Pay the Farmer, Not the Pharmacy

Share your thoughts Is your energy tank running low, or are you feeling way too wired? Your thyroid might be trying to tell you something! Join Meera & Ashok on this episode of “Pay the Farmer, Not the Pharmacy” as they serve up fast-paced, science-backed hacks for keeping your thyroid happy-whether it’s in slow-mo (hypothyroidism) or on overdrive (hyperthyroidism). Discover why women, foodies...

Share your thoughts Ever wondered why that summer tomato tastes like sunshine, but the winter one tastes like cardboard? In this lively episode of Pay the Farmer, Not the Pharmacy , Meera and Ashok dig into the science and joy of seasonal eating. Discover how choosing fruits and veggies at their peak not only packs more flavor and nutrition into your meals, but also saves you money and supports lo...

Share your thoughts In this refreshing episode of "We Are What We Eat," Meera and Ashok dive deep into the science and secrets of water-the most essential, yet most overlooked, ingredient in our wellness journey. From how much to drink and when, to the truth about alkaline water and the best temperature for your morning glass, this fast-paced, fact-packed conversation will quench your cu...

Share your thoughts Ditch the pills and dig into the delicious world of plant-based Vitamin B! Join Meera and Ashok as they explore the best veggie sources for this essential nutrient family. Discover which leafy greens, legumes, and more can keep your energy levels soaring and your health thriving, all while supporting sustainable farming. Are you ready to B-lieve in the power of plants? Thanks f...

Share your thoughts Join Meera and Ashok on Pay the Farmer, Not the Pharmacy as they dive into the stealthy world of microgreens—those tiny greens that pack a nutritional punch. From boosting glucose uptake to enhancing brain health, microgreens are the unsung heroes of the plant kingdom. We explore the science behind their superpowers, discuss how to grow them at home, and share tips on how to ad...

Share your thoughts Join Meera and Ashok on Pay the Farmer, Not the Pharmacy as they dive into the fascinating world of sodium and potassium—two electrolytes that keep your body running smoothly. Discover how to balance these essential minerals through simple dietary changes, using foods like bananas, bok choy, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash. Learn how to cut back on sodium and boost your po...

Share your thoughts This episode dives into the world of body fat, BMI, and visceral fat and their link to nutrition. Explains why BMI ( Body mass Index) is a bit rudimentary as a health indicator and why visceral fat needs to be better understood and managed. Keeping our diets nutrient dense and calorie light, bringing in more whole grains in keeping processed foods out are all good ways to unlea...

Share your thoughts This episode is tackling a topic close to many hearts – quite literally! it's talking about cholesterol and its often-misunderstood cousin, triglycerides, who are like siblings in a Lipid family. Maybe statins are the answer for some, but your kitchen too is a veritable pharmacy.    Thanks for tuning in to "Pay the Farmer, Not the Pharmacy"! Hosted by Meera &...

Share your thoughts The connection between nutrition, mental health, and the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a complex and fascinating area of research that highlights the importance of diet in maintaining overall brain health and psychological well-being. The food we eat directly affects our brain function and mood. Certain nutrients are crucial for producing neurotransmitters, which regulate our mo...

Share your thoughts We all know the Diabetes management triangle - Medication, Lifestyle, and Nutrition. Instead of talking about Ozempic or cardio, in this episode  Meera & Ashok dive fork-first into nutrition & its importance in diabetes management. The key message is that nutritional management of Diabetes is highly personalized. What works for you need not for someone else. So if you a...

Share your thoughts Zinc is crucial for building immunity and is readily available in foods like spinach, lentils, chickpeas, and sunflower seeds. Consuming just 8-12 mg daily can be beneficial. It’s recommended to obtain zinc from these dietary sources rather than supplements, as they provide the necessary amount without the risk of overconsumption. Thanks for tuning in to "Pay the Farmer, N...

Share your thoughts In this episode Meera & Ashok discuss Antioxidants, heroic compounds that neutralize the impact of villains - the free radicals, or unstable molecules that can damage cells and DNA in our body. This process helps protect the body from oxidative stress, which is linked to various diseases and aging. Luckily, many food groups including fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole g...

Share your thoughts Ashok Vasudevan's Interview with Julia Taylor Kennedy from the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs in New York in 2011. A wide ranging discussion on entrepreneurship, ethics & values in business, of sustainability, and a journey of the Natural Food company TastytBite,  co-founded by Ashok and his wife Meera Vasudevan. Thanks for tuning in to "Pay...

