Advice, Exercise, festival special, Fitness, food, Health, Meals and Snacks, Tips

Navaratri tips for fasting

akhilasoukhya, dietitian in bangalore, food recipes, navaratri fasting tips, nutritionist, smart eater Advice, Exercise, festival special, Fitness, food, Health, Meals and Snacks, Tips October 5, 2018 1 Comment

Navratri special: Navratri is one of the most important Hindu festivals celebrated twice in a year.

In the eastern state of West Bengal, the festival takes the shape of Durga Puja, when the devotees of the deity celebrate the triumph of good over evil.

In north India, Gujarati people observe a seven day fast during Navratri and break their fast on Navami, the nine days of the festival by worship young girls.

People from all over the world celebrate Navratri special with passion, intensity, and enthusiasm. While some people take participate in the celebrations for religious reasons but others look to give their body a much needed lose weight.

If you plan to fast this Navratri special then make sure that it is done the healthy way. It can help you lose weight, wash your mind and will leave you feeling great!

Tips to follow to make fasting in good health –

1. Keep yourself happy, making your cheeks rosy and eyes bright. Drink lots of water max to max 2 litter par day and liquid like lemon water, coconut water, Energy drink, green tea, and buttermilk.

2. Eat minimum meals and do not get hungry yourself. This will help keep blood sugar levels and stop you from feeling faint and low.

3. Amaranth Grain, one of the most promising unexploited food and folder crops. It is the best protein origin you can take during fasting. Make amaranth porridge with milk or cook it as namkeen dalia with lots of vegetables.

4. Combine high carbohydrates food like sabudana and potatoes which is mostly used in fasting with other stringy vegetables like bottle guard spinach, capsicum, tomatoes, cabbage, etc. Also try to roast, grill or bake vegetables instead of deep-frying them.

5. Samak rice is very easy to digest and can be applied in any kind of quantity.

6. Control those evil sugar strong desire by eating a lot of dates, Samak rice kheer, apple kheer, and fruits raita.

7. Try and eat healthy snacking and don’t overeat onnamkeens packets as they are high in salt and fat content.

8. Instead, pick for roasted makhana, a mix of nuts like almonds/ raisins/ walnut / baked chips, roasted peanuts, etc.

9. Change sugar with honey or jaggery.

10. Use skimmed milk instead of full cream milk.

Advice, Diet, Fitness, food, Wellness

Why fasting during Shravan is good?

akhilasoukhya, dietitian in bangalore, shravan fasting, smart eater Advice, Diet, Fitness, food, Wellness August 16, 2018 Leave a comment

The Hindu month of Shravan is when many people follow fasts on certain days like Mondays or eat only one meal for the entire month. There are also other days like the Chaturthi, Ekadashi, Poornima (full moon day) etc. when fasting is followed too. Why did this practice of fasting begin? What are the rules? Does it have any benefits – health and otherwise?

The spiritual reason

It is believed that fasting has been a part of Hinduism, which is a way of life, since the beginning. We, humans, spend a lot of time in planning, procuring, cooking and eating food which not only becomes an exhausting activity by itself, but it also takes away from what should be a spiritual way of life. Or so is the belief! So, certain days were followed as days of fast when one would abstain from eating or would eat limited, saatvik foods.

Hence, the food allowed on fasts were supposed to be those which are easy to procure throughout the year, like the tubers sweet potato, yam, tapioca, the millets like the Indian barnyard millet (samo/varai/bhagar/saamai), grains like amaranth (rajgira), dried fruits, water chestnuts etc. It was believed that when you don’t have to spend too much time in managing the food part of every day, you end up having more time to be close to the Almighty or the higher spiritual powers, and hence one would take up these fasts with joy.

The present reality

Unfortunately, over time, fasting has become more of a feasting where people indulge in deep fried starchy foods like potatoes, sabudana (sago palm starch pearls), sweets made using dairy products and heavy handed use of ghee. Also, often people forget the real purpose and goal of a fast eat simple foods (eg. Fruits), do not over eat, eat less at each meal or decrease the number of meals, cook food in a saatvik way (avoid deep frying, processed foods).

So instead of being able to derive any of the reported benefits of fasting like improved digestion, improved insulin levels, decreased body weight – one ends up actually feeling bloated and is unable to sleep at night due to the ‘upvaas’ feasting induced hyper- acidity.

How to derive health benefits from fasting?

Take the focus away from food: Instead of planning a visit to a new upvaas food joint, eat a fruit and enjoy the light feeling tummy.
Eat nutritious carbs: Stay away from starchy potatoes and sabudana and derive the nutritious benefits of foods like water chestnut, rajgira and varai.
Follow the ancient Chinese rule of eating: Eat one morsel less than what makes you feel full. Do not overeat at any cost.
Detox: Drink plenty of water and eat fresh fruits as that is what will keep you feeling energetic.
Revive the Saatvik way: Use healthier cooking methods for making delicious upvaas food eg. Make sabudana appe instead of sabudana wada or a upvaasache thalipeeth made from upvaas bhajani instead of sabudana thalipeeth.
No feasting after fasting: Once you are done with the fast, do not try to compensate for the imaginary loss of calories by bingeing the next day.
Exercise, always: It would be useful to remember that a fast does not mean you are unwell, no need to use that as an excuse to not exercise every day.

