Healthy Eating For Productivity

He started studying at Wharton by taking a loan. Eventually got a high-paying job as a consultant in McKinsey. But, he left his high-paying job to create a social impact and teach Indians how to read food labels. He is the man who taught us to see food labels beyond MRP and expiry. My guest today is the daring Revant Himatsingka (Food Pharmer) who is working relentlessly to promote clean business and spread consumer awareness. It was a deep dive into discussing how brands are misleading their packaging to market their product. In this episode, we also individually take a product, read its labels, and analyse the packaging. It was a fun conversation where Revant patiently busted every myth that I believed to be true. Here is what we discussed: >Write what your consumers understand. Brands must display the sugar content in teaspoons rather than grams. It gives a better idea to the Indian consumer on the amount of sugar they are consuming. >Consumers love honesty and the only solution to stand out is to be transparent about your ingredients. When you are transparent about your content you can charge higher for the healthier. -> Top 2 causes of death are    >Heart Diseases    > Cancer Both of which can be prevented and controlled by food habits. Your food habits define your health. Yet, the media never talks about them since they do not make a catchy headline and won’t skyrocket their TRP. -> In the 21st century, the most important skill you can learn is how to read a food label. He mentions it is more important to learn than how to code and we must not blindly believe the packaging and the advertisements. ->Coke and cigarettes don’t kill you as much as your food does. The problem is with the food items that are considered healthy but are harmful. He mentions he is not against junk food but he is against junk food marketing itself as healthy. -> Ever wondered why brands have “*” in their packaging?  Every product is a well-thought effort of marketers whose problem statement is to get you addicted to their product. Marketers are not bad people but the problem is, the aim is profit without any purpose and the well-being of people. -> Revant explains how 25% less fat is nothing but a comparison to other brands and how most products are packaged green to associate it with nature and health. Not only this, he also breaks the ice on his controversy with our favourite brand and how the media and the government supported him. This insightful conversation is an eye-opener on how we are misleading junk as healthy and are compromising our health. So, make sure you tune in and hear the most interesting conversation with none other than Revant Himatsingka on Figuring Out. Link in the first comment! Some products that blew my mind: A “Hazelnut” Choco Peanut Spread contains everything else but “hazelnut”. “Fresh tomato ketchup” is just a brand name and not a representation of its nature. #food #marketing #podcast #rajshamani #figuringout

The antioxidant ergothioneine (ERGO)–a "longevity vitamin" humans can't produce–flows from soil fungi to crops through intricate fungal networks, particularly via arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Research shows that ERGO deficiency correlates strongly with Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular problems, and reduced lifespan. Yet the average American consumes only 1.1 mg daily—less than half the amount considered protective for human health. Black beans inoculated with the AMF strain Septoglomus constrictum showed a remarkable 72-fold increase in ERGO content compared to controls. Asparagus treated with an AMF mixture demonstrated a tenfold boost. Even grass-fed beef contains 59% more ERGO than grain-fed alternatives, with soil fungal biomass explaining 71% of this variation. However, common agricultural practices are disrupting these crucial networks. Tillage alone reduces AMF populations by 30-60%, resulting in a 40-70% decrease in crop ERGO levels. Synthetic nitrogen fertilizers diminish AMF colonization by 40-60%, while glyphosate herbicides reduce ERGO transfer efficiency by 35%. Monocropping, particularly in wheat systems, results in 50% lower AMF diversity compared to diversified crop rotations. AMF colonization accounts for up to 89% of ERGO variation in crops and livestock products. Yet modern farming systematically undermines these fungal-mediated nutritional pathways. Fortunately, solutions exist. Simple interventions can dramatically restore these vital networks: –Composting doubles AMF diversity –Cover cropping increases soil ERGO by 30% –Polyculture systems triple AMF activity These regenerative practices not only rebuild fungal networks but enhance overall soil and crop health. This is a clear example of how public health begins in the soil. The path to better nutrition and reduced chronic disease may depend less on medical intervention than on rebuilding these fundamental biological partnerships.

