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November 30, 2015 By Hetal Chheda 2 Comments

Lactose Intolerance among children and food substitutes that help

Lactose Intolerance is a bigger problem than the letters in the word itself. Now this is a condition in which the body has a hard time digesting milk sugar (lactose), a natural sugar found in milk and dairy products.

There is an enzyme called lactase which is produced in the small intestine. This breaks down the sugar lactose present in milk and other dairy products. Kids who are lactose intolerant have less or no production of this enzyme LACTASE.

How will a little baby or a toddler explain that, ‘Mom, I can’t digest your breast feed or the top milk that you are feeding me’. Along with the child it is too much of a challenge firstly for the mother that her child cannot digest milk. Milk is usually the food for first 6 months in any child’s life.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS

Unexplained crying,
Abdominal/Lower belly pain
Loose or foamy stools/diarrhea
Gurgling sound in the tummy
nausea,
bloating,
flatulence

STEPS TO BE TAKEN

ELIMINATE

Parents should systematically eliminate milk and other dairy products from their child’s diet. Avoidance is the best treatment.

REINTRODUCE

The dairy products like yogurt and cheese can be reintroduced overtime. The symptoms post introduction should be noticed. If there is no problem other milk products and diluted milk can be introduced. If there are negative symptoms then stop immediately.

UNDERSTAND

Some kids can tolerate small amounts of milk products or certain types of milk products without problems while others cannot tolerate even little.

HOW TO MEET THE CALCIUM REQUIREMENTS

A big challenge for people whose kids are lactose-intolerant is learning how to eat to avoid discomfort and to get enough calcium for healthy bones.

Although it is definitely possible for children to get the calcium they need for strong bones without dairy.

Broccoli, brussels sprouts, dried figs, and sardines are among the most calcium-rich non-dairy foods, Other foods that contain good amount of calcium are Tofu, sesame seeds, ragi, almonds, Moong, kidney beans, urad dal, Chana, Amaranth and curry leaves.

Try and add one of these food items in every meal.

LITERAL MILK SUBSTITUTES FOR OVER 6 MONTH OLDS

YOGURT

If a child is lactose intolerant, there are chances that he/she is partially intolerant and in some cases may be able to digest yogurt. This is because yogurt has active bacterial cultures and also has less lactose as compared to milk. Yogurt may cause less bloating because much of the lactose has already been broken down by its ‘good’ bacteria.

SOY MILK

The immediate option for a child with lactose intolerance is soy milk. Some kids may reject it initially due to its taste but eventually get used to it. Do not opt for the flavoured versions instead go for natural.

However, if your child has a milk allergy which is different from lactose intolerance he or she may also be allergic to soy milk. Avoid using soy milk as a substitute for anyone with a milk allergy.

OTHER KINDS OF MILK

Goat, sheep, cow and Buffalo milk doesn’t help a child’s symptom because all milk from mammals contains lactose. However, for kids who don’t enjoy drinking soy milk there are some more options. Almond milk, which is loaded with magnesium and vitamin E. Rice milk, has almost no saturated fat and plenty of vitamin B12. Coconut milk, tastes creamy like cow’s milk. Other vegetable milks include oat and cashew. The only drawback is that these milks don’t work well with cooking.

· CHEESE

Fermented cheeses have less lactose than other dairy products so a child may be able to tolerate them. It is a very good source of calcium and protein as well. Examples of hard or aged cheeses that are low in lactose are Swiss, Parmesan, and blue cheese. Now days, it is easy to find these cheese in metro cities.

INFANTS

For infants with lactose intolerance, formulas that contain no lactose can be used. Similac is an example of a milk-based formula that contains corn-syrup solids rather than lactose as its carbohydrate calorie source. Many soy-protein formulas also do not contain lactose and are suitable for lactose intolerant infants.

