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“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…)

Losing weight and staying fit is top priority for most people and today, there are several workout and diet options available that will help you get to that goal. You can either hit a gym or dance class or even invest in a personal gym at home to burn the calories. At the same time, though, it is important to stick to a personalized diet plan that best suits your requirement.

Before embarking on an exercise or diet routine, it is essential to figure out what you want for your body. Are you looking at losing weight or building muscle mass? Because each of these requires a different strategy.

HOW TO BUILD MUSCLE

If you are already at an ideal weight and want to build muscle, focus on strength training exercise, weights, stretches and some yoga as well at least three to four times in a week.

To build muscle mass quickly, the workout should be supplemented with a good diet. The diet must include at least three meals with a perfectly balanced mix of carbohydrates and proteins. You may consume extra protein in the form of skimmed milk or egg white. Also remember that daal should be an integral part of lunch and dinner. (more…)

Milk is one of the simplest forms of protein that can be consumed every day. About 100 ml of cow’s milk contains approximately 3 grams protein, 4 grams fat and 4.5 grams lactose or milk sugar. Today most people, young and old, are health conscious and follow an enthusiastic exercise regimen. Even young children are engaged in extra sports or coaching classes for some game or sport. This means more work out of the muscles, more wear and tear and muscle rebuilding. But in following such a lifestyle, the question is if this individual is consuming an adequate amount of protein to rebuild and repair these muscles.

Tissue and muscle building, maintenance and repair is a constant process, requiring frequent and adequate supply of protein. Inadequate consumption of protein leaves people feeling exhausted and their bodies unable to build and maintain muscle. Milk, however is one of the best sources for this protein and can be consumed every day. In fact, drinking a glass of milk or 2 to 3 cups of milk-based tea or coffee is a habit for most people. And if milk is not ingested directly, there are others who make up for it by consuming curd.

While these are a good source for protein, it is ideal to remove the cream or skim the milk as the fat in milk is of animal origin and can add too much fat and cholesterol to your body. (more…)