Shopping for good health?

A health store in the city offers a range of diet food and drinks. T. KRITHIKA REDDY writes.

Oil-free pickles, zero fat milk, juices without sugar and coffee sans caffeine... All this and more to keep you fit without much fuss. Wondering whether we are talking about some super store abroad? Not quite. Bheshajam at Devaki Hospital, Mylapore, offers health foods from all over the world under one roof.

Opened recently, this "complete health supermarket" (that is what it promises to be) offers an exciting range of diet food and drinks for ardent health buffs. Local brands such as Biotique and Ayurvedic Concepts and natural products from Auroville vie for attention amidst the snazzy display of foreign merchandise. What is more? "The 1,300-odd sq.ft. shop gives one the option to choose from a host of alternate medicines including Ayurveda, Siddha and aromatherapy," says Ms. Chitra Chokalingam, Chairman and Managing Director, Devaki Hospital.

As Bheshajam is located in the hospital premises itself, "visitors to the shop can have free consultation with doctors and dieticians regarding fitness queries and information pertaining to the products on the racks.

The display allows easy browsability as the products are systematically arranged under various categories - vitamins, health drinks, natural products, toiletries etc.

Whole wheat rusk, biscuits with isabgol, fibre biscuits, dry fruit ladoos, crunchy soya nuts, green tea, wheat brans, oil-free pickles... the range is unique. Veelmann's (Germany) fake sugar (fructose) for diabetic patients, Kream Kountry, which offers all the goodness of milk minus the fat, sugar-free juices from Australia (Rs. 145 for two litres), Muesli (fibre-rich wheat flakes) from Auroville and renocare, a special diet package for people with renal problems are some of the products that beckon attention.

An array of Indian and foreign brands fill the toiletries and paediatric care racks. Gift items from Sixth Sense are other attractions.

The range of disposable items come in handy to those getting admitted to hospitals in a hurry - maternity gowns, draw sheets, pillow covers, innerwear, towels and nappies (all disposable). Specially made footwear for ortho and diabetic patients (Rs. 300 onwards) are also hot buys at Bheshajam.

An in-house pharmacy completes the picture of a health store. Open round-the-clock, orders are also taken over phone (4671282) and delivered at your doorstep, provided you reside within a radius of 15 km. Now, isn't that great?

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Features
Previous : They also serve - in silence
Next     : Boost to a heritage museum