HIDDEN LACTOSE FOODS-WATCHOUT

If the child craves for ice cream parents generally substitute with sherbet. Ready-made sherbet does contain some dairy, but it’s a low-lactose food, Sherbet is a good example of a hidden source of lactose because you probably don’t think of it as a dairy product.

Other hidden sources of lactose include ready to eat soups, salad dressings, and processed breakfast foods. There is always a way out. A child can grow very normally without having milk in his/her diet. A mother will just have to substitute by providing foods rich in proteins and calcium that can completely substitute milk.

November 30, 2015 By Anuja Mohile Leave a Comment

Shake off the salt habit!

My food won’t taste good at all if I don’t add salt to it. Salt has become a habit to such an extent that we not only use it while cooking but add extra from the top too. We need salt for enhancing our fruits’ tastes too. Surprising isn’t it??

Salt namely Sodium chloride contains 40% of sodium in it. We add this salt to most of our foods/recipes and thus it is considered to be the major source of sodium to our body. Also the sodium we are talking about is not completely bad the way it’s being projected. Sodium also performs some important functions in our body like regulating the nerves and muscles, controlling the blood pressure and thus the sodium concentrations need to be carefully controlled by the body. Most of us consume far more sodium than what our body would actually need. This excess sodium causes the body to retain too much water in the blood vessels which causes a rise in the blood pressure thereby increasing the risk of heart disease, kidney disease and even stroke.

Our daily limit of sodium consumption per day is given as 2300 mg which is actually completed by 1 teaspoon of our table salt itself. Surprised?

Now give a thought to how much salt and thereby sodium are we consuming!!

So are you thinking that you don’t really consume that much of salt specially because you don’t sprinkle salt from top or not even add much to your daily food?

Research in fact shows that 75% of salt or more precisely sodium comes from the processed and preserved foods that we consume on a daily basis which we might not even consider to be really overly salty.

One vegetable wrap with loads of cheese, tomato sauce and mayonnaise in it can give you sodium for next 7 days. Thus, this is the extra sodium you consume in addition to any extra salt to your food at home.

Solution for this is not of course cutting all sodium/salt out of your diet but let’s try to strike a chord somewhere in the middle.

Here is a salt check and a few tips to help us to cut down our salt intake and thereby our sodium intake too.

Cut down your all obviously salty foods like salted nuts, fried moong dal, farsan, chips, powders, cheese, pickles, sauces, dry fruits, dry fish etc.
Look out for the hidden sources of sodium and salt. Baked items, breads, whole bread too, biscuits, breakfast cereals even if they are sweet, stir in masalas, table sauces, soup powders, tinned fruits, vegetables, canned juices, frozen patties, parathas, nuggets, sausages contain loads of sodium and should be restricted as much possible. It is not always sodium chloride but it can be other salts of sodium like citrate, sorbitrate, glutamate, benzoate, carbonate, bicarbonate etc. MSG or monosodium glutamate present in soya sauce, schezwan and chilli sauce – the main sauces in our Chinese version foods is again extremely salty a very high source of sodium.
Try to google for the preservatives- the E- series- you will be surprised to see that almost many salts of sodium are used for your favorite foods.
Buy fresh foods like vegetables, fruits, cereals, pulses and not their remix version.Try to obtain the goodness of cereal from the wholegrain s instead of breads and pastries. Natural foods contain far less sodium than the preserved ones. Start eating the fresh homemade food. Use healthy cooking methods.
Instead of salt, use herbs, spices to season your cooking. Lime juice, tamarind, kokam, vinegar, garlic, black pepper, and cinnamon help to add the flavor. Try making different marinade and spicy rubs to add flavor to your foods instead of plain salt.
Taste your food before adding the entire quantity of salt you plan to add.
Take the salt off your dining table. If you have to always go and get your salt you tend not to bother to get it. You can cut down your salt by adding less to your food slowly day by day. Research suggests that if salt is decreased very slowly it is not even realized.

