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Know the health benefits of BUCKWHEAT- A Wonder grain

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All of us in India are familiar with the word ‘Kuttu Ka Atta’, the most preferable cereal during fasts. This is nothing but ‘Buckwheat Flour’. Since childhood, I have enjoyed various tasty dishes made out of Buckwheat Flour but only during fasts. I always wondered why this particular grain is eaten only during fast and not round the year? But, it was only after I took Nutrition as a subject of specialisation that I got my answers.

Buckwheat Flour is very rich in protein and during fasts, except milk or its products, no other protein-rich food is allowed to eat. Only foods rich in carbohydrates and fats are the delicacies to be enjoyed during the time of fast. So to balance the meals with a good blend of Carbohydrate, Protein and Fats and to fulfill the day’s protein requirement, Buckwheat Flour is eaten on fast days.

I sometimes wonder how intelligent our ancestors were who invented all these combinations to be eaten which is being followed by a tradition even today without knowing the reason. MAYBE THEY KNEW!! It is only after so much of scientific research on nutrition since the last two decades that we have got to know the facts of this wonder grain.

This wonderful cereal is packed with various nutrients providing amazing health benefits

  • As mentioned above, it is very rich in protein as compared to other cereals with a biological value of above 90. This nominates it under ‘first class protein’ category and also due to its essential amino acid profile.
  • It is rich in iron, a nutrient whose deficiency among women is maximum in the world. Other than iron, it also contains good quantities of Magnesium, Manganese, Zinc and Selenium which are needed for building immunity, strong bones, improving blood flow and maintaining the good texture of hair and skin.
  • It contains appreciable amounts of B complex Vitamins like Niacin which is needed for the breakdown of Carbohydrates and Fats.
  • It is loaded with dietary fibre which has a role in improving cholesterol and blood glucose levels.
  • It contains health benefiting antioxidants too like polyphenols which gives protection from Heart Diseases, Diabetes, various types of Cancer and also delays ageing.

But the irony is, the consumption of this amazing cereal is only restricted during fasts. In spite of containing so many health-promoting nutrients, it has not been able to attain the status of a staple food in our country.

A country like India where Diabetes and Obesity have become epidemic and more and more population is getting diagnosed with ‘Metabolic Syndrome’, a condition characterized by a cluster of health conditions such as central obesity, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, high triglyceride levels and low HDL levels. Apart from a sedentary lifestyle and excessive intake of junk food as the main reasons, I think the major culprit is our excessive intake of cereals especially rice which has very high carbohydrate content and less protein content. The habit of eating polished rice further adds to the havoc as polishing takes away all the vitamins and minerals present in rice.

So what, if we replace our rice intake with buckwheat, ‘The Wonderful Grain?’

Buckwheat is beneficial in various health conditions like diabetes, celiac disease, heart disease, anaemia and the list goes on. Buckwheat helps in managing blood glucose levels as it is rich in protein which promotes the synthesis of more insulin in the body. It is a boon for people suffering from celiac disease i.e. gluten intolerance since it does not contain gluten. It is beneficial for heart patients also because of its high antioxidant content. People suffering from anaemia can also be benefited from this cereal due to its high iron content. Buckwheat flour is widely available everywhere and is mostly consumed either as grains or flour.

Hence, after knowing amazing health benefits of buckwheat flour, I am sure you would like to add this cereal to your daily diet and will not only use it during fasts. Generally, everybody thinks that ‘HEALTHY FOOD DOES NOT taste GOOD’. But, I am sure this wonderful cereal would prove this statement wrong with its finger-licking taste.

For tasty recipes made of buckwheat flour, wait for my next blog! Till then HAPPY EATING!!

#BeTheForce

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Water Fasting: The Healthiest Way to Detox!

Water FastingA couple of months ago, my aunt practiced a month-long water fast. In essence, she only drank water throughout the day. No food, no tea, no coffee, no milk and not even coconut or lime water. In short, it was nothing but just water! When I got to know of this, I was initially taken aback. I rushed to my aunt and asked if she was alright and what was the need to punish her body in this manner. To which my aunt replied, “I am doing this for religious purposes”.

