Health Bytes
Freekeh is the trending grain that is low in fat, but rich in protein and fibre which will keep you feeling fuller for longer. Freekeh is higher in fibre compared to quinoa or bulgar with a lower glycemic index and a high iron content. Simply switching in freekeh to replace rice, pasta, bulgar wheat and quinoa is a great way to give it a try.
As per experts, our food is nutritious and we will be healthy if we consume nutritious food. Another word targeted is 'refined'. Food companies have been calling wheat refined after stripping it from its essential wheat and germ but additionally enriched it with vitamins and iron. Describing words for food has a major influence on people's decision on what to eat. With better information and a clearer definition of food, we can make smarter choices.
Improving your diet doesn't have to mean you spend all your cash on high-priced healthy foods. Sweet potatoes, eggs, mackerel, turkey breasts, broccoli, carrots, puy lentils, bananas are stomach and pocket-friendly. All of the above are packed with nutrients and low in fat provided they are not fried in oil. Add them to your diet as a replacement to carb-rich foods.
Greek yogurt is thick and creamy filled with gut-friendly bacteria and punched with nutrition. Excess whey in it is removed resulting in a higher protein level. It can be enjoyed plain, seasoned with nuts, topped with fruits or drizzled with honey to make a nutritious snack. You can experiment it as an alternative to cream cheese, mayonnaise or sour cream.
Tired of the same healthy food day-in and day out? Try Kohlrabi, a German turnip, rich in vitamins and phytochemicals which have a similar texture and taste to broccoli and cabbage. It can be eaten raw or cooked. Zoodles will be an interestingly new way to incorporate more veggies to your diet. Tef, the new quinoa have claims to cure everything from liver disease to eczema. Consume a variety of veggies for a balanced diet.
A misconception of doubling normal food amount during pregnancy is common. A foetus needs only one-sixth of it. Secondly, skipping antenatal classes is common but it prepares mothers for postnatal care. Thirdly, letting cravings take you over with unhealthy food can lead to a negative impact. Fourthly, avoiding exercises during pregnancy can only lead to obesity and lastly, accepting advice from just about any professional is a no-no. Not all are trained in certain areas.
According to health experts, fertility can be obtained by fasting and restricting calories. Fasting is a medical exercise that can enhance fertility. Fasting activates autophagy where cells eliminate damage and defend them from building destructing proteins which tend to delay age-related diseases and increases longevity. It also increases weight loss apart from enhancing brain and immunity cells.
Research in the US suggests that largely consuming potatoes and chips may rise the risk of diabetes during pregnancy because starch can spike blood sugar levels. UK experts differ in thought saying that starchy foods provide necessary fiber. Research suggests that consuming low Glycaemic Index (GI) foods that release sugar into the blood more steadily help manage diabetes. More starchy foods and fruits and vegetables should be incorporated to our diets.
Recent studies in Barcelona and Japan point to the same thing - mom’s fish intake during pregnancy determines baby’s brain development. Pregnant mothers who included more fish in their diet had children with better brain function. Seafood has important nutrients and omega-3 and 6 required for brain development. The standard recommendation is 150-600 grams of fish a week for pregnant women. Although seafood comes with the threat of mercury poisoning, the study conducted in Barcelona among 2,000 mothers proves differently.
There are a few things that you should avoid in order to have shiny healthy teeth. Sweet candy contains high amount of sugar that cause cavities. Tea and coffee contain tannic acid that affects the enamel coating of your teeth making them brown in appearance. Pickles also harm the teeth in a similar way. Citrus fruits, soda and wine also erode the enamel coating of the teeth making it prone to staining. So, next time you want to flaunt those bright 32 stay away from these food products.
As per a recent report on Economic Times, Bagrry's India Ltd, a health food and breakfast cereal brand will soon be opening a chain of restaurants. These quick service outlets will be competing with fast food companies such as McDonalds and KFC. They intend to give their customers healthier and quick snacking alternatives. The snacks include oat based sandwiches, muesli and wheat bran based desserts.
Tofu is a soybean like product which is formed by grinding soybean. Ideal for people on vegan diet, tofu has a lot of health benefits. It is believed that regular consumption of tofu can reduce cardiovascular ailments. As its low on fat it prevents obesity and fights against diabetes. The proteins in tofu tones skin and being rich in nutrients, minerals and antioxidant, it also boosts immunity.
We purchase health food to improve our health but the process of cooking might make our health food unhealthy! That's right, the cookware that we use might release harmful substances in our food that might make us face serious health issues. Research suggests that particles released from non-stick cookware might cause tumours. Hence, it's recommended to cook food in low flame when using a non-stick cookware.
We have an ecosystem of bacteria in our gut. This consists of good and bad bacteria. Lack of sleep, stress, certain foods or various other causes, it may affect digestive health and overall well-being. Consuming certain probiotics can help this whole gut situation by providing a regular source of good bacteria to the intestinal tract, improving how it functions and how you feel. Research links gut health to brain health and even weight.
The world is in a nutrition crisis with one in three people either overweight or undernourished. The world's largest food and beverage companies have shown some progress in easing the nutrition crisis. Access to Nutrition Index (ATNI) will aid companies to work with international organizations, civil societies and governments to address obesity and undernourishment. They will do this by making healthier food which are affordable and labelling them responsibly.
Humans are the only animals that cook food due to which they have reduced their life span by half of its potential due to food and lifestyle related issues. Dr. Beetle P.S says that cooking food can be harmful to health as nutrition from these foods are lost. Next time when you have food add something raw like fruits, green veggies and sprouts to your diet.
Is your stomach growing constantly? This could be a case of a bloated stomach. Don't worry, It can be treated easily with some lifestyle changes. Experts say that chewing food slowly and a little amount of physical activity works well for reducing a bloated stomach. Other changes include keeping a check on the salt intake, eating wisely, avoiding carbonated drinks and chewing gums and drinking water regularly.
Lifting heavy weight at the gym can cause sore muscles. It can also be caused due to disturbance in blood flow or dehydration. The circulatory system is hampered when there is a stress on the muscles leading to its tightening. This prevents nutrients to reach the muscles causing soreness. Some food items like salmon, coffee, ginger, Pomegranate and blueberries help in soothing sore muscles.
While goji berries did not stick for long, there are a few health foods that we will be seeing a lot in 2016. Matcha tops the list. Derived from green tea leaves, there are more than a million pictures on Instagram where people have used it in various food preparations. Seeds like sunflower, watermelon, pumpkin, chia and hemp to name a few are second on the list. Sauerkraut and Sorghum also make the list. Sauerkraut is a probiotic made by fermenting cabbage and Sorghum is a gluten free grain rich in essential nutrients.
Students in Indore are finding it difficult to adapt to healthy food by letting go Junk food. When asked about the replacement of junk food with healthy food in school canteens a 7th standard student from a private school said that he and his friends loved eating burgers and samosas. He added that if these items will not be available in the canteen then there will be nothing for him and his friends to eat. Most of the children are concerned about their friends who are addicted to fast food as per reporters of TOI.