When it comes to pre-wedding prep, brides usually have their checklists down to the last serum. But beyond the facials, fitness and fitting appointments, a quieter revolution is taking place at the dining table. Nutritionist and Ayurvedic wellness expert Shweta Shah, whose Mumbai-based practice draws from ancient Indian wisdom, believes food isn’t just fuel—it’s your first skincare regime, energy booster, hormone balancer, and mood lifter.
“Glow doesn’t start with highlighters, it begins in your gut,” says Shah. “And for brides, this internal radiance—what we call ojas in Ayurveda—is the most powerful accessory.” Here’s your pre-wedding nutrition guide for glowing skin, stable energy, fewer mood swings, and a bridal calm that no last-minute lehenga stress can shake:
The inside-out glow philosophy
Weight loss may dominate the bridal narrative, but Shah says that’s missing from the bigger picture. “Good nutrition builds the blocks for great skin, strong hair, and emotional balance. When your digestion is thriving, your hormones are aligned, and your body is nourished—you don’t just look better, you feel better.” Ideally, she suggests brides begin their nutrition journey three to six months before the wedding for visible and lasting changes.
Skincare, rewritten by Ayurveda
These six nutrients are her holy grail for luminous skin:
- Vitamin A: Calms acne, heals skin
- Vitamin C: Boosts collagen, brightens tone
- Zinc: Tackles breakouts
- Omega-3s: For softness and suppleness
- Iron: Fuels natural glow
- Protein: Repairs and rebuilds skin structure
On the ingredient short list? Think turmeric, saffron, rose water, liquorice, raisins, and manjistha. “These are skincare in edible form,” she says. Shah’s go-to glow juice? A mix of carrot, beetroot, pomegranate, curry leaves, aloe gel, ginger, and turmeric.
The bridal timeline
3–6 months before
- Heal the gut with kanji, buttermilk, and probiotic-rich foods
- Balance hormones with seeds, ghee, and soaked nuts
- Use anti-inflammatory ingredients in meal prep: turmeric, moringa, amla
2 months before
- Focus on skin nutrients, Vitamins A, C, E, along with zinc and iron
- Hydrate with herbal waters: Aloe vera juice, ash gourd, cumin-coriander-fennel (CCF)
- Cut down dairy, sugar, and snacks
1 month before
- Eat sattvic meals—light, fresh, easy to digest
- Sip manjistha, liquorice, or tulsi-ginger teas
1 week before
- Keep meals warm and light: Khichdi, fruit chaat, etc.
- No raw salads or fried food
- Reduce salt and spice for less puffiness
The morning of…
- Start with warm lemon water and soaked raisins
- Eat a light breakfast: Moong chilla or poha with curry leaves
- Sip on non-caffeinated herbal tea
Bloat-free bride, guaranteed
- Shah’s anti-bloat arsenal includes:
- Moong dal khichdi with ghee
- Steamed veggies and CCF water all day
- No raw fruits or salads at night
- A 20-min castor oil pack on the lower abdomen at bedtime
- And the timeless Ayurvedic advice: Chew slowly. Eat mindfully.
The big no-nos: Nutrition mistakes brides make
- Crash dieting: Leads to fatigue, hair loss, and hormonal chaos
- Protein powder overload: Can tax the liver and upset digestion
- Too many raw foods: Especially under stress—hard to digest
- Skipping healthy fats: Results in dull skin and emotional swings
Trend check: What not to fall for
- Apple cider vinegar: Often causes acidity and bloating
- Raw kale smoothies: Hard to digest, thyroid-triggering
- Protein bars: Sneaky sugars and preservatives
- Chia overload: Go for sabja instead—lighter and gut-friendly
- Collagen powders: Unnecessary if you’re eating nuts, ghee, citrus, and amla
Custom bridal diets, because one size never fits all
Vegan & vegetarian brides: Fill protein and B12 gaps with moong, tofu, fortified plant milk, and nutritional yeast. Iron from garden cress, jaggery and prunes.
PCOS & hormonal imbalances: Use millets, bitter vegetables, and cinnamon tea to manage insulin spikes and hormonal acne.
Gluten intolerant: Opt for bajra, jowar, ragi, and healing aids like buttermilk with jeera, or rice kanji.
Brides trying to lose kilos: Ditch crash diets. Eat early dinners, sip detox teas, and focus on portion control, not starvation.
Glow from sleep: Yes, that’s a thing. Shah swears by her Ayurvedic sleep potli—a fragrant mix of lavender, brahmi, jatamansi, and nutmeg kept under your pillow. “It calms the vata, soothes the nervous system, and helps you get sound sleep,” she says.
Pro tip:
“Nourish to flourish—don’t just eat less, eat wise. Support your digestion. Keep your food seasonal. Be kind to your body. Your glow will follow,” advices Shah. So this bridal season, maybe skip the diet fads and embrace your grandma’s wisdom. The glow you’re looking for? It’s simmering on your stovetop.
