Search Results for: green tea

February 8, 2020 By GOQii Leave a Comment

How Akhil Minocha Made a Positive U-Turn!

We have always advocated that inculcating small healthy habits into your lifestyle can yield big results! There are so many stories of individuals who were fit during their childhood but as soon as they hit adulthood, their health and fitness took a turn for the worse. While most people continue living with illnesses and refuse to make changes, Akhil Minocha stepped up and turned his life around for the best!

Before Joining GOQii

Akhil Minocha, now 47, works for a corporate based out of Gurugram which requires frequent traveling. As a child, he was always lean. As he is from a Defence background, he was well involved in all kinds of sports and physical activities including horse riding. Even during his MBA days, he managed to stay lean and fit.

Akhil’s struggle with weight began right after he got married in 2001. By the time he moved to Gurugram in 2005, he was fairly obese. His entire focus during this time was work and being a complete foodie. He indulged in all sorts of unhealthy food. Frequent travels for work added to his appetite, driving him further into an unhealthy lifestyle.

Joining GOQii and Making the Change

As he had interacted with our founder and CEO Vishal Gondal during his IndiaGames days and was actively in touch with him via social media, he had joined GOQii in 2015 and had a coach assigned to him. However, due to his work and his own personal lack of interest, he did not take it seriously.

Around July 2019, everything changed for him. He was diagnosed as a pre-diabetic. Akhil Minocha was clear from the start that he did not want to start with allopathy. Instead, he opted for Ayurveda which wasn’t helping him at all. His family suggested that he switch to Allopathy before it gets worse.

All of this coincided with a change of his GOQii Coach. His new GOQii Coach was a blessing in disguise for him. She gave him an expert’s perspective on various ideas related to diet, fitness and lifestyle. He had done some studies on diet and she validated whether it was worth incorporating or not. For instance, he had started with the keto diet which clearly did not benefit him but made things worse as his LDL shot up due to increase in fat intake. His GOQii Coach discouraged him against going for such diets and rather focus on a balanced diet.

He began exercising regularly and now works out 6 times a week on an average even on his travelling days. As for his diet, he almost stopped the consumption of rice and wheat and substituted them with alternative grains such as Amaranth, Ragi, Bajra, Quinoa and sometimes a mix of any 2 of these. Recently, he modified his diet further by including greens.

He has also started including different varieties of millets. He basically changed the way his meal plate looked like – increasing the amount of salads and vegetables, increasing protein and reducing carbs. He also began eating a fruit every day along with a light dinner. Short walks after meals have become his favorite activity.

Akhil Minocha’s GOQii Coach also introduced him to intermittent fasting and asked him to follow the guidelines set by Master Coach Luke Coutinho for maximum benefit. By following this, he has cleared a lot of his misconceptions.

As of now, his vitals are in the normal range especially his HBA1C which has dropped to 5.6. Also, his postprandial blood sugar stands at 130mg/dL. He has reduced his weight from 87kg to 77kg in a period of 5 months which is remarkable. Since then, he has participated in a few marathons and has completed a 10k run.

How Akhil Minocha uses GOQii

He regularly messages his coach though he does miss updating logs. He also watches GOQii Play videos of Heena, Dr. Paramjeet and couple of other coaches as and when he finds the time. He actively buys products from the GOQii Health Store and recently ordered some supplements for himself and family which he claims to be very useful.

He firmly believes that you can make a difference if you take care of your diet and have a supportive coach to handhold you through the journey. He says you can benefit immensely from this platform if you are focused on your end goal. Akhil Minocha says GOQii is the most cost effective platform delivering value for money through its various features & services.

We hope Akhil continues on this journey to good health as you know, a healthy lifestyle is not a race, it is a marathon! Even you can make a positive U-turn in your life and change things for the better. For more inspiring stories, visit the Healthy Reads section within the GOQii App!

#LevelUp and #BeTheForce

August 8, 2019 By Trupti Hingad 41 Comments

Foods That Help Cure Sinusitis!

Have you woken up one morning with terrible pain in your forehead or between your eyes? To add to this agony, you experience a swelling face, stuffy nose and congestion. Your upper teeth hurt and it feels like your head is about to explode! If you have these symptoms, it is an indication of Sinusitis!

What is Sinusitis?

Sinus points are basically air spaces in your skull lined with mucous membranes. Most people have four sets of nasal sinuses.

