Regrettably, a war of great proportions has erupted between the Samosa-Jalebi combo and the rest of the world of Fried foods, Burgers made of overnight patties, and packaged Junk Food made in Palm Oil. In a world driven by high-carb junk food and aerated fizzy drinks, the Banta included, one wonders why we have failed to recognize fast food cronies that are made up of patties that have been made overnight and select vegetables of doubtful provenance and quality that go into the so-called 'healthy sandwiches' that are, bolstered by a liberal slapping of Mayonaise that might be of great interest to forensic scientists analysing the increasing amounts unsaturated fats calories and obesity in those consuming it! The recent instructions of the CBSE to all affiliated schools to establish sugar boards to address concerns about excessive consumption of sugar and fried foods have fueled a controversy associated with the consumption of Samosas and Jalebi. It needs to, however, focus more on the consumption of other fast foods than Samosas and Jalebis, nor does it address the impact of a sedentary lifestyle of students today. The fact of the matter is that students are less likely to consume samosas and jalebis than fast foods like burgers and pizzas.
While many might blame the increasing levels of obesity in children on the increased consumption of junk food, processed food, and high-calorie drinks, including energy drinks banned all over the world but accepted in India, others will blame the lack of physical activity amongst children who spend more time poring over the screens of smartphones, tablets and laptops looking at content that is of questionable value. However, this battle between the Samosa and Jalebi duo becomes murkier with the alleged involvement of larger corporations entering the fray, purportedly to benefit from the chaos, seeking a possible uptick in sales of their packaged snacks.
Unfortunately, though the freshly made Samosas and Jalebis might not gain favour, at least amongst the more 'knowledgeable' generation, faced with an impressive arsenal of so-called healthier burgers and pizzas that are oil-free, they might, however, find support in the so-called vegans who advocate the consumption of vegan food, including vegan meat. In a world driven by 'Sugar Boards, Oil Boards, and Bulletin Boards, ' one can't help but wonder if we should not have 'Mother Boards, Father Boards, and Mentor Boards' to help us live healthier lives!
So, it seems that very soon we will see labels on Samosas and Jalebis with the warning, 'Eating Samosas and Jalebis is injurious to health,' and these will join companies with cigarettes and chewable tobacco that continue to fuel our economy through their sales. Unfortunately, there are many more eatables that are more harmful than the Samosa and Jalebi, but have probably been conveniently missed out. Some of the popular energy drinks sold in the market have been flagged by the FDA as being dangerous to health when consumed frequently or in excess. Some of the side effects of drinking energy drinks include: increased blood pressure and heart rate, increased risk of type 2 Diabetes, adverse kidney health, sleep-related issues, seizures, arrhythmias, and even death. The fact is that a lot of students bring these energy drinks to school! The unfortunate fact is that these energy drinks are produced by powerful organisations that use their clout to spread misinformation about the contents of their products.
The Samosa and the Jalebi are not, unfortunately, supported by powerful organisations, which is why they have been targeted as being dangerous to health. The humble Samosa and the humble Jalebi are the soul foods of every man; they are what the pizza and the cold drink are to the more sophisticated people who would like to flaunt their impeccable taste in food choices. While one shouldn't mind having a pizza or a burger once in a while, however, I have observed how students often bring them to school for the very reason that they are convenient and don't require cooking. Working parents might often not have the time to cook a tiffin full of lunch or breakfast for their children. Students regularly bring fast food items to school, items that are full of trans fats, starches, and other harmful preservatives that will keep a patty good for days. The cheese in the pizzas and burgers can be harmful in the long run.
Humble Samosas and Jalebis are not allowed to go stale because they are most often prepared on the spot. Jalebis are best served piping hot, while steaming hot Samosas are best served with a generous helping of Chutney! To the best of my knowledge, no preservatives are used in their preparation, nor should they contain other hidden ingredients. Interestingly, both Samosas and Jalebis have their origin in the Middle East, not India. Throughout their long journey to India, both the Samosa and the Jalebi have found their way into the hearts of the people. They have become more Indian than Persian and are extolled for their nutritious value. The Jalebi taken with milk is supposed to ward off migraine. The combo is supposed to give instant energy to those who are not well or are exhausted.
No comments:
Post a Comment