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September 22, 2020 By Madhu Soni Leave a Comment

6 Foods That Trigger Migraine

Migraine is a severe headache accompanied by nausea, dizziness and vomiting. Initially the pain may be very mild, but gradually builds up to a throbbing pain. You may experience pain in one area or the pain may shift and sometimes, affect the entire head. It varies from person to person. The pain can go on for hours or even days.

What Triggers A Migraine?

It is difficult to pinpoint the exact triggers for a Migraine. Medical science states that inflammation of the neurotransmitters causes migraine. Hormonal imbalance, stress, change in season, change in physical activity, etc. are all possible causes for this debilitating condition. However, certain foods have shown to play a major role in provoking the migraine.

Alcohol: High consumption of alcohol causes dehydration and this causes the brain to react in a different way. This could be a major trigger. Apart from other alcohols, red wine, which is considered to be good for health, can cause migraine.
Chocolate: Although nitric oxide is very good for the heart and blood vessels, nitrates present in chocolates tend to cause migraine as dilation of blood vessels can activate this condition.
Processed Food: Most fast food, chinese food, ready to cook meals, instant noodles, pasta, oats, chips and other fried snacking options have an active ingredient called monosodium glutamate (MSG) which is considered safe to eat, but is said to be linked with migraine.
Fermented Food: contains histamine which may be a possible reason. Cheese, pickled vegetables and fruits, dry fruits, sauerkraut, kimchi and vinegar come under the umbrella of fermented food. The high salt content in most of these foods may act as a trigger.
Citrus Fruits: like oranges, lemons, melons etc. are also known to trigger this condition. These citrus fruits may cause gas formation which may kickstart the migraine
Leftover food: Stale food is said to be one of the reasons for igniting a migraine as the tyramine content increases during the storage period, hence making one more vulnerable to this pain. If food is not stored at the right temperature, it can trigger the pain.

We hope this article helps you! Stay away from these foods if you have a migraine condition. Do consult your doctor and stay safe! For more on nutrition, what to eat and what to avoid, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to LIVE sessions by experts on GOQii Play.

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September 21, 2020 By Meenal Khandelwal Leave a Comment

5 Foods To Help You Prevent Wrinkles Naturally!

Wrinkles! Those fine lines which tell you, “You’re getting old!” If you’re worried about them, you’re in the right place. Here, we’ll guide you on how you can prevent wrinkles naturally with food!

Aging gracefully is a sign of maturity but wrinkles can mess with our confidence. When the skin begins losing its elasticity, wrinkles appear. Weak collagen (protein) can cause wrinkles and loss of elasticity in the skin. Collagen can lead to skin dryness which leads to wrinkles. This is a very natural process but with the help of healthy foods, we can postpone it naturally.

5 Foods To Help Prevent Wrinkles

Aloe Vera: is rich in Malic acid which helps in improving skin elasticity. Just apply Aloe Vera gel on the face, leave it for 15-20 mins, let it dry and wash it off. Aloe Vera is also a natural sunscreen. One can consume Aloe Vera juice too.
Green Leafy Vegetables (GLV): help the skin stay hydrated and healthy. Consuming GLV smoothies are a quick and easy way to absorb nutrients. Smoothies are another great way to incorporate GLVs in good quantities in our diet. Include spinach, kale, fenugreek leaves, coriander leaves, etc. daily
Berries: Dark and bright, they give you loads of antioxidants which help in reducing free radicals formed by exposure to the sun, pollution and consumption of junk food. It’s always advisable to mix your berries and then eat them. Mixing berries will give you different kinds of antioxidants like anthocyanins, ellagic acids, resveratrol, etc. Example- Blueberry, Strawberry, and Blackberry mixed together.
Fish: is rich in protein, omega 3 and potassium. Potassium prevents sodium retention. Sodium retention means the body just can’t let go of sodium, which holds on water. So we carry more water weight and many times get swelling. The dark circle under your eyes can be genetic or due to excess of sodium in the diet. Fish will help repair the damages which happen in the body and skin. Include fishes like Tuna, Rockfish, Cod, Halibut etc. in your diet. For vegetarians, you can have 1 mini banana instead of a fish.
Rooibos Tea: or red bush tea is a native of Africa. It is a kind of herbal tea and a very good caffeine-free alternative for green tea or coffee. Polyphenols (antioxidants) are present in Rooibos tea which help protect premature aging of the skin and hydrate it as well!

Apart from all of this, Water plays a very important role in hydrating the body. Water helps in maintaining ph. balance in our body, which is very important for your skin. Try to form a habit of sipping on water throughout the day. Even restricting alcohol (30ml to 90 ml/week), Caffeine (not more than 3cups/day), acidic foods, avoiding processed foods and stress will definitely help you increase collagen for that lovely, hydrated glowing skin.

We hope this article helps you. Do check out more such healthy tips on Healthy Reads or tune in to LIVE sessions by experts on GOQii Play.

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September 19, 2020 By Neha Goyal Leave a Comment

Healthy Eating: Schezwan Dosa

Most of us are avoiding that delectable street food but what can we do in those tiny moments of weakness when we crave it more during monsoons? It’s only natural to feel this way after braving the scorching summer heat and facing the drop in temperature which makes our body crave for some nice warm, cozy, comfort food. While it may sound like a legitimate reason to indulge, let’s keep in mind that it needs to be healthy too! So here’s a mouthwatering street food recipe with a healthy twist – let’s learn to make some Schezwan Dosa!

What You Will Need

For Dosa:

Semolina – ½ cup
Rice Flour – ½ cup
Multigrain flour – ½ cup
Curd – 1 cup
Flaxseed powder – 1 tbsp
Salt to taste
Schezwan sauce – 2 tbsp
Oil for cooking

For Stuffing:

Oil – 2 tsp
Chopped garlic – 1 tsp
Spring onion – ¼ cup
Carrot – ¼ cup
Cabbage and capsicum – thin juliennes
Schezwan sauce – 1 tbsp
Salt to taste
Lemon juice – 1 tsp
Chopped Coriander – ¼ cup

How To Prepare the Schezwan Dosa

First, grind the Semolina into fine powder.
Now mix the rice flour, semolina powder, multigrain flour, flaxseed powder and curd together.
Whisk it and make a pouring consistency batter adding water.
Keep it aside for 15-20 minutes. Then add salt and whisk the batter once more.
For the stuffing, heat oil in a pan and add all the vegetables along with salt. Sauté for 2-3 minutes.
Now add the schezwan sauce and lemon juice. Turn the gas off and cover the pan for 2 minutes.
For the dosa, first heat a dosa tawa and spread a ladle full batter. Spread it over to get a round dosa.
Let it cook till the edges get light golden brown.
Now spread some schezwan sauce over the dosa and put the vegetable stuffing over it.
By this time, the dosa is crispy and golden brown. Sprinkle some freshly chopped coriander leaves and fold the dosa over.
Serve hot with any sauce or chutney of your choice.

We’re sure you’ll enjoy this tasty, nutritious and delicious fusion of South Indian and Chinese cuisine, bringing back some of your fondest monsoon memories without compromising your health. Do let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

For more healthy recipes, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to LIVE cooking sessions on GOQii Play. You can also purchase some all natural, healthy Schezwan Sauce from the GOQii Health Store within the GOQii app for a discount using your GOQii Cash!

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September 18, 2020 By Neha Goyal 1 Comment

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.

Pistachios originate from the Middle East but today, 99 per cent of the pistachios produced in the United States come from California.

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 Pistachios

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.
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 .
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.
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.
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.
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 Them 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 tune in to LIVE sessions by experts on GOQii Play.

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