Share your thoughts We know about vitamins, minerals and all the phytonutrient goodness in them but we worry about lack of protein. Don’t. Edamame, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, Spinach, Avocado, Asparagus and even the delectable Potatoes are good examples of proteins in vegetables. Eat the colors of the vegetable rainbow. There is a pot of gold at the end of it!  Thanks for tuning in to "Pay t...

Share your thoughts Welcome to this episode "Tackling, Managing, & even Reversing Diabetes through easy food choices" . In this podcast we explore how thoughtful choices can transform lives. The most important step in diabetes management: let's eat right: Whole grains, leafy vegetables, beans, healthy fats from nuts, sesame oil, olive oils, and fresh fruits provide your daily ma...

Share your thoughts This episode on plant based foods debunks the myth that animal products are the only source of complete proteins. We explore lentils/pulses, whole grains, tofu and also explain the magic of how the 9 essential amino acids is easily derived from a simple meal of rice & beans! Besides mere proteins, lentils deliver dietary fiber and a truckload of phytonutrients Thanks for tu...

Share your thoughts Why reach for supplements, boosters & pseudo miracle cures and get sucked in by attractive commercials with claims that often stretch the truth? In the process, we have helped build a multibillion-dollar nutraceutical industry and haven’t gotten healthier. The benefit of supplements is trivial compared to the magic in our kitchens. The humble Nuts & Seeds in our pantry...

Share your thoughts Spice & herbs are long haul players of good health, not just quick fixes. take a quick tour of Cinnamon, Cardamom, Galangal, Cloves. Some are anti-fungal, anto-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. Let's Spice it up. Thanks for tuning in to "Pay the Farmer, Not the Pharmacy"! Hosted by Meera & Ashok Vasudevan Stay Connected #PayTheFarmerNotThePharmacy #PlantBa...

Share your thoughts There is too much alarmist surround sound on obesity. Yes, it can be problematic but before we jump to “cure” here’s some good news. Recent research shows there is no increased risk of mortality from obesity if other metabolic factors are in check, like BP, blood sugar, cholesterol. The risk of obesity related complications are further mitigated by exercise. Join us today on a...

Share your thoughts Collagen, Calcium, Phosphorus, and Vitamin D are each crucial for bone health as we age.   Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body that forms the scaffolding that gives our body its structure and strength. Calcium homeostasis is an even distribution of Calcium in the bones and is crucial for skeletal health. This process is aided by Phosphorus and Vitamin D that ensur...

Share your thoughts A very small dietary change can make a huge difference to the quality of our lives.  Pollen, pets, dust mites and foods are common triggers for skin allergies and/or asthmatic episodes. Sometimes a hyperactive immune system triggers a battle between our antibodies and some foods, creating all the familiar allergy symptoms.  Some allergies including eczema are alleviated by avoi...

Share your thoughts For those who suffer it, migraines are a painful, unexpected & debilitating condition. They are often genetic with no known cure. Common triggers are stress, lack of sleep, hormonal changes, alcohol, hunger etc. There is not enough evidence that some foods can cure migraines. Results widely vary from person to person. For instance, coffee is known to help some, harm others....

Share your thoughts The bustling hawker centers, food carts and street stalls are a major source of the wafting aromas of South east Asian cuisine across the region. Deeply influenced by Chinese, Indian and Islamic culinary traditions, Malaysian food is both a melting pot and a distinctive mosaic with a cornucopia of colors, tastes and flavors.  In turn, Malaysia has lent its influence to the uniq...

Share your thoughts S.E Asia’s 11 countries with 650 million people and $10 trillion in GDP is a rich confluence of cultures. Despite colonization by the British, French, Dutch and the Spanish; it is the Chinese and Indian heritage that runs deep in its art, culture, ethnicity cuisine and traditions. Yet each country has retained a distinct cuisine that brings to the surface the richness of local...

Share your thoughts The Incas, Mayans, ancient Chinese, Indians, Mediterraneans had long ago figured out that “we are what we eat”, and correspondingly built up a staggering knowledge of plants, nutrition and their impact on our wellness. In many ways scientists today are still playing catch up as they point out goodness of chemicals & molecules in foods through “analysis”, “evidence-based sci...