Nutrients & more...

When I was a kid, we had different sweets for every season. Whether it be  Rasgulla  and  kulfi  (ice cream) in summer or  gajar halwa  (carrot pudding),  til laddoo, gajak, etc.  in winter, or  Ghevars and choorma in monsoons,  every season had its own special sweet.  We were allowed to overindulge in these seasonal delicacies as kids until our excesses sent us straight to the dentist's waiting rooms. While growing up, I saw most people in my family struggling with Diabetes, Hypertension, Obesity, Heart disease, and even cancer. I wondered how to prevent or delay them as they tend to run in families. I came across a staple that is kept in every kitchen worldwide and is used at alarming levels in the food processing industry. Sugar Sugar comprises two molecules of sucrose. Sucrose is an easily assimilated macronutrient that provides a quick source of energy to the body, provoking a rapid rise in blood glucose upon ingestion. Its exc...

Do you know that bacterial action continues upto 30 min. after you have finished your meal ?? Since we all cannot spare time to brush after every meal or snack, here are a few easy tips to combat tooth decay. 1) Get a dental check-up every year- You'll know how much help you require. You might trap the cavity before it goes bad. 2) Rinse mouth thoroughly with water after every meal. 3) Floss once a day, preferably before sleeping at night. Flossing help reduce the bacterial action at night when saliva production is low. 4) Brush your teeth twice a day preferably after meals. [Note: Person already using fluoridated water should avoid fluoridated toothpaste - excess fluoride can cause mottling.] 5) Use a mouthwash regularly. Remember the anti-plaque force! 6) Have a healthy diet . 7) Allow yourself some sunlight (about 15 min. in the morning) to get some Vit. D. Without actually eating!! 8) Don't smoke or chew tobacco - They remove the protective la...

Most of us have visited the dentist at some point or the other while growing up. Quite a few of us have got our cavities filled too! Oral hygiene is stressed upon but diet of the person is equally important. A sensible diet can make dentist's visit a routine check-up instead of an ordeal. Here are a few suggestions: 1. Have sufficient vit. D, calcium and phosphorus (good for bones will be good for teeth) in your diet. 2. Snack smart - Eat less sugary snacks. Eg. Vegetable salads, bhutta (fire roasted corn cob), plain or salted lemonade, unsweetened milk, roasted nuts, cucumber salad, boiled eggs, cheese crackers, apple , pears , sprouts salad or carrot sticks. 3. Include meat and dairy in your diet. A high protein diet is often good source of minerals. 4. Reduce the intake of Phytic acid (present in grains and reduces the absorption of minerals) by soaking, sprouting and fermenting. Note: even though oats are high in Phytic acid, the rolled oats available in the m...