GOQii

Blog

Archives for August 2024

By Leave a Comment

2 Healthy Snacks Using Leftover Chapati

Looking for a way to turn your leftover chapatis into something tasty and nutritious? We’ve got you covered with two quick and healthy snack recipes. These easy-to-make dishes are not only a great way to minimize food waste but also provide essential nutrients, making them perfect for a satisfying snack between meals.

1. Chapati Chilla 

As the name suggests, it is a quick version of chilla or a roll for an evening snack. 

What You Will Need 

  • Chapatis – 2
  • Gram flour (besan) – 4 tbsp
  • Onion (finely chopped) – 2 tsp
  • Green chillies (finely chopped) – 1 small
  • Turmeric, salt, red chilli powder as per taste
  • Oil

Method:

  1. In a small bowl, add gram flour, onions and the spices. Then, add some water and whisk the contents well to make a medium thick batter.
  2. Now take a chapati and apply the batter on it.
  3. Heat a pan and place the batter-coated chapati on it. Cook well on both sides and enjoy with green chutney.

This recipe is rich in protein and makes for a health snack!

 2. Chapati Khakhra 

Crisp and topped with fresh veggies, this makes for a great snack option.

What You Will Need

  • Chapati – 1
  • Onion (finely chopped) – 2 tbsp
  • Tomato (finely chopped) – 2 tbsp
  • Cucumber (finely chopped) – 2 tbsp
  • Coriander (finely chopped) – 2 tbsp
  • Salt and chilli powder to taste

Method:

  1. Heat a pan and toast the chapati.
  2. Press it against the pan using a spatula or cloth, roasting both sides until it becomes crisp.
  3. On the freshly made khakhra, add onion, tomato, cucumber and coriander. Sprinkle salt and chilli powder over it and enjoy!

This recipe is high in fiber and tastes great! 

We hope you try these healthy snacks using leftover chapati. Do let us know your experience in the comments below. For more healthy recipes, check our Healthy Reads or you can also get customized recipes and diet plans tailored to your health goal, directly from a GOQii Coach, by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce 

By Leave a Comment

Probiotics & Atopic Dermatitis

Are bacteria and microbes always bad and harmful

Bacteria and microbes often get a bad rap, but the truth is, they are not always harmful. In fact, many bacteria and microbes play essential roles in maintaining our health and the environment. While some can cause diseases and infections, the vast majority are considered good and helpful for our body. These good ones are living microbes that are part of our intestine’s normal microbial flora, commonly known as probiotics.

Did you know that our gut is home to millions of microbes that play a crucial role in regulating inflammation and promoting good gut health? These beneficial microbes, or probiotics, aid in timely digestion and excretion, facilitate the intestinal absorption of nutrients, and protect our gut from harmful microbes. Regular intake of probiotics, whether through natural foods like curd or yogurt or as oral supplements, supports healthy skin and gut health.

But are probiotics related to AD? Can they help treat AD?

It is important to understand that probiotics help control the body’s immune response and inflammation, thereby regulating the release of inflammatory factors that aggravate AD. By managing inflammation, probiotics can help reduce the redness and inflammation associated with the disease. Moreover, probiotics not only limit inflammation but also help prevent flares in AD. Therefore, it can be concluded that probiotics promote good gut health, which in turn helps keep inflammation at bay, making them beneficial for managing AD.

So inclusion of probiotics in our daily routine can indeed be life changing!

We hope this article helps you. For further information or guidance, reach out to your GOQii Skin Coach.

#BeTheForce

Reference –

Rusu E, Enache G, Cursaru R, Alexescu A, Radu R, Onila O, Cavallioti T, Rusu F, Posea M, Jinga M, Radulian G. Prebiotics and probiotics in atopic dermatitis. Exp Ther Med. 2019 Aug;18(2):926-931. doi: 10.3892/etm.2019.7678. Epub 2019 Jun 14. PMID: 31384325; PMCID: PMC6639913.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalised medical guidance or concerns related to your health.

By Leave a Comment

Mastering Hypertension: A Comprehensive Guide to Lifestyle Management

HypertensionHypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is largely influenced by lifestyle factors. By understanding and making adjustments to five key aspects of daily life — diet, exercise, stress management, sleep quality, and hydration— you can effectively manage this condition and improve overall well-being.

Dietary Adjustments: Sodium plays a crucial role in the body’s fluid balance, but excessive intake can be harmful. A moderate salt intake is essential, particularly by reducing hidden sodium sources found in processed, preserved, and packaged foods (Avoid 3Ps). To naturally support heart health and lower blood pressure, incorporate foods that boost nitric oxide production, such as beetroot, garlic, dark chocolate (in moderation), nuts, seeds, and berries. These foods contain beneficial compounds that help relax blood vessels, promoting better circulation and supporting long-term heart health.

Regular Exercise: A sedentary lifestyle contributes to arterial stiffness and plaque buildup, increasing hypertension risk. Regular cardiovascular activity can prevent these complications and enhance heart function.

Recommended activity levels: 150 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio per week or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity cardio, Strength training at least twice a week to improve circulation and overall heart health.

Exercise not only improves physical health but also reduces stress by triggering the release of endorphins—the body’s natural mood boosters.

Stress Reduction: Stress is a natural response to daily challenges, but chronic stress can lead to sustained high blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart complications. Implementing stress management techniques can help reduce this burden and support cardiovascular health.

