In  On 20 September 2015

INNOVATIVE TIPS TO MAKE YOUR KIDS EAT HEALTHIER FOOD We all know the rules – avoid junk food, eat healthy, say no to fizzy drinks and finish your veggies. But do kids really listen? Who says eating right needs to be followed by the book! Parents stress and worry about their children’s ‘bad’ eating habits day and night, just to find their child pigging out on that packet of chips you thought you managed to hide. Instead of setting rules for what he/she can or cannot eat (and we all know how much children LOVE rules) why not provide them with options (you could even trick them into believing its totally unhealthy) they’ll gobble up happily.  SAY YES TO JUNK FOOD: There is no parent who could eat healthy all the time, so how can you expect your kids to do the same? If they want chocolate, melt some rich chocolate in milk and serve it to them as hot chocolate. When your child demands choco chip cookies, try making them at home with healthier alternatives like atta instead of maida and olive oil instead of butter. And sometimes just give your kids a break, when they ask for a packet of chips or some silly over priced chocolate, just let them have it!  ​ ​ SAUCE IT UP: Stop trying to force feed icky green dry vegetables to your child! I’m sure you also couldn’t have eaten something that bland, happily as a kid. It’s unfair to ask your child to eat boiled broccoli and boring raw salads just to maintain that healthy ‘balanced’ diet. Instead you could make all these vegetables yummy by adding different sauces and dressings to them. Load up any salad with some mayo dressing or thousand island or whatever you think your child might enjoy. If they’re happy eating such yummy salads you probably won’t worry about the calories in the sauces! Serve beans, broccoli, cucumber and anything else you want them to eat in a creamy white sauce. That way they’ll lick the bowl clean before you can even say green vegetables! SERVE DESSERT AND FOOD TOGTEHER: Won’t they just eat the dessert and skip dinner? If you give them just one serving of dessert long with dinner, they’ll still be hungry after that small amount of dessert. So even if the attack the dessert first, odds are they’ll still be hungry and will end up having their dinner too. The trick here is to give a small portion of dessert so they can’t fill up on just dessert. You could serve items like fresh fruit, apple crumble, oatmeal cookies, frozen yoghurt etc to keep the desserts on the healthier side.  ​ SERVE DINNER FOR BREAKFAST: Whatever your child’s favorite dinner dish is, try serving that for breakfast. If your child loves pizza, serve mini pizza’s for breakfast. Just fill pita pockets with chicken, cheese, tomatoes and serve it up as a mini pizza. If your child loves egg then make an omelette with vegetables and some cut pieces of meat. You could even add some cheese to it! This might make them finish breakfast in no time.  PROVIDE ALTERNATIVES: If you child wants chips, offer tortilla chips with salsa. If they ask for French fries, make those at home using less oil and salt. When he/she asks for pizza, try making them at home instead of ordering them from outside. Just by proving similar alternatives to food they crave you can improve their eating habits. Also when you’re cooking at home, you can toss in a lot of vegetables without them finding out!  ​ ​ TRY NEW RECIPES: Not only kids, every person gets tired of eating the same thing over and over again. Try to find various recipes for one food item so that your child can keep eating the same vegetables without saying “The food is boring”. You’ll find more than 5 ways to make healthy pasta and a zillion ways to make paneer ki sabzi. Actually this little trick might even spruce up your taste buds, not to mention cooking won’t seem like such a tedious task once you get tasty food as the reward!  DON’T TRY TOO HARD: The more you push, the more they’ll push back. Using threats, bribes, punishments and anger isn’t going to make them eat vegetables. Just sit back and let them eat their food without nagging in between. Eventually you’ll notice the food that used to lie on the corner of the plate is now happily settled in their stomach. This way they’ll learn to eat healthy on their own, especially in the long run. You won’t have to call them during their college ad working years to ask “Did you eat your fruits and vegetables today?”. Phew, now won’t that be a relief. ​ In case of any query or to book an appointment with Dt. Silky Mahajan please send a mail to foods&nutrition.india@gmail.com or call at 080 6741 7782 (Dial Extension: 952).  

