Saturday, 23 July 2011

The 7 Day Diet

                        Rid Your body of accumulated toxins once or twice a year with a 7 day diet consisiting of fruits & Vegetables.

                             This 7 day diet is mainly for cleansing the body system. You don't have to fall ill to cleanse your system. It's wise to eliminate the accumulated toxins and clean the body  once or twice a year to restore physical and mental health, vigour and vitality. Remember to consult your doctor before starting this cleansing diet plan.

Day 1 and 2:

         Fruits and vegetables. Add 3 bowls of vegetable soups(Prepare these soups as indicated below) . Eat any of the 2 fruits  every 3 hours - apple, orange or grape fruit, pomegranate, lemon. Lunch and dinner should be a bowl of salad comprising of tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, grated carrot and spinach. You can add a pinch of salt, pepper and lemon juice for the dressing.



Day 3, 4 and 5:

             Add 2 boiled or baked potatoes and cooked vegetables(Prepare these vegetables as indicated below) to your diet. Two baked or boiled potatoes (without oil or butter) can be consumed at any time during the day. You can add lemon and spices to make the potato tasty.

Day 6 and 7:

        Add 4 Chapattis to your meal. Add 2 chapattis without oil/butter or ghee for lunch and dinner. Note: It's essential to gradually add more foods, when you get back to your regular eating habits. These transition should be carefully planned to avoid any discomfort or damage.

Caution:

        Drastic dietary restrictions can undermine your health and should generally be avoided. For Example, excessive fasting or consistent use of enemas can upset the body's balance of fluids and minerals and lead to potentially dangerous consequences such as weakness or even irregular heartbeat. If a dietary recommendation seems extreme, your wisest course is to consult a doctor.

Vegetable soup Preparation
 Ingredients:
                    Pumpkin, carrot, Cauliflower, celery, green vegetables.

Method:

               Steam the vegetables. Add water and blend the vegetables in a blender. Heat olive oikl (1/2 teaspoon) in a pan, then add vegetables and seasoning of Coriander, pepper, thyme, herbs. Consume a bowl of soup in the morning, noon and night.



For Cooked Vegetables:

             Use one teaspoon of olive oil. Eat any vegetables of your choice, except potatoes. Consume 1 bowl of cooked vegetables, mid morning, noon and night. You can substitute vegetable soup with cooked vegetables or consume both according to your preference.

                     There are many ways to cleanse the system. According to most practitioners, evaluation of diet and lifestyle is considered crucial to good health. Also, the practitioners diagnosis may involve laboratory analysis, X-rays and a physical examination. 



                  Reccomendations for treatment may include one or more natural remedies, depending on the symptoms and the practitioners philosophy and experience. Potential adverse effects of most natural therapies are few and mild. But, remember "natural" does not invariably equal to "safe". It's more important to be sensible. To avoid pitfalls, make sure you consult a licensed doctor who has good safety records.

Cool Drinks for Hot Summer
                  Summer days are here!!!  It's time to have some fun this summer. the human body loses fluids while sweating. That's why we feel thirsty. To quench your thirst, here  are some summer drinks. These drinks are refreshing and tasty but also nutritious.

Tender Coconut Water

              The sweet tasty clear liquid found inside a coconut  is a good choice when you are exhausted because it hydrates your body by replacing lost minerals and salts. It's essentially fat free and contains natural salts, sugars and vitamins including potassium, magnesium and calcium. It has multiple health benefits - it cleanses the digestive tract, cures malnourishment, boosts the immune system and kills intestinal worms. It can be used as an intravenous solution as it mixes easily with blood  and its electrolyte profile is somewhat similar to that of human blood plasma. During World war II, doctors would directly inject coconut water into the veins of patients who suffered severe loss of blood. It is not surprising then that coconut water is called "The Fluid of life"!



Green Tea and mint sorbet
Ingredients:
               Green tree extract: 30 ml, fresh mint leaves: as required, sugar and honey.

