Our Story – “Rooted in Heritage”

Sarvada was born from a simple idea — bring back the power of Indian foods that have nourished generations. In an age of fads, we turn to time-tested traditions.

Our mission is to make eating healthy, simple, and soulful. That’s why we start small, grind fresh at home, and serve only what we would to our families.

Because when you eat like your ancestors, you thrive like them.

 

What led me here?

I had been contemplating making health and fitness a priority for years. The start would be great, but the momentum would fizzle out soon.

One fine October morning of 2022, I woke up again with the resolution to pick up my health as a priority, right from that day. For the next hour, I listed down all the gyms nearby, spoke to a few locals and shortlisted the one which was most popular among them. I enrolled for the membership the same day and started hitting from the next day. It would be a 2-hour stretch starting from a warm-up & cardio, then working out one major body part each for six days a week.

Very soon, it was time for me to upgrade my carb-heavy meal to a protein-rich one. With that began the quest for the best sources of protein. Regular & easy options available in the market – eggs, sprouts, daal, millets, protein powders, and that’s it. Phew! The next 2 months were simply “Tough!”

I absolutely wanted to avoid Protein powders. The simple imagery of them being ultra processed made me feel nauseating, Eww! I wanted to have better health, but without any side effects. These products have complex commercial manufacturing and highly regulated recipes mixed with additives.

Even the seemingly most honest ones, with their lofty claims of being natural, healthy, or easy to digest, seemed like a hard-to-buy story. There simply didn’t seem to be any guarantee of their lofty marketing claims. Eggs seemed the easiest to consume, but gave me severe and foul gas formation. I started to find myself in awkward situations in large groups. Almost always, seeking to be excused for using the washroom and releasing the built-up pressure and the rotten smell. No amount of water I drank made any difference. Sprouts had their challenge; chewing them simply seemed to take forever. Oh boy! I simply felt like a cow sitting on the roadside, chewing on the cud!

One Saturday afternoon, when I was discussing this with my IIM Mumbai roommate, he suggested, “Why don’t you try Sattu?” That was not a name alien to my ears. I was instantly jolted. I have known Sattu since I was a child. It is simply a miracle food which people in the eastern part of India have been having for generations.

The next few days, I did some research to find out that a glass of drink made of 100 grams of Sattu can provide upwards of 22 grams of protein, which is equivalent to the protein replenished from one glass of protein powder. And, I had my Déjà Vu moment.

Over the next few days, I found out the following benefits of consuming a glass of Sattu:

1.     It served as a perfect protein supplement

2.    It made a great, easy, convenient and quick breakfast option.

3. It is a rich source of micronutrients (vitamins & trace minerals). The only other way to get them is mineral water and naturally grown fruits and veggies. We no longer get them due to over-reliance on RO water and consuming artificially grown fruits and vegetables.

4. The fibre in it helps keep you full and stay energised for longer, thus preventing you from binge eating.

5. It has a low glycaemic index, i.e. it is a diabetic-friendly food, and if you consume Sattu regularly, you will significantly reduce your chances of getting diabetes.

6. It is a centuries-old, tried and tested food with no side effects. People in the eastern parts of India have been having it for generations.

7. It is gluten-free. If you are gluten resistant, this is a miracle food for you.

8. It aids in digestion and improves gut health over time.

9. It is a great breakfast alternative as it has fewer calories compared to Rice, idlis, Dosa, Upma, Paratha, Poha, Noodles, etc.

 

 

Remembering dadi ke nushkhe!

I grew up in a home where food wasn’t just about eating—it was about care, healing, and culture. My dadi didn’t go to a nutritionist, yet she knew exactly what to feed us when we were tired, sick, or just restless.

One such superfood that kept showing up, silently doing its magic, was Sattu. It gave us strength. It kept us cool and more importantly, it reminded us who we are. Over time, I saw these traditional treasures disappear from our shelves, replaced by flashy trends and empty calories. But I believe our past has answers for our future.

So, I started Sarvada—not just a brand, but a movement to revive the timeless dietary wisdom of India. This is my small tribute to the wisdom of our ancestors. To your well-being. And to the idea that some things are meant to last—Sarvada.

We begin with Sattu, but this is just the start. Because wellness shouldn’t be
temporary. Culture shouldn’t be compromised. And food should never forget where it came from.