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Quinoa vs Rice: A Head-to-Head Comparison

quinoa vs riceWe’ve been consuming rice for as long as we can remember. Rice is a cereal grain whereas quinoa is a seed grain. Off late, a lot of people have been replacing rice with quinoa for what they assume are added health benefits. Is there a reason? Which one is better in this quinoa vs rice debate? Let’s compare! 

Quinoa vs Rice: The Facts 

  1. Carbohydrates: are essential for fueling our body and its functions. Both rice and quinoa provide us with complex gluten-free carbohydrates, but eating white rice will raise the blood sugar levels faster than quinoa due to the difference in fiber content. Higher fiber content in quinoa is also helpful for weight loss as it helps one feel fuller for a longer time.
  2. Protein: are the building blocks of our muscles and equally important for our metabolism. Proteins are chains of amino acids out of which the nine essential amino acids are present in quinoa. Whereas rice is low in lysine and has an incomplete protein profile. Quinoa has in all 12 amino acids which make it a hit in consumer demand.
  3. Antioxidants: While rice mainly has starchy endosperm, the removal of its bran strips it off its fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Quinoa on other hand is a good source of antioxidants and sprouting increases its antioxidant levels even further.

Both quinoa and white rice are easy to cook and versatile in nature. Both can be easily included in various Indian recipes, but taste wise, rice is more plain and subtle while quinoa is mild. White rice wins over easy availability. Although, Indian farmers have started cultivating quinoa now, rice will always have a place in all Indian households. 

To summarize the quinoa vs rice comparison, we can say that while rice might still be a favorite in many parts of India, it doesn’t match the nutritional profile of quinoa. 

We hope this article helps you make a sound choice between quinoa and rice. Which one would you pick? Let us know in the comments below! For more on nutrition and grains, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to live sessions by nutrition experts on GOQii Play. 

#BeTheForce 

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Game of Health: A Dangling Carrot

game of health“In a world obsessed to train us how to say no creatively, I still wish each of us enjoy ability to say yes to each other more often.”

Sometimes I think what a guinea pig I am, thanks for all the continuous bombardment of different marketing experiments targeted to make me behave in predictable manner. Despite being aware of how we are led; we happily let others rule our mind. If geniuses are not many, same goes for fools, most of us are merely wired beings who get pulled in different directions by few who understand mind and behaviors better.

Am I being harsh? No only truthful. Let me put it more creatively.

According to Dr. Deepak Chopra we get 60,000 to 80,000 thoughts per day, approximately 50 thoughts in a minute. And it is also said that NOW the present moment lasts for only 3 seconds. The suggestion “Live in The Present” may not hold true for most of us. We may either be in the past or in the future most of the time. Midst of stream of thoughts focusing on one and cherry pick it, is certainly quite an achievement for us.

“Time is not the only currency we use to take a decision; we use lots of emotions.”

Behaviors are always intriguing. And one universal fact about behaviors is we are either buying into or selling out ideas, products, visions. But which ideas, products and visions we will buy may not depend on best available product but on products which align with our thoughts. A glimpse of survey I am conducting as part of my internship:

The need to feel connected with others is heightened during pandemic and technology and food are always around. Pandemic has changed behaviors overnight. Online services, digital platforms are safer and thankfully available choices. New habits are getting formed.

Simple solutions are easiest to follow. If as a nutritionist, I were to suggest you three simple diet behaviors to adopt, they will be:

  1. Choose fresh and natural foods.
  2. Cook your own meals
  3. Love healthy foods. Its easy.

Changing habits is forming new neural connections in our brain. If there are triggers for unhealthy behaviors, there can be triggers for healthy behaviors as well. Let me suggest a few

  • Whenever u crave any food, think of your gut with numerous minute bacteria feeding on the food you ate in previous meal. They have sufficient.
  • Seek help and who best can help you more than yourself. You may laugh but I have two WhatsApp in my phone. And I often send myself a message when I am seeking answers. Try it, you may get answer too.
  • Use drama. Be your own nutritionist, step into the role and speak from that role.

If these sounds weird, there are some very good digital platforms available for support. I personally had a great experience with GOQii in becoming more committed to my resolve of being healthier and active physically. It deeply integrates and aligns behaviors by providing good hand holding with coaching, medical support while monitoring steps, blood pressure, heart rate and sleep.

Our brain is more inclined to change if it receives reward for every action taken. GOQii successfully taps into the psyche and rewards clients with digital currency which can be used to buy novel and utilitarian products available on app at good price offers. I enjoyed impressive live sessions and chats with coaches who bring forth different and innovative therapies. One can also enjoy good walk for the mind while reading the GOQii blog and there’s much more. Want to feel the high of helping others while becoming healthy? Its possible, for every step taken one is awarded karma points which can be donated for charity causes offered on the app. I surely loved this feature in the GOQii App.

The satisfaction of earning money and using it to buy healthy products while ensuing healthy habits, is surely satiating. I purchased some very innovative products at a good price.  A wonderfully crafted health experience which works on your mind and make health a great fun game to play daily.