Method:
                 To a litre of water add the desired green tea extracts, finely shredded mint leaves and sugar.
               Mix till the sugar gets dissolved. Switch on the sorbet machine and pour the dissolved mixture with honey in it. Run the machine till the sorbet freezes, Use as desired.

                 A bag of green tea  contains zero calories, besides being rich in antioxidants, green tea is believed to have anti-cancer properties.

Mediterranean Diet for preventing Cancer

                       Losing weight can help reduce risk of cancer if you are over weight or obese, but not all diet plans are effective in lowering that risk.

                        Diets that help protect against cancer are those that encourage long-term changes in eating habit and also provide a variety of options from all foods.Mediterranean diet promotes a life-long commitment to good nutrition it also meets the dietary guidelines preventing cancer and heart diseases.

                          Mediterranean diet includes plenty of fruits, vegetables and other plant-based foods. This diet uses herbs and spices instead of salt, limited consumption of red meat and alcohol. Uses olive and canola oils instead of butter. Constitutes fish and poultry at least twice a week. 

                            This diet also involves eating 6 to 7 small meals instead of the usual 3 large meals. The mediterranean diet offers the cancer preventing benefits such as

                       - Fruits,vegetables and whole grains in at least half your daily meals,
                       - limiting foods high in fat,
                      - eating lean protein,
                      - daily physical activity.

               Diet plans that encourage short-term change usually don't provide the nutrients to your body needs on a daily basis.
                                   Gluten-free diets are becoming popular but people should not go gluten-free unless they have celiac disease.Gluten free diet means avoiding foods with whole grains which are high in fibre, vitamins and minerals. All of these protects calls from damage that can lead to cancer.


                           Carbohydrate -  free diets are another bad choice. Completely avoiding carbohydrates deprives the body of its primary source of energy and some cancer-fighting foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans.

                            Instead of going carbohydrate free, choose your carbs wisely. Pick whole grains instead of cakes, cookies and other foods made with processed or refined grains and sugars.                              

Friday, 22 April 2011

Nuts and Almonds - reduces bad cholesterol


                           Almonds are one of the most nutritious nuts. They are rich in protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. You can eat it as a quick healthy snack, put it in your milk shake or mix it with fresh fruits and vegetables to make a detoxifying drink.

       When it comes to snack foods, the almonds health benefits get top honours.The main benefits of almonds in daily diet ensures

·         Healthy Heart,
·         Reduces Bad Cholesterol,
·         Improves Blood Circulation,
·         Strengthens our Bones,
·         Helps Lose weight,
·         Reduces risk of Cancer,
·         Prevents Gallstones,
·         Good in pregnancy,
·         Beauty aid,
·         Energy Booster,
·         Brain Power,
·         Good source of Protein.



                  According to study, those who consume nuts 5 times a week had a 50% reduction in risk of heart attack. The Vitamin E in almonds acts as an antioxidant and reduces the risk of heart diseases. Almonds also help reduce C - reactive protein (CRP) which causes artery damage inflammation.

     Almonds are a good source of monounsaturated fats and some polyunsaturated fats that help lower low-density lipoprotein(LDL or bad cholesterol). Almonds everyday can lower your bad cholesterol level by  8 - 12%.

    Almonds are high in potassium and low in sodium thereby helping regulate blood pressure. The high level of magnesium has a very positive effect on the arteries and veins which improves the flow of nutrients through our body.It also contains iron which helps carry oxygen to the body cells and organs.

         Almonds are a good source of calcium which prevents osteoporosis and strengthens the bones, teeth and muscles. It also provides other nutrients to increase the bone mineral density which helps strengthen the skeletal system.

               Almonds have high fibre, protein and good fat which satisfies the appetite very soon. Studies have revealed that almond rich low calorie diet helps obese people shed their weight. They are low glycemic index(GI) food. When eaten with a high GI food , it helps reduce rise in sugar and insulin levels after meals.