Advice, Diet, food, meal palnning, nutrition, Oats Recipe, Protein

How many types of Oats are Available?

akhilasoukhya, dietitian in bangalore, food recipes, health, nutritionist, smart eater, types of oats Advice, Diet, food, meal palnning, nutrition, Oats Recipe, Protein June 16, 2018 2 Comments

Types of Oats

Oats are one of the few whole grains you’ll find many varieties of on the grocery shelf, making them an extremely versatile ingredient. With such a wide selection available, choosing the right oat for your recipe might be a little challenging. Use this quick guide to the oats you’ll find at the store to make your decisions a little easier, and perhaps you’ll be tempted to give them each a try!

All-natural and delicious, oats – in all their forms – are a terrific way to add fiber, vitamins, minerals, and plant-protein to any diet. Here’s what to look for at the grocery store:

Steel cut oats

These are coarsely cut groats with a sharp steel blade. The nutritional profile & Glycemic Index of this kind remains the same as the whole groats. The cook time of this is slightly lesser than the whole groats as they are cut.

Whole oat groats

These are hulled oat kernels meaning the outermost layer that is inedible is removed from the whole grain oats. These are chewy and go great in salads, slow cooked stews and pilafs. The cooking time of oat groats is quite long as much as 50 to 60 mins apart from the soaking time. Not all oat varieties have low glycemic index, but these have the lowest Glycemic Index among their counter parts since these are least processed.

Scottish oatmeal

The whole groats are stone ground to coarse meal, great to make porridge and stews. Cooking time is about 15 to 20 mins.

Regular or Rolled oats

These are made similar to the Indian Poha. They are steamed and then rolled to flatten them. So they can be eaten as such without cooking. They also cook quite fast. It is always good to use these organic since we do not rinse them and are consumed directly.

Quick cook oatmeal

These are steamed for longer and pressed more to make them flakes than the previous kind. The nutritional profile of this kind is almost the same as the rolled variety. These have a high glycemic index and must be consumed in moderation. It is good to use these too organic.

If you are striving to prevent or manage diabetes, then the best kind is to use whole groats or steel cut oats and the next choice should be rolled variety. Quick cook or instant variety are more processed and is almost similar to any processed food and is good to avoid them.

Reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, lower cholesterol levels, improved immunity, reduced risk of type 2 diabetes are some of the health benefits that come just with the consumption of 1 bowl of oatmeal regularly. But most of us may not prefer to eat a porridge regularly.

Diet, food, meal palnning, Oats Recipe

Oats Idli

akhilasoukhya, choose your food wisely, dietitian, dietitian in bangalore, nutritionist, oats idli, smart eater Diet, food, meal palnning, Oats Recipe June 15, 2018 3 Comments

Low on carbs and healthy idlis made with oats and grated carrots. Ideal for those who are calorie conscious. Oats being rich in minerals, vitamins and proteins gives this dish a high nutritive value without compromising on the delicious taste. Easy and quick to make, this Low Calorie Oats Idli recipe is ideal for a good breakfast or brunch at home.

Ingredients:

Oats – 2 cups
Rava (Sooji) – 2 cups
Curd – 1 cup
Buttermilk – 1 1/2 cups (or as required)
Asafoetida – little
Coriander Leaves – handful, chopped
Cooking Soda – 1/2 tsp
Carrot – 2 to 4 tblsp, grated
Green Peas – 2 to 3 tblsp, shelled
Green Chilli Paste as per taste
Mustard Seeds – 3 tsp
Salt as per taste
Oil as required

Method:

1. Dry roast the oats in a pan over medium flame for 3 to 5 minutes.
2. Remove, cool and grind to a coarse/smooth powder.
3. Dry roast the rava until golden and remove.
4. Cool and mix with the oats in a bowl.
5. Heat little oil in a kadhai over medium flame.
6. Fry the mustard seeds for 30 seconds.
7. Add carrot, green peas, green chilli paste and saute for a minute or two.
8. Add this to the oats mixture.
9. Add salt, asafoetida, coriander leaves, cooking soda, curd and buttermilk.
10. Mix well to a idli batter consistency.
11. Cover and keep aside for a few minutes.
12. Pour into greased idli plates and steam cook until done.
13. Remove and serve hot with chutney or sambar.

Benefits

1. Prevents cardiovascular disease: “The antioxidants present in oats are beneficial for heart disease and the dietary fibers help lower the bad cholesterol (LDL) without affecting the good cholesterol (HDL)”.

2. Prevents constipation: Oats are a rich source of fiber, both soluble and insoluble, which helps in regulating bowel movements and hence prevents constipation.

3. Controls blood sugar levels: Since oats help stabilise blood sugar and reduce risk of type-2 diabetes, diabetics should consume oats regularly.

