How to Lose Weight?: Just Change Common Food Habits

 

Fit people are successfully lean and healthy not due to good luck or hereditary, but because of having developed the right eating habits and regular exercise rou. It is not just what we consume, but also when we choose to eat, and how much, also plays a significant role in influencing our weight. We tell you about five very common eating habits that you need to change right away if you wish to lose weight.

The 'no breakfast' rule

Skipping breakfast is the commonest habit when it comes to food. Many people think that having a cup of tea/coffee is enough to sustain them till lunch. In fact, some even have more tea/coffee in case they feel hungry before lunch! However, did you know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, in case you are planning to lose weight. Studies have found that people who give breakfast a miss are more likely to gain weight than those who don’t. A healthy breakfast helps trigger your metabolism right at the beginning of the day, preparing your body to burn more calories throughout the day.

The 'heavy breakfast' rule

While some completely skip breakfast, there are others who take the “healthy breakfast” too seriously! It is true that breakfast provides energy to the body, and kick starts metabolism for the rest of the day. However, with this view, having calorie-laden foods in the morning is not a very wise idea. Simple carbohydrate-rich foods, like cakes, rice, pasta, white bread, and desserts and fried foods tend to make you feel lethargic throughout the day, apart from aiding weight gain. Try and incorporate as many fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains in your breakfast, as possible.

Eating only a few times in a day

The belief that if you eat as few times as possible, you will lose weight faster, is very common. However, having 5-6 small, healthy meals in a day is much better way to lose weight, rather than 2-3 large meals. Frequent small meals keep you full longer, provide you with energy, and also keep your weight under control. This is because you keep your metabolism active, thus burning more calories. Also, longer intervals of not eating activate the release of stress hormone, cortisol. This makes you feel hungrier, and eat more later. High cortisol levels are also responsible for accumulation of belly fat.

Eating quickly

Many people believe that if they finish their meals quickly, they might end up eating less. The complete opposite is in fact true! If you try to finish your plate quickly, you tend to get tempted to fill it up again, thus, eating much more. Instead, take your time to chew each morsel well, and take your time to finish your meals. Not only will you eat lesser, but this also aides in better digestion.

Eating late in the night

This habit is mostly a result of a disturbed sleep pattern. When you are awake till late, especially past midnight, your body sends hunger signals, making you want to eat something at the odd hours. Many people resort to comfort foods like, cookies, cake, fried foods, etc., at this time. It is very common for you to binge on high-calorie foods late in the night, when you are either watching TV or working for long hours. This holds truer for people who have starved during the day. If you wish to lose weight faster, make it a rule to have dinner by 8-8:30 pm, and eat nothing post that.

Food combinations bad for digestion

Five faulty food combinations - 

* Animal protein and carbohydrates: Different enzymes are required to breakdown these very different foods. When eaten together, the foods do not get properly digested. That leads to indigestion, fermentation and putrefaction in the digestive tract.

* Fruit with carbohydrates: Fruit digests much more quickly than any other food. Many people think that adding fruit to porridge is a healthy breakfast option. However, it will only hinder the digestive process. It's better to always eat fruit on an empty stomach and ideally early in the morning.

* Dairy with fruit: Smoothies are a breakfast favourite for many people. The problem is that yogurt is an animal protein and when mixed with fruit, it can cause inadequate digestion which leads to acidity, and fermentation in the GI tract.

* Avoid drinking with meals: It's best to avoid drinking large amounts of any fluid with meals, otherwise the digestive enzymes will become diluted and hinder the digestive process. It's best to stop drinking 30 minutes before food intake and wait two hours after eating before drinking water, to ensure adequate digestion.

* Melon after dinner for a healthy dessert: Melon is the one fruit that must be eaten alone, or left alone, as it takes slightly longer than other fruits to digest.


Five useful food combinations - 

* Carbohydrates and vegetables such as brown rice and vegetables.

* Animal protein and non-starchy vegetables make for easy digestion, which will enhance one's ability to breakdown the nutrients and eliminate efficiently. Prawns on a bed of green leaves with cucumber and fennel or grilled fish with lightly steamed green beans.

* Bowl of seasonal fruit salad first thing in the morning. This is a gentle way to wake up the system.

