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5 Foods To Help You Prevent Wrinkles Naturally!

prevent wrinklesWrinkles! Those fine lines which tell you, “You’re getting old!” If you’re worried about them, you’re in the right place. Here, we’ll guide you on how you can prevent wrinkles naturally with food! 

Aging gracefully is a sign of maturity but wrinkles can mess with our confidence. When the skin begins losing its elasticity, wrinkles appear. Weak collagen (protein) can cause wrinkles and loss of elasticity in the skin. Collagen can lead to skin dryness which leads to wrinkles. This is a very natural process but with the help of healthy foods, we can postpone it naturally. 

5 Foods To Help Prevent Wrinkles 

  1. Aloe Vera: is rich in Malic acid which helps in improving skin elasticity. Just apply Aloe Vera gel on the face, leave it for 15-20 mins, let it dry and wash it off.  Aloe Vera is also a natural sunscreen. One can consume Aloe Vera juice too.
  2. Green Leafy Vegetables (GLV): help the skin stay hydrated and healthy. Consuming GLV smoothies are a quick and easy way to absorb nutrients. Smoothies are another great way to incorporate GLVs in good quantities in our diet. Include spinach, kale, fenugreek leaves, coriander leaves, etc. daily
  3. Berries: Dark and bright, they give you loads of antioxidants which help in reducing free radicals formed by exposure to the sun, pollution and consumption of junk food. It’s always advisable to mix your berries and then eat them. Mixing berries will give you different kinds of antioxidants like anthocyanins, ellagic acids, resveratrol, etc. Example- Blueberry, Strawberry, and Blackberry mixed together.
  4. Fish: is rich in protein, omega 3 and potassium. Potassium prevents sodium retention. Sodium retention means the body just can’t let go of sodium, which holds on water. So we carry more water weight and many times get swelling. The dark circle under your eyes can be genetic or due to excess of sodium in the diet. Fish will help repair the damages which happen in the body and skin. Include fishes like Tuna, Rockfish, Cod, Halibut etc. in your diet. For vegetarians, you can have 1 mini banana instead of a fish.
  5. Rooibos Tea: or red bush tea is a native of Africa. It is a kind of herbal tea and a very good caffeine-free alternative for green tea or coffee. Polyphenols (antioxidants) are present in Rooibos tea which help protect premature aging of the skin and hydrate it as well! 

Apart from all of this, Water plays a very important role in hydrating the body. Water helps in maintaining ph. balance in our body, which is very important for your skin. Try to form a habit of sipping on water throughout the day. Even restricting alcohol (30ml to 90 ml/week), Caffeine (not more than 3cups/day), acidic foods, avoiding processed foods and stress will definitely help you increase collagen for that lovely, hydrated glowing skin.

We hope this article helps you. For more healthy tips, check out Healthy Reads or speak to your GOQii Coach directly by subscribing for personalized coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

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These Foods Might Be The Key to Sound Sleep

foods for sleepHow many hours do you spend in bed, wriggling and writhing with flowing thoughts? It’s been 2 hours now, your eyes are closed but that peaceful, quality sleep somehow seems to evade you every time. How many sheep do you count before you realize there is something horribly wrong here? We’ve all suffered from sleepless nights at some point. While there are many factors at play here, it is nothing that a healthy lifestyle, a hygiene routine and most importantly, food can’t fix. Let’s explore some foods for sleep.

Top Foods Which Can Help You Sleep

  1. 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 
  2. Almonds 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. 
  3. 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. 
  4. 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.  

Avoid drinking tea or coffee before bed. Caffeinated beverages disrupt sleep and even create problems such as acidity and gas. We hope the above foods help you get that sound sleep you’ve desired for such a long time. 