In  On 08 September 2016

We must have always heard that Maida (White flour) and products made from it are very harmful for our health.  However, use of Maida & its products usage is increasing rapidly in our day-to-day life. Sometimes, we are consuming it in form of bread at our home and sometimes, in the market/food joints in form of fast foods. Known as %u2018White poison%u2019, white flour is becoming necessity for all of us but it impacts our health drastically. It is very important to understand why it is bad and how much it can harm us so that we can improve our eating habits. What is missing in Maida (White Flour): During processing of Maida from wheat, endosperm of the wheat is removed from the germ (wheat germ) and the bran (wheat bran), which is very crucial for digestion. As all necessary nutrients are lost during processing of Maida, foods made from it utilize nutrients from the body for absorption. As a result, our body gets depleted of vitamins and minerals.  Few manufacturers attract customers by labeling their products as %u2018enriched flour%u2019, which is nothing, but adding 3-4 vitamins at the cost of 10 lost vitamins during processing. White flour is tasty but not healthy: Though foods made from Maida like Pizza, Burger, Donuts, Bread, Samosas, Noodles, Momos, Panipuri, Pastas etc are very tempting and tasty however, at the same time, consequences can not be ignored. White flour regulates glucose/sugar in your body: Whenever you consume foods that are made from Maida,it releases sugar into your bloodstream quickly. Because of high Glycemic index (GI) of Maida, it spikes up your sugar levels. To match up with the sugar spike, Pancreas has to over work to release insulin in sufficient quantity. If Maida consumption is once in a while then Pancreas can manage it however, in case of frequent consumption, insulin production will reduce gradually, finally making you Diabetic. As glucose loiters into your blood, it gets attached to proteins, which is called Glycation which cause inflammation in the body and leads to many diseases like Arthritis, Cataract, heart diseases and the list goes on. Eating Maida also raises bad cholesterol (LDL) resulting many health issues like weight gain, high blood pressure, mood swings. Too much consumption of white flour & its products leads to weight gain and you will soon progress toward obesity. Also, it keeps you feel hungry and makes you crave for sweets. White Flour is Acidic: Acidity is another problem. During refining process, all nutrients are removed and it becomes acidic in nature. As per research, diet high in acidic foods (e.g. Pizza, Pasta, Burger & other white flour products) forces the body to pull calcium from bones to keep the things even, which affects bone density. Over-acidity is one of the major causes of chronic inflammation, and a major cause of arthritis and other chronic illnesses.  White flour creates digestive issues: White flour has been called the %u201Cglue of the gut%u201D. In today%u2019s world, so much food is made from White flour: breakfast food, snacks, pasta, bread, cereal and the list just continues. And it all turns to glue in the intestines. It is without fiber, it congests the system, slows down digestion creating a sluggish metabolism, and can often be the cause of weight gain, stress, headaches and migraines. Follow these alternatives: For better health in longer run, you should completely avoid consuming White flour & foods made from it. Instead, you can use some alternatives like: for Samosa, use wheat flour. For Naan, mix one portion of Millets (like Jowar&Bajra) flour with wheat flour. Opt Bread, Noodles, Pasta and Macaroni made of wheat flour, which are easily available in food stores.  

In  On 06 October 2016

With the new fad to eat fat free foods and remain healthy, the intent is to completely avoid fat. However, it is to be noted that fat is essential for various normal body functions, starting from proper brain functioning to hormone formation. What needs to be avoided is the unhealthy bad fat. Fat contains fatty acids, which are of two types-saturated and unsaturated. When heated, the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) react with the oxygen in the environment and get damaged. These are to be avoided. The saturated fatty acids are relatively strong and do not oxidize or create damage. So, the next time you pick up oils, this is what you need to look at. The good thing about olive oils is that it mostly contains mono saturated fatty acids (MSFA), which does not oxidize even at high temperatures (almost 180 degree Celsius).Another study showed that with deep frying using olive oil, it takes about 25 hours to produce the same damage as other cooking oils. Olive oil is produced by crushing olives. It can be refined or unrefined based on the amount of free oleic acid (lesser in the unrefined version).The unrefined form is the purer form, which is also known as extra-virgin olive oil. It has the aroma and flavor of olives and characteristic bitter taste. What it contains: A can of 100 g of olive oil contains the following. Note the high content of monosaturated fat is present, which is highly healthy. Monounsaturated Fat: About 70% Saturated fat:About 13% Omega-6:About 10% Omega-3:About 1% Vitamin E:72% of the RDA. Vitamin K:75% of the RDA. Some of the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil are listed below: Anti-inflammatory: Heart disease, cancers, diabetes, Alzheimer's are all chronic inflammatory conditions and using olive oil for prolonged periods can reduce the onset and severity of these conditions. The oleic acid acts against the C-reactive protein responsible for spreading inflammation. Antioxidants: The ingredients in olive oil including the anti-inflammatory oleocanthal and oleuropein are known for their antioxidant properties.The latter is what prevents oxidation of olive oil when heated. These have powerful health benefits and can help fight severe diseases. Cardio-friendly: There are various ways in which olive oil helps the heart, some of them being reduced inflammation, preventing blood clotting, lowering blood pressure, improving blood vessel lining, and improves LDL levels. Cancer: With its oxidative properties, it reduces the amount of free radicals in the body, thereby reducing cancer. Brain function: Olive oil also reduces cognitive functioning and reduces formation of beta amyloid which is seen in Alzheimer's disease. The Mediterranean diet is rich in olive oil and they have inherited these health benefits over centuries. In case of any query or to book an appointment with Dt. Silky Mahajan please send us a mail at info@foodsandnutrition.in OR call us at 080 6741 7780 (Dial Extension: 778)