Two in the forehead above the eyes
One inside each cheekbone
A group of them, called the Ethmoid Sinuses, behind the bridge of the nose
Another group behind the nose and underneath the brain called the Sphenoid Sinuses

These sinus points are like fingerprints. If there is an infection in these points, it leads to a condition called Sinusitis. Basically, it is an inflammation of the sinus cavity due to a virus, bacteria or fungus. Tiny hair-like structures called Cilia move mucus across Sinus Membranes, towards an exit.

All of your sinus cavities connect to your nose to allow a free exchange of air and mucus. Infections or allergies affect the sinus tissues, making them inflamed, red and swollen. But don’t worry, nature is loaded with remedies for most conditions!

Foods That Help Cure Sinusitis

Spicy Foods: Hot spices like pepper, chillis (capsicum), jalapenos, relieve sinus congestion as they help release the mucus that causes a stuffed nose. Spicy foods help in opening the sinus cavity and promote the restoration of normal breathing.
Garlic: contains an enzyme called Allicin that destroys bacteria and viruses that cause Sinusitis.
Vitamin E: found in nuts, seeds and vegetable oils helps you get rid of a sinus congestion.
Zinc: in Lean Meat, Poultry, Licorice and Seafood helps in relieving a congestion.
Warm Herbal Teas: like Peppermint, Ginger, Licorice and Holy Basil (Tulsi) teas are some of the best for your sinuses and throat during a bout of Sinusitis. Tea moistens mucus membrane, helping to clear the sinus network.
Chicken Soup: contains an amino acid called cysteine that causes a runny nose and clears out the nasal congestion.
Leafy Green Veggies, tomatoes, oranges, yellow fruits and veggies contain Vitamin A that helps build a healthy mucus membrane.
Grapefruits, Oranges and Lemon are rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants. Thus, they help clear a sinus congestion. Oxidation damage can contribute to Chronic Sinusitis. Antioxidants protect the mucus membranes from free radical damage.
Pineapple is rich in antioxidants which protect the delicate mucus membranes from damage. Bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapple, breaks down the junk that builds up in sinuses and reduces inflammation.
Coconut Oil is very good at reducing inflammation and also in killing many bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Try oil pulling with a spoonful of coconut oil and you’ll notice your sinuses clear up. Simply swish around a spoonful of it for five to ten minutes and spit it out.
Turmeric/Ginger Root: Turmeric root is wonderful, fragrant and contains natural anti-inflammatory Curcumin. This spice is also an antioxidant. When combined with spicy ginger root and brewed for hot tea, this combination can help loosen mucus from clogged nasal passages, alleviate sinus pressure, and make you feel better all around. Ginger root also has the added bonus of calming an upset stomach – a frequent side-effect of excessive night time sinus drainage.
Apple Cider Vinegar: acts as a boon for sinus infections. Firstly, it is a natural antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory that can kill the destructive microorganisms which cause the infection. Secondly, it helps the body maintain a healthy alkaline pH level, which helps breaking up mucus and discourage the proliferation of the condition.

Worst Foods For a Sinus Infection

Caffeine weakens your adrenal glands and causes sinus congestion
Fried foods/Processed foods containing additives are best avoided during a sinus infection
Foods with high sugar content, especially ice cream, worsen a sinus infection
Refined carbs like bread, pasta, and rice do not help during sinus congestions
Fermented foods like cheese worsen sinus
Starchy heavy foods like noodles are not for people with a sinus problem
Milk is known to worsen a sinus congestion as it thickens mucus and promotes microbial growth
Foods high in saturated fats like egg yolk and meat are to be avoided during a sinus infection

Keep your sinus clean and relax, breathe refresh and stay healthy! We hope this article helped you. Please do leave your thoughts in the comments below!

#BeTheForce

December 28, 2018 By Arooshi Garg 1 Comment

Potato juice- The Ancient Elixir

potato juice

For the longest time potatoes have been listed in the high carb fattening food category and all we keep hearing is to avoid potatoes if you want to be healthy. Well, there exists another unexplored side of the story! Potatoes are loaded with essential micronutrients like Vitamin A, C, B, and iron and phosphorous. These starchy tubers have amazing health benefits! For those who believe in the power of nature read on!

From our Desi Aloo Parathas (Wheat Flat Breads) to the world famous fries, Potatoes are loved widely by all cultures across the globe. Apart from being a star in the kitchen space, there are several other uses one is unaware of. Did you know that Potato juice can be used for hair, skin care, tackling joint pains & immunity related issues?

