Exclusive: From what she cooks for her daughter to her daily diet, Soha Ali Khan shares her food secrets – Times of India

Soha Ali Khan follows a healthy lifestyle routine and she makes sure that her family does the same. She states, “My mother made sure to imbibe these positive habits in me from a very young age, as a result of which I’ve grown accustomed to following a healthy routine.” From Methi water in the morning to veggies salad at night, Soha’s food secrets revolve around everything nutritious and simple. In an exclusive chat with Times Food, she spills the beans on her daily lifestyle routine.

What is a regular day like in the life of Soha Ali Khan?

As a mother, I do my best to make sure my family has an energetic and productive day, by starting their morning the right way. A big reason why I believe in this philosophy is that my mother made sure to imbibe these healthy habits in me from a very young age, as a result of which I’ve grown accustomed to following a healthy routine. Taking in the right number of almonds in your diet, having enough exposure to Sun for Vitamin D, and replacing caffeinated products with healthy items like lukewarm water with honey drops is a great way to start your mornings followed by a workout session.

How do you manage to take care of your kids, considering your busy schedule?
Initially, it was very difficult to take up anything after having my daughter Inaaya. I used to schedule my day as per Inaaya’s sleep schedule. For the longest time, I did not take up any work. Shooting usually involves travelling and staying out for days; I found that very difficult. As women, we wear many hats and we need support. It is great to have a supportive family; it enables you to live your dream. Becoming a mother does not mean your ambitions and passions need to go away, which is why I decided to have my child later on in life because I’ve always wanted to be the parent who could devote her time to her child. I wanted to make sure that I worked enough in films.

What’s the secret behind your ageless looks? What diet regimen do you follow to look so fit and young?

One thing that I have constantly seen as a kid growing up, is how effortlessly my mother used to manage household chores and her professional life. This has been the strongest motivational factor that has helped me become the person I am today. I make sure to exercise every day for a minimum of 30 minutes and start with Yoga. I also make sure I complete 10,000 steps every day. If nothing, I walk around the house and terrace, taking breaks in between activities to ensure I am not sedentary for long hours.

What do you have for breakfast on most days of the week?

I make sure to begin my day with almonds. This has been a consistent habit since childhood, and I also make sure my family eats a handful every day too. Almonds are a source of zinc which plays an important role in growth, development, and the maintenance of immune function. I also make sure to eat lots of yoghurt and seasonal fruits like mangoes and watermelon, as well as green vegetables. My go-to breakfast options are an Avocado on toast and Dosas, these are the 2 things that I prefer the most.

What’s your lunch and dinner like? How involved are you in their preparation?

I start my day with lukewarm water/Methi water along with a handful of plain or soaked almonds. For breakfast, I usually eat a Dosa or an omelette with fresh fruits and gluten-free toast with honey. For lunch, I like to eat chicken or fish with some dal, vegetables, and brown rice or roti. I end the day on a light note and usually have a salad with lots of vegetables, almonds, and herbs drizzled with a citrus dressing.

Do you cook for Inaya? What’s her favourite food and how do you as a mother ensure she eats healthy food?

With my daughter, I ensure that her day is well-balanced with healthy meals and snacks in between, light exercise and fun-filled activities. She’s very fond of participating in the process of the food being prepared, and often I try to involve her too while making something special. We both love cake, but as someone who is very conscious about what we eat, I try to bake using healthier alternatives and one of our favorite recipes is a Spiced Almond Banana Jaggery Cake.

In these difficult times, how are you taking care of your child at home to ensure she remains healthy? What’s that one food you love to indulge in?

For ensuring my family stays healthy through tough cold and cough seasons, we regularly practice steam inhalation with Vicks VapoRub infused in hot (not boiling water). I am a big fan of using medicated rubs with ayurvedic properties and with the goodness of menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus, this is my must-have health partner. With my daughter, I ensure that her day is well-balanced with healthy meals and snacks in between, light exercise, and fun-filled activities. She’s very fond of participating in the process of the food being prepared, and often I try to involve her too while making something special. We both love cake, but as someone who is very conscious about what we eat, I try to bake using healthier alternatives. One food that I would love to indulge in would be a nicely baked gooey Vegan Chocolate Cake.