Dabbas that heal

Home chefs across Mumbai are stepping up to provide nutritious fare for Covid-19 positive patients and caretakers. Here’s our curated guide to healthy meal options

The fact that food heals is no secret, and homely, nutritious meals are more important than ever now, especially for COVID-19 patients. While preparing such meals, Priya Palan, dietician, Zen Multispeciality Hospital at Chembur, points out that one must balance micro and macronutrients:

>> Stay hydrated. Add fluids like warm water, coconut juice, kokum sherbet, lime juice and buttermilk with jeera powder to the diet. In case of fluid restrictions, consult your doctor. 

>> Fibre, protein, vitamins A and E, and zinc must go into daily meals. Add walnuts, almonds, avocado, flaxseeds and pumpkin seeds to fruit bowls or salads. Include fresh fruits and veggies like carrots, sweet potatoes and capsicums that are rich in vitamin A, along with leafy veggies. Berries, kiwi, amla and oranges are rich in vitamin C. 

>> The protein requirement is high during COVID-19. Include foods like yoghurt, paneer, sattu and eggs, but consult the doctor about the required amount. However, if you’re unable to cook, chefs around the city have taken up the task of feeding recovering patients and families. Here’s our guide to a few.

Navi Mumbai
A plate of motherly love

Taruna Mav and her kids from Vashi, literally offer ma ke haath ka khana, through sabzi-dal-roti-rice-salad tiffins as part of Mom and Co. They deliver across Navi Mumbai.
Call: 9769320441
Cost: Rs 80 onwards

South and central Mumbai
Iconic thalis to save your day
Kalbadevi’s decades-old restaurant Shree Thaker Bhojanalay serves thalis and tiffins for patients and those longing for home-style meals all over Mumbai. “For patients who aren’t able to eat too much, we offer mini thalis too. We can make food without chillies, spices or oil. They can let us know about their preferences a day in advance,” says manager Krishna Purohit. 
Call: 22011232 
Cost: Rs 250 onwards

A change of palate
Annu’s Kitchen is a four-year-old service run by Anita Goel in Churchgate that delivers up till Bandra, offering desi low-on-spice-and-oil veg meals, such as chawla, turai ki sabzi, dal, rice and rotis, and a light Continental menu on Sundays for a change of palate. They also customise meals for heart and diabetic patients, and for Jains.
Call: 9920724817
Cost: Rs 225 onwards 

Care of ghar ka khana

Pooja Ubale, owner of Soulkadhi in Worli, caters to patients in and around SoBo with home-style meals including rice, dal, chapatis, sabzi and salads.
Call: 8591261127
Cost: Rs 250 onwards

Suburbs
Multi-cuisine affair
Powai-based Arpana Gvalani, chef and owner of Acoustic Flavors, which offers multi-cuisine fare, tries to focus on the texture of the food as patients lose the sense of smell and taste. The meals include dishes rich in protein and iron content, like soya chunks and bell peppers, and can be delivered across Mumbai.
Call: 9920156087
Cost: Rs 340 onwards 

Perfect pick-me-up

From homely Indian fare to light, diet-friendly Chinese and Continental dishes, chef Sherry Mehta, who runs the home delivery kitchen Kanak by Sherry, offers meals customised as per the patients’ requirements. “I’ve shut all other orders and am only catering to patients and those who are quarantined. The focus is on making them feel better. We personally deliver all the meals across Mumbai,” she adds.
Call: 9920622379 
Cost: Rs 200 onwards

Sweet fix 

For those craving a sweet escape, Juhu-based Kanchan Jethi of KBakes whips up refined-sugar-free, gluten-free, whole wheat bakes, including cakes, cookies and granola.
Call: 9820213124

East Indian delight

Run by Oscar and Vidya Dsouza, The East Indian Kitchen offers simple mini and large veg, chicken, fish, and kombdi vade thalis, in Vidyavihar, Kurla and Ghatkopar. 
Call: 9930025051
Cost: Rs 100 onwards

A side of kindness

Bandra East-based couple Marian Dcosta and Ashwin Nair of Aiyo Patrao offer home-cooked Keralite and Goan meals, but the duo is also open to doing a quick grocery run for those who really need it in the area. Their thalis comprise rice, sambar, pickle, veggies, and chicken/fish. Order in advance.
Call: 8450912371
Cost: Rs 85 onwards 

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