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. For more on sleep, check out Healthy Reads. To get guidance on how to improve sleep and sleep quality, ask a GOQii Coach by subscribing for personalized coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr 

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Foods To Eat During Navratri For Better Immunity

navratri fasting

Navratri is one of the most celebrated festivals in India and the ways of celebrating it are different in each part. In North and Western India, 9 days of fasting is kept. In Southern India, fasting is not strictly followed but food is made omitting onion and garlic. In Bengal and other parts of Eastern India, along with fasting, Durga Puja is celebrated on a large scale. Also, the much awaited Gujarati special Dandiya and Garba is celebrated during Navratri. Navratri fasting rules vary in all the communities. Also, this year’s Navratri is quite different thanks to the ongoing pandemic. So, along with fasting rules, we must keep a watch on our immunity as well! 

Foods For Immunity During Navratri Fasting 

Below is a list of foods which can be consumed during Navratri and will help in boosting immunity at the same time.

  1. Water chestnut flour (Singhare ka atta): Singhara is very beneficial because it has refreshing properties. It is rich in protein, iron and magnesium. It has antioxidant properties, treats urine infection, cures indigestion and nausea, relieves cough, helps to combat hypertension, improves the blood and is beneficial for the skin and hair. 
  2. Special rice for fasting made with Millets (Sama ke chawal): It is high in calcium, potassium, digestible fiber, phosphorus and amino acids. Sama Rice is gluten free and has less calories and sugar. Hence, it can be consumed by a diabetic person. It is also a rich source of minerals and vitamins, providing essential ingredients.
  3. Buckwheat flour (Kuttu ka atta): It is a rich source of B Vitamins which improve the skin health and overall functioning of organs. It is immensely rich in fiber – which is extremely important for cleansing the digestive tract. Rich in essential fatty acids, kuttu helps maintain blood pressure and cholesterol levels. To avoid any side effects because of its warm potency, add curd to its flour.
  4. Amaranth Flour (Rajgira ka atta): It is the only grain which contains Vitamin C. It is full of antioxidants, Vit E, Protein, Iron, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. Has twice the amount of calcium as milk, thereby reducing the risk of osteoporosis. It is good for Diabetes and improves Cholesterol levels.
  5. Sago (Sabudana): contains an abundance of calcium and vitamin K in it. These two contents make it the perfect food for maintaining bone health and building muscle. It helps in treating anemia and controlling High blood pressure. It is a great source of energy, that is why most of the people opt for it during fasting.
  6. Lotus seeds (Makhana): are low in calories and high in fiber. That’s why it is recommended for diabetic patients too. It regulates appetite, controls untimely cravings, improves gut health, and has an anti-ageing effect. 
  7. Colocasia (Arbi): It is rich in Fiber, has anti-cancer properties and reduces risk of heart health. They are an excellent source of vitamin C and promote eye health. Helps in delaying the aging process, improves the skin and reduces fatigue.
  8. Nuts and seeds: are an amazing source of many nutrients. Loaded with antioxidants, contain good fats and are rich in fiber. Just a handful of them provide a punch of vitamins, minerals and fats, all of which work together to improve overall health. Include flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, peanuts, cashews, etc. but avoid salted or masala variants and do not consume them if you have allergies to nuts.
  9. Milk, curd and yoghurt: Low fat dairy products cut calories, saturated fat and cholesterol, while protein, calcium, and most other vitamins and minerals remain high in them. It is a good source of Vitamin D. It improves both Dental and Bone health. A glass of plain milk is equivalent to one small meal.
  10. Seasonal fruits: are naturally low in fat, sodium, and calories. Neither of them have cholesterol. They are packed with fiber and micronutrients. They are a good source of antioxidants and Vitamin C – which means better immunity! 
  11. Coconut water and fresh lime water: are the best way to prevent dehydration and are nutrient dense at the same time. They are low in calories, high in Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium. They are energy boosters and a great source of Vitamin C.
  12. Sendha namak ( Rock Salt) f and Arrowroot flour: Rock salt provides all the essential trace minerals and greatly improves the body’s immune system. It helps in stabilizing blood pressure because of low sodium content. Arrowroot is a gluten free, powerhouse of B Vitamins and it improves digestive health.
  13. Spices and herbs: vary in all the households. Black pepper powder, coriander leaves, green chillies, shredded coconut flakes can be used to maintain good health! 