* Avocados combine well with either vegetables or fruits. This semi tropical fruit also works well in green smoothies and makes a great dairy replacement.

* Aim to ingest denser proteins, especially animal-based ones earlier in the day to ensure adequate digestion.  

Avoid Instant Noodles

1. Nutrient Absorption : Noodles inhibit the absorption of nutrients for the children under 5.



2. Cancer Causing : The ingredient in the instant noodles called "Styrofoam', Which is a cancer causing agent.

3. Miscarriage : Women who are Eating instant noodles during their pregnancy causes miscarriage, because it affect the development of a fetus.



4. Junk Food : instant noodles are enriched with full of carbohydrates, but no vitamins, fiber and minerals. This makes the instant noodles considered as a junk food.

5. Sodium : Instant noodles are power packed with high amounts of sodium. Excess consumption of sodium leads to heart disease, stroke, hypertension and kidney damage.


6. MSG : Monosodium Glutamate is used to enhance the flavour of instant noodles. People who are allergic to MSG consume it as part of their diet, then they end up suffering from headaches, facial flushing, pain, burning sensations.

7. Overweight : Eating Noodles is the leading cause of obesity. Noodles contains fat & large amounts of sodium, which causes water retention in the body and surely it leads to overweight.


8. Digestion : Instant noodles are bad for digestive system. Regular consumption of instant noodles causes irregular bowl movements and bloating.

9. Propylene Glycol : The ingredient in the instant noodles called "Propylene Glycol" which has a anti-freeze property. This ingredient is used because it prevents the noodles from drying by retaining moisture. It weakens the immune system of our body. It is easily absorbed by the body and it
accumulates in the kidneys, heart and liver. It causes abnormalities and damage to those areas.

10. Metabolism : Regular consumption of instant noodles affect the body's metabolism, because of the chemical substances like additives, coloring and preservatives inside the noodles.
 

HEALTH BENEFITS OF MUSIC

1. Heightens Awareness: Musical (non-verbal) and verbal interaction with others, enhances awareness of self and others.


2. Share Feelings: Offers opportunities for individuals to openly share their feelings and to experience a sense of ‘universality’.

3. Improves Self Belief: Music allows everyone to express themselves creatively without the need to follow any strict guidelines, processes or norms.



4. Skill Development: Plays an important role in the development of physical, sensory and cognitive skills, extending your visual perception.

5. Improves Focus: Music helps improve your concentration and attention span.

6. Motivation Booster: Increases self-confidence, self-esteem, personal insight and motivation.


7. Sense of Independence: Leads to development of independent, decision-making skills.

8. Improves Quality of Life: Provides immense satisfaction, enjoyment and an overall improvement in quality of life.

9. Creates Relaxed Environment: Provides a relaxed environment that enables better social interactions.



10. Anti depressant: Music calms the nerves and decreases tension, anxiety and stress. Your heart loves it.

11. Sharpens Motor Skills: Musicians have more evolved gross and fine motor skills.

12. Improves Memory: Musicians have sharper sequential memory and shorter recall time.

13. Improves Discipline: Trains the mind towards self-management and inculcates discipline.

14. Amps up happiness levels: Deeply engaging with music, rather than allowing it to wash over us, gives the experience enhanced emotional power and happiness.


15. Rehabilitation: Music therapy is widely used for patients with visual, sensory or motor disabilities, induced through stroke.

16. Effective Learning Aid: The inherent structure and emotional pull of music makes it an easy tool for teaching concepts, ideas, and information.

17. Shortens Recall Time: Music is second only to smell for its ability to stimulate our memory in a very powerful way. Music therapists use this while working with patients suffering from dementia and amnesia.

18. Easy Storage: Music, with its rhythmic patterns is easy for the brain to store and recall: predictable, structured, and organized–and our brain just loves it that way!
 

Neem - Nature's Miracle Tree

Ancient Indians system of Ayurveda believed in utilizing everything nature had to give to promote an all natural healing remedies for a healthy lifestyle. One such herb of India with worldwide fame and known for its amazing healing properties and medicinal value is Neem.