So finally next time if you forget to add salt in your vegetable, stop yourself from adding extra salt and instead try eating the vegetable just without salt. Initially you may find it difficult. But soon you may realize that what tastes now is the original taste of the vegetable and the spices or herbs that you have added to it. It might prove to be a pleasant surprise to your taste buds too. This effort needs to be taken from our side as we all are aware that excess salt consumption can act as a silent killer in the body.

November 25, 2015 By Jyoti Sawant 16 Comments

Home remedies to remove dark circles under your eyes

Are you a workaholic, stressed out at work or due to other reasons and seldom sleep well at night? Then you must have also noticed dark patches under your eyes at times and wondered what are those dark patches and how can you get rid of them?

Dark circles occur when the skin under the eyes becomes discolored or dark. They are mainly caused due to insufficient sleep, genetics, stress and also aging. Dark circles can appear to both men and women, regardless of their age.

Although dark circles are not a serious problem, people find that it comes in the way of their looks. Of course the market has an abundance of expensive cosmetic products that promises to alleviate the problem but, the chemicals they contain can affect the delicate skin underneath your eyes in a negative way. In order to avoid these harsh chemical based cosmetics to cure the dark circles why don’t you try some simple and easy home remedies to get rid of those dark circles.

The causes of dark circles are:

* Lack of sleep

* Mental or physical stress

* Crying for long period of time

* Too much work on the computer

* Certain medications

Home Remedies for Dark Circles:

Tomato

Is a brilliant home remedy that can erase the dark circles under your eyes as it naturally helps in lightening the skin. Mix 1 teaspoon of tomato juice with a teaspoon of lemon juice and apply it under your eyes. After applying it, leave it on for about 10 minutes and wash it off with water. Repeat this remedy at least 2 times a day. You can also drink tomato juice mixed with some lemon juice and mint leaves in order to

D get rid of dark circles.

Cucumber

Is another home remedy that will not only help in removing the dark circles, but also acts as a soothing agent for the eyes. Cut 2 slices of a fresh cucumber and keep them in the refrigerator for a while. Then place the cucumber slices over your eyes for about 10-15 minutes. You can also mix cucumber juice and lemon juice and apply it under your eyes. It is a natural remedy that will help you get rid of dark circles.

Rose Water

Soak cotton pads in rose water and put them over your eyes and leave them there for some time. You can also use rose petals and milk to make a paste and apply it over the dark circles. Rose water is one of the best home remedies for quick removal of dark circles under the eyes as it lightens the skin and also acts as a natural soothing agent.

Potato:

Grate a raw potato, strain it and extract its juice. Soak a cotton ball in the juice and place it on your eyelids. Apply it properly so that it covers the dark area under your eyes. Leave it for about 15 minutes, and then wash it off with water. Potato is a natural bleaching agent, which makes it one of the best home remedies for reducing dark circles under the eye.

Mint leaves:

A paste made of Mint leaves and tomato juice is another good cure for dark circles. Apply this paste on the area under the eyes. This remedy will eliminate the dark patches of skin.

Orange

Who ever thought that orange juice can also do wonders to remove dark circles but it indeed does? Mix some orange juice with a few drops of glycerin and apply the mixture over the dark circles. It will diminish the dark circles and will also give a natural glow to the area around your eyes.

Turmeric Paste

Make a paste using pineapple juice and turmeric powder. Apply the paste on a regular basis to get rid of the dark circles fast.

Practice Yoga or Meditate

While, yoga and meditation can bring down the dark circles in your face, it also helps in rejuvenating our body and also brings a natural glow on your face while, at the same time, removing the dark circles under your eyes.

So instead of spending loads of money on expensive cosmetics to get rid of your dark circles try these easy home remedies and be rest assured that you will be back to looking beautiful in few days.

November 24, 2015 By Neha Kapoor 2 Comments

Foods for Breast Cancer Prevention

Healthy eating is not something doctors of today promote among their patients to overcome their illness. Making couple of changes in the food and lifestyle can be more beneficial and helpful rather than undergo some life threatening treatments like Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy. One can lower their risk for breast cancer by reaching for the right foods. A woman can cut her chance of cancer by good nutrition and weight management.

