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January 8, 2026 By Roopa Tandur 1 Comment

5 Interesting Ways To Include Citrus Fruits In Your Diet

citrus fruitsThe moment one imagines citrus fruits, the image of yellow-orange coloured tangy fruits comes to mind, which can instantly add taste to a dish. Citrus fruits mainly include lemon, sweet lime, orange, grapefruit and tangerine.

They are packed with nutrients like Vitamin C, antioxidants, flavonoids, potassium and citric acid which have many health benefits like maintaining electrolyte balance, regulating acid-alkaline balance in the body, preventing heart disease, managing acidity, improving digestion, preventing constipation, and building good immunity. 

While lemon is widely used in beauty products for its immense benefits on hair and skin, including it in your diet adds to its taste and nutrients. Citrus fruits can be included in your diet easily to make your meals more appetizing and tasty. All this while also giving you the much required health benefits. 

How To Add Citrus Fruits To Your Diet 

  1. Breakfast
    Include vegetable and citrus fruit smoothies like tomato and orange juice or celery, sweet lime and spinach juice or whole fruits to your breakfast. It is an easy and quick way to add nutrients to your meal especially if you’re running late for work. You can replace your morning coffee with orange juice or add lemon juice to your green tea instead of drinking milk tea with breakfast. 
  2. Sprinkle Lemon Juice
    Sprinkle lemon juice on your sprouts or peanut salad or include lemon slices as a salad. You can have this as your mid-morning or evening snack. This may help you reduce stress eating and also aid weight loss as well as manage acidity as these snacks are low on fat and loaded with a good amount of micronutrients.
     
  3. Make a Dessert
    Make a dessert using citrus fruits or citrus fruit juices. You can also add lemon zest to your cakes and puddings or add orange juice to your nutrition bars instead of sugar. This will enhance the taste and up the nutrient content, making your dish more flavorful.
     
  4. Pickling
    Pickling citrus foods is the oldest and most widely known method of preserving them. It can be stored for the whole year and can be had during seasons when we do not get foods rich in Vitamin C. These fruits can also be used in making jams which can be stored for quite some time.
     
  5. Detox Water
    Add lemon, orange or grapefruit slices to your water. This helps clean your system by removing toxins from your body. It also improves energy levels, keeps the skin clear and healthy, improves sleep quality and also your mood with its potassium levels! It also supports weight loss.  

We hope this article helps you. Is there an interesting way you add citrus fruits to your diet? Let us know in the comments below. For more interesting tips on diet and nutrition, check out Healthy Reads or speak to a certified expert by subscribing to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalised medical guidance or concerns related to your health. Images shown are for representation purposes only and may not depict the exact recommendations or outcomes.

December 25, 2025 By GOQii Leave a Comment

4 Healthy Recipes For Christmas & New Year Celebrations!

4 Healthy Recipes For Christmas & New Year Celebrations!Festivities always cause a dilemma in terms of what to eat, what to avoid and how much to eat. It’s often hard to resist good food. But if you have health goals to adhere to and are looking for something nutritious, we’ve got you covered! Here are 4 healthy recipes for Christmas and New Year that you can try. They are easy to cook, delicious and absolutely healthy!

Let’s get started!

4 Healthy Recipes For Christmas & New Year

1. Gourmet Almond Eyes (Almond Cookies)

Whether it’s for someone you love, your granny or your family and friends, these nutritious almond, jam-filled cookie bites will show your loved ones how much you care about them and their health.

Ingredients (For about 40 cookies)

  • 1/4 organic lemon
  • 200g (8 oz) all-purpose flour
  • 150g (6 oz) butter
  • 100g (4 oz) sugar
  • 1/2 pack vanilla sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 100g (4 oz) ground almonds
  • 175g (7 oz) jam

Method:

  1. Grate the lemon rind. Knead it with flour, butter, sugar, vanilla sugar, egg and almonds to form a smooth dough.
  2. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C (350°F, gas 4). Roll out the dough thinly in portions between two sheets of grease-proof paper. Cut out the biscuits. Cut out holes in the center of half of them. Bake on a baking tray lined with grease-proof paper for about 12 minutes.
  3. After they cool off, spread jam (e.g. strawberry jam) on those without holes. Place the biscuits with the holes on top. Optionally, sprinkle with icing sugar.

Facts:
Preparation: 45 minutes
Baking: 12 minutes
Calories per cookie: 60 kcal

2. Christmas Apple Cake

Eating an apple a day in winter provides many benefits for our health. The yellowish flesh in apples is rich in bioflavonoids, especially carotenoids. These pigments are antioxidants that can help protect you against cancer and other diseases by reducing the cellular damage caused when the body burns oxygen. The antioxidant in apples, which includes Vitamin A, Vitamin C and beta-carotene can help prevent cancer, including oral cancer.

Apple also aid weight loss – they are low in calorie fruit, making them perfect for people who want to lose weight. They contain fewer calories with no saturated fat, and the fiber in apples suppress hunger.

