Connecting the dots between food and health

The Gateway Team in its holistic approach to health has also targeted one of the key factors - food. With increasing travel and health consciousness, a lot of travelers want to strike a balance between healthy eating and indulgence.

We wanted to offer healthy food options to guests but at the same time do away with the notion that health food is bland and boring. We also did not want to restrict ourselves to just eating healthy but take it a step ahead, to food that makes one feel energetic throughout the day. We therefore introduced the concept of active foods.

The active foods at Gateway are a combination of low glycemic index foods and super foods that are packed with antioxidants and phytochemicals. Glycemic index ranks carbohydrate containing food based on their effect on blood sugar level over a period of time. The aim is to guide the guest through a careful selection of complex carbohydrates, whole grains, vegetables and legumes with low glycemic index and fresh fruits and other quality food products high in antioxidants. The benefits to guests are numerous - long term health benefits, superfoods are supposed to be mood enhancers, fibre in food helps one feel full for longer, low glycemic index helps in weight management, this food keeps energy levels balanced for a long a fruitful day.

Regular diet mainly focuses on macronutrients only, like fat, carbohydrate and protein but Active Food primarily focus on natural food that are rich in micronutrients. Antioxidants is a group of molecules that counter the cell damaging effect of free radicals and help ward off chronic diseases. Natural food which is unpolished and unprocessed whole grains help maintain sugar levels. Pro- biotic food is naturally fermented food loaded with useful bacteria.

Active foods are present in all menus at the hotel and some of the dishes are - Dark chocolate and whole wheat walnut muffins; Blueberry/ fresh fruit smoothies; High fibre cereal and yoghurt bar; Made to order no yolk omelette with broccoli, tofu etc; a unique tomato soup with herbs loaded with lycopene; steamed/ grilled fish high in Omega 3 fatty acids; super foods such as beets legumes, tomato and apple; high fibre dishes with barley, oats, mixed grains and unpolished rice.

• Cinnamon - lower blood glucose, and cholesterol
• Beans - reduce obesity
• Almonds- plant protein, monounsaturated fat and lower cholesterol
• Pomegranate- Neutralize free radicals
• Red beans- Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Protein and fibre.
• Red cabbage- Boost brain function, healthier heart, protect against cancer
• Beetroot- Lower pressure and fight cancer
• Blueberries – lower the risk of cardiovascular disease
• Broccoli – lowers the incidence of cataracts and fights birth defects
• Oats – reduce the risk of type II diabetes
• Oranges – prevent strokes
• Pumpkin – lowers the risk of various cancers
• Wild salmon – lowers the risk of heart disease
• Soy – lowers cholesterol
• Spinach – decreases the chance of cardiovascular disease and age-related macular degeneration
• Tea - helps prevent osteoporosis
• Tomatoes - raises the skin's sun protection factor
• Turkey - helps build a strong immune system
• Walnuts - reduce the risk of developing coronary heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.