Let us look at some of the foods that can help

Broccoli

Sulforaphane—a compound in broccoli—reduces the number of breast cancer stem cells (which cause cancer spread and recurrence). Eating broccoli may not deliver enough sulforaphane to achieve the same effect, but to get the most you can eat your broccoli raw or briefly steam or stir-fry the green florets.

Salmon

Taking fish-oil supplements for at least 10 years can shrink your risk of ductal carcinoma, the most common type of breast cancer. Omega-3 fats in fish oil reduce inflammation, which may contribute to breast cancer. A person can eat about 8 ounces of oily fish (salmon, sardines, tuna) a week.

Walnuts

Walnuts may thwart the growth of breast cancer. Experts think walnuts’ anti-inflammatory properties—which could come from the omega-3 fat alpha-linolenic acid, phytosterols or antioxidants—may give them their tumor-fighting potential.

Olive Oil

It has been found that the olive oil’s antioxidants and oleic acid (a mono-unsaturated fat) quelled growth of malignant cells.

Plums & Peaches

Plums and peaches have antioxidant levels to rival “superfood” blueberries—and that they contain two types of polyphenols (antioxidants) that may help kill breast cancer cells while leaving healthy cells intact.

Aloevera Juice

Aloe Vera contains at least 6 natural ingredients which act as ´anti-inflammatory agents, reducing inflammation, one of the precursors to cancer. Ingredients to make juice– 3Leaves of Aloe Vera + 50gm Honey + 50 gm Brandy.

Method- Peal the thorns of Aloe Vera after cleaning it nicely and grind it. Mix honey and Brandy. Shake well and store it in a Refrigerator in a glass bottle. Drink 1-2 teaspoon empty stomach.

Graviola Extract– Although graviola has some side effects but it is a boon for cancer patients. Consuming the fruit once a month is the best way to avoid the side effects.
Nutrition and Cancer confirms the cancer- inhibiting phytochemicals in graviola. Scientists at Virginia Tech demonstrated that graviola fruit extract (juice) could reduce the growth of cancer on the skin of breast cancer patients without damaging healthy breast tissue. It can lead to Parkinson’s disease but eating in moderation has no such side effects.

Flax seeds –Flax demonstrates antiproliferative effects in breast tissue of women at risk of breast cancer. Increased cell death (apoptosis) within their tumors.

Wheat Grass– Due to its potent detoxifying properties, wheatgrass works to keep the blood clean and oxygenated as well as increase the red blood cell count. Cancer thrives in a low-oxygen environment, so the wheatgrass contributes to cancer prevention. Also it improves circulation, digestion, reduce fatigue, and boost immunity.

Beans and lentils– Fiber-rich foods help flush excess amounts of estrogen out of your body during digestion. Your gut also breaks down fiber itself into cancer-fighting fragments.

Cur Cumin Tablets– Cur cumin has the ability to modulate genetic activity and expression—both by destroying cancer cells and by promoting healthy cell function. It also promotes anti-angiogenesis, meaning it helps prevent the development of additional blood supply necessary for cancer cell growth.

Vitamin C, A, E and Selenium (Se)

Vitamin C’s anti cancer properties are scavenging cancer causing free radicals such as hydrogen peroxide to prevent lipid peroxidation, neutralizing carcinogenic chemicals, enhancement of immunoglobulin IgA, IgM etc. Se antioxidant property protects the body against environmental and chemical sensitivities and their immune functions enhance the body’s antibacterial and antiviral defences.

Vitamin E is effective in decreasing the risk of colon cancer and inhibits breast cancer tumors, reducing the severity of liver cancer and also restoring the cellular immune system. Vitamin A and carotenoids antioxidants and immune stimulatory property have developed synergistic cancer treatment application.