Saina Nehwal shares the traditional food behind her sports energy

Badminton star Saina Nehwal credits her physical stamina to home-cooked meals featuring traditional dishes from her native Haryana. During an online conversation with wellness coach Dr Shilpa Arora, the athlete revealed she regularly eats aloo parathas, rajma, kadhi, chole with rice, and milk mixed with almond oil. She noted that aloo parathas and mustard greens are her top food choices, while emphasizing that clarified butter is essential for joint health. Her mother shared that she gave her daughter these high-fat foods from childhood to build physical strength, while the sports star maintained that intense practice kept her from gaining weight.

Nutrition Expert Insights

Dietitian Deepalakshmi from a Chennai medical center stated that these traditional dishes offer a solid mix of proteins, carbs, and good fats. She noted that clarified butter aids digestion, boosts immunity, provides vitamins, fights inflammation, and helps prevent cancer. Mustard greens supply fiber and prebiotics while soothing the stomach and lowering gut inflammation. According to her, the fat in butter helps the body absorb essential vitamins like A, D, E, and K from the greens, and contains butyrate to support gut health. Meanwhile, clinical nutrition head Edwina Raj from a Bangalore hospital explained that potato flatbreads deliver quick energy and fullness due to high carbohydrates, though extra calories can cause weight gain if eaten too much. Raj advised pairing the flatbread with curd or vegetables to slow digestion and prevent blood sugar spikes. Deepalakshmi cautioned that people with sensitive stomachs or irritable bowel syndrome might struggle with such heavy foods, suggesting buttermilk or curd as helpful additions.

Context

Traditional Indian regional diets often rely on locally grown ingredients and healthy fats like clarified butter to sustain high physical energy levels. Sports nutrition generally balances nutrient-dense whole foods with an active lifestyle to fuel athletic performance without unwanted weight gain.