If you are wondering what to make this Christmas or for your New Year’s Eve party, here is a recipe for Apple Cake that is moist, yummy and comes with a rich, sweet butter sauce.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 medium tart apples, peeled and grated.
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup cream
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 egg

Method:

  1. In a mixing bowl, put cream, butter and sugar and then beat in an egg and vanilla.
  2. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg. Gradually add to the creamed mixture.
  3. Stir in apples and walnuts. Pour into a greased 8-inch square baking dish.
  4. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
  5. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, melt butter. Stir in sugars and cream.
  6. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
  7. Reduce heat and let it simmer, uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve over warm cake.

3. Chicken and Bell Pepper Tomato Chilli Stir Fry

Ingredients: 

  • 2 Chicken breast
  • Salt and pepper (as per taste)
  • All-purpose flour (for coating)
  • 1 Red chili pepper
  • 2 teaspoon Vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon Vinegar
  • 2 tablespoon Sweet chilli sauce
  • 2 tablespoon Ketchup
  • Bell peppers

Methods: 

  1. Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Coat the chicken in flour.
  2. Heat a frying pan with vegetable oil, add the red chilli pepper and fry the chicken until golden.
  3. Add vinegar and steam the chicken.
  4. Chop the bell peppers into 2 cm pieces, add to the frying pan and fry.
  5. Season with the sweet chilli sauce and ketchup.

Benefits of Chicken: Chicken is a great low-fat source of protein and the B Vitamin niacin. Protein is essential for maintaining muscle mass and is commonly included in weight-loss diets.

4. Christmas Baked Brown Rice Pudding

Rice pudding is for those who love homemade comfort food!

Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups milk
  • 3 beaten eggs
  • 1/3 cups raisins
  • 1 cup uncooked brown rice
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1 pinch ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Method:

  1. Place uncooked rice in a 3-quart saucepan, and add water. Bring to a boil.
  2. Reduce heat and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes.
  3. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
  4. In a large bowl, combine beaten eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix well.
  5. Stir in rice and raisins.
  6. Pour into a baking dish. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Stir the pudding and sprinkle with nutmeg.
  7. Bake for an additional 30 minutes or until a knife inserted halfway between the edge and the center comes out clean.
  8. Enjoy your warm pudding.

Benefits of brown rice:

  • Lowers the risk of developing diabetes
  • High in fiber
  • Good source of magnesium and selenium
  • Prevents weight gain
  • Lower cholesterol
  • Offers cardiovascular benefits
  • Reduces the risk of childhood asthma
  • Promotes bone health

And that’s all! Do try these healthy recipes for Christmas and New Year’s and share your pictures with us on social media by tagging GOQii. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. For more healthy recipes, check out Healthy Reads or ask a GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce 

June 18, 2025 By Soni Thakur 2 Comments

Reasons Why You Are Not Losing Weight!

losing weightHas your scale been stuck at the same number? No matter how hard you try, it doesn’t budge? Staying motivated becomes difficult when you’re eating healthy, exercising regularly, and still not seeing results. There may be several hidden factors working against your weight loss journey. Let’s explore them.

Factors That Prevent You From Losing Weight 

  1. You Are Not Eating Enough: Your body needs fuel to function—just like a car. You cannot expect it to work efficiently or burn fat if you’re running on empty. Under-eating, just like overeating, can disrupt metabolism and stall weight loss. Stick to a realistic calorie budget that supports your activity level and health.
  2. Compromised Gut Health: Nutrition isn’t just about what you eat – it’s also about what your body absorbs. A healthy gut is essential for digestion, nutrient uptake, and overall metabolic efficiency. Poor gut health can block your progress despite eating the right foods.
  3. Less Supply Of Fat To The Body: Fats are essential – not enemies. They aid in vitamin absorption and support brain, heart, and cell health. Choose plant-based sources like avocados, olives, almonds, walnuts, and flaxseeds, which provide healthy fatty acids your body needs.
  4. You Are Stressed: Chronic stress increases cortisol, which raises blood sugar and leads to insulin spikes. More insulin means more fat storage. Managing stress through mindfulness, physical activity, or breathing exercises can positively impact weight loss.
  5. You Aren’t Sleeping Enough: Sleep is when the body repairs, detoxifies, and balances hormones. Without adequate rest, the body prioritises fighting inflammation over fat loss. Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep per night to support metabolism and recovery.
  6. You Are Overtraining: More isn’t always better. Exercising rigorously for over an hour daily without rest can lead to inflammation and stress, slowing down weight loss. A balanced routine of 45–60 minutes, six days a week with one rest day is optimal.
  7. Vitamin D3 and B12 Deficiencies: Low levels of these vitamins are common, especially during winter. Vitamin D helps reduce fat accumulation, while B12 supports energy and metabolism. Consider checking your levels and supplementing appropriately.
  8. Underactive Thyroid: An underactive thyroid slows down metabolism, making weight loss more difficult. If you’re struggling despite lifestyle changes, a thyroid test may reveal underlying issues.
  9. Food Sensitivities: Many individuals experience sensitivity to dairy or gluten, leading to inflammation that can block weight loss. If you often feel bloated, fatigued, or inflamed after meals, consider speaking to a nutritionist about elimination diets or testing.
  10. Unbalanced Meals: Fad diets may offer short-term weight loss, but cutting out entire food groups can damage your metabolism. A balanced plate with complex carbohydrates, protein, healthy fats, and fibre is key for long-term results and better energy levels.
  11. Unrealistic Expectations:It’s common to want quick results—but healthy, sustainable weight loss takes time. Setting unrealistic deadlines increases stress and often leads to disappointment. If it took months or years to gain the weight, it will take time and consistency to lose it too.

