Pay the Farmer, Not the Pharmacy
Meera & Ashok Vasudevan bring 50+ years of experience as leaders in the Plant-based & Natural Food industry. Their entrepreneurial journey continues with the recent acquisition of 2 heritage brands- Annapurna & Captain Cook
In this timely podcast series titled "Pay the farmer, Not the Pharmacy" they show you how to unleash the magic in your kitchen with evidence-based tips & tricks that improve digestion, enhance gut health, build immunity and provide simple solutions to affordable wellness. Pay the Farmer, Not the pharmacy. Brought to you by CSAW, the Centre for the Spread of Affordable Wellness.
Also, included are other talks, interviews and discussions of Ashok Vasudevan on a range of issues, not only related to food to wellness
Episodes
49 episodes
Kitchen Balance: Cracking the Omega Code
🧩 The great fat puzzle solved! Why inflammation runs wild in modern bodies.Join hosts Meera and Ashok Vasudevan as they crack "The Omega Mystery" - how the delicate balance of essential fats in our diet got completely flipped over...
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6:13
The Fiber Vanishing Act: Where Did All the Fiber Go?
🌾 The great fiber mystery solved! Where did all the digestive magic go?Join hosts Meera and Ashok Vasudevan as they uncover "The Fiber Vanishing Act" - how our great-grandmothers effortlessly got 35-50 grams of fiber daily while we strug...
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6:39
The Vitamin Vanishing Act: What Happened to Our Food's Nutrition?
🌱 Your food isn't what your grandmother ate - and now we know why!Join hosts Meera and Ashok Vasudevan as they uncover "The Vitamin Vanishing Act" - how modern agriculture traded nutrition for productivity, and what you can do about it i...
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7:25
Food Forensics - "The Liquid Gold Heist"
🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♂️Join detective duo Meera and Ashok Vasudevan as they investigate "The Liquid Gold Heist" - how the world's most precious traditional oils were systematically stolen from our kitchens and replaced with industrial counterfeits!
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7:24
The Micronutrient Detective - "The Case of the Anxious Magnesium Thief"
Think your anxiety might actually be a mineral deficiency in disguise? In this first episode of our new "Micronutrient Detective" series, hosts Ashok Vasudevan and Meera crack the case of why so many people feel anxious, can't sleep, and get mu...
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4:33
Food Forensics - "The Case of the Nutrient-Robbed Tomato"
🕵️‍♀️ Welcome to Food Forensics - In this eye-opening episode, hosts Ashok Vasudevan and Meera expose the nutritional heist that's been happening right under our noses. Did you know today's tomato has 62% less calcium and 30% less vitamin C tha...
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6:02
Food Forensics: The Great Grain Robbery - A Global Investigation"
🕵️‍♂️🕵️‍♀️Join hosts Meera and Ashok Vasudevan in our biggest Food Forensics investigation yet - "The Great Grain Robbery." From Wonder Bread in Chicago to instant ramen in Singapore to maida rotis in Mumbai, the same nutritional heist has deva...
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6:38
Sleep Better, Eat Smarter. How your diet powers your Zzzzs.
Discover how the foods you eat can dramatically improve your sleep! In this lively episode of “Pay the Farmer, Not the Pharmacy,” Meera and Ashok Vasudevan reveal the surprising science behind nutrition and sleep—from melatonin-rich kiwis and c...
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5:49
From Cane to Stevia: Decoding Sweet Choices
Dive into the science (and surprises) behind what sweetens your day! Hosts Meera and Ashok debunk common myths about sugar, jaggery, honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar, stevia, monk fruit—and even artificial sweeteners. With real research, playf...
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6:38
YES- we can reverse Type 2 Diabetes.
Can you truly reverse Type 2 diabetes with smart food choices and regular exercise? On this episode of Pay The Farmer Not The Pharmacy, Meera and Ashok go beyond calorie counting to reveal what really works for diabetes control and eve...
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5:31
Grains of Truth: The Real Story Behind Gluten
In this episode of Pay The Farmer Not The Pharmacy, Meera and Ashok dive deep into the gluten craze sweeping kitchens and conversations everywhere. Is gluten truly the villain many claim it to be, or just misunderstood? Together, they:...
