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December 9, 2024 By Neha Goyal 2 Comments

Pistachios – Your Powerful Nutritional Punch!

Pistachios - Your Powerful Nutritional Punch!Pistachios are edible seeds of the pistachio tree, member of the cashew family. They are nutrient-packed nuts that can be enjoyed both as a healthy snack or as part of a delicious recipe. Available both in the shell (in-shell) or with their shell already removed (shelled), they’re typically sold roasted and salted, although unsalted options are available, as well as some flavoured varieties, too.

How Does It Give a Powerful Nutritional Punch?

  • Loaded with Vitamins and Minerals: Pistachios are a rich source of protein, dietary fibre, several minerals such as phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper, sodium and selenium. It is also a good source of vitamins like vitamin A, K, C, E, B6, B1, B2, B3, B9, and B5.
  • Good Source of Antioxidants: They contain more antioxidants than most nuts and seeds, second only to walnuts and pecans. You can literally “see” the nutrients through the various colours in pistachio. The green and yellow colour of the actual nut comes from lutein and zeaxanthin. The thin purple skin surrounding the nut is loaded with anthocyanins, the same type of antioxidants found in grapes and cranberries.
  • Lowest in Fat: A serving of pistachios has 13 grams of fat, of which about 1.7 grams are saturated, 3.5 grams are polyunsaturated, and 7 grams are monounsaturated fats. Compared to most other tree nuts, pistachios are one of the lowest in fat.
  • Cholesterol-Free: Pistachios have the highest phytosterol content (214 milligrams per 100 grams) amongst nuts. Phytosterols come from plants and because they have a similar structure to cholesterol, they compete with cholesterol for absorption by the body, ultimately limiting the amount of cholesterol absorbed.
  • Compared to other tree nuts, pistachios have a higher essential amino acid ratio and the highest percentage of branched-chain amino acids. Pistachios are a great plant-based protein option for everyone, but especially those eating a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Health Benefits of Eating Pistachios

  1. Heart Health: A number of studies have shown that pistachios significantly reduced total cholesterol and the “bad” LDL-cholesterol levels while increasing the “good” HDL-cholesterol level. They may increase antioxidant concentrations, which is linked to improved dilation of blood vessels as a result of a reduction in inflammation.
  2. Weight Management: It may seem counterintuitive but eating pistachios—a high-fat, calorie-dense food—has actually been associated with weight management. Pistachios are rich in fiber and protein, both of which increase satiety by helping you feel full and eat less .
  3. Gut Health: Pistachios are high in fiber, which moves through our digestive system mostly undigested. But some types of fiber are digested by the good bacteria in your gut, acting as prebiotics. Gut bacteria then ferment the fiber and convert it into inflammation-fighting short-chain fatty acids, & also results in decreased the number of lactic acid bacteria. It also increases the number of butyrate-producing bacteria in the gut more than eating almonds does.
  4. Blood Sugar Control: Despite having a higher carb content than most nuts, pistachios have a low glycemic index, meaning they don’t cause a large spike in your blood sugar. Also rich in fiber and healthy fats, antioxidants, magnesium, carotenoids and phenolic compounds, which are beneficial for blood sugar control.
  5. Good For Eye Health: Pistachios are rich in antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which are essential for eye health, as they reduce the chances of developing eye conditions, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts.
  6. Prevents Cellular Damage: As our cells grow older, they accumulate oxidative damage due to the presence of free radicals, which can cause considerable damage to cells. Pistachios, being rich in antioxidants, including lutein, beta-carotene, and gamma-tocopherol, has oxidative damage-fighting benefits which also play a key role in reducing the risk of disease, such as cancer.

How to Include Pistachios in Your Diet?

One of the simplest ways to enjoy pistachios is as a snack on their own. You can also throw chopped pistachios on your yogurt or morning oatmeal or use them as a crunchy topping for your salads. Pair pistachios with a piece of fruit for your afternoon snack, their fiber, fat and protein will keep you satisfied.

Takeaway

Pistachios are very nutritious. Regularly eating pistachios may be a good way to improve health and wellbeing. But stick to plain, unsalted pistachio nuts in their shells and avoid eating more than 30gm a day. Before you begin eating them, do consult with your doctor, nutritionist or dietitian.

