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Keep Summer Cool With The Right Foods

keep your summer cool It’s summer—that amazing time of year where the fresh produce brings in lots of nutrient-rich, healthy choices. But, what about the scorching heat and associated dehydration, perspiration, rashes, itchiness and tiredness we experience? Well, of course – drink more water! Now apart from the lemon juice and watermelons, have you tried any other natural coolant? Let me remind you of these food products our grandma used every summer to keep the heat at bay.

Foods To Help You Keep Your Summer Cool! 

  1. Kokam: Kokam juice is a very refreshing drink with a cooling effect on the body. It not only quenches thirst, but also prevents dehydration and sunstroke due to summer heat. Kokam has other health benefits too like the garcinol present in kokam has excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which help prevent the growth of cancer cells. The hydroxyl acetic acid helps reducing the conversion of carbohydrates to fats, preventing fat deposition.
  2. Dried Black Currants: Dried Black Currants are an excellent source of nutrients that are essential for health, including dietary fiber, copper, manganese and potassium. Potassium allows electrochemical balance which allows muscle contraction and nerve cell impulse transmission to occur properly. Because of water loss, potassium becomes quite important.
  3. Fennel Seeds: Fennel is an aromatic and flavorful herb that has several culinary as well as medicinal uses. In addition to its popular use as a breath freshener, it helps relieve a number of ailments and facilitates better health due to its anti inflammatory, antimicrobial, expectorant, diuretic, anticarcinogenic and antioxidant properties. It contains vitamin C, potassium, manganese, iron, folate, and fiber as well. It is also rich in phytonutrients and has a high concentration of volatile oils. It cools the body off by increasing perspiration and maintaining body temperature.
  4. Rock sugar candy or Mishri or khadishaker (in Hindi): Mishri or Rock Sugar is a crystallized sugar, sweet candy that is packed with numerous health benefits. Mishri is widely used as a refreshing drink during summers, Fennel seed powder with ground Mishri makes a refreshing drink to fight the harsh summer heat. It exerts a soothing effect on the mind and body and relaxes you from stress.
  5. Sattu: Sattu is extremely beneficial for your health. It is extracted from barely, wheat or gram. Mix sattu, little lemon juice drops, salt and roasted cumin powder to get a very healthy drink!

With these food one can also use:

  • Curd or buttermilk.
  • Raw mango
  • Watermelon
  • Coconut water
  • Bottle gourd
  • Salad leaves (especially mint leaves)

During summer, it’s always best to go for a light meal which can be easily digested. Oily and junk food should be avoided. Avoid too much of tea and coffee as it contains caffeine which results in dehydration. Limit your tea and coffee intake to two cups a day. You can switch to green tea as it contains antioxidants which can help you during summer.

Do not eat spicy, hot and extremely salty food as they are hard to digest and will have ill effects on the skin and digestion. Also avoid consuming foods that are not in season as they may come with the risk of chemicals and preservatives that are applied to fruits and veggies to keep them fresh.

We hope these tips help you keep your summer cool! For more tips on managing your diet and nutrition during summer, click here or get expert advice from a GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here.

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When Is The Best Time To Eat Almonds?

When is the best time to eat almondsAlmonds are a nutritious food that can be eaten at any time of the day, but there are some optimal times to consume them for maximum benefits. Here are some recommended times when you can eat almonds.

Best Time To Eat Almonds

  • As a Snack: Almonds are a great snack option that can be eaten on their own or mixed with other nuts and dried fruits for added flavour and nutrition. They can be eaten between meals to provide a quick and satisfying energy boost.
  • In the Morning: Consuming almonds in the morning can help to provide sustained energy throughout the day. They can be added to breakfast cereals, oatmeal, smoothies, or eaten on their own.
  • Before a Workout: Eating almonds before a workout can provide a source of energy and help to fuel the body during exercise. Almonds can be eaten alone or mixed with other fruits or protein sources to create a pre-workout snack.
  • After a Workout: Consuming almonds after a workout can help to replenish energy stores and aid in muscle recovery. They can be eaten alone or mixed with other sources of protein, such as yoghurt or cottage cheese.
  • Before Bed: Eating almonds before bed can help to promote satiety and prevent late-night hunger pangs. They can be eaten on their own or added to a cup of warm milk for added comfort and relaxation.

A Word Of Caution

It’s important to note that while almonds are nutritious, they are also relatively high in calories. So, it’s important to consume them in moderation and be mindful of portion sizes. The recommended serving size for almonds is about 1 ounce or 23 almonds, which contains approximately 160 calories. Additionally, people with nut allergies should avoid consuming almonds or any other nuts.

If this article helped you, let us know in the comments below. If you wish to stock up on almonds or other dry fruits, get them here.

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Are We Placing Enough Importance On Sleep? | IndiaFit Report 2022 – 2023

Sleep IndiaFit ReportSleep is one of the important pillars for good health. To understand how well Indians are sleeping, we collected data from over 1 lakh GOQii users and shared it through our latest GOQii IndiaFit Report 2022 – 2023. 

How Many Hours Are People Sleeping For? 