We are led to buy products which we may or may not need. However, a platform to guide our mind towards healthy behaviors, is certainly technology put at best use.

Eat healthy, maintain healthy weight, love yourself and say yes more often.

#BeTheForce 

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The Hidden Benefits of Okra Water

okra waterThe Okra, Bhindi in Hindi or Ladies’ Finger, whatever name we call it, is an all time favorite for most of us. Fortunately, we get it throughout the year. You know, besides tickling your taste buds, okra as a vegetable and in the form of okra water has multiple benefits. Raw okra is 90% water, 2% protein, 7% carbohydrate and is negligible in fat. It is rich in dietary fiber, Vitamin C,  Vitamin K, some amounts of thiamine, folic acid and magnesium . Let’s discuss the benefits of Okra water one by one and I am sure, after knowing them, you won’t hesitate using okra water in your daily diet.

Benefits of Okra Water 

  1. It Lowers Blood Sugar: Okra Water is a low-carb diabetes fighting drink. Okra seeds contain alpha-glucosidase enzymes and its gum contains insoluble fiber. They prevent the release of sugar in the bloodstream by inhibiting the carbohydrate metabolizing enzyme. This helps in slowing down the rate of digestion, thus resulting in delayed absorption sugar in blood, keeping your blood sugar from rising too fast.
  2. Keeps the Liver Healthy: Okra water helps in liver-detox. The slimy substance of the okra binds with the cholesterol and bile acids, thereby helping the liver flush out toxins from the body. It also helps in reducing cholesterol levels and is included in many weight loss programs.
  3. Prevents Cancer: Being rich in folic acid, it helps in cancer prevention.
  4. Prevents Stroke: It is rich in Vitamin C, which we all know is one of the most powerful free-radical fighters. In other words, it is a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin C is very essential in keeping our blood vessels healthy, keeping blood pressure under control and preventing stroke.
  5. Boost Immunity: Being rich in Vitamin C, Okra helps boost our immunity as well, which is the need of the hour. Vitamin C is also required to keep our skin healthy by producing collagen. Skin is the largest protective organ of our body. Healthy skin ensures a good protective barrier to the entry of germs in our body.
  6. Improves Brain Power: It has good amounts of potassium as well which is required for normal functioning of the brain. Potassium has other benefits too like controlling high blood pressure, preventing stroke, strengthening our bones.
  7. Improves Digestion: The slimy substance of Okra which contains insoluble fiber, helps in the smooth movement through the gut and eases constipation.
  8. Good Source of Non-Dairy Calcium: Those who cannot tolerate dairy products like milk, cheese, curd or are lactose intolerant, can opt for Okra. There is 82mg of calcium in just 1 cup of okra. This means, a single 100 gm serving of okra supplies about 8% of your daily calcium requirements. Now, we all know how useful calcium is for our bones, muscles, nerves and even weight management.

It is very easy to prepare Okra Water. All you need to do is soak 3-6 Okra pods (split each into two) in a glass of water overnight. In the morning, remove them and drink the water. This way, you get all the necessary benefits you need! 

We hope this article helps you. Do give it a try and leave your thoughts in the comments below! For more useful information on nutrition and food, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to experts on GOQii Play. 

#BeTheForce 

 

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Can Moringa Help You Fight the Coronavirus?

moringaAmid the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been many suggestions on boosting immunity against the virus. These include lemon, ginger, citrus fruits, vegetables, turmeric, etc. all of which are high on antioxidants, have anti-inflammatory or anti-bacterial properties – aiding the  fight against the virus and helping us maintain optimum health. Imagine getting all these properties under one umbrella. Sounds interesting? One superfood can provide you all of these and that superfood is Moringa – vouched for by our ancestors as well. 

Why is the Ayurveda Prescribed Moringa Valued Globally? 

  • Almost all parts of this tree (roots, leaves, pods, flowers, seeds) are utilized in varied ways. 
  • It has Vitamins like A, B complex (folic acid, pyridoxine, choline), C, D, E & K  (4 times Vitamin A of carrots), 7 times Vitamin C that of Oranges, 2 times the protein of Yoghurt, 25 times more iron than spinach.
  • It is abundant in protein, calcium, potassium, iron, chromium, magnesium, selenium and zinc.
  • Phytochemicals present in Moringa include tannins, phenolics, saponins, anthraquinones, etc. and flavonoids like Quercetin, Isoquercetin, kaemfericitin, isothiocyanates, all of which have shown to have antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. 
  • These nutrients are not destroyed after drying or boiling.
  • It doesn’t leave behind hygiene as well. Moringa oleifera leaf powder was as effective as soap for washing hands when wetted in advance to enable antiseptic and detergent properties from phytochemicals in the leaves.  

With all these benefits and properties, the magical Moringa can help you boost your immune system as well as ward off illnesses. Give it a try now but before you do, do consult your doctor or nutritionist. 

We hope this article helps you. For more articles on moringa, nutrition et al, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to experts on GOQii Play. 

Stay home, stay safe, eat healthy and #BeTheForce 

From Terminal Illness To Complete Wellness! Ananda Mukherjee Health Story

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