Neem, commonly known as Margosa in English or “Aritha” in Sanskrit, is known as the free tree of India as it is found almost everywhere. It is part of every Indian home due to its many applications and is considered to be sacred. Everything from this tree can be used in one way or the other. The bark extrudes a fluid called neera, green leaves, branches, small white flowers that blossom in spring to the oval fruits that contain one seed each that contains oil.

External Health Application:
Applying Neem powder or oil topically helps in healing wounds, burn injuries, itch, rash, infection or allergy. Taking bath with Neem helps the body counter mild infections. Its tropical application can relieve acne, eczema and even ringworms. The oil is extensively used for hair loss, greying hair, dandruff or lice.

Its local application of arthritic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, gout, osteoarthritis, lower back pain and muscular-skeletal pain has had good results.

Internal Health Application:Chewing on a Neem twig has been a common practice in India to prevent gum disease and maintain strong and healthy teeth. However, as the twig is very bitter, it is now utilized in Neem toothpaste that helps prevent cavities, gingivitis, tooth loss or toothache.

Neem is beneficial in with indigestion, constipation, bad taste in mouth, de-worming, gastritis, is a blood purifier, detoxicant and cures urinary tract infection. It helps in maintaining proper secretions of liver; works as an anti-inflammatory and pain relieving agent, suppresses fever and relieves cough.

Beauty Application:Adding boiled Neem water to bath helps rid of skin infections, acne and white heads. In this form it makes a great skin toner to clear scars, pigmentation and blackheads on face.

Boil Neem leaves with small segment of orange peel in a bit of water. Add honey, yogurt, soy milk to for a smooth paste and apply to face to clear skin problems and also to reduce appearance of pores.

Pesticide Application:Neem has been used as a natural pesticide because of its remarkable property to fight pests and other organisms that are harmful for agricultural and household purpose. It is considered to be the most wonderful discovery for humans. It acts as anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal, anti-protozoan and anti-viral.

Despite all the health benefits, Neem is largely ignored by urban folks in favour of more synthetic ingredients. However, as more and more research is being done on Neem outside India, we are finding ourselves coming back to this very ancient yet very useful, simple and miraculous tree that was cherished by Ayurveda over 5,000 years ago!

High Cholesterol: A Serious Health Risk

You may wonder whether something like cholesterol which is so common can really be a serious health risk. The truth is: Absolutely. Your body makes cholesterol, and you also get it when you eat eggs, meats, and dairy products. When you have more than your body needs, cholesterol can cause plaque to build up in your arteries. This thick, hard plaque can clog your arteries like a blocked pipe. Reduced blood flow can lead to a stroke or heart attack.


How High Cholesterol Causes Heart Attack:
If there is a clog in a coronary artery, your heart gets too little blood and oxygen. Without enough oxygen, your heart becomes weak and damaged. If the plaque breaks open, a blood clot may form on top of the buildup, further blocking blood flow. Or, a blood clot can break off and flow to an artery in another part of the body. If a clot completely blocks an artery feeding your heart, you have a heart attack.

How High Cholesterol Causes Stroke:
Plaque buildup can also keep your brain from getting enough blood and oxygen. If a clot completely blocks an artery feeding your brain, you have a stroke.

A Problem Without Symptoms
Despite the risks, about 1 in 3 Americans have not had their cholesterol tested in the past 5 years. That’s how often the American Heart Association recommends screening.
Sperling says high cholesterol may not worry you enough because:
It doesn’t cause symptoms. So you don’t know you have it unless you get a blood cholesterol test.
It doesn’t cause pain. So you may be less likely to seek treatment or keep taking your cholesterol-lowering medicine.
"It's not like taking a painkiller for an aching knee, where you know it's working," he says.
Plus, the risks from high cholesterol aren’t immediate. The damage accumulates over years -- even decades. High cholesterol in your 20s and 30s can take its toll in your 50s and 60s. Because the effects take time, you may not feel the urgency to treat it. You may think you can deal with it later – but you may wait too long.
"Having high cholesterol may not hurt you today or tomorrow," Sperling says. "But if you don't do something about it, it can have a terrible cost down the road."

Protect Yourself
You can outsmart high cholesterol. Eat a healthy diet, exercise, and take medicine as your doctor recommends to lower your levels.
The first step: Ask your doctor if it’s time for you to have a fasting cholesterol blood test. If they're high, ask your doctor what numbers are ideal for you based on your personal health and risk factors. Also ask how often you need the test.

