Archives for February 2025

February 12, 2025 By GOQii Leave a Comment

5 Healthy Valentine’s Day Gifting Ideas

Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and if you still haven’t found the perfect gift for your better half, we suggest opting for these 5 healthy little treats. After all, the best gift you can give the one you love is good health. Let’s explore these thoughtful and healthy gifting ideas that will help you and your loved one stay on the right side of forever!

Healthy Valentine’s Day Gifting Ideas For Your Loved One!

1. Herbal Teas

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the aromatic blend of flavorful, healthy herbal tea is worth a million! There’s no better way to express the unique love the two of you share than presenting them with a unique blend of tea.

Why It’s Great: Herbal teas are not only soothing but also packed with health benefits. They can help with relaxation, digestion, and overall wellness.

Romantic Touch: Enjoy a freshly brewed cup of tea together and spice up your romance!

2. Natural Honey

Our money is on the honey for your honey! Celebrate your unadulterated love with some natural goodness.

Why It’s Great: Honey is a healthier alternative to sugar, which is addictive and harmful to the body. It’s sweeter, natural, and packed with antioxidants.

Romantic Touch: Drizzle honey over breakfast or use it to sweeten your tea for a healthy and romantic start to the day.

3. Muesli

Love isn’t a single emotion; it’s a mix of all things good, just like muesli! Surprise your loved one with breakfast in bed to ensure a long, loving, and healthy relationship.

Why It’s Great: Muesli is a nutritious and wholesome breakfast option, packed with oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits.

Romantic Touch: Prepare a bowl of muesli with fresh fruits and yogurt for a healthy and romantic breakfast.

4. Personal Care Products

Love is a serious business. Show your commitment by pampering your loved one with personal care products that bring out their radiance, much like the inner beauty you fell for.

Why It’s Great: Personal care products like organic skincare, bath salts, or essential oils promote self-care and wellness.

Romantic Touch: Create a spa-like experience at home with these products for a relaxing and romantic evening.

5. Healthy Chocolates

The universal food for love is chocolate! There’s no better way to say ‘I love you’ than presenting your loved one with a box of delicious, healthy chocolates.

Why It’s Great: Opt for dark chocolates with high cocoa content, which are rich in antioxidants and lower in sugar.

Romantic Touch: Share a box of healthy chocolates and let your loved one melt with love!

You can get all the products listed above at a sweet discount from the GOQii Health Store using your GOQii Cash. It’s the perfect way to combine love and health!

Got any more healthy Valentine’s Day gifting ideas? Share them with us in the comments below! Let’s celebrate love and good health together.

#BeTheForce for love and wellness!

February 11, 2025 By Navnee Garg Leave a Comment

Load Up On Carrots During Winter! Here’s Why!

We’ve often advised people to eat seasonal fruits and for good reason! Seasonal veggies are a good source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which are required by the body during winter. There are many vegetables but one of them, which is a must-have during these chilly days is the carrot! Carrots are one of the most loved vegetables not only in India but all over the world. The reason is very evident, it not only serves as a salad but a lot more than that. This orange-coloured root is an ultimate health food with many health benefits. Let’s explore the health benefits of carrots during winter!

Why You Should Eat Carrots During Winter

Carrots help you get beautiful skin and can help in protecting you from cancer, especially lung cancer. As the temperature drops, this crunchy & colourful vegetable gives you a boost of antioxidants too.
As a rich source of Vitamin A, it helps treat vision loss. So during winter, you can definitely ditch your Vitamin A pills.
The Vitamin A in carrots also help the liver secrete bile and flush out toxins in the body, acting as a Natural Detox.
Carrots contain high amounts of soluble fibers, which indirectly helps in managing cholesterol levels. No more guilt! You can easily binge on your favorite carrot cake during winter.
Carrots are infused with natural pesticides, Falcarcinol, which is anti-fungal in nature. It protects you from any kind of fungal diseases. If your kids eat carrots, you don’t need to worry about them catching any kind of fungal infection.
Carrots aren’t boring! There are many variations you can try with this root – be it dips, juices or soups – carrots are definitely a hit with your taste buds!
Carrot tops are enriched in nutrients such as potassium, phytonutrients and they also contain around 6 times more Vitamin C than what the root does.
Carrots have reserved their place in the list of the World’s Healthiest Foods. Undoubtedly, this crunchy root deserves it too.