4. Reduces hypertension: If you suffer from high blood pressure, a daily dose of oats will help combat this problem and in turn, lower risk of hypertension.

Advice, Diet, food, Health, nutrition

Choose your food wisely

akhilasoukhya, choose your food wisely, dietitian, dietitian in bangalore, nutritionist, smart eater Advice, Diet, food, Health, nutrition May 13, 2018May 13, 2018 4 Comments

We all can eat better, and truthfully, there are simple and delicious substitutions for the unhealthy food items you love. Here are some ideas. Try them and figure out what tastes good to you. It’s worth the effort.

Eat lean chicken, Not chicken nuggets

Benefits of lean chicken:

High Protein Content
Rich in Vitamins & Minerals
Weight Loss
Control of Blood Pressure
Reduced Cancer Risk
Reduced Cholesterol
Treatment of Common Cold

Eat a veggie burger, Not a cheeseburger

B Vitamins
Iron
Fiber and Protein

Eat baked potatoes, Not French fries

Just 110 calories.
No fat, sodium or cholesterol.
Nearly half your daily value of vitamin C.
More potassium than a banana.
A good source of vitamin B6.
Fiber, magnesium and antioxidants.
Resistant starch.

Eat whole grain toast, Not doughnuts

They’re High in Nutrients and Fiber.
Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease.
Lower Your Risk of Stroke.
Reduce Your Risk of Obesity.
Lower Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes.
Support Healthy Digestion

Eat hummus, Not ketchup

Good Source of Plant-Based Protein
Fights Illness and Disease
Decreases Inflammation
Helps Digestion and Intestinal Health
High in Vitamins and Minerals
Supports Bone Health
Protects Heart Health
Boosts Your Energy

Eat dried fruit and nuts, Not potato chips

High Fiber
Antioxidants
Nutrient Density

Eat spaghetti squash, Not pasta

Anti-Inflammatory To Fight Cancer & Arthritis
Promotes Cardiovascular Health
Helps Prevent Birth Defects
Eye Health
Antioxidants
Aids Weight Loss

Eat lettuce wraps, Not tortillas

Fights Inflammation. Certain proteins in lettuce (or Romaine lettuce), like lipoxygenase and carrageenan, help control inflammation.
Aids Weight Loss. Save.
Promotes Brain Health.
Boosts Heart Health.
Help Fight Cancer.
Cuts Diabetes Risk.
Promotes Vision Health. …
Promotes Digestive Health.

Advice, Diet, Exercise, Fitness, Health

5 Health Tips to stay Fit in this Summer

carbs vs protein, exercise, fit and disease free, smart eater, stay hydrated, summer, summer tips Advice, Diet, Exercise, Fitness, Health April 11, 2018 5 Comments

5 Health Tips to stay Fit this Summer

We are in Summer – one season when we plan for vacations and travel around with family. This is also why we need to be fit and disease free. But, how would you get there? What would you do to remain healthy and fit throughout the summer? We will bring a series of articles and tips that may help you to lose some weight , Stay Fit and beat this hot summer.

Let’s begin with 5 important basic Health & Diet Tips Today :

Be a smart eater:

The best way to follow a healthy plan is to eat smart with plenty of vegetables and fruits. You may need to change your eating habits, unlike what you would eat say in winter. Different seasons require different diets to maintain the body. You would need to alter and organize your eating habit in summer, which should focus on your health and not on your weight. Eat at regular intervals during the day, maintaining to eat plenty of vegetable salads and fruits or fruit juices. These will only burn off the calories and strengthen the vitamin contents in your body.

Decrease the carbohydrates and Increase Proteins:

The important thing is to know what constitutes your food intake. Does it contain carbohydrates or is your intake protein based food. In any case, one should avoid all kinds of fatty foods, especially when you are trying to lose weight. While having small meals always keep in mind that you should not take any kind of carbohydrates or fat related food, but instead take protein rich food. This would keep your body hydrated and healthy with a glowing skin, in spite of summer temperature.

Exercise, exercise and exercise:

Exercise forms an integral part of a healthy diet plan. And one can feel the effects of exercise, which burn out excessive calories. Be it a walk, jogging, some gym workouts or Yoga would rather help your healthy diet plan to enhance your body. It is always advisable to participate in some form of physical activity for 45 minutes daily.

Hydrate yourself Well: This is simple.

Drink a lot of water or Fresh fruit Cut bowls or juices throughout the day. This would not only quench your thirst, but would also cool your system. These would regain your electrolytes, which are lost through sweating. Once you get dehydrated you will lose all your energy and your body won’t respond to the normal functions. Having a lot of fruit juices would keep your body hydrated.

Maintain a record:

If you can maintain or keep track of your summer health diet plans, you would definitely lose weight and remain healthy. This will help you to introspect on what you eat and why you eat. You’ll become mindful eater.

So go ahead , plan for that dream vacation you always wanted to have. Eat plenty of vegetable salads and have lots of fruits and fruit juices to fine-tune your body to look fresh with a skin glow, even during the summer. Stay Healthy and Happy.

Redefine complete wellness

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