'Badam pe Charcha' with Esteemed Panel Discussion by Almond Board of California

Included Actress-mother Sonali Bendre Behl, Fitness Expert Madhuri Ruia, Nutritionist Anju Sood & Emily Fleischmann from Almond Board of California

by Madhu

Mumbai: A panel discussion titled “Badam pe Charcha- Working Mother’s Dilemma in Ensuring the Family Health” was organized by Almond Board of California at The Four Seasons Hotel, Mumbai. The panel addressed the conundrum of working mothers: juggling their careers and responsibilities for managing the household and their roles as mothers, wives and often daughter in law. Being a full-time working mother can lead to feelings of guilt and stress because of divided attention between work and family.

Actress and mother Sonali Bendre Behl, well-known Pilates Expert and Diet & Nutrition Consultant, Madhuri Ruia, renowned Bangalore-based nutritionist Anju Sood and Emily Fleischmann, Senior Director of Global Marketing at the Almond Board, took part in the panel discussion moderated by RJ Shezzi from Radio Mirchi.

Speaking at the event, Actress - mother Sonali Bendre said, “For working mothers, creating a work-life balance is critical as we must ensure we do not neglect any significant part of our lives – our children, our family’s health, our own health and fitness, our marriage and of course our careers. Being a working mother, I can understand how stress inducing this can be. Having said that, I have realised that to ensure my family stays healthy, it is important I stay fit and healthy myself. Incorporating small changes/additions in one’s daily routine can have a big impact. For example: eating a healthy diet including a handful of almonds every day and a regular exercise regime, not only helps me maintain a healthy life but also balance both my family’s health as well as my own”.

Pilates Expert and Diet & Nutrition Consultant Madhuri Ruia added, “When trying to juggle between home, family and work, a well-balanced diet and regular exercise can go a long way in ensuring good health for working mothers. Most of us already know about this but find it difficult to do. The trick is to start small and snack smart! For instance, snacking on almonds instead of consuming unwholesome snacks for your in-between meal cravings can not only make a healthy difference to your life but a handful of almonds may have satiating properties that promote feelings of fullness, which keep hunger at bay between mealsi. For exercise, most of us get overwhelmed at the thought not only making time to work out but also travel to the gym. You need not worry – start at home. Pull out any exercise video from the internet and start with an investment of 15 minutes every day. You can gradually increase this on days you find more time. The idea is to get some physical fitness activity included into your daily life.”

Speaking on the role of changing lifestyle in influencing dietary choices Bangalore-based nutritionist Anju Sood, says, “Finding time for maintaining personal health and wellness is a luxury most working mothers do not have. This in addition to unhealthy, unwholesome snacking habits and the sedentary lifestyles most of us lead, are key contributors to a rapid rise in lifestyle related diseases. Hence, it is important to ensure we incorporate healthy snacking habits by snacking on healthier options like fresh

fruits and vegetables and a handful of nutritious almonds. Almonds are a natural source of 15 nutrients, including plant proteins and healthy fats. Further, A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that people who ate nuts such as almonds, at least seven times per week had a 20 percent lower all-cause mortality rate (death from any cause) compared to those who did not eat nutsii.”

Emily Fleishman, Senior Director, Global Marketing, says “The Almond Board of California has been working in India to not only educate and increase awareness of the nutrition and health benefits of consuming almonds but also to encourage consumers to lead a healthier life by making good food choices and exercising regularly. The dilemma working mothers in India have, is not much different from most working mothers across the world. While it is a struggle, we must make time to take care of ourselves first, so we are strong and healthy enough to take care of our loved ones and do our best at work. I am intrigued by the morning ritual of almond consumption that has been a part of the tradition in Indian homes for ages. If we can make the morning intake of almonds a daily habit for the entire family, it can go a long way as a handful of almonds can give all of us the power to take on the day.”

To find an effective way out to manage professional life and the health of the family, it is crucial to initiate making those small changes in life, such as snacking smart with almonds as it is a great way to start leading a healthy lifestyle.

Almonds from California are a natural, wholesome and quality food. The Almond Board of California promotes almonds through its research-based approach to all aspects of marketing, farming and production on behalf of the more than 6,800 almond growers and processors in California, many of which are multi-generational family operations. Established in 1950 and based in Modesto, California, the Almond Board of California is a non-profit organization that administers a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture. For more information on the Almond Board of California or almonds, visit www.almonds.in.