Effective Stress Reduction Strategies: Engage in activities you enjoy, Maintain social connections and positive relationships, Practise deep breathing and relaxation techniques, Incorporate yoga and meditation for mindfulness and balance, Laugh often—yes, laughter can lower stress hormones!

Optimizing Sleep: The quality of sleep plays a vital role in blood pressure regulation. Creating a relaxing sleep environment and healthy bedtime habits can significantly improve sleep and prevent disruptions linked to hypertension.

Sleep Tips for Blood Pressure Control: Reserve the bedroom for rest—avoid working or using electronic devices in bed, Elevate your legs before sleeping to promote circulation, Maintain a quiet, dark, and cool environment for deeper sleep, Practise deep breathing exercises before bedtime, Avoid abrupt awakenings—opt for a gentle alarm tone

Adequate Hydration: Dehydration can increase sodium concentration in the blood, leading to a rise in blood pressure. Ensuring consistent hydration throughout the day supports heart function and helps regulate blood pressure.

Hydration Tips: Drink small amounts of water regularly rather than consuming large amounts at once, Include herbal teas and water-rich fruits & vegetables in your diet, Avoid excessive caffeine and sugary drinks, which can contribute to dehydration.

By embracing these lifestyle modifications, you can take proactive steps towards managing hypertension naturally while enhancing overall health and well-being. Small, consistent changes in diet, exercise, stress management, sleep, and hydration can have a big impact on your heart health.

#BeTheForce

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalised medical guidance or concerns related to your health.

By Leave a Comment

Improve Sleep and Sleep Quality with these Lifestyle Changes

Improve sleep and sleep qualityWhile sleep requirements vary slightly from person to person, most healthy adults need between 7-9 hours of sleep per night to function at best. It has been estimated that more than half of the working population in India have experienced some or the other form of sleep deprivation or alteration during their lifetime.

Globally, the prevalence of insomnia ranges from 10-15%.

Sleep deprivation reduces your cognitive processes like thinking, learning, attention, concentration, etc. Chronic sleep deprivation increases the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, irregular heartbeat, etc. Over time, lack of sleep can contribute to symptoms of depression and kills your sex drive. And yes, lack of optimum sleep can make you gain weight.

How to Improve Sleep and Sleep Quality

1. Stay away from gadgets
Using electronic devices before bedtime can be physiologically and psychologically stimulating in ways that can adversely affect your sleep. The more electronic devices a person uses in the evening, the harder it is to fall asleep or stay asleep. Using TV, tablets, smartphones, laptops or other electronic devices before bed delays your body’s internal clock, suppresses the release of sleep-inducing hormones & makes it difficult to fall asleep. Along, with increase in alertness at the time you should sleep, it, in turn, delays the onset of REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep and compromises energy levels the next morning. Over time, these effects can add up to a significant chronic deficiency in sleep.

2. Take a Lukewarm Bath Before Bed
Taking a bath or shower before bedtime is a well-known sleep remedy. This is because a warm bath can help us relax. Our body temperature tends to drop after a warm bath, which can induce better sleep. Research suggests that the best time for taking a shower is 1-2 hours before going to bed. The duration of the bath does not need to be longer than 10 min. This will improve blood circulation and stimulate “temperature circadian rhythm” helping you fall asleep, improving sleep and sleep quality.

3. Perform Deep Breathing Before Sleep
Breathing strongly influences physiology and thought processes including moods. By simply focusing your attention on your breathing and without doing anything to change it, you can move in the direction of relaxation. The 4-7-8 breathing exercise also called “the relaxing breath” promotes better sleep. Here are the steps:

  1. Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound.
  2. Close your mouth and inhale quietly through your nose to a mental count of four.
  3. Hold your breath for a count of seven.
  4. Exhale completely through your mouth making a whoosh sound to a count of eight.
  5. This is one breath. Repeat 20 times.

4. Sleep Inducing Foods
There are certain foods which can help induce better sleep.

  • A glass of warm milk is a perfect beverage to induce sound sleep. Milk contains tryptophan, an amino acid that converts into serotonin. Serotonin is known to have soothing effects in the brain and helps you sleep well. Adding a pinch of nutmeg, cardamom and some crushed almonds will improve taste and sleep.
  • Chamomile tea: Refreshing, revitalizing and fragrant chamomile tea has soothing effects on nerves and helps induce sleep.
  • Almonds could help you support sound sleep. Almonds also contain tryptophan and magnesium which are helpful in keeping your heart rhythm steady.
  • Avoid tea, coffee, alcohol and other stimulating foods after dusk.

5. Eat Your Dinner Early
When you eat late, you are unable to sleep because of improper digestion. An early dinner is good for digestion, helps in reaching your satiety value earlier and the body is able to utilize the food better and induce sleep. Eating late at night leaves the body on a high alert state which interferes with the circadian rhythm. Minimum 2-3 hours of gap between Dinner and sleep is good.

We hope these tips help you improve sleep and sleep quality! Do leave your thoughts in the comments below.

For more on sleep, check out Healthy Reads or get these tips directly from your GOQii Coach, by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalised medical guidance or concerns related to your health.

From Terminal Illness To Complete Wellness! Ananda Mukherjee Health Story

As we observe World Cancer Day under the powerful theme ‘United by Unique’ (2025-2027)**, we are reminded that every individual’s journey with cancer is distinct, yet united by shared resilience, hope, and the collective fight against this disease. This theme places people at the centre of care and their stories at the heart of the […]