In  On 13 October 2016

A lack of vitamin D does not just affect your bones, but poses more serious problems when neglected. As per the study 69% of Indians suffer from vitamin D deficiency, while a further 15% were found to be vitamin D insufficient. Because of long working hours and little or no time for outdoor activities, more and more people are suffering from vitamin D deficiency. What is Vitamin D & why it is critical for Health? Despite its name, vitamin D is not a regular vitamin. It's actually a steroid hormone that you get primarily from either sun exposure or supplementation. Vitamin D manages calcium in your blood, bones and gut and helps cells all over your body to communicate properly. Vitamin D also fights infections, including colds and the flu, as it regulates the expression of genes that influence your immune system to attack and destroy bacteria and viruses. Give me vitamin D The reasoning behind this concern is that vitamin D is made in the skin by the action of the ultraviolet rays (UV) in sunlight and this is the main source of vitamin D for most people. During summer, the majority of the population gets enough vitamin D through sunlight on the skin and a healthy, balanced diet. However, during winter everyone needs to rely on dietary sources of vitamin D because, the sun is low in the sky, and the atmosphere filters out nearly all the UV rays. In fact due to current lifestyle, it is getting difficult for people to meet the %u201810 micrograms per day%u2019 recommendation from consuming foods naturally containing vitamin D. People should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D, if required. Indeed, It's worth remembering that too much exposure to the sun brings exposure to ultraviolet radiation, which can have some nasty effects. Sometimes you can feel the heat from the sun on the skin but when it's windy or cloudy people may think they're less at risk but that's not true. UV can still be high and if you are over-exposed, your skin can burn which is not only painful but can increase your risk of skin cancer. Sources to get Vitamin D I firmly believe that appropriate sun exposure is the best way to optimize your vitamin D levels. If your circumstances don't allow you to access the sun, then you have only one option if you want to raise your vitamin D, and that is to take a vitamin D supplement. Here too recommendations vary, and there are no hard and fast rules.  What if you are vitamin D deficient? Too little vitamin D results in soft bones in children and fragile, misshapen bones in adults. It helps control the amount of calcium and phosphate in your body, which are needed to keep your bones and teeth healthy. Having too little vitamin D (a deficiency) can damage the way your body absorbs calcium and phosphorus. Also, chronic low vitamin D status has been linked to poor immunity and an increased risk of diseases such as multiple sclerosis, heart disease, some cancers, cavities, muscle weakness and bone diseases such as osteoporosis. Know your vitamin D levels Vitamin D levels can be checked through blood test. Vitamin D Guidelines Aim to consume a vitamin D-rich diet all year round but especially during winter season Consider supplementation during the winter months. Consult with Physician or Dietitian to understand the requirement of supplement because, over dosage is also bad. Try to expose the skin on the legs and arms to regular, sensible doses (5-30 minutes a day) of sunshine between the hours 10am and 3pm without the use of sunscreen. Natural sources of Vitamin D Fatty fish, like tuna, mackerel, and salmon Fish oil Foods fortified with vitamin D, like some dairy products, orange juice, soymilk, and cereals. Beef liver Cheese Egg yolks Cow milk Avoid TOO MUCH VITAMIN D While being vitamin D deficient is a problem; too much vitamin D leads to lot of problems as well. Excess of vitamin D may cause health problems such as dehydration, vomiting, kidney damage and kidney stones. Therefore, it is must to consume Vitamin D under supervision of healthcare professional.