Does Water Fasting Actually Help?

I am aware that fasting is an ancient, spiritual practice in many religions across the world. Also, fasting gives inner strength and confidence. But, like most of the traditional remedies, beliefs and practices have scientific reasoning and benefits attached. I was pretty sure water fasting would have some too. I researched on the benefits of ‘water only fast’ and was astonished to see multiple articles on the same that stated the various benefits of ‘Water Fasting’. Broadly, the benefits lie on the basic belief that the human body has self-healing abilities.

Water fasting gives improved energy and vigour. It removes mental blocks and gives clarity of mind. It also eliminates toxins from the body and can go a long way in preventing future illnesses. Water Fasting can improve immunity and has anti-aging benefits. The digestive system gets a break. All the energy that is used by our digestive system to break down foods, beverages, toxins, fats, and sugars, gets channeled to actual cleansing, detoxification, and repair of our vital organs, cells, and tissues. Many report a certain euphoria after a day or two of water fasting. You’ll likely feel a certain increase in energy as well, as you lose that slack, logy feeling.

After all the research and understanding about ‘Water Fasting’, I was naturally prompted to attempt water fasting for a day. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to give it a try just for a day and then post some tips from my personal experience which can be guidelines for others who wish to take this up for a day or two.

It was not easy for me or let me put it this way, if you have never attempted to do any kind of fast, this is going to be a little tough. Hence, I would like to share some tips and my personal experience which might inspire or support you to take up this challenge once in a week or probably a month.

Tips for Water Fasting

  • The right day to take up this fast would be to choose a day when you have lesser activities planned. If there are excessive activities, then they consume a lot of calories and that will make you hungry
  • Fasting should ideally start in the morning by drinking about two glasses of water which will clear your bowel movement
  • Simple pure water is the best. Boiled or cool water will also do. Drinking 1 ½ liters to 3 liters of plain water in one full day depending on individual capacity is good. You can drink more if you are up for it. I honestly did not count mine
  • Few bodily reactions which may seem scary but are considered normal and you all will experience as well if you are water fasting for the first time. Some of the signs are weakness, dizziness and nausea and these are common due to the sudden lack of food. I personally experienced a slight drop in blood pressure and headaches during the latter part of the day. The key to this is just lie down and relax whenever these symptoms become intense. The more difficult you find it, the more it means that your body has a lot of toxins to clean out
  • Towards mid-day, you will feel a sudden bout of hunger. Just have one or two glasses of water to dilute the gastric secretions. Then lie down and take rest. The hunger should go away in a short time
  • After having fasted, learning how to break a fast is important. As there is hardly any digestive activity during fasting, one should be very careful while breaking the fast. The best way to break a fast is with lime juice or orange juice which will make the stomach alkaline. It’s wiser to have few spices and no oily food during this time. Second meal of the day can be normal

All in all, I enjoyed my water-only fast of 24 hours. I look forward to doing this once every month. I recommend this to everyone to self-realize the benefits attached to this. If you can’t do 24 hours, start off with 12hrs and then build it up as you get better and used to it. As we always say, take gradual and small steps to reach your big goals sooner. So Good luck! Use nature and natural ways as your best medicine to prevent as well as treat your body.

For more tips on healthy living, check out Healthy Reads or speak to a GOQii Coach to get the right guidance and motivation by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce

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How to fast right? This Festive season

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Today marks the third day of Navratri and most men and women fast through these 9 days of the festival. But, does anyone know what it means to fast right? Yes! You read it right! Fasting right! One would question, what could possibly go wrong with not eating?? The answer – A lot! could go wrong.

Many people fast during the navratri for various reasons. Some for religious beliefs others to just weigh a little lighter or just give your system a break or detoxify! Whatever, be your reason for fasting, it is important to do it right !

When done properly fasting has its own benefits for the body. It helps in re-setting the electrolyte balance, detoxification and freedom from bloating and water retention.

