“An apple a day” now has a new meaning for those who want to maintain mental dexterity as they age. This article is exclusively about Washington Apples, which are gaining lots and lots of popularity.

Research from the University of Massachusetts suggests that eating and drinking apples, Washington apples in particular and apple juice, in conjunction with a balanced diet can protect the brain from the effects of oxidative stress that contributes to age-related memory loss.

And thus, when it comes to eating apples, I strongly recommend Washington apples, as, out of the 7,500 varieties grown worldwide, the best are planted in the commercial orchards of Washington State. And these delicious and healthy Washington apples are now available in India and are grouped as 5 categories : (more…)

There are several common beliefs associated with the right diet plan for a diabetic person. Trouble is, not all are true. There are some who believe that all vegetables and fruits are ideal to keep blood sugar levels under control which even help in weight loss, while others maintain that maida (all purpose flour) and rava, being derivatives of wheat, are safe food items. Some even avoid rice, but eat rice flakes instead.
Eating right is essential for any person with diabetes melitus, because certain choices of food can significantly reduce sugar levels.

Any food item high on fibre content is the best choice. For example, wholewheat, broken wheat and atta are better choices than maida, rava, sevia, noodles, pasta, etc. Since the skin of wholewheat is difficult to digest, the body has to work harder to digest it, bringing the blood sugar levels down. Similarly, wholewheat or atta chappati, wholewheat bread and wheat puttu are better than rice, idli, rice puttu and rice flakes (aval), which are made of fibee-less polished rice. Ragi puttu, ragi dosa, ragi porridge, oats porridge and cornflakes are better food options for a diabetic than rice items.

As for a vegetarian diet – vegetables and fruits, diabetics should pick those that are high on fiber and low on starch. For instance, all greens, cabbage, cauliflower, okra, beans, brinjal, (more…)

A lot of youngsters and teenagers are now using artificial sweeteners instead of sugar on a regular basis. Sweeteners are also consumed in large amounts in the form of ‘diet drinks’. Sugar-free chewing gum, chocolates, ice creams and jams also find many takers. Some believe consuming sugar-free products will help them reduce weight. Some just get into it out of peer pressure. On top of that, many nutritionists and fitness centers recommend it as well.

It has been scientifically proven that sugar substitutes have many harmful side-effects. Some of the compounds used to produce these sweeteners are also used to prepare various medical drugs. So it is like popping those medicines daily in large amounts. Imagine the impact on your body if you do this continuously for months or years. Also, many of the compounds in sweeteners have been found to stimulate the formation of cancerous tumors in certain organs. Some chemicals used in these substitutes have been proven to cause damage to the kidneys.

Using sugar substitutes is not the solution to obesity. The best way by which one can  lose weight is by finding a way to get rid of excess fat in the body. Brisk walking and regular outdoor activity will help you lose weight and stay fit. Practicing a safe and healthy diet goes a long way towards shedding those extra kilos. It’s also important to cut out (more…)