Vidya Malavade recently took to social media to give us a glimpse of her daily diet. “Making FOOD my medicine ..🫶🏻 I ain’t no nutritionist but with trials & errors I kinda follow simple homecooked meals full of locally sourced fresh spices & ingredients,” she wrote on Instagram.

Holistic health and wellness coach Isha Lall helped us decode what she eats in a day, walking us through the health benefits of incorporating these foods into our regular diet.

Vidya believes what you eat should reflect your lifestyle and life principles, says Isha adding, “When I looked at her ‘what I eat in a day’ post, I didn’t see a celebrity diet. I saw a woman who eats with the same care she brings to her yoga mat,” said Lall. The expert said that every choice feels intentional and nourishing, not just for her body but her mind and her practice. “She is living and eating a yogic, mindful, and probably soft and slow life,” Lall told indianexpress.com.

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Decoding her meals

6 am: Ashwagandha, shatavari, moringa goli with coconut oil

6.15 am: Homemade ghee sattu and jaggery laddoo

9 am: Ashgourd juice or coconut water or beet, carrot, ginger, lime juice

9.30 am: Soaked nuts, a date, a pomegranate, another fresh fruit, and a protein shake.

“Ayurveda calls this sattvik eating; in fact, Yogic nutrition lives by it too – clean, light foods that wake up digestion without overwhelming it. Nutrition science calls it steady, low-GI fuel to carry you through the morning without energy dips,” said Lall.

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1-2 pm: tofu, sprouts veggie with homemade curd and methi (or kulith) millet roti with ghee, small sesame jaggery laddoo

By midday, her plate is vibrant yet balanced: tofu and sprouts, seasonal veggies, a roti made from methi millet or horse gram, a dollop of ghee, and even a sesame-jaggery ladoo – to combat those sweet cravings. “She has almost all the flavours on her plate. These choices hit all the macronutrient notes, but they also reflect her awareness of how food can heal, considering her personal health concern, like horse gram for kidney health, sesame for strong joints,” elaborated Lall.

6 pm: Besan chilla stuffed with tofu, veggies, and mint chutney, and an elaichi banana.

Evenings stay light: besan chilla stuffed with veggies, or something equally gentle. According to Lall, both yoga philosophy and circadian biology agree — our digestion is most efficient in daylight, so eating earlier allows the body to rest and restore overnight.

Post dinner: 2-3 cups of digestive tea made of ginger, lemongrass, saunf, mint, and a pinch of green tea leaves.

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What’s remarkable is the absence of extremes, Lall noted. “No crash diets, no over-supplementation, no ‘cheat days’ because probably there’s nothing to cheat on. Instead, she treats food as a daily practice, which we also believe in, one rooted in balance, connection, kindness toward herself,” said the wellness expert, adding that that’s the real secret: it’s not about copying her menu, but about adopting her mindset. Listening to your body. Choosing what makes you feel both grounded and energised. Eating in rhythm with your life, not against it.

Taking cues from Malavade’s plate, Lall shared that the idea is your diet should be a reflection of your fitness goals – both for the body and the mind without disrupting the natural rhythm of the body. Because that’s a true idea of a life well-lived and intelligence on your plate.

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.