We hope this article helps you uncover the real reasons behind your weight loss plateau.

To read more articles on weight loss, click here. 

#BeTheForce 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalised medical guidance or concerns related to your health. Images shown are for representation purposes only and may not depict the exact recommendations or outcomes.

June 6, 2025 By Luke Coutinho 6 Comments

Digestion: The Secret to Losing Weight

digestionHow often are you worried about that sneaky fat creeping up around your mid-section, a bloated belly after meals or low energy sabotaging your workout? What do all of these have in common? They reflect the direct relationship between sluggish digestion, slow metabolism, and weight gain. Overeating during the holidays and less physical activity means this process can really snowball in the winter.

The Good News!

By increasing digestive efficiency through diet, lifestyle and targeted supplements, we can effectively shed excess fat, boost metabolism and support nearly every other aspect of health in the process.

Good digestion goes beyond the idea that “You are what you eat”.

Digestion is at the very centre of our core health. It lays the foundation for health, happiness, and wellbeing. We now have greater insight into the many roles digestion plays in immunity, hormone balance and even mental and emotional health.

Traditional healing systems, especially those from Asia, have long recognised these relationships. In fact, many Eastern medical systems treat nearly every condition by first addressing the digestive system. Often, when we optimise it, everything else falls into place – especially the bathroom scale.

Herbs & Supplements For Digestion 

The relationship between herbs and supplements is clear – many nutrients and herbs that support digestion also boost metabolism. They do this by promoting mitochondrial function while improving the breakdown and absorption of nutrients.

Some digestive-supporting herbs and ingredients also increase enzyme activity, improve circulation, and help soothe inflammation in the digestive tract and beyond.

Black Pepper & Other Spices

Pungent culinary herbs and spices have long been recognised as digestive aids. Their strong aromas and spicy flavours stimulate the production of digestive enzymes for better food breakdown. They also bring warmth and circulation to the system, helping to reduce stagnation.

Their antimicrobial properties help maintain a healthy digestive environment. Researchers now confirm that these long-cherished spices also support healthy weight. For example, black pepper, known for aiding digestion, has been found to block the formation of fat cells at a genetic level – helping to manage weight. It’s often paired with curcumin (from turmeric) to further support metabolism and fat burning.

Probiotics

Another key factor in digestive health is probiotics. These friendly bacteria have evolved with us and offer countless benefits — especially for digestion. New research continues to uncover their broader role in health.

Around the world, fermented probiotic foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi and miso have been consumed for their health benefits. In the UK, kefir, live yoghurt (unsweetened), and kombucha are increasingly popular options.

Probiotics help break down food into usable nutrients, manage inflammation, support immunity, and produce digestive enzymes. A specific probiotic strain — Lactobacillus gasseri — has even been shown to reduce visceral fat by up to 9% over three months.

Cinnamon, Cardamom, Turmeric (Curcumin) & Ginger

These spices have long been used in traditional medicine to support digestion, metabolism, and reduce inflammation. In Asian systems, ginger is commonly used for stomach discomfort and is generally safe in small amounts (1–3 grams daily).

These herbs help warm the digestive system, ease occasional discomfort, and enhance nutrient absorption.

Stress, Exercise & Eating Habits

Because digestion and metabolism are connected to other body systems, a holistic approach is key for healthy weight management. Stress can severely disrupt both digestion and metabolism.

Mind-body practices like yoga, Tai Chi, or regular meditation can reduce inflammation, boost energy, and improve digestive efficiency. In fact, any consistent physical activity contributes to better digestion.

Our mothers were right — don’t skip breakfast. Doing so can disrupt metabolism and trigger fat storage.

Chew Slowly

Chewing food thoroughly and eating at a relaxed pace supports digestion and weight in two ways. First, it helps break food down more effectively, improving nutrient absorption. Second, it allows time for satiety signals to register — preventing overeating.

The Bottom Line

Whether you eat to live or live to eat, better digestion brings ripple effects across all aspects of health – not just weight. Improved energy, reduced bloating, less water retention, more regular elimination, and a general sense of wellbeing are among the first signs that your digestion is on track.

If this article helped you, let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Find more articles on weight loss here or get these tips directly from a GOQii Coach by subscribing to Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalised medical guidance or concerns related to your health. Images shown are for representation purposes only and may not depict the exact recommendations or outcomes.

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