Search Results for: nutrition

August 31, 2016 By Divita Bhatt 8 Comments

Detoxification: Some do’s and don’ts for Detox Diet Day

Did you know….that As we breathe and live life, day- on today, we also accumulate toxins into our bodies?. That’s right…we are exposed to toxins on a fairly consistent basis. Some of these accumulate due to our diet and others are due to the environment around us. Of course, our lifestyle also adds to it—if you smoke or drink alcohol on a regular basis you tend to accumulate more toxins.

The good news is that your body has a means of processing and eliminating these toxins. Also, when you make healthy changes to your diet or lifestyle…you can help support or maybe even accelerate that process. When you make a healthy change in your diet or lifestyle, this is part of the reason that short-term detox diet plans have gained popularity.

If you should decide to embark on such a plan, it can be a powerful tool. There are, however, a few things to keep in mind. For example, toxins are released into the bloodstream and carried through the circulatory system before being eliminated from your body. This process may result in a headache, diarrhea, or constipation, or symptoms like lack of energy.

The benefits, though, are usually worth the discomfort. Detoxification is one way to cleanse and throw out the toxins out of our body. Interestingly, Linda Page (http://www.webmd.com/linda-page ) , ND, Ph.D., a Naturopathic doctor, lecturer and author of the book ‘Detoxification’ –defines detoxification of the body as “spring cleansing.”

“It’s a way to recharge, rejuvenate, and renew, says Page in her article in WebMD. “Anybody can benefit from a cleansing. The body is coming out of what might be called hibernation. It’s a way you can jump-start your body for a more active life, a healthier life.” “Our bodies naturally detoxify every day,” Page tells WebMD.

“Detoxification is a normal body process of eliminating or neutralizing toxins through the colon, liver.”

There are some nutrition experts who are reluctant to recommend detox diets, so it’s important to be informed. Katerine Zeratsky, specialty editor for the nutrition and healthy eating guide, for example, argues that it may just be because detox diets get rid of a lot of processed foods – which has the effect of making us feel better. And either way, she advises getting the OK from your doctor – especially if you have chronic conditions.

If you decide to move forward, there are several ways to detoxify. There is a “water only” fast (which is pretty straightforward). Interestingly, there has been some evidence to suggest fasting in this way may even help trigger stem cell regeneration (Link: https://news.usc.edu/63669/fasting-triggers-stem-cell-regeneration-of-damaged-old- immune-system/), diet detoxification (adding in food) is another, gentler, strategy. But it’s a bit more involved.

One of the hardest things about detox or cleansing is really knowing what to do and what not to do. One can undergo a Detox day or ten-day detox. The duration and severity of symptoms depend on your lifestyle before making a change and how quickly you make it.

Here are few do’s and don’ts to go on a ‘Detox Diet Day’. The basic key is to think and feel positive and treat yourself with some foods every 2 hours. You would definitely feel lighter the next day. More specifically:

You can go for a ‘detox day’ once in a week or once in a fortnight. Either way, you want to be sure you don’t go longer than 2 consecutive days.
When you engage in a detox plan, you are limited to fruits, or homemade fruit/vegetable juices.
You can have Sautéed/stir fried vegetables or green leafy vegetables in cooked form. You can have boiled vegetables as well.
Minimize your cereals intake. If you want to have you can have one serving of fibrous cereals like broken wheat (Daliya in Hindi) or one millet flat bread (chapatti) in a day.
No coffee. No caffeinated tea. You can have green tea if you wish, along with some herbal teas..
No processed food, No sugar. You can have jaggery in small quantities
Your meals should be vegetarian.
You can make soup out of your favorite vegetables and season it with Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Coconut oil. Better to use this oil in all your preparations like salads/soups/stir-frying
You can have sprouts to feel full
No milk allowed on a detox day

Make sure that before you go on a detox day, you check with you coach, nutritionist or a doctor about doing it. Once you get the go- ahead, then you can begin. Once you are successful in following all instructions and doing the right things, you will probably also notice that each time you do an effective detoxification, the next time is even easier as you have fewer toxins to process.

And if you’re feeling overwhelmed…take heart. As a health coach, I am personally here to, personally help you get the best results from this valuable health tool.

August 26, 2016 By Trishala Chopra Leave a Comment

Know what Bone Mineral Density is ?

Woman are always considered to be the torch bearer of health and to pass on that heritage to the future generations, just like our grandmother did for our mother and everyone in the family. But, it is not easy to leave behind a legacy of health and harmony. To be able to do that women need to make sure that they make time for themselves amidst all the responsibilities they shoulder both at home and outside of home and lead a healthy life with good nutrition, exercise and rest.