Tips to Add Carrots To Your Diet

Soup It: Add grated carrots to your soups and clear broths to add roughage in diet
Crunch It: Raw carrots are enjoyed the best while soaking under the Sun during winters. Great way to boost up the vitamin quotient.
Lick It Up: Our very own Gajar ka Achar or Gajar ka Paani is every grandmother’s special recipe.
Bake It: The versatility of carrots gets it added even in bakery products. Add shredded carrot while baking muffins, cakes or breads to make a delightful dessert.

DO NOT throw away the carrot tops. Surprisingly, these carrot tops can be replaced with all the herbs in all kinds of dishes adding taste and Nutrition adequately.

We hope you’re all set to enjoy the crunch this season. Any more queries in mind? Please feel free to type them down in the comments section below, because, We Carrot about You!

For more topics on the health benefits of foods, check out Healthy Reads or ask a GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here.

Eat Health and #BeTheForce

February 10, 2025 By Dr. Naina Sudarshan 1 Comment

Which Vitamins Are Good For Skin Repair?

Skin is the largest organ of our body and the one that is directly exposed to the outer environment every day. External factors like sunlight, wind, dust, cold weather, alcohol, and smoking, as well as internal factors like dehydration, aging, poor nutrition, stress, and lack of sleep, can damage the skin. When we feel that our skin is damaged or to prevent skin damage, many of us tend to fall for the plethora of skincare products available in the market. But in reality, we need to work on fixing our damaged skin internally rather than relying on external products that may contain harmful chemicals. So, what do we do for skin repair? The answer is simple—it’s the vitamins in our diet!

Which Vitamins Can Be Used For Skin Repair?

There are many vitamins found in food itself that can work wonders for skin repair. Let’s take a look at which vitamins can help:

1. Vitamin A:

Benefits: Rich in antioxidants, Vitamin A protects the skin from sunburn by preventing the breakdown of collagen, a protein that gives elasticity to the skin. It helps in the regeneration of both the upper and lower layers of skin cells. Vitamin A also moisturizes the skin, making it effective for treating dry, itchy, and bumpy skin. In cases of inflammation or wounds, the antioxidants in Vitamin A protect the body from harmful free radicals.
Food Sources: Orange-colored foods like carrots, papaya, sweet potato, mango, dried apricots, pumpkin, red bell pepper, tomato, and cantaloupe. Non-vegetarians can also find Vitamin A in liver meat.

2. Vitamin B:

Benefits: Vitamin B helps in the formation of new skin cells.
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): Maintains healthy collagen levels and balances skin oil, healing dryness. Found in almonds, spinach, beef liver, dairy products, and mushrooms.
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin): Treats sun-damaged skin, eczema, dry skin, and rosacea. Found in dairy products, fish, chicken, cereals, and mushrooms.
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid): Keeps the skin hydrated, preventing aging and acne. Found in mushrooms, broccoli, sweet potatoes, and avocado.
- Vitamin B7 (Biotin): Repairs skin from acne, fungal infections, and rashes. Found in almonds, tomatoes, onions, eggs, sardines, and sweet potatoes.
- Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid): Repairs skin cell damage caused by free radicals. Found in green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, beets, and okra.
- Vitamin B12: Reduces inflammation, dryness, and redness in chronic skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis. Found in dairy, fish, meat, and eggs.

3. Vitamin C:

Benefits: Vitamin C plays a huge role in the natural production of collagen in the body. It is useful in treating photoaging, hyperpigmentation, and immune suppression caused by UV rays. Vitamin C promotes tissue healing and neutralizes free radicals that cause oxidative stress. It also helps in the production of barrier lipids, preventing skin dryness and moisture loss.
Food Sources: Citrus fruits like oranges, tangerines, grapefruit, lemon, kiwi, strawberries, green pepper, guavas, cherries, plum, broccoli, and cantaloupe.

