The Sankranti Blueprint: Eating with the Season to Fix Your Digestion

Makar Sankranti may have passed, but its culinary wisdom is a blueprint for the rest of the winter. In a world where supermarkets make every food available year-round, integrative lifestyle experts are calling for a return to "seasonal intelligence." According to Luke Coutinho, Integrative Lifestyle Expert, "When we eat out of season too often, digestion slows, and the system feels heavy. Your body remembers the season; let it help you" .

On February 24, with winter still firmly in place, the body’s digestive fire (Agni) is strong but needs the right fuel. Raw salads and cold smoothies, popular in summer, are now seen as digestion killers. Instead, the focus is on warm, well-cooked foods. Khichdi, made with moong dal and ghee, is emerging as the ultimate winter comfort food—not just for the sick, but for anyone looking to reset their gut .

Grains like Bajra (pearl millet) and flours like Sarson ka Saag (mustard greens) are not just cultural staples; they are therapeutic. Bajra provides slow-release energy, keeping the body's internal furnace burning. Leafy greens like methi and bathua are packed with iron and fiber, combating the winter lethargy that sets in due to reduced physical activity . The core hack is simple: "Add before you subtract." Add more fiber, protein, and warmth to your plate, and your gut will reward you with steady energy and fewer cravings .