IMPORTANT POINTS THAT ALL WOMEN SHOULD KNOW:-

Bone mineral density or also called as BMD is the density of minerals such as calcium which is present in the bone.
Bone mineral density reduces drastically in post-menopausal women
Bone mass is lost after a certain age.
In post-menopausal women, calcium is leached out of the body which is why they are at a higher risk of developing bone issues.
Bones naturally become thinner and this condition is called as ‘osteopenia’.
Bones loose minerals such as calcium, becomes less dense and gradually becomes porous which makes the bones more susceptible to fractures
If the bone gets more thinner, ‘osteopenia’ can lead to ‘osteoporosis’
So thicker the bones, longer it takes to cause osteopenia or osteoporosis.
Bone mineral density tests should be done to check the exact peak density of the bone.
It the tests results shows that bone density is a bit lower than normal which means that it is the start of osteopenia. In such cases, bone density can be increased.
Adequate calcium plays a key role in maintaining bone density.
It is advisable that all the women who have crossed 35 years of age and post- menopausal women should get their bone mineral density checked. After all ‘PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE’!

THINGS YOU SHOULD DO TO DELAY BONE THINNING:-

It the tests results shows that bone density is a bit lower than normal which means that it is the start of osteopenia then the bone density can be increased by exercising, lifting weights, consuming adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D
Consuming adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D are the key to strengthen your bones.
Vitamin D helps in absorption of calcium in the body hence both of these nutrients go hand in hand.
Include lots of dark green leafy veggies which are a very good source of calcium.
Along with calcium, potassium and magnesium are also responsible in maintaining the bone health though in small amounts. Low levels of magnesium can hinder vitamin D balance.
Dairy products are again a well-known and rich source of calcium.
Most of the foods are fortified with calcium these days so that the peak bone mass problem does not occur in early ages.
Calcium supplements are also available which can be consumed.
Handful of almonds in your diet can be a very good calcium source.

Bone loss and Osteoporosis can be prevented in the future. So keep healthy- healthy habits such as eating foods in rich in calcium and Vitamin D and doing strength and weight bearing exercises such as walking, running, cycling or dancing all help.

August 23, 2016 By Richi Seth 4 Comments

Quick healthy instant recipes

Early morning cooking can be a nightmare for many people especially for the office goers who struggle with their morning meals and in this process often tend to skip their breakfast which is the most important meal of the day. Some struggle with their culinary skills and often have this excuse ready to skip their meals.

Try out these quick options to make your life easy and move to a healthy routine:

(1) Sandwich Spread: Here is a recipe of protein rich spread which you can use for your multigrain sandwiches. It is filling and rich of antioxidants.

Ingredients:

Avocado
One cup boiled chick peas
One lemon squeezed
A dash of olive oil
Some salt and pepper

Procedure:

De-seed the avocado and cut into pieces.
Boil the chickpeas
Add all the above ingredients in a blender along with lemon juice, salt, pepper, and olive oil. This recipe can be stored in the refrigerator and can be used for good 1 week.

(2) Oats Uttapam: This can be a great option to carry in the tiffin box too.

Ingredients:

1 Cup Powdered oats
b. 1 cup low fat yogurt
Veggies of your choice

Procedure:

Mix all the ingredients together. Add salt and cumin seeds. Can prepare this mixture a night before.
Take the batter in a large spoon and pour it on the non-stick pan and spread. You can use some cold compressed coconut oil for greasing the pan.
Once cooked flip the side and let it cook.

(3) Almond Mango Smoothie: This is a quickie to prepare and has a dose of essential vitamins. This is best made during the Mango season. This refreshing beverage will make you feel fresh and full.

Ingredients:

A ripened mango
Some soaked almonds
To make it more nutritious some dates and walnuts will add to its value

Procedure: Blend all the ingredients together in a blender and have chilled.

(4) Sprouts sandwich: This is definitely a great easy snack recipe and full of nutrition.

Ingredients:

Multigrain bread
Mix sprouts of moong, black gram
Cut vegetables like onion, tomato, cucumber etc.
To make it more protein rich you can add some cubes of cottage cheese or few peanuts.

Procedure:

Take slices of multigrain bread
Take sprouts and add vegetables of your choice, add some lemon to the chat.
Put this mixture on the slices of bread. You can use some home-made spreads and paste like mint or tamarind paste instead of mayonnaise.

(5) Fruity Nutty yogurt: A delicious healthy smoothie, easy to make as well.

Ingredients:

Choose your favourite fruits
Hung curd
Some nuts like walnuts, almonds, raisins
Honey or Jaggery by choice to add sweetness.

Procedure: Throw in all the ingredients in the blender and have it chilled.

Conclusion:

The above 5 recipes are quick, healthy and refreshing. These are good choices for those who are running out of time and are managing alone with their meals. These snacks can be taken any time of the day. They are healthy and easy to prepare.

August 16, 2016 By Anusha Subramanian 2 Comments

Having achieved my goals, I can now proudly declare that my lifestyle has become active

He had a hectic work life that left him with little or no time for exercise or any form of fitness regime. It was all work and no play for him. His sedentary lifestyle got the better of him. As a result his eating habits were erratic with no control on what was being eaten. The net result of all this was he had gained weight apart from being unhealthy. The best part was that this 31 year old young man was aware of his issues and was keen on rectifying the situation. And, adapt a healthy lifestyle for a better future. However, he knew he had to make an effort to achieve his goals. Abhinav Sharma’s story in his own words on how he achieved his active lifestyle and health back.