Before trying the above food, remember that portion control is a must. Too much of anything can have a negative impact even if that food is good for you. Don’t indulge and overeat. Avoid deep frying completely. Shallow frying or pan frying is still permissible. The best method of preparing these foods is steaming, roasting, sauteing and grilling! 

We hope this article on Navratri fasting foods helps you make smarter choices and eat healthy! For more special Navratri articles and recipes, check out Healthy Reads or you can speak directly to a GOQii Coach by subscribing for personalized coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

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5 Foods That Fight Acid Reflux Naturally

acid reflux

I am sure that we are all a little too familiar with the term acidity or more particularly acid reflux. It is a condition that causes a burning sensation in the lower part of our food pipe. Basically, the digestive process in our stomach spills back into our oesophagus due to relaxation of the valve dividing them. As we all know, stomach juices consist of Hydrochloric acid (HCl) – which is not good for the membranes of our oesophagus – hence, the burning sensation. 

Usually such situations can be brought under control by using a base neutralizer such as baking soda, ENO, etc. But such solutions are not viable because they provide temporary relief along with a strong possibility of a worse acidic rebound. This calls for an alternate solution, a natural one preferably.

How To Fight Acid Reflux Naturally With Food 

  1. Popped Rice: It is very alkaline in nature, easy to digest and moreover absorbs the excess acid from the stomach. It is famous in Maharashtra and is called as “Salichya Lahya” which is the part of Diwali prasad. Just eat a handful of these with ‘Khadi sakhar/Mishri’ (Rock candy) or boil the lahya in water, cool the water, strain and drink. It helps with acidity. This low calorie snack absorbs the residual acid and neutralizes the stomach’s pH. Popped sorghum (jowar) is a decent alternative to this. 
  2. Banana: is a fruit that can be found everywhere. It has multiple health benefits and preventative abilities that many people tend to overlook. We just think that they are healthy and consume them. Their high roughage content helps strengthen our digestive system which in turn helps in prevention of indigestion. The soluble fibers present in the banana wash away the food remaining in the digestive tract. Those sticky food morsels serve no purpose except to create unnecessary acid. All this along with the added bonus of nutrients like potassium, Magnesium, vitamin C, antioxidants and phytonutrients.
  3. Ash Gourd: This food item right here is slightly elusive. It belongs to the family of cucumbers. It’s also known as green pumpkin or white melon. The symptoms of acid reflux syndrome can be alleviated by its active principles such as Terpenes, Flavonoid C, glycosides, and sterols. They have antioxidant properties that help in inhibiting gastric mucosal damage. Five teaspoons of boiled ash guard along with jaggery 2 times a day is the best way to get instant relief. You can also make juice, raita or sabji.
  4. Raisins: Despite their tiny size, raisins pack a punch full of nutrition! The fiber in it absorbs excess stomach acid. Raisins also contain minerals such as potassium, magnesium, copper and iron which help in balancing acid levels as these minerals are alkaline or basic on the pH scale. Soak 10-15 raisins in water overnight and consume them as first thing in the morning (along with the water).
  5. Potatoes: Bland starches are a good choice when it comes to foods that are easy on the stomach linings. Potatoes contain easily digestible fiber that can help neutralize stomach acid. Potato is naturally alkaline, rich in potassium salt which helps restrict acidity. Try baked, boiled, or mashed potatoes only and strictly avoid the fried ones.

It’s always best to use the most natural and easily accessible solutions possible. The above foods not only provide relief from acid reflux but also contribute to a healthy lifestyle! Try them now if you’re facing this condition and let us know your thoughts in the comments below! 

For more information on acidity and acid reflux, check out Healthy Reads or ask your GOQii Coach directly by subscribing for personalized coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

#BeTheForce 

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