Well, a healthy fast should not put your body through stress. It should help you achieve your goal or purpose of fasting and make you feel good emotionally and not leave you irritable or feeling drained or sick. It should give you a feeling of fulfilment and accomplishment and make you feel energetic the next day and reduce cravings.

Starting the fast –

  1. Start your day with a glass of warm water.
  2. Have tender coconut water as this will keep you hydrated and energized through the day.

Through the day –

  1. Do not stay hungry for a long period of time as that would bring about a drop in the metabolic rate, lower blood glucose levels and blood pressure resulting in giddiness and headaches. Staying hungry for a long time sends out a famine signal to the body which then goes into a conservation mode. It conserves all the energy or calories from your next meal and stores it as fat for future use fearing it might have to go without food for a long time! Bang goes your efforts to loose weight and burn fat!  Therefore, it is advisable to have plenty of fruits and cucumber through the day as it will keep you hydrated and provide essential micro nutrients to keep you going. It will also help the body balance it’s pH and stay alkaline. Make sure you include papaya as they are one of the best foods to cleanse the liver, purify blood, reduce inflammation and remove harmful toxins. Also, if you eat papaya through the day, it will help in digesting the meal that you eat later during the day. It will help prevent constipation that might occur after fasting.
  2. Drink tender coconut water or buttermilk. These would provide you with all the essential electrolytes and energy and also help the body attain an alkaline pH.
  3. Snack on unsalted nuts and dry fruits and makhana (foxnut) through the day. Makhanas (foxnut) are a rich source of fibre, calcium and potassium and are an ideal low calorie snack. CAUTION – they are highly addictive too!
  4. Avoid sugar through the day. Have natural sugar in the form of dates, raisins, figs, apricots and prunes. Use jaggery and honey to sweeten things.
  5. Avoid dairy products like milk and yoghurt. Choose coconut milk or almond milk. A fast is beneficial when we maintain an alkaline pH and dairy or milk is highly acidic in nature. That is the reason why some people experience acidity, bloating and discomfort during or after a fast. So, have buttermilk, coconut water, nimbu pani with honey or coconut milk instead and reap the benefits of fasting.
  6. Avoid tea and have herbal teas instead. You can even sip on warm water with lemon and honey through the day. Lemons are great sources of vitamin C, which helps make glutathione, a substance needed for detoxifying the liver. They also contain a phytochemical called limonene, which enhances phase two detoxification of the liver and get rid of chemicals inside of the body.

Ending / breaking / opening the fast –

  1. Always break your fast by having a glass of water or coconut water as this would hydrate you and activate your digestive enzymes and intestines and prepare your body for the food you are going to eat.
  2. Certain fasts require you to break or open the fast by eating certain foods. In that case, have a glass of water and after 5 minutes have a small quantity of the recommended food item and then have fruits. After that you can eat a proper meal.
  3. Refrain from a fat laden meal at the end of the day and avoid puris, kachori and deep fried sago vadas as they are deep fried and loaded with fat and also a source of empty calories in large amounts which are nutrient deficient. Moreover, eating a fried dish after a day’s fast is difficult to digest and leads to acidity. Opt for healthier options like roasted or boiled sweet potato and Singhada or lotus seeds.

If you are required to eat kootu ka atta (buckwheat flour) or singhade ka atta (water chestnut flour) then opt for healthier options like cheelas * instead of deep fried puri, kachori or pakodi. Remember not to feast while you fast!

Besides having powerful antioxidant properties and being a rich source of beta carotene, vitamin C and potassium, sweet potatoes contain a strong chelating agent – compounds that can bind heavy metals like cadmium, copper, mercury, and lead to help detoxify the body.

  1. Use Sendha namak (Rock salt) instead of regular iodized salt or table salt. Sendha namak is low in sodium ad rich in potassium and helps in re-setting the electrolyte balance.
  2. If you are fasting for entire 9 days, one will have to get back to normal diet very gradually. Start by having coconut water. Move over to a non citrus fruit like apple or banana. Then have semi solid foods and finally progress to a proper whole meal !

Please do not fast if you have a medical condition or are unwell and / or are on medication.

