As he turns 60 in November, the effervescent charm on Milind Soman’s face stays as it is! From running barefoot marathons to promoting fitness among the youth and elderly alike, his energy defies his age, and a big part of that, it turns out, is in his food philosophy. Recently, Milind opened up about his daily routine and food intake, particularly his breakfast habits, which is rich in seasonal fruits and minimal intake of fast or processed foods. The simplicity of his meals along with the nutritional punch they pack, could very well be the reason behind his charming glow, both inside and out. Milind Soman, in his exclusive interview with PinkVilla, shares his simple yet fresh diet and it is…
What Milind Soman eats every morning
Milind’s breakfast comprises of fresh and seasonal fruits and it is in stark contrast to the average urban diet in India. Instead of starting his morning with tea, biscuits or namkeen, he starts his day with fruits, not a slice or two:“I eat a whole papaya, or maybe two if they’re small. I eat half a watermelon because watermelons are big. I eat whatever seasonal fruit there is. Suppose it’s mango season, then I have five or six mangoes. I eat a lot of bananas.”His meal is not measured by calories but by satisfaction, quality and availability. If after that hunger persists, he tops off his breakfast with muesli, dry fruits and even cereal- all clean and whole food options. This keeps him satiated for a long time.
Wholesome lunch and dinner options
In his words, “Dinner is the same. I try to stay away from things that are heavy to digest, like non-vegetarian food,” he says. Milind likes to keep his lunch and dinner simple and healthy. His go-to meal: A basic yet fulfilling plate of dal and rice along with vegetables. No over-the top superfoods or elaborate cooking.While he avoids heavy meals, Milind is far from a picky eater, He appreciates food from all cultures: Maharashtrian, Bengali, Assamese, and Japanese, all find a place in his culinary preferences, as long as the food is prepared in a traditional and authentic way.
Benefits of a fruit-heavy breakfast
Eating fruits first thing in the morning offers a wide range of proven health benefits:Provides hydration and digestion: Fruits like papaya, watermelon and mango have high water content along with ample amount of fiber content as well. Which helps in flushing out toxins, prevents constipation and promote gut health.Rich in vitamins: Seasonal fruits are rich in vitamin C, A , K, all of which fight oxidative stress and are a major contributor to aging, wrinkles and chronic diseases.Supports immunity and heart health: Papayas, mangoes are packed with beta-carotene, which supports skin repair, enhances immunity. As for bananas, they are rich in potassium, essential for heart function and blood pressure regulation.
Simple eating, lifelong benefits
What sets Milind’s approach to healthy eating apart from its sustainability and simplicity. No obsessions with protein, or calorie deficit diet, just plain trust in whole and seasonal food items.Next time, if you wonder how someone looked 30 in 60, maybe start and try by swapping that sugar-laden cereal for a ripe papaya.