4. Vitamin D:

Benefits: Vitamin D helps in wound healing and modulates inflammation. It also has antimicrobial properties that may help treat acne caused by bacterial overgrowth.
Food Sources: Sunlight exposure, fish like sardines, salmon, herring, and mackerel, egg yolk, and fortified foods like cereals.

5. Vitamin E:

Benefits: Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant with photoprotective and anti-tumorigenic properties. It protects the skin against solar radiation and acts as a scavenger against free radicals. It is effective in treating skin conditions like atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, melasma, acne vulgaris, and cutaneous ulcers.
Food Sources: Nuts and seeds like almonds, hazelnuts, pine nuts, sunflower seeds, and avocado.

Remember, it is always better to avoid self-medication with vitamin supplements, as overdosing can cause severe side effects. A variety of nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds can provide all the necessary vitamins for skin repair. While topical vitamins are available in the market, getting vitamins through food internally is a safer and more effective approach.

Before you begin consuming any of the foods listed above, please consult your doctor, nutritionist or dietitian to find out if you have any allergies or deficiencies. We hope this article helps you. Do leave your thoughts in the comments below. For more on skin repair, check out Healthy Reads or speak to a GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce

February 8, 2025 By Monika Raj Leave a Comment

Foods for Better Sleep: Natural Remedies for a Restful Night

How many hours do you spend in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep? You close your eyes, but peaceful, quality sleep seems to evade you every time. Sound familiar? We’ve all been there. While factors like stress and lifestyle play a role, the solution might be simpler than you think—your diet. Let’s explore some foods that can help you achieve the restful sleep you’ve been dreaming of.

Why Food Matters for Sleep

What you eat can significantly impact your sleep quality. Certain foods contain nutrients that promote relaxation, regulate sleep hormones, and help you fall asleep faster. By incorporating these foods into your evening routine, you can create the perfect environment for a good night’s rest.

Top Foods For Better Sleep

Warm Milk
Warm milk in general, contains ingredients that are known to help people sleep. For instance, milk contains tryptophan – an amino acid that can help the human body produce serotonin – a brain chemical which can induce deeper and more restful sleep by creating melatonin. If you have sleep issues, some warm milk with a little bit of jaggery and turmeric 15-30 minutes before going to bed should do the trick.
AlmondsAlmonds contain high doses of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate the sleeping and waking cycle. Around 5-6 whole almonds contain a good amount of magnesium and of calcium – two minerals that help promote muscle relaxation and sleep especially in people who lose sound sleep due to muscle tetany or leg pain. These can be consumed in the evening or even before bedtime. It’s great for people who sleep late as they can munch on these for a good night’s rest.
Chamomile Tea:
For years, chamomile tea has been used as a natural remedy to reduce inflammation, anxiety and treat insomnia as well. In fact, chamomile is commonly regarded as a mild tranquilizer or sleep inducer. Chamomile tea contains an antioxidant called apigenin, which may help initiate sleep. You can brew 1 tea bag/ fresh chamomile tea with hot water and drink it before bed or late evening.
Walnuts
Walnuts contain a few compounds that promote and regulate sleep, including melatonin and serotonin. Each serving of walnuts also contains other nutrients that can help induce sleep such as magnesium. You can munch them along with almonds for combined benefits late in the evening for snacks.

Foods to Avoid Before Bed

While some foods can help you sleep, others can disrupt your rest. Avoid these before bedtime:

Caffeinated Beverages: Tea, coffee, and energy drinks can keep you awake and cause acidity.
Spicy or Heavy Meals: These can lead to indigestion and discomfort, making it harder to fall asleep.
Sugary Snacks: High sugar intake can cause energy spikes and crashes, disrupting your sleep cycle.

Achieving restful sleep doesn’t have to be complicated. By incorporating sleep-friendly foods like warm milk, almonds, chamomile tea, and walnuts into your evening routine, you can create the perfect environment for a good night’s rest. Remember, consistency is key—make these foods a regular part of your diet for long-term benefits.

Have you tried any of these foods for better sleep? Share your experiences in the comments below! For more tips on improving sleep and overall wellness, explore our Healthy Reads or consult a GOQii Coach for personalised health advice. Subscribe now to start your wellness journey!