Why Mast-o-Laboo is the midlife superfood you’ve been overlooking

Mast-o-Laboo: the Persian beet and yogurt dip for midlife wellness

Pregnancy in your 40s has a way of rewriting cravings and food priorities. For me, it was laboo, Persian beetroot, and baghali beans. On cold Tehran streets, the aroma of steaming laboo would draw me to stalls where ruby-red beets were stacked like little towers, promising warmth, flavour, and nourishment.

Mast-o-Laboo is a deceptively simple dish of yogurt and grated beetroot, yet it carries incredible nutritional benefits. Especially for women facing perimenopause, it supports heart health, liver function, and digestion, while delivering a gentle folate boost.

Experiencing Mast-o-Laboo in a Persian household

I first encountered Mast-o-Laboo at a Persian family gathering, with laughter and clattering dishes filling the room. At the centre, a humble bowl of yogurt crowned with grated beetroot beckoned. My stomach hesitated, morning sickness was in full swing, but the warmth of family, and H’s auntie chanting, “bokhor, bokhor azizam” (eat up, darling), reminded me that food is as much about culture and connection as it is about sustenance.

Mast-o-Laboo recipe: how to make this Persian beet dip

Ingredients

• 2 cups plain yogurt
• 2 medium or large beets
• 1 tbsp sugar
• Salt to taste
• Water

Method

• Place beets in a pan with three cups of water and sugar. Cook until tender. Patience is essential.
• Let the beets cool completely.
• Peel and grate the beets, a mindful step that turns preparation into a mini wellness ritual.
• Mix yogurt, grated beet, and a pinch of salt. Stir gently.
• Chill in the fridge. Cold Mast-o-Laboo maximises flavour and texture.
• Serve to friends, family, or enjoy solo as a nourishing midlife treat.

“At midlife, food is more than fuel, it is care. Even a simple beet and yogurt bowl can transform both table and soul.”

Why Mast-o-Laboo is more than a dip

Mast-o-Laboo is nourishment in both body and spirit. Yogurt delivers probiotics that support gut health, while beets provide antioxidants and folate, helping women maintain energy, vascular health, and liver function. Preparing this dish is a gentle reminder that food can be a small act of self-care in the midst of busy midlife schedules.

Further Reading & Resources

• Midlife Fitness Tips for Women Over 40
• Nutrition During Perimenopause
• Beet Nutrition Guide – BBC Good Food