Here is story in his own words

I work in the travel industry and have a very hectic work life due to which I led a very sedentary life style with no activities of any sort. I realised I was becoming nothing more than a couch potato and wanted to change. I tried to gym but could not sustain it. I then started looking for other solutions. I was looking forward for some options which I could follow and better my lifestyle. During the process of my research I came across GOQii. I got to know its features and one of the main things that attracted me was the unique human touch along with technology.

I came on board GOQii as a beta player two years ago. Personalised coaching attracted me and that was also the motivating factor. I knew that if I had to achieve my goals I would need someone to motivate and push me constantly. As soon as I came on board GOQii, I got Shimpli Patil as my coach. She took me through the GOQii ecosystem and explained the whole process which I found very interesting. Then she educated me about real fitness and how you could achieve an active lifestyle and your health goals by taking small steps initially and then gradually increasing the process. She also told me about water intake and also how in the office and while I am travelling I can keep myself active. And finally, she improved my dietary and nutrition habit. I learnt how a good and balanced diet plays an important part in fitness and overall health.

I did exactly what my coach asked me to. It wasn’t easy at all for me to bring about the changes, follow a routine. I would get tired easily but, I was sure I wasn’t going to give up. Soon, walking for 30 minutes became 45 minutes and then an hour. I then added strength training to my fitness and I gradually started walking the path of a healthy and active lifestyle thereby clocking 10,000 steps daily to the current 12000 steps daily. After a year of being on GOQii, I participated and successfully completed the 100 km Oxfam Trailwalker in November 2015.

Now my daily routine includes regular exercising- basic free hand exercise as suggested by my coach and after that I leave for office around 8:30am and in between office hours I take breaks, go for a walk and use the stairs now instead of taking elevators thereby also increasing my step count.

Along with moving and achieving my daily step count I also overhauled my diet. My diet now includes salads, veggies, lentils and fruits. Now, I know about good and bad foods, which is the right diet for me etc. My water intake increased to 3 litres from a mere one litre earlier.

My initial health goals when I came on board GOQii was two pronged. Firstly, to achieve a healthy lifestyle and secondly control my weight. Due to my hectic and erratic work schedule I gained lots of weigh.

Having achieved my goals, I can now proudly declare that my lifestyle has become active but, I still need to achieve more. My weight is also under control thanks to the changes in my diet. I am glad that I am now a part of the GOQii active family. Going for active Sundays here in Delhi and I have met so many like-minded individuals from GOQii family and it only inspires me further. A big thank you to my coach who has been constant source of motivation at every juncture of my journey be it in good times or when I have been low.

Infact, Shimpli has been my motivator for the participation in the 100 km Oxfam Trailwalker. At first when she told me about it and asked me to participate, I did not believe her. I did not think I could achieve my goal of completing 100 km within 48 hours. My first thought was it is really impossible to do that but, my coach told me that it is possible. I then participated in 2015 after a year f achieving some fitness levels.

Oxfam Trailwalker was an eye opener. I met so many personalities and people both young and old and watching them be so fit and walk so much was inspiring and motivating at the same time. My biggest question to myself was.. if they can do it why can’t I? That environment was conducive for someone like me to share my experience and listen to others too. Overall it was truly an outstanding experience.

What does coach Shimpli Patil have to say about Abhinav Sharma?

When I had my first interaction with Abhinav, he described himself as a ‘Lazy Person’. He had some really good health goals in mind to achieve but lacked motivation and the right push to achieve them. After a quality chat with him, I explained to him why it was important to achieve those health goals and how we could work together towards achieving these.

Abhinav was convinced and decided to go for it. Time was a challenge for him but, he was ready to realign his schedule in a way which could fit an exercise routine in the morning. He took the time to regularize his daily regime but, yes he could pull it off gradually. Jogging, core exercises, body weight exercises. We moved ahead step by step. The best thing about Abhinav was, he never said NO and when I added extra exercises to his routine. He paced up and he decided not to put a full stop and keep at it.

It is not exercises alone that we worked towards, he also brought about dietary changes wherein I introduced him to the concept of pre and post workout meals, some mid meals (to cut the large gaps between meals) and he learned to keep his dinner light yet balanced. With these wondrous dietary changes along with regular workout routine, there was no doubt he could reach his goals. After few months he noticed a drop in his inches (Fat loss), increase in stamina and endurance while he jogged and ran. He kept feeling better each day.

One day, after having shared his progress with me, he asked me now what next? And I immediately said ‘Let’s Walk 100 km within 48 hours’. ‘You are all set’, I said and he was dumbstruck for few seconds. I made him believe that ‘HE COULD DO IT’ and should have confidence in himself. He decided to take up this incredible challenge. And, guess what he completed it gracefully.

“When you have the will, you can achieve anything that you want!” That’s what Abhinav has proved.