.
Would you recommend indigenous ingredients over imported ones? Why?
Imported goods are often expensive and hard to find on a regular basis. When choosing a healthy lifestyle, make sure that it’s sustainable. So, as far as possible, I recommend buying ingredients found locally.