In  On 27 December 2016

We might be surprised to know that unknowingly we are consuming 5 white poisons in our daily meal. Forget getting nutrients from these items, we end up troubling our health by consuming these food items which are not at all good for our health and increase risk of developing diseases like cancer, hypertension, bone health issues and diabetes. Pasteurized Cow Milk: The process of pasteurization keeps the milk good for a longer period, but harms its nutritive value. It removes enzymes, vitamin A, B 12 and C from the milk. The process also transfers hormones and antibiotics into the milk. Pasteurization destroys beneficial bacteria found in raw cow milk. It kills the natural enzymes and destroys all its phosphatase, which is essential for calcium absorption. Calcium works with Vitamin D, which is vital to the growth and health of children as well as improving immune system. Considering all these facts, we should avoid consuming pasteurized cow milk. White or Refined Rice: The process of refining rice leads to the removal of the outer layer and germ from it. The rice is left with endosperm, only. This layer contains starch in a huge quantity, which can increase your blood sugar or glucose levels to a great extent. Refined Sugar: Sugar contains a lot of calories, with no essential nutrients & because of that it is considered as part of %u2018empty%u2019 calories. It can have harmful effects on metabolism and contribute to all sorts of diseases like Cancer, type 2 diabetes, Overweight/Obesity, Liver diseases. Before sugar enters the bloodstream from the digestive tract, it is broken down into two simple sugars: glucose and fructose. For people who are inactive, large amounts of fructose from added sugars get turned into fat in the liver. Because of the harmful effects of sugar on the function of insulin, it leads to type II diabetes.Recommended intake: Worldwide, it is recommended that men can have 9 teaspoons of sugar per day and women can have 6 teaspoons of sugar per day. However, considering the tendency of Indians towards sugar intolerance and diabetes, it is recommended not to go beyond 5 teaspoons of added sugar per day which includes sugar available in cookies, fruit juices etc. Refined Salt: Salt makes your body hold on to water. If you eat too much salt, the extra water stored in your body increases your blood pressure. More salt you eat, the higher your blood pressure will be. In India 1 in 3 adult are affected by high BP and majority of them are not aware of it. Therefore, it is recommended to follow low-salt diet. Normal table salt contains iodine, which is needed for a healthy body. But refining of salt removes iodine from the salt. Fluorides are added during the process of refining which is bad when consumed in excess.Recommended intake: Aim to consume less than 1500 mg of sodium per day and definitely it should not go beyond 2300 mg per day. 1500mg sodium is equivalent to 0.75 teaspoon of salt per day. White Flour (Maida): Known as %u2018White poison%u2019, white flour is becoming necessity for all of us but it impacts our health drastically. Use of Maida & its products usage is increasing rapidly in our day-to-day life. Sometimes, we are consuming it in form of bread at our home and sometimes, in the market/food joints in form of fast foods. During processing of Maida from wheat, endosperm of the wheat is removed from the germ (wheat germ) and the bran (wheat bran), which is very crucial for digestion. As all necessary nutrients are lost during processing of Maida, foods made from it utilize nutrients from the body for absorption. As a result, our body gets depleted of vitamins and minerals.  In case of any nutrition related query or to book an appointment with Dt. Silky Mahajan please send us a mail at info@foodsandnutrition.in or call on 080 6741 7780 (Dial Extension: 778).

In  On 29 January 2017

A new year is like a blank book, and the pen is in our hands. Lets consider it as an opportunity to write a beautiful story for ourself in year 2017 and follow these mantras to live healthy life style: Quit Smoking Say No to Alcohol Maintain BMI: 18.5-24.9 Maintain BP: 120/80 Maintain Cholesterol<200 Maintain Blood sugar levels (8 hrs fasting): 70-99 mg/dl. Blood sugar levels (2 hrs after meal): <140 mg/dl 6-7 hours of sleep Say no to fast foods Walking/Exercise 45 minutes 5-6 days per week Eat 6-7 meals a day (3 major 3-4 small) Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits Don't skip meals Drink 2-3 litres of water per day Maintain healthy body weight Think positive and keep yourself surrounded with positive energy. Wish you all a very happy, prosperous and healthy new year 2017 :). In case of any query or to book an appointment with Dt. Silky Mahajan please send us a mail at info@foodsandnutrition.in OR call on 080 6741 7780 (Dial Extension: 778)