Among the age groups that we surveyed, we found that most people across the age groups, namely Seniors (60+ years), Older Adults (45-59 years), Adults (30-44 years), Young Adults (20-29 years) and Teens (Below 19) are getting the adequate amount of rest i.e. an average of 6-8 hours a day.

Among the age groups, 79% of Adults are sleeping for 6-8 hours followed by 77% of Older Adults. 20% of Seniors sleep for less than 6 hours. We also found that 16% of Teens sleep for more than 8 hours a day.

India Fit Report

In a gender-wise study, we found that 77% of women and 76% of men are sleeping for an average of 6-8 hours a day. 18% of women and 17% of men sleep for less than 6 hours a day.

Sleep gender-wise data

Although, from the above data we can see that we are getting the adequate amount of sleep, the question is, how well are we sleeping?

Sleep Quality Analysis 

In the survey for the GOQii IndiaFit Report, we asked people about how well they are sleeping. 72% of Seniors reported that they sleep well and wake up feeling refreshed. Among this age group, 21% reported feeling refreshed only sometimes. 63% Older Adults also reported sleeping well.

Among the age groups, we see less than 50% of Young Adults sleeping well. Only 47% claimed that they feel refreshed after waking up, and another 40% say that they only feel refresh sometimes. 13% of Young Adults reported not sleeping well at all. Teens on the other hand, are sleeping better than Young Adults and Adults.

57% of men said that they wake up fresh and have sound sleep compared to 50% of the women surveyed. There’s been a drop in sleep quality among women since 2021 where 58% had reported to have slept soundly.

Bhubaneswar Is Getting The Most Sleep! 

From the cities surveyed, we observed that Bhubaneswar gets an average of 7.51 hours of sleep – that’s the highest among all the cities surveyed. They are closely followed by Ahmedabad at an average of 7.45 hours of sleep and Indore with an average of 7.35 hours of sleep. Mumbai (6.7) and Kolkata (6.66) have the least average sleep hours among the cities.

average sleep hours IndiaFit Report 2022-2023

Overall Average Sleep Hours Have Dropped!

Since the onset of the pandemic, we have also noticed a drop in the overall sleeping hours of India. While on an average, we used to get an average of 7.6 hours of sleep, this number has dropped to an average of 6.8 hours in 2022.

While we are sleeping for 6-8 hours a day, sleep quality is also essential. Your quality of sleep determines how well you’ve rested. If you want to track your sleep quality, you can browse from our range of trackers that help you measure sleep quality and make any necessary changes to your sleep pattern. The devices come with 3 months of Personalised Health Coaching.

If you need help with sleep or need to browse through more articles on sleep, click here. You can also explore the other health parameters we’ve covered in the GOQii IndiaFit Report here.

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The Little Known Health Benefits Of Almonds

Health Benefits Of Almonds

An Almond is a type of tree nut that’s commonly consumed as a snack or added to various dishes for flavor and texture. In addition to its delicious taste, it’s also packed with several nutrients and health-promoting compounds. In this article, we will explore the health benefits of almonds and how they can support overall health and wellbeing.

Health Benefits Of Almonds

  • Rich in Nutrients: Almonds are a good source of several important nutrients, including fiber, protein, healthy fats, vitamin E, magnesium, and potassium. A one-ounce serving of almonds (approximately 23 almonds) contains 6 grams of protein, 14 grams of healthy fats, and 3.5 grams of fiber, making them a filling and nutritious snack.
  • May Promote Heart Health: Almonds are rich in healthy fats, particularly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which have been shown to promote heart health by reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and improving overall cholesterol profiles. Studies have also shown that consuming almonds may help to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
  • May Help with Weight Management: Despite their relatively high calorie content, almonds have been shown to support weight management due to their high protein and fiber content, which can help to increase feelings of fullness and reduce overall calorie intake. Some studies have also suggested that consuming almonds may help reduce belly fat and waist circumference.
  • May Lower Blood Sugar Levels: They are low in carbohydrates but high in healthy fats, fiber, and protein, making them an excellent food for people with diabetes or those at risk of developing diabetes. Studies have shown that consuming almonds may help to lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity.
  • May Improve Digestive Health: The fiber content in almonds may help to promote digestive health by supporting regular bowel movements and feeding beneficial gut bacteria. Additionally, some studies have suggested that almonds may help to reduce inflammation in the gut and improve overall gut health.
  • May Improve Brain Function: Almonds are a good source of vitamin E, which has been shown to support brain health and may help to reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline. Some studies have also suggested that consuming almonds may help to improve memory and cognitive function.

Are There Any Drawbacks To Eating Almonds? 

While they are extremely nutritious and support different aspects of health which include heart health, weight management, digestive health and brain function, it is important to keep portion size in mind. As almonds are relatively high in calories, they can contribute to weight gain if consumed in excess. As always, it is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before making any significant changes to your diet or nutrition plan.

If reading this article made you want to stock up on almonds, get them here. 

Interested in learning more about nutrition or exploring similar topics? Learn more from these articles written by our experts here.

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