Potato Juice for Skin Care: Skin related issues such as skin darkening, scars, spots, blemishes, hard skin and tan reduction can be tackled with Potato juice. It removes excess oil, acne, clears pores and makes the skin look radiant. With skin bleaching properties that help to clear blemishes and correct uneven skin tone, Potato juice reduces appearances of fine lines, tightened skin and reduces wrinkles. So much from a simple juice!

How to USE: Potato juice can easily be combined with a range of skin-benefiting ingredients like Cucumber juice, Fuller’s Earth (Multani Mitti), Gram Flour (Besan), Aloe Vera and even Olive oil.

A scrub can be made by combining Gram flour (Besan)/ Wheat Bran/ Ground Oats with equal quantities of Lemon juice and Potato juice. Mix well and gently rub it on the affected area.

Potato juice can also be mixed with curd/ honey/ lemon juice/orange juice to be used as a face pack. It will help tighten the skin and give a clearer, brighter glow.

Potato Juice for Haircare: Potato juice overall improves hair health and treats conditions like dandruff, dryness, redness, flaking and itching of the scalp. It can help improve hair texture by making it softer, delaying early grey hair and helps hair fall conditions too It helps in persisting eczema or reduces oozing of the sebum from scalp pores.

How to USE: Take the juice of 2 raw potatoes and add 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 egg yolk. If you want to avoid egg you can add 2 tsp of Aloe Vera gel. If you find honey sticky- you can use 1 tsp of virgin coconut or olive oil instead. Apply this mixture to the roots and shampoo as usual, after one hour. You will notice good results after applying this every once or twice in a week.

Eye care: Potato juice comes to the rescue of people facing under eye issues. It helps reduce under eye circles speedily and effectively. It helps the eyes to relax and reduces strain after a long day at work. Since the skin under the eyes is very thin, it tends to wrinkle very fast. Regular application of potato juice on the affected area can lead to positive results.

How to USE: Soak eye size cotton pads in cold potato juice and apply on eyes for 20 minutes. Remove and gently wash eyes. You can use a moisturizer if your skin feels dry.

Immune system: Potatoes contain a significant amount of vitamin C -the nutrient that fights colds and infection and helps to strengthen the immune system. Drinking a glass of potato juice regularly wards off diseases and helps improve one’s immunity. It also increases circulation in the human system, thereby improving overall health.

Joint related issues: Potato juice has wonderful anti-inflammatory properties that help to relieve all most all kinds of pain related to swelling, inflammation, or redness. It helps in neutralising and flushing out Uric acid which is the major cause of joint relates issues. Applying compressed potatoes to the joints directly or wrapping a sliced potato to the joint with the help of fabric bandages is helpful in eliminating the soreness and pain. This makes potato juice one of the best natural treatments for gout and pain associated with arthritis.

How to USE: To extract maximum benefit drink raw potato juice, 1 glass in the morning and 1 glass in the night.

GI tract benefits: Potato juice works as an excellent antibacterial probiotic drink. It helps reduce acidity, heartburn, constipation, bloating and flatulence. Potatoes contain a significant amount of fibre, with unique antibacterial molecules which help in treating constipation and cleansing our digestive system. Drinking 1 glass of potato juice every day can help in preventing and treating many gastric and digestion related issues.

Heart-healthy ingredient: Potatoes contain essential nutrients like fibre and vitamins A, B-complex and Vitamin C fibre. These nutrients help lower the cholesterol levels in the body. Potato juice can help prevent strokes by reducing deposition of fats in arteries as it contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds.

Simple ways to prepare & use potato juice:

Wash the potatoes thoroughly and clean out any sprouts and green spots.
Peel the potatoes and grate them. Or you can also chop the potato and grind them in a mixer.
Put the grated potatoes on a linen cloth/ sieve and squeeze out the juice.
Since potatoes are 80% water one can get around 1/2 cup juice from 2 medium sized potatoes. Which is safe to be consumed.
Drink the juice immediately or you could let it cool in the refrigerator for a while and then drink it.

Side effects: All good things if taken in the wrong way or quantity can cause harm:

If you have any health-related issue and are advised to stay low on potassium then check with your doctor before consuming potato juice as it has high potassium levels.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women and diabetic patients should consult their physician before drinking potato juice as it is high in sugar content.
Also, this juice can cause an upset stomach, or cause diarrhoea and vomiting if consumed in excess.