Most people should have:
LDL, “bad” cholesterol, less than 100 mg/dL.  If you already have heart disease, you may need to aim for under 70 mg/dL.
HDL, “good” cholesterol, 60 mg/dL or higher
Triglycerides, another type of risky fat in your bloodstream, less than 150 mg/dL
Whatever you do, don't ignore your high cholesterol risks.
 

Coconut Water:Nutrition Facts & Health Benefits

1. Reduce high blood pressure - Coconut water is high in potassium and some studies have reported that low levels of potassium has been linked to high blood pressure. Therefore, drinking coconut water regularly can help in regulating blood pressure. Similar recent studies also have found that coconut water can help raise HDL (good) cholesterol, which makes it an excellent natural treatment for maintaining good cardiovascular health.


2. Strengthen the Immune System - The lauric acid in Coconut water has antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, and antiprotozoal properties, which help strengthen the body’s immune system against a variety of viruses and illness.

3. Keep Body Hydrated - Since coconut water is pack with all five of the same electrolytes that the body has, including potassium, magnesium, chloride, calcium and sodium. Altogether, play an important role in keeping the body hydrated during physical activities. Even the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have fought for a patent in 2000 to promote coconut water as the next big sports drink.

4. Helps Lose Weight - Coconut water is low in calories and 99% fat-free. A serving of coconut water has just 46 calories. So regular intake of coconut water can help shed unwanted pounds by increasing the metabolic rate.


5. Aids in Digestion and Metabolism - Coconut water contains various bioactive enzymes such as acid phosphatase, catalase, dehydrogenase, diastase, peroxidase and RNA polymerases, which help to overcome the problem of digestion and metabolism. Drinking of coconut water on a regular basis has been shown effective in dealing abdomen discomfort.

6. Improve Blood Circulation - Coconut water is also good source of fiber, vitamin C and protein which can help in improving blood circulation and heart rate.

7. Good for Pregnant Women - Coconut water is an efficient natural remedy for pregnant women who suffer from acidity, constipation and heartburn problems. It is also helps boost the levels of amniotic fluid, which plays a vital role in the overall wellness of the baby. With such great benefits, it is no wonder that coconut water is recommended for pregnant women.

8. Treats Urinary Infections - Coconut water is a natural diuretic which helps prevent urinary tract infections (UTI) as well as relieve the kidney stones problem.

9. Promotes Skin Health - Coconut water acts as a light moisturizer which also decreases excessive oil on the skin. This proves to be beneficial for smoothing the skin as well. It can be used directly to a bath or mix with liquid shower gel. This natural water is also best for treating acne and blackheads as well.

10. Increase Energy Levels - The lauric acid in coconut water stimulates the production of thyroid hormones, thereby increasing your metabolic rate, which in turn increase your energy level.
 

Let your food be your medicine!

Alarming Statistics about Disease Status of India

•Current projections suggest that India will have the largest cardiovascular disease burden in the world.

•One fifth of the deaths in India are from coronary heart disease. By the year 2020, it will account for one third of all deaths. Sadly, many of these Indians will be dying young.


•Heart disease in India occurs 10 to 15 years earlier than in the west.

•There are an estimated 45 million patients of coronary artery disease in India. An increasing number of young Indians are falling prey to coronary artery disease. With millions hooked to a roller-coaster lifestyle, the future looks even more grim.

•There are at least 50.8 million diabetics in India, which is the highest ever reported number from anywhere in the world according to International Diabetes Federation. The prevalence of diabetes varies between 6-8% in urban and 2-3% in rural adults.


•Indians tend to be diabetic at a relatively young age of 45 years which is about 10 years earlier than in West.

•The prevalence of diabetes varies between 6-8% in urban and 2-3% in rural adults.

•There appears to be a steady increase in hypertension prevalence over the last 50 years, more in urban than in rural areas. Hypertension is 25-30% in urban and 10-15% in rural subjects.

Sedentary lifestyle is a major cause of death, disease and disability. Physical inactivity increases all causes of mortality, doubles the risk of cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes and obesity. It also increases the risk of colon and breast cancer, high blood pressure, lipid disorders and anxiety.