Formula for fitness

LAUNCH Of a centre that brings together food, nutrition assistance, counselling and more

The words ‘Plus exercise, minus obesity, divide your meals and multiply your quality of life' in bold letters adorn the walls, apart from posters on healthy eating, cooking and living. A mathematical formula is what the Centre for Food, Mood and Exercise that recently opened its doors on Santhome High Road promises.

Specific to individuals

“This centre,” says Radhika G., chief clinical dietician and research nutritionist, and managing director, “is about lifestyle modification with evidence based on measurable outcome. We have no general recommendations and our services are customised. We have a bio-chemical lab where we collect blood samples, analyse them and put together a course that is unique to that individual.”

It has a ‘Healthy Supermarket', where products are categorised under three colours; orange, green and blue. “The products under green are mostly brown rice, whole wheat atta, lentils and so on — what one must consume. The blue products comprise breakfast cereals and other alternatives to the green section. The orange marks supplements, food with high sugar and salt content — basically, food that must be consumed with caution,” says Raisa Anna Philip, research nutritionist.

An in-house nutritionist is around to help. “What we do here is plan your grocery list and help you select healthier options,” says Raisa. “Often, people know something is healthy, but don't know how much to consume. We help them decide what to buy and how much to take.”

“People don't know how to use healthy products. For example, most people consume oats as porridge, but that makes blood sugar rise almost immediately. A healthier option would be to have oats in a semi-solid form; or mix it in idli / dosa batter. You can even try out oats upma. That way, the sugar level rises gradually. We demonstrate alternative recipes for such products,” says Radhika.

The Centre also has a gym, physiotherapy room, yoga classes and counselling, for, as Radhika puts it: “We believe in taking a holistic approach to solve any problem.”