October 30, 2018 By Richa Athavale 22 Comments

How to include proteins to your Breakfast?

All of us are well aware that breakfast is the first important meal of the day. The second most important thing is to have frequent meals to keep our metabolism high. Our body goes into the rest mode for almost 8 to 10 hours after dinner when we are sleeping through the night. Hence, it becomes essential to eat a good, balanced meal which has the right proportion of carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, minerals, fibres, anti- oxidants etc.in the morning. More often than not it is a difficult task to incorporate all these nutrients in the morning breakfast due to our rush to get to work.But, one can always try to incorporate as many nutrients as we can out of the above if not all.

It is advised to include proteins in every meal. The inclusion of proteins to your breakfast becomes a challenging task especially if you are a vegetarian. Lacto- Ovo vegetarian breakfast can easily get proteins through the milk and eggs. The tough task is for vegetarians and vegans (those who limit dairy products).

Common Indian breakfast items are Poha (cooked Puffed Rice with some veggies), flat breadsUpma, Idli and Dosa (steamed Rice pancakes), flatbreads(Chaapti), Rice, Porridgeetc. Today, I am going to tell you how we add proteins in our 1^st meal of the day – breakfast.

Whenever we have options like steamed rice pancakes (Idlisambhar) or bread omelette we’re obviously getting proteins from the dish. When we have options like Cooked Puff Rice, Upma, rice, cooked Wheat Flat breads (Chappati) etc. without any side dish we need to add some proteins to it.

Here are few items which you can add:

Peanuts/ Groundnuts: A humble source of proteins and MUFA (mono unsaturated fatty acids) will add to proteins in breakfast. We can use in different forms as peanut butter, chutney etc. spread it on your bread or chapatti. Excellent to be added in pre workout meal.

100 g of Dry roasted peanuts will give 24-26 g of proteins.

Roasted Chana: Simple, easily available and can be stored. Just add a handful of black (Kabuli)or brown Chana to your plate or have it on the go post breakfast. If you couple it up with peanuts it will be even better.

Mixed Sprouts: This one will need some preparation. Soak the sprouts for 6-8 hours, then drain the water and tie in the cloth for sprouts to come. Add handful of it either raw or steamed. Raw will give you good enzymes as compared to cooked ones. Whereas steamed will be easier to digest. Following are the rough values for sprouted and steamed sprouts.

Moong/ Green gram 2-3 g
Matki/ Moth bean 8 g
Chana/ Chick peas 9 g

Green peas: It is very to incorporate peas in any dish. Add it to your upma, poha, rice liberally. They will taste good as well as increase the protein value. Its green colour also add to the visual effect.

100 g of fresh green peas contain 5 g of protein

Nuts like (almond, walnut, cashew nut): Again a very handy option. Just adding them to your bowl of breakfast is very easy. They are rich in minerals like calcium, good fats like MUFA, omega 3 fatty acids. Don’t forget to soak and peel almond to avoid anti nutritional factors in the peel.

Almond 21.2 g
Walnut 15.2 g

Sesame, flax, sunflower, pumpkin seeds: Dry roasted seeds can serve as a protein quotient of the meal. You can easily stock it in cool and dry place. You can have them as it is or grind to make into chutney. Dips like tahini can be made from sesame seeds.

Milk: You can just add a glass of milk to complete the protein quota of the meal. It goes well with roti, chapati, bread, cereals etc. It is better to go for low fat milk. If having cow’s milk make sure it is Desi cow’s milk. Make sure you’re not having it with salty or savoury as milk and salt is not recommended to have together.1 cup of milk gives you 8 g protein on an average.

Curds/ Yogurt: Add a bowl of curds or yogurt to make your breakfast not only protein rich but yummy. We can mix poha, rice with it to give a better texture and taste. Fruits with yogurt can be another hit option and light still complete meal. 1 cup gives you 10-11 g proteins on an average.

Buttermilk: It is the best bet in summer. Having it post breakfast will help in digestion. It has good water content and therefore it will not be a concentrated source. Unlike milk it can be coupled with salty and savoury options as well.

Cheese: I am yet to come across a person who doesn’t like cheese unless of course you are a vegan. We can add it with breads, chapatti, pancakes etc. You can use different varieties like cheese spread, cubes, and slices or just grate some cheese on your dish. People who are targeting weight gain can have it on regular basis. Those who are trying to lose weight should limit it once or twice in a week. 100 g will give approx. 20 g of proteins.