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4:36
Glycemic Index vs. Glycemic Load: The Speedometer and Odometer of Your Blood Sugar
Confused about Glycemic Index (GI) and Glycemic Load (GL)? You’re not alone! In this zippy, science-backed episode, Meera and Ashok break down the difference between GI and GL using a fun car analogy—think of GI as your blood sugar’s speedomete...
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5:16
Marrakesh Magic: Spices, Tea, and Timeless Health
Join Ashok and Meera as they explore the vibrant markets and timeless kitchens of Marrakesh, Morocco, uncovering the secrets behind the city’s radiant health and joyful living. Discover how Marrakesh’s people thrive on fresh, locally grown vege...
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7:02
The Jab vs. The Plate: Can GLP-1 Drugs Like Ozempic Outdo Eating Well?
Are GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro really the miracle jabs for a longer, healthier life-or is there a smarter, tastier way to get the same benefits? Join Meera and Ashok as they break down the latest science from The Times UK, exploring ...
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6:32
Zymology: The Fun Side of Fermentation
Unlock the tangy secrets of zymology-the science of fermentation! Join Meera and Ashok as they take you on a lively, science-packed journey from ancient food traditions to your modern kitchen. Discover how fermented favorites like sauerkraut, k...
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4:15
From Buzzwords to Better Health: What Natural & Organic Really Mean
Are “natural” foods really as wholesome as they sound? What makes organic the gold standard for your health and the planet? Join Ashok and Meera, live from the stunning Batu Batu Island at the Unreasonable accelerator retreat, as they dish out ...
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7:40
Butterfly Boss: Master Your Thyroid Naturally
Is your energy tank running low, or are you feeling way too wired? Your thyroid might be trying to tell you something! Join Meera & Ashok on this episode of “Pay the Farmer, Not the Pharmacy” as they serve up fast-paced, science-backed hack...
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5:13
Fresh & Local: The Power of Seasonal Eating
Ever wondered why that summer tomato tastes like sunshine, but the winter one tastes like cardboard? In this lively episode of Pay the Farmer, Not the Pharmacy, Meera and Ashok dig into the science and joy of seasonal eating. Discover ...
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4:49
Liquid Life: The Unsung Power of Water
In this refreshing episode of "We Are What We Eat," Meera and Ashok dive deep into the science and secrets of water-the most essential, yet most overlooked, ingredient in our wellness journey. From how much to drink and when, to the truth about...
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5:09
B-ing Plant-Based: Power Up with Plant Vitamin B!
Ditch the pills and dig into the delicious world of plant-based Vitamin B! Join Meera and Ashok as they explore the best veggie sources for this essential nutrient family. Discover which leafy greens, legumes, and more can keep your energy leve...
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4:05
Microgreens- Nutritional Ninjas of the Plant Kingdom
Join Meera and Ashok on Pay the Farmer, Not the Pharmacy as they dive into the stealthy world of microgreens—those tiny greens that pack a nutritional punch. From boosting glucose uptake to enhancing brain health, microgreens are the u...
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5:01
"Electrolyte Harmony: Balancing Sodium and Potassium for Better Health
Join Meera and Ashok on Pay the Farmer, Not the Pharmacy as they dive into the fascinating world of sodium and potassium—two electrolytes that keep your body running smoothly. Discover how to balance these essential minerals through si...
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5:00
Body Fat, BMI, Visceral Fat & Nutrition
This episode dives into the world of body fat, BMI, and visceral fat and their link to nutrition. Explains why BMI ( Body mass Index) is a bit rudimentary as a health indicator and why visceral fat needs to be better understood and managed. Kee...
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4:24
Cholesterol, Triglycerides & Nutririon
This episode is tackling a topic close to many hearts – quite literally! it's talking about cholesterol and its often-misunderstood cousin, triglycerides, who are like siblings in a Lipid family. Maybe statins are the answer for some, but your ...
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5:44
Mental Health, Nutrition, and the Blood Brain Barrier
The connection between nutrition, mental health, and the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a complex and fascinating area of research that highlights the importance of diet in maintaining overall brain health and psychological well-being.The ...
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5:04