New Delhi, Jan. 11 -- In north Indian homes, khichdi cooked with winter produce like carrots, peas and radish or a mix of lentils, is integral to Makar Sankranti. While the festive significance is connected to celebrating a good harvest, there is a health aspect too. It is believed to fortify the body and build immunity as the season changes. In the global wellness industry, the dish is marketed as vegan, gluten-free, gut-friendly and anti-inflammatory but even without spelling out these terms Indians have turned to khichdi for nourishment.

Khichdi is the softest kind of reset for the gut and the nervous system. Clinical nutritionist Himani Jariwala, founder of Victrio Nutrition, Mumbai, explains why the shift feels immediate. "Khichdi i...