20/10/2025
The Traditional Gujranwala Diet
Forget the fancy supplements and protein shakes. For centuries, the legendary strength of Pakistani wrestlers, especially those from Gujranwala – the 'City of Wrestlers' – has been built on a foundation of pure, traditional, natural food. This is the ultimate testament to the power of a whole-food, ancestral diet!
🥛 The Holy Trinity of Gujranwala Pehlwani Strength (The Khurak):
The core of a wrestler's diet, known as the Khurak, is simple yet incredibly potent:
1. Pure Cow/Buffalo Milk: Consumed in large quantities (often liters daily), milk provides high-quality protein, calcium, and essential vitamins for bone health and muscle repair.
2. Desi Ghee (Clarified Butter): The powerhouse of energy! Ghee is revered as a 'Sattvic' food, providing necessary healthy fats for sustained energy, joint lubrication, and mental clarity during grueling, hours-long training sessions.
3. Almonds (Badam): Often ground into a paste with milk to make the famous Badam Thandai or Badam Ragda, almonds are rich in protein, healthy fats, and micronutrients—essential for stamina (dam kasi) and recovery.
💪 Beyond the Basics: Fueling for the Akhara
A Pehlwan's massive caloric and protein needs are met by traditional, high-nutrient Pakistani staples:
Paneer & Curd: Excellent sources of slow-digesting casein protein for overnight muscle repair.
Sprouted Chickpeas (Chana): A cheap, powerful source of plant-based protein and fiber, often eaten as a post-workout snack.
Whole Grains & Dal: Provides the complex carbohydrates (like chapatis/rotis and various lentils) needed to sustain their intense 7,000+ calorie daily intake.
Seasonal Fruits & Vegetables: Abundant in vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber to counteract the 'Rajasic' (active) nature of wrestling, promoting a 'Sattvic' (calm, balanced) state.
Gujranwala Pehlwan Wisdom: "The body built with milk and ghee lasts a lifetime. The body built with powders fades away."
The take-home lesson? Before reaching for a synthetic powder, look to the wisdom of our ancestors. Natural, traditional, and whole foods are the original super-supplements!