Rajkummar Rao, now one of Bollywood’s most respected actors, once earned just ₹300 from teaching dance. With that humble first salary, he bought groceries and a tin of desi ghee, a luxury for his family at the time. “I used my first salary to buy desi ghee. It was a big deal for us to have ghee on our rotis back in the day,” he told Brief India, highlighting the importance of small wins and the deep emotional impact they can have on people struggling to make it big in life.
Slathering ghee on rotis has been an age-old practice, harped on by our mothers, aunts and grandmothers for years now. While weight loss enthusiasts show skepticism when it comes to loading up on this healthy fat, experts have time and again listed its benefits for good health and well-being.
N Sapna Lulla, Lead Consultant – Obstetrics & Gynecology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangaloretold indianexpress.com that ghee, a type of clarified butter, is rich in healthy fats and can help reduce inflammation in the body.
“Ghee helps in bringing down the glycemic index of chapati. The glycemic index (GI) is a rating system for foods containing carbohydrates. It shows how quickly each food affects your blood sugar (glucose) level when consumed,” she said, adding that ghee also makes you feel fuller.
“You won’t need to binge eat on other fattening foods later in day. It consists of fat soluble vitamins, which aid weight loss. Ghee also plays a key role in balancing hormones and maintaining healthy cholesterol,” she further added.
Ghee is rich in healthy fats (Source: Freepik)
What’s interesting to note is that slathering on ghee on chapatis is helpful especially for women.
How so?
“It is believed that incorporating ghee into the diet can provide warmth and nourishment, which may help reduce cramps. However, while ghee can be a part of a balanced diet, it is essential to maintain moderation and not rely solely on it for pain relief,” said Dr Lulla.
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Ghee can be had first thing in the morning or even added to rotis or rice, said nutritionist and food coach Anupama Menon. “It can be used in cooking as it has a high smoking point and lends a unique flavour to dals and sweets. It is mostly affordable, and the luxury of taste it imparts is phenomenal. But we often stay away from consuming ghee thinking it is high on calories, which it is, but so are the other oils we use in the kitchen. While it is a good addition to the fats used in daily routine, it just needs to be moderated and used right,” said Menon.
She further told indianexpress.com that since it is “lactose-free”, it is a popular choice of fat in the diet of lactose intolerant individuals. “Go ahead and brush your chapati with ghee. But, make sure you don’t go overboard with the quantity. A small teaspoon for one roti is just about fine. Anything done in excess is harmful for the body,” she said.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.