17th June 2025 Mr Nandakumar & Beena
Mr Nandakumar’s painting of a plate of fruit with a glass of juice serves as a reminder for us to eat healthily. He painted it using acrylics.
My belief in the adage ‘We are what we eat’ is rooted in our evolutionary history. If we were to rewind the clock to our early ancestors, the consumption of meat stemmed from their hunting efforts. This was no easy task and often posed significant challenges. Consequently, our survival largely depended on the vegetation gathered by women, a crucial and often underappreciated aspect of our early diet, while the men were out hunting.
Fossil evidence indicates that hominins consumed a rich variety of foods, including fruits, plants, roots, and tubers. Over time, the diet expanded to include small insects, eggs, and small animals. The consumption of meat began much later, when humans developed stone tools and other utensils. Cooking with fire dates back approximately 780,000 years, which diversified our meals.
Now, through research, we understand the significance of a plant-based diet, with moderation in meat consumption. I find any discussion on diet to be a sensitive topic. It is akin to politics. One can encounter very opposing views on diet. Therefore, I believe we are adults and should make informed decisions to remain healthy. We should not wait for an illness to alter our diet. Taking personal responsibility for our dietary choices empowers us to take control of our health.