The Edge of Nutrition Summit, a two-day event held at St. John’s Auditorium in Koramangala, came to a close with a discussion on tips to lead a healthy life from nutritionist and functional practitioner, Pooja Makhija. She addressed five significant concerns about diet and lifestyle during the discussion. Makhija emphasised the importance of when we eat, concentrating on the circadian cycle. She described how our DNA contains information about  the body’s reaction  to light and darkness. According to Makhija, “Our eating patterns have an impact on our sleep, moods, behaviour, metabolism, and even our gut microbiome.”
Moving on to the topic of eating, Makhija underlined the significance of eating the various food categories in the correct order. According to her, consuming protein and fat before carbohydrates can lower the glucose spike by 30 to 40 per cent. Â Â Makhija recommended complementing carbohydrates with fibre, vegetables, proteins, and fats to balance sugar levels and prevent spikes and dips. This she did through a visualisation of the stomach as a wash basin.
Along with tips on how to eat, she  gave  insights on when, where, and with whom to eat, encouraging the audience  to view eating as a ritualistic process. “We can optimise our metabolism and prevent spikes in glucose levels by aligning our eating patterns with our circadian rhythm, front-loading our nutrition, and being mindful of the order in which we consume food groups,” she continued.
In her closing statement, Makhija urged the audience to eat mindfully and reminded that it is solely their responsibility to safeguard their health. “You and only you can take care of yourself,” she said.
