Genetic engineering is used to modify the food we eat. But do we know enough about its effect on us?

For as long as we know, the food we eat is grown in farms and fields by farmers who sow seeds and harvest them every season. Adulterations in food products sold loose, such as pulses or sugar in the local kirana stores, is quite common.

But we never worry about adulterations while buying packaged food from the shelves of our favourite shop. After all, they pass through several quality checks. But a study by Delhi-based non-profit Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has found that packaged food items have genetically modified (GM) ingredients in them.

Sattu is a powder made by grinding a mixture of roasted pulses, mainly chickpeas and cereals. It is rich in protein and leaves one satiated for a long time. Apart from the laddu, a refreshing summer drink is made out of sattu, which helps us in bearing high temperatures and keeps our stomach healthy. It is also ideal for people suffering from peptic ulcer and can also fight diabetes.

Kali gajar ki kanji recipe.

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Kanji is a fermented drink prepared during winters, especially during the time of holi festival. Kanji is very good for digestion, and also acts as an appetiser.

Herbs such as coriander, basil and mint can make any dish more flavourful. They are fun to grow and it is great to have our own garden we can pluck fresh herbs from. We can make a kitchen herb garden or plant herbs in pots on the terrace. Herbs are easy to grow and require little patience as some herbs start to sprout in as little as two days!...

Monsoons are here and as the rain pours tip tap, wouldn't it be nice to read a book or watch a favourite show while munching something fresh and tasty? Here is a corn salad recipe that is quick to make and is full of nutrients.

Corn is a rich source of calories and is a staple among many populations. The calorie content of corn is 342 per 100 grams, which is among the highest in cereals. Calories are important for healthy metabolism. Corn is a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin E, and several minerals. Its high fibre content helps in the prevention of digestive ailments such as constipation.

Ramdana are the seeds of chaulai or amaranth. These seeds are a good source of calcium, protein, and amino acids and are rich in iron, magnesium, and vitamin A, B, and C. Ramdana is an integral part of Hindu fasting diet. Here, is a summer recipe which is both nutritious and healthy.

Did food shape our history or history shape our diet? What role does climate play in the way we eat today? How did our food habits shape up? Read on to find out.

Kuku jumps from her bed the moment the doorbell rings. Today is her birthday and she is excitedly waiting to meet her friends in the evening. She opens the door and sees a delivery man carrying a big backpack. He smiles at Kuku and hands her a package. Kuku looks at it and screams, “Ma! Nanaji’s gift has arrived!”

These are some easy steps to detect adulteration in milk that can be done at home.

This video describes how to detect adulteration with water, starch, and detergent. The steps are prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Down To Earth travels to the desert state of Rajasthan to find out about the traditional food habits of the people in one of the driest regions of the country. We discovered that so many things grow in the wild and traditional knowledge of these will ensure that you have plenty to eat in the harsh desert environment. But is this traditional knowledge losing its ground slowly?.

Down to Earth is Science and Environment fortnightly published by the Society for Environmental Communication, New Delhi...

We often hear that health is wealth. But how well is it understood and applied is difficult to ascertain.

This time, we bring to you a story on a nutritional study undertaken by our five GSP (Green Schools Programme) Gold schools, for assessing their students’ health. A few students in the age group of 12–15 volunteered from each school to participate in the study...

The food we eat comes from various sources, among them, plants are the largest group of souces and our primary food producers. Can you think of the food items we get from plants?

Health, Food and Environment are closely related. All living beings have to eat. We eat food to keep our bodies healthy and strong, so that we can go about doing our day to day work. A wide variety of foods is available to us. In fact, our food can vary from region to region. For example, people living in coastal areas might eat a lot of sea food (fish, prawns, etc).

Microorganisms are extremely important for our survival. They help in decomposing organic waste material, and in nutrient absoprtion by plants and animals.

For those of you who often end up at fast-food restaurants in search of a bite, here is an eye-opener. According to global estimates, by 2025 some 268 million children aged 5 to 17 years may become overweight, including 91 million obese. Obesity-linked diseases are projected to increase sharply too; in 2025, up to 12 million children are likely to suffer from impaired glucose tolerance, 4 million will have type 2 diabetes, 27 million will have hypertension and 38 million will have fatty liver.

Does this forecast sound alarm bells, kids?

It is estimated that over 40 billion plastic kitchen utensils—including 14–18 billion plastic spoons—are produced every year. Given our low rate of reusing and recycling them, most of this cutlery ends up in landfill sites, or worse, in oceans and lakes! Here, they contaminate the land and soil for at least 450 years—the time plastic takes to degrade. Simply put, this is a recipe for disaster!

But there are edible alternatives, read on...

Many farmers are eschewing high-yielding hybrid rice for indigenous varieties for their high nutritional value and resistance to changing weather patterns