Healthy Foundations From plant-based plates to inflammatory-reducing diets, biodynamic wines to nutrient-dense dishes, new wellness resorts are pushing the boundaries of clean cuisine. Words: Neena Dhillon
L
ook back through the ages to the centuries-old
with nutrition a core component. “Encouragement to eat
healing systems of Ayurveda and traditional
consciously is addressed initially in the arrival consultation
Chinese medicine or to ancient Greek and Roman
with our nutritional advisors providing guidance about our
wisdom, and a common theme emerges when
menus to help bring about the results the guest is looking
it comes to what we put in our bodies: diet is
for,” explains CEO Laurie Mias. “We also have DNA testing
inextricably linked to long-term health. It’s an
available so our recommendations can be more finely
area in which more of us are investing today, and one likely
attuned to the physical wellness and emotional balance of
to gain more traction as part of an accelerating interest in
the individual, with suggestions on which foods to choose
wellness post-pandemic. According to the Global Wellness
and which to avoid.”
Institute, the healthy eating and nutrition sector now
While the Nusa Dua resort is not meat-free, there is
accounts for a US$702 billion share of the US$4.5 trillion
emphasis on plant-based dishes with the overall menu
wellness economy. With conscious eating recognised as a
conceptualised by internationally renowned consultant
central tenet of health and wellness, including for its role in
Aliwalu Caparrós, alumnus of the Institute for Integrative
disease prevention, the hospitality industry is standing up
Nutrition and a raw food specialist. For Revivo, she focuses
and taking notice.
on high-protein, gluten- and additive-free gourmet dishes
Dedicated wellness retreats have long incorporated
with a Balinese twist, using organic, sustainably farmed local
nutritional expertise into their culinary offerings but the
ingredients. Additionally, many herbs and vegetables are
focus on cuisine is becoming sharper, more educational
grown in the property’s own hydroponic garden. Vitamins,
and scientific in approach. While any resort catering to
minerals, enzymes and antioxidants are balanced, with
today’s travellers is expected to accommodate food allergies,
inconsiderate manipulation of ingredients avoided. Grains
preferences and calorie counts, those with a specific
such as amaranth, buckwheat and quinoa are accompanied
wellness ethos are evolving to embrace foods that combat
by fresh vegetables and seeds, alkaline broths are a staple,
inflammation, improve immunity, slow decline in cognitive
and meat is either grilled or roasted slowly. Homemade
function, align closely to the needs of the body in terms of
flaxseed crackers pair with nut cheeses while the sweet tooth
individual gut health, and which contribute to sustainability.
isn’t ignored but satisfied with raw desserts and sorbets.
Serving award-winning cuisine at Nutrio Restaurant & Bar
“We have programmes that focus specifically on detox,
from its flagship Bali destination, Revivo Wellness Resorts
vegan and keto diets so with our vegan yoga retreat, for
specialises in retreats tailored to individual guest needs,
instance, we aim to improve the health of guests with high-
