Real Food, Real Voices: Dr. Roshini Raj
FOOD & HOME
Real Food, Real Voices: Dr. Roshini Raj
By: Tessa Kauppila
Welcome to “Real Food, Real Voices”, a series where we discuss nutrition and wellness with founders, creators, thought-leaders, and industry experts. Hear how they incorporate Abbot’s into their own plant-rich lifestyles—and feel better as a result.
Meet Dr. Roshini Raj, practicing gastroenterologist and founder of two of our favorite brands: TULA, a clean skincare brand powered by probiotic extracts, and YayDay, a just-launched digestive super-supplement designed to be taken before bed.
In her work, Dr. Roshini studies the gut microbiome (i.e., the community of trillions of microorganisms within us) and its effects on our entire body, skin included. One of her big takeaways? For a healthy, radiant complexion, we have to nourish our gut health with probiotics and fiber, and reduce our meat consumption.
We sat down with Dr. Roshini to chat about the gut-skin connection, her favorite dish featuring Abbot’s, and the wellness practices that keep her grounded and glowing. Read on for our conversation.
How did you branch into skincare? What inspired you to start TULA?
I’ve been studying the power of probiotics in both beauty and wellness for more that 20 years as a practicing gastroenterologist. I had this lightbulb moment after seeing the life-changing impact probiotics had on my patients’ internal health when they were incorporated into their natural diets and through supplements. Not only were they feeling better, but their skin seemed to be glowing.
That was the spark which brought me to launch TULA in 2014. TULA is a prestige skincare brand built on clinically proven formulas powered by probiotic extracts. We believe that the same types of ingredients which are good for your body are also great for your skin. We focus on being healthy, not perfect, and on empowering everyone to feel confident in their skin.
Let’s talk about achieving healthy, glowing skin. What are your tips? How does nutrition play a role?
I am a big believer in approaching beauty from the inside out. A happy and healthy body is going to radiate beauty, and gut health has a very strong impact on skin health! Topical probiotic extracts (like the ones we include in TULA’s products) are powerful ingredients that can help improve the skin’s natural balance, nourish the skin to improve hydration and smoothness, and soothe the skin to calm the look of irritation when applied topically. Probiotic extracts are incorporated into 100% of TULA’s topical skincare products.
Another element of our lifestyles that affects our gut health (which ultimately affects so many other parts of the body) is diet. When you switch to a diet that has less meat and much more fiber, your gut bacteria changes—for the better. A meat-heavy diet promotes the growth of unhealthy bacteria that are implicated in causing inflammation, including in the colon (colitis).
When you move to a more plant-based diet with less red meat, your gut bacteria respond by increasing the number of bacteria that help break down fiber and reducing the number of potentially harmful bacteria. By reducing the amount of red meat in your diet, your bacteria will also be doing your heart a favor. It’s all connected!
Speaking of gut health… Can you tell us about your latest venture, YayDay?
YayDay is a digestive super-supplement formulated with a blend of magnesium, prebiotic fiber, and digestive enzymes. Designed to be taken before bed, it gets to work during the body’s nighttime restorative window.
I see first hand how sleep can affect digestive issues such as constipation and bloating and have a huge impact on someone's daily life. In my clinical work with patients, I also notice how the mind and gut are closely connected, and how improving one can dramatically impact the other. I wanted to create a more holistic solution to the problem—one that works overnight from the gut out.
You wear a lot of hats: doctor, entrepreneur, medical editor, mom, health correspondent, and author. How do you prioritize your wellness?
In addition to getting enough sleep and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables daily, I prioritize exercising; it gives me so much energy and lifts my mood, so I aim to exercise at least 40 minutes every day. I also practice deep breathing exercises in the morning and evening as a way to calm the mind.
With real, whole foods as a priority, Abbot’s is a natural addition to your lifestyle. What’s your favorite dish or way to use Abbot’s?
Chick’n Chili, a family favorite made plant-based. Modify the seasoning to make it hotter by adding more jalapeños. If you like your chili soupier, add some water or vegetable broth (or even beef/chicken broth) along with the diced tomatoes. I like to make a double batch and freeze half for a quick dinner later on.
Dr. Raj’s Chick’n Chili Recipe
INGREDIENTS
(Makes 4 servings)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 package Abbot’s Chopped Chick’n
1 cup diced onions
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1 large red bell pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 15-ounce can red kidney beans or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
PREPARATION
1. Heat the olive oil over high heat in a large saucepan. Add your Abbot’s Chopped Chick’n and cook, stirring to break up the lumps, for 5 minutes, or until the meat is lightly browned.
2. Add the onions, garlic, red pepper, jalapeño pepper, oregano, bay leaf, chili powder, and cumin. Stir well and cook for 5 minutes.
3. Add the tomatoes, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes. Add a small amount of water if the mixture starts to get too dry or if you like your chili soupier.
4. Add the beans and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 more minutes.
Want more simple, plant-rich recipes? Find them here.