So, this navratri wish you happy FASTING! Try fasting the above mentioned way and transform your body. Feel the changes at many levels and do share with me or speak to a certified expert by subscribing to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce

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Breaking the Ramadan Fast with Healthy Bites

Ramadan Fast

The holy month of Ramadan is auspicious for the Islamic Community across the world. During this period, one practices restraint by fasting from sunrise till sunset, eating one meal before dawn i.e. the ‘suhoor’ or ‘sehri’ and breaking the fast with a meal after sunset i.e. Iftar.

While this sort of fasting comes with a plethora of health benefits, it is important to do it the right way! Balancing nutrition and exercising portion control is key to staying healthy while observing a fast during Ramadan. Here are some foods that will help you do just that!

Foods You Should Eat

  • Drinks: Ideally, the best way to break a fast is by consuming plenty of fluids to replenish your body. You can opt for smoothies, fruit juices or even water which provides hydration without extra calories or sugars. You can also opt for a soup, which is considered traditional in many Arab countries.
  • Fruits and Vegetables: Fruits provide your body with the much needed natural sugars loaded with vitamins and minerals that will boost your energy levels. In addition, adding a serving of vegetables with high fiber content will help you digest your food better and feel full for a longer period of time.
  • Dates & Dry Fruits: have been traditionally eaten to break a fast. You can follow this up with dry fruits.  You can try Jagger Bombs by WeDesi for a healthy and fun twist to dry fruits! Each Jagger Bomb contains dry fruits such as pistas, almonds, foxnuts, cashews bound with organic jaggery, gondh and pure cow ghee to give you all the essential nutrients you need while breaking a fast. You can get them at a discount from the GOQii Health Store within the GOQii App.
  • Rice & Alternatives: Brown rice, black rice, wholegrain noodles, wholegrain pasta or wholemeal bread are complex carbohydrates that provide a slow, stable and sustainable release of energy. Plus, they replenish your body with essential fibers and minerals after fasting.
  • Meat: Choose protein-rich sources such as lean meat, chicken, fish, eggs, etc. Proteins are the building blocks for healthy bones, muscles, cartilage, skin and blood. They also aid to build and repair tissues. It’s a must have when you have fasted for around 18 hours.

Foods You Should Avoid

The foods listed above will help you stay healthy during Ramadan but it is imperative to maintain caution with what you eat. Here are a few foods you can exclude from your meals.

  • Processed/Oily Foods: These contain less nutrients and more fat. This can lead to acidity, nausea, heartburn and indigestion. Consume food with lesser oil and avoid packaged or junk food at all costs.
  • Salty Foods: Avoid anything that is too salty especially during Suhoor. Salty foods increase thirst and can leave you dehydrated.
  • High-Sugar Foods: We all know by now that excess sugar in the body is stored as fat. Consuming high-sugar foods and drinks can lead to weight gain, sluggishness and fatigue.

Caution & Safety

Fasting is good but fasting the right way is equally important. Here are some things you need to watch out for while fasting during Ramadan.

  • Don’t Miss Sehri or Suhoor: Think of this as your breakfast. It is the most important meal of the day as it keeps your energy levels high throughout. This meal stores important nutrients in your body and keeps you going through the day. Skipping this meal can cause digestive discomfort, making your body sluggish. Moreso, it may compel you to overeat while breaking your fast which may lead to acidity, heartburn, bloating and weight gain.
  • If you experience dizziness, are unable to stand or feel disoriented, hydrate yourself immediately. Not doing so may lead to fainting, constipation, or splitting headaches. Dehydration can adversely affect your health.
  • Eat in Moderation: It is easy to get carried after while breaking a fast and overindulging with large portions. Avoid this and keep a constant check on your portion size. Remember to eat and not feast.
  • Limit Exercise: If you have been fasting, doing intense exercises may not be the wisest of choices. Perform extremely light workouts and don’t go overboard as your body needs to conserve energy.

What do you break your fast with? What’s your favorite meal during Ramadan? Did we miss out on anything? Do let us know in the comments below!

If you found these tips useful and want to learn more, speak to a GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalized Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce

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