A few days ago, we had guests over who thoughtfully brought sugar-free Mysore Pak for my diabetic father. As a food label detective by habit, I flipped the pack to check the ingredients.To my surprise, sucralose was listed as the first ingredient—ahead of gram pulse flour, ghee, or even cardamom. This made me pause. The label said sugar-free, but what does that really mean? Such claims often create a health halo, making people believe the product is automatically safe or healthier. But recent studies suggest otherwise. 📌 Sucralose may disrupt gut microbiota, leading to dysbiosis. 📌 It may also affect glucose metabolism, hunger, and satiety cues, potentially increasing the risk of weight gain or metabolic imbalance. So next time you see sugar-free, don’t stop at the front label—turn the pack around and take a closer look. Because not all “sugar-free” sweets are gut-friendly—or guilt-free. #FoodLabels #SugarFree #ArtificialSweeteners #GutHealth #MetabolicHealth #ConsumerAwareness

I used to pride myself on skipping lunch during busy workdays. "I'll eat when this project is done," I'd tell concerned colleagues. Until my performance review, when my manager said something unexpected: "You're brilliant in the mornings, but your afternoon output is consistently weaker." This observation hit hard. I tracked my productivity for a month and discovered she was right my work quality dropped significantly after 2 PM. The solution wasn't more coffee or better time management. It was proper nutrition. I consulted a nutritionist who explained that my brain needed steady fuel, not just morning caffeine. She recommended adding protein to stabilize energy levels throughout the day. Skeptical but desperate to improve, I found a clean protein from TrueBasics (no artificial ingredients, just the essentials) and created a simple lunch routine that took less than 10 minutes. The transformation was remarkable. My afternoon focus improved. My creative problem-solving abilities remained consistent throughout the day. And surprisingly, I started leaving work earlier because I accomplished more. The productivity paradox: By taking time to nourish myself, I actually gained time through improved efficiency. Sometimes what we perceive as dedication-skipping meals, pushing through exhaustion-is actually undermining our performance. What counterintuitive change has improved your work productivity? #truebasics #collab #connections #networking LinkedIn LinkedIn News

How safe is your “safe” packaged food? Walk into any supermarket and you’ll see rows of brightly packed products confidently labelled “safe,” “hygienic,” “quality-checked.” Most of us pick packaged food off the shelf with confidence. After all, it’s labelled “safe, FSSAI approved.” The truth is often hidden behind the label: Safe doesn’t always mean healthy: A snack may pass contamination checks but still be overloaded with sugar, salt, and preservatives. Packaging isn’t foolproof: Certain chemicals from plastics, inks, or adhesives can leach into food, especially when exposed to heat or stored for long. Marketing vs. reality: Terms like “natural” or “organic” sound reassuring, but they aren’t always backed by what’s inside the pack. Here’s the reality: Short-term safety = no microbes, no spoilage. Long-term safety = no hidden impact on your heart, liver, or metabolism. That’s why real food safety goes beyond the packaging; it’s about ingredients, processing, and awareness. Next time you pick up a packet, pause. Don’t just trust the front label. Flip it over. Read the ingredients. Question it. Because the question isn’t “Is this safe to eat right now?” It’s “Is this safe for my future?” What’s one packaged food you trusted but later found wasn’t as “safe” as it claimed? #ReadTheLabels #FoodPackaging #ThursdayThoughts #FoodIndustry #PackagedFood #LinkedInTopVoices #LinkedInLeaders #FoodSafety #ConsumerAwareness #HealthyEating #SustainableChoices #FutureOfFood #AshwinBhadri

In today’s food landscape, marketing often eclipses meaning. Labels like “natural,” “non-GMO,” and “heart healthy” dominate grocery store shelves, offering a sense of trust, but rarely delivering on it. These terms are frequently unregulated, based on outdated science, or intentionally vague. As I outline in Food Fix, the real issue is not just what we eat, but how our entire food system is structured. A “non-GMO” label does not tell you if the crop was grown in lifeless soil saturated with pesticides. A “heart healthy” stamp might appear on processed cereal packed with added sugar, refined grains, and inflammatory oils. If we want to improve public health, reduce healthcare costs, and reverse chronic disease, we need to focus on what actually matters: food that is grown and raised in a way that supports human biology and restores ecological balance. That means prioritizing labels with real integrity, including USDA Organic, 100 percent Grass-Fed and Grass-Finished, Certified Humane, Glyphosate-Free, and Fair Trade. If you care about long-term well-being, whether for yourself, your organization, or your community, it begins with understanding what you are putting on your plate. Swipe through this post to separate marketing hype from meaningful action, and learn how to make food choices that align with health, sustainability, and systemic change.

