Nutrients & more...

Fruits are one of the best snacks we can have and Apple comes with scores of advantages (apart from the fact that its so crunchy, juicy and tasty). Apple facts: 1. Apple has a low glycemic index . That means, it'll not shoot up your blood sugar levels . Perfect if you are a diabetic. 2. It has beneficial antioxidants i.e. it'll help combat ageing. 3. Its phytochemicals (non-nutrient plant compound) have protective effect against heart diseases, cancer and asthma. 4. It has pectin , which is water soluble fiber . It helps in slowing the absorption of fats from intestine and thus helps in reducing cholesterol levels. 5. It gives you an energy boost and wakes you up when you get drowsy. A very good alternative to endless cups of coffee. 6. Processing raw apples (into pie, jams, jellies etc.) affects its phytochemical content, so its best to eat it raw. Enough reasons to have at least one apple everyday?? No...You might like to visit the links given at the end o...

We load up on oat bran in the morning so we'll live forever. Then we spend the rest of the day living like there's no tomorrow. ~Lee Iacocca Whenever I ask someone about their diet, they tend to tell me about the most healthy thing that they do in the day like; having a healthy breakfast or having only salad in dinner. How many of us actually pay any attention to our lunch? Make your lunch healthy; use these easy strategies Carry lunch from home- this helps to control the quality & amount of food you eat. One inadvertently opts for a fresh and healthier choice when one carries his/her lunchbox to work. You can make healthy mixes like dal daliya , if you know you will lack time for a proper sit down at lunch. Eat healthy snacks- Having fruits, vegetable salad, low fat yogurt and dry fruit mix at your desk instead of cans of colas or cups of coffee will keep up your energy levels and fill you up with essential nutrients and fiber. Have correct portions of food-...

One of my friends told me that she had this tendency of munching on junk food in between the meals. While its healthy to have between-meals snacks, it's actually counterproductive if we indulge in highly fatty, salty and sugary foods. The easiest and the best option was (and is) fruits. Fruits as snack have a multitude of advantages: They are full of essential nutrients - From simple carbohydrates to fight off those hunger pangs to antioxidants which protect from cancer; fruits have a wide array of nutrients packed in them. Easily available - From the street vendors to a five star hotel, fruits are available at all places. Tasty - They are a treat for the taste buds. Sweet, sour, tangy , nutty , you name it and you get it. Not to mention that you can mix and make a fruit salad for a melody of flavours. Guilt free snacks - With most fruits having a benefit for high fiber, dieters will not have trouble keeping their calorie intake in check. Happy fruit snacking!! Pic ...

Most of us, sign up for the gym and then forget about it in a few weeks. But what about the word 'regular' in the phrase regular exercise ?? What can we do to include exercise on a regular basis? Choose morning workouts - so that we don’t have excuses or other diversions which usually crop up in the later part of the day. We're done with our daily activity dose right in the morning. Not to mention that its easier to burn fat on an empty stomach. Also when we kick start the day with exercise our metabolic rate increases i.e. we'll continue to use up more energy. Great for the weight watchers. Have Variety - Having more than one interests helps you in choosing alternate activities. So that if you can't swim because of winters, at least you can play cricket in the sun. Don’t hesitate to try new activities. Enjoy it - Choose an activity which you enjoy, so that you look forward to it the next day. You should be eager to participate. Don't exercise, do fu...

I'll share the story of Mr. young india today. He is a charming and hard working guy. He rushes to office by 8 a.m. and is back at home only by 9 p.m. He uses his time on his way home by typing mails on his BB. Office stress doesn’t bother him. He just needs to get a smoke to think through it. Often, he gets late so he eats before leaving for home. Mc Donald's, Dominoes, Pizza hut and coffee day are nearby so he generally goes there. Cheesy burger and pizzas are his favorites. Weekends are for fun, so he goes clubbing. He drinks and dances like there's no tomorrow. His philosophy of life is "you have only one life, so live it to the fullest". One day Mr. Young India got a heart attack. He's 35 years old. Do you know who this guy is? He's the face of new urban India. Fraught by sickness and anxiety. Heart attacks and related conditions are becoming increasingly common among people as young as 30. These can be prevented, simply by an improveme...

If you ever had a fracture, you know how painful it is. That itch, discomfort, missed school/college/work and fun activities…it’s a total let down. Now imagine, someone fracturing his/her bones (thigh, arms, hip, wrists) every other day!! Unfortunately, this condition is fairly common (especially in old age) and is medically known as osteoporosis or osteomalacia . Are you prone? Yes, if : 1. You are White or Asian 2. Have a small frame 3. Have a family history 4. Have crossed menopause 5. Suffering from amenorrhea 6. Are malnourished or have a history of serious malnourishment in growth years (childhood & adolescence) 7. Smoking and drinking 8. Using steroids Prevention of this condition does not require any elaborate measures. Healthy diet and regular exercise is the key. Nutrients in focus Calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D are the main requirements for bone health. Here are some foods which can be taken in our daily diet. a. Calcium rich foods Dairy products l...

Do you feel lethargic even after having a good night's sleep? Do you get tired easily no matter what you do? Do you have difficulty concentrating? Has your friend/collegue/spouse commented that you have been looking pale these day? Chances are that you might be suffering from deficiency of iron . What is Iron? It is an essential mineral which serves diverse functions in the body. Since its required in small amounts, it is a 'micronutrient'. Why is iron important? 1. It is required in the blood cells for oxygen transport. Its deficiency causes anemia . 2. It is important for the development of the fetal brain. 3. Necessary for immune health. 4. It is required for producing energy in cells. 5. It is a constituent of our muscle protein 'myoglobin' and helps in storing oxygen in the muscles. 6. It’s a part of various enzymes in the body. What foods to eat? Include these in your diet: Liver, eggs, whole wheat flour, bajra , soyabeans, chickpeas, len...