For more on nutrition and healthy eating, check out Healthy Reads or speak to an expert by subscribing for GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce 

January 30, 2024 By Urvi Gohil 1 Comment

Healthy Eating: The Ultimate Healthy Chivda

healthy chivda

It is common for tea/coffee lovers to indulge in some snacks along with their favorite beverage but most of those snacks are often not healthy. So, here is an amazing alternative which is namkeen and crisp! Your very own Healthy Chivda! This bowl can be a part of your regular evening snacks as it provides satiety and nutrition all in one! 

What You Will Need 

  • Rolled oats – 1 cup
  • Poha – ½ cup 
  • Puffed rice – 1 cup 
  • Makhana – 1 cup 
  • Peanuts – ½ cup 
  • Thin cut coconut – ¼ cup 
  • Ghee – 1 tbsp 
  • Mustard seeds – 1 tsp 
  • Cumin seeds – 1 tsp 
  • Curry leaves – 8-10 
  • Crush garlic cloves – 4-5 
  • Dried red chilli – 1
  • Split green chilli – 2 
  • Turmeric – 1 tbsp 
  • Chilli powder – 1 tsp 
  • Salt 

How To Prepare 

  1. Dry roast the rolled oats for 5-7 mins until it is crisp & a little golden. In the same pan, roast the poha until crisp.
  2. In another pan, heat the ghee, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds and broken red chilli. Allow it to crackle, then fry the peanuts.
  3. Once the peanuts turn golden, add the crushed garlic, split green chilli, curry leaves and coconut. Fry this until the curry leaves turn crisp & the garlic is roasted.
  4. Time to add the spices, add salt, turmeric & red chilli powder. Give this a quick mix.
  5. Now add the roasted oats, roasted poha along with puffed rice and makhana. Mix this well and allow to roast for a few minutes.
  6. Store it in an airtight container once it cools down.

Note: You can also make chivda bhel by adding chopped onion, tomato, coriander, along with some salt & lemon to the chivda. Enjoy it immediately before it turns soggy. If you’re allergic to peanuts, avoid them. 

Highlights Of The Healthy Chivda Recipe

  • This Healthy Chivda helps in avoiding unhealthy refined flour biscuit, rusk, and cookies to eat along with tea or coffee.
  • It gives you a punch of protein, fiber and micro minerals all in one.
  • Suits the taste of everyone – be it kids, adults or grandparents.

We hope you try out this Healthy Chivda recipe! Do leave your thoughts and feedback 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

November 25, 2023 By Urvi Gohil 1 Comment

Low Calorie Open-Faced Sandwich for Weight Watchers

healthy recipeCraving for a quick snack? Want it to be healthy and aid your weight loss goals? This one is dedicated to weight watchers who wish to eat a low calorie, tasty sandwich! This is my personal healthy recipe for a good low-calorie open-faced sandwich.

Here’s what you will need:

  • Finely chopped purple cabbage (you can use normal cabbage) – 250 gm
  • Shredded carrots – ½ cup*
  • Finely chopped onions – ½ cup
  • Finely chopped fresh coriander leaves – ½ cup
  • Shredded paneer – ½ cup
  • Chilly ginger paste – 1 tbsp*
  • Salt to taste
  • Multigrain bread – 6 slices
  • Green chutney (coriander, garlic, chilly, ginger)
  • Butter or ghee for toasting

Method

  1. In a big bowl, add cabbage, carrot, onion, coriander and paneer and mix
  2. Add chilly ginger paste and salt to the mixture
  3. Take a multigrain bread and spread a tsp of green chutney, top the bread with 3 tbsp of vegetable mix. Repeat this process for all slices.
  4. Grease a pan with butter or ghee and put the slices with vegetable mixture on it to get toasted for 3 to 5 minutes on medium flame.
  5. Once the base of the bread is golden brown, remove it.
  6. Cut diagonally and serve immediately.
  7. Add some cheese on the prepared open bread sandwich if required

Highlights of the Low-Calore Open-Faced Sandwich

  • It has so much color on the plate and gives you the required antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamins and minerals in a quick way
  • Reducing the use of an extra bread makes it a light snack
  • It tastes absolutely delicious!!

*Abbreviations: 1 cup = 200 ml, 1 tbsp = 15 ml

Do try this low-calorie open-faced sandwich, upload your pics on social media or the GOQii Arena and tag us! For more healthy recipes, check out Healthy Reads or to get more advice on recipes, nutrition and diet tips for kids, subscribe to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

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