Sip, Savor, and Strengthen: The Power of Flavonoids in Aging Gracefully A recent study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition last week (—> https://lnkd.in/ekU9A59t ) sheds light on a simple yet impactful dietary choice: increasing the intake of flavonoid-rich foods to support healthier aging. Key Findings: For Women: Higher consumption of flavonoid-rich foods such as tea, apples, berries, citrus fruits, and red wine was associated with: 15% reduced risk of frailty 12% lower risk of impaired physical function 12% decreased risk of poor mental health For Men: While the associations were less pronounced, increased intake of these foods correlated with a 15% lower risk of poor mental health. Notably, even modest increases adding just three servings of flavonoid-rich foods per day were linked to significant health benefits. Personal Takeaway: This research reinforces the profound impact that everyday dietary choices can have on our long-term health. Incorporating flavonoid-rich foods into our meals isn’t just about nutrition; it’s about investing in our future well-being. As we navigate the complexities of aging, it’s empowering to know that simple actions like enjoying a cup of tea or adding berries to our breakfast can make a meaningful difference.

Your meals are software updates. But here’s the catch: not all updates improve performance. Some install faster processing, sharper focus, and clean energy. Others slow you down, drain your battery, and crash the system. Take this: 500 calories from salmon and greens vs 500 from pizza. Same energy on paper. Completely different code in reality. Food isn’t just fuel. It’s information. Every bite sends instructions to your metabolism, hormones, and brain. Get it right and you avoid the dreaded afternoon slump. Get it wrong and you’re battling brain fog at 2pm when your team needs you firing. 🤓 Science backs this up. Studies show diets higher in whole foods and omega-3 fats improve cognitive function and mood regulation, while processed foods increase fatigue and stress. 💡Thrive Tip: Keep a simple “Food Feedback Loop.” After each meal, ask: Energised or flat? Clear or foggy? Satisfied or craving more? Do this for a week and you’ll spot the patterns. You’ll know exactly which foods upgrade your operating system and which corrupt it. Because real health isn’t about eating less. It’s about installing the right code.

A 30% reduction in brain atrophy and improved episodic memory has been observed (PMID: 26757190) in elderly individuals in the past by combining B vitamins (B6, B9, B12). The catch? These effects were only seen in people who had a desirable omega-3 status. Here's how it works - B vitamins facilitate the conversion of homocysteine into methionine, supporting DNA repair, methylation, and energy metabolism. - Elevated homocysteine levels (>11 mcmol/L, in this case) reduce the incorporation of DHA into neuronal cell membranes (by inhibiting phosphatidylcholine n-methyltransferase). This disrupts the structural integrity of brain cells, impairing their fluidity and ability to efficiently transmit signals critical for memory and cognition. - DHA itself stimulates the expression of enzymes needed to break down homocysteine. Together, B vitamins and DHA break the vicious cycle caused by high homocysteine, restoring optimal brain health. The VITACOG trial demonstrated that B vitamins slowed brain atrophy by 30% in individuals with elevated homocysteine levels (>11 μmol/L) and high omega-3 status (>579 μmol/L). This highlights the importance of achieving optimal omega-3 levels for cognitive benefits. Supplementing with a combined 2,000 mg EPA/DHA daily has been shown (PMID: 31757628) help most individuals achieve an Omega-3 Index of 8%+, amplifying the benefits of B vitamins.

Why an early breakfast is a gift to your heart. ❤️ 🔹Fueling your engine: After a night's fast, your body is like a car running on fumes. An early breakfast replenishes your blood sugar levels, providing much-needed energy for your brain and body to function optimally. This can positively impact blood pressure and reduce stress on your heart. 🔹Aligning with your rhythm: Eating early aligns with your natural circadian rhythm, which governs various bodily processes. This can lead to better regulation of hormones like insulin and cortisol, both of which play a role in heart health. 🔹Making smarter choices: Studies suggest people who eat breakfast early tend to make healthier food choices throughout the day. This means less processed food, unhealthy fats, and excess sugar, all of which are risk factors for heart disease. 🔹Breaking the fast: Skipping breakfast extends your overnight fast, which might not be ideal for everyone. An early meal breaks this fast, potentially reducing the strain on your cardiovascular system and promoting healthier metabolic activity. 🔹Boosting your mood: Starting your day with a nutritious breakfast can improve your mood and energy levels, reducing stress and promoting overall well-being. This can indirectly benefit your heart health by lowering stress hormones and encouraging healthy lifestyle choices. 👉Of course, remember: Individual factors like overall health and lifestyle play a significant role in heart health. Early breakfast is one piece of the puzzle. The quality of your breakfast matters. Choose a balanced meal rich in fruits, whole grains, and lean protein for optimal benefits. Consulting a healthcare professional for personalized advice based on your unique health needs is crucial. So, go ahead and treat yourself to that early breakfast – it's a delicious and nourishing gift to your heart!