              Natural fibre in almonds improves the movement of food through the colon, thereby preventing colon cancer. It is an excellent source of vitamin E, phytochemicals and flavonoids that supress the growth of breast cancer cells. It is a rich source od boron which helps prevent prostate cancer.It even lowers the risk of developing gallstones. Almond oil also possess laxative properties which helps avoid constipation.

      Almond oil mixed with alma juice as a massage oil can prevent hair loss. It also prevents greying and thinning of hair. Also used in treatment for Dandruff. An almond face pack prevents dry skin, pimples and black heads and is a good long term cure for acne. It also improves skin complexion and premature aging.

       Almonds contains folic acid which helps reduce incidence of birth defects in new born babies.Nutrients present in almonds like protein, manganese, copper and riboflavin are used to generate energy. It helps in the brain development.Ayurveda recommends 5 almonds soaked in water every morning for maximum brain power . Phenylalanine a brain -boosting chemical present in almonds aid healthy development of cognitive functions. They are rich source of protein too. Here is a nutrient rich almond salad for everyone.

Almond Salad

      This almond salad is full of essential vitamins, iron, anti-oxidants, protein and good lipids everything needed for a healthy heart and mind. This is a perfect summer salad!

Ingredients

1 Bunch spinach leaves rinsed
7 medium straberries
3 spoon powdered sugar
1/2 cup Slivered almonds
1/2 cup orange juice
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup shredded cottage cheese
1/4 cup olive oil
 
Direction:

·         Mix olive oil, salt, lemon juice, orange juice and pepper in a small bowl.Whish well to form an even dressing.
·         Cut the straberries into small pieces and add powdered sugar to induce the sweetness.
·         Put spinach leaves and strawberries in an large salad bowl, add the dressing  and toss well so that the salad is evenly coated. Add almonds and mix well. Garnish with shredded cottage cheese.

            

Breastfeeding - Challenge for working mothers


There is a way to ensure the needs of both baby and mother.

             Most working women face a dilemma when the mother supposed to return to work after three months of maternity leave. How would a mother breastfeed her child when she is not with the child?

          Most working women face the same dilemma. Of course breastfeeding is the ultimate source of nutritents for the baby. All doctors recommend that babies are fed exclusively on breast milk for 4 to 6 months. This ensures the babies overall mental and physical well - being. But to quit a job is not the solution.

 Express and store Milk

            Most women do not know that breast milk can be expressed and stored in a 'Maternal Milk Container' before going to work, which is absolutely safe for the baby upto 4 hours at room temperature and a maximum of 72 hours if refrigerated. 'Breast Pumps' available in the market help mothers express more milk. Storing the milk in the maternal milk container helps keep its essential nutrients intact.

                  Breast pumps are mechanical devices used to extract milk from the breastbof the lactating mother. These are absolutely safe and do not have any long-term side effects.

      Maternal Milk Container are specially designed jars made of easy-to-sterilise plastics, which can be easily stored in the fridge or freezer to preserve expressed milk with all its nutrients intact.

      Now the mother can leave the baby at home with mother- in-law and still be sure that the baby is getting the nutrients the baby needs.

                         Returning to work does not mean the end of breastfeeding. For mothers who want to work after delivery means figuring out how to keep nursing without quitting job.Breast pumps gives them the freedom to leave the baby under someone else's care without having to worry about feeds.

                       It is advisable to start breast pumping and storing in a maternal milk container as soon as breastfeeding is established because many babies will refuse a bottle later. Every 3 or 4 days the baby should be fed the expressed milk.

                            The main challenge is to keep the milk from spoiling. "Expressed breast milk cannot be stored in just any container as the quality of vital nutrients may get lost or contaminated says Deparment of Pediatrics. "The milk should be stored only in the maternal milk container and it should be kept in a cool environment soon after pumping".

      Breastfeeding is essential for well being and proper development of the baby.A combination of "breastfeeding and expressed milk" ensures that the baby gets the essential antibodies through mother's milk to ward off infection and illness that can occur during the earliest years.