Vegetarian Recipe: Sukto

Sukto is a Bengali recipe made with a mix of vegetables with least number of spices and has an amazing flavour. Mostly the prime vegetable in the recipe is bitter gourd or karela,stop making the faces and try this at home.

Sukto

Ingredients:
2 medium sized Bittergourd or karela, cut into chips
1 cup cubes of pumpkin
1 brinjal or eggplant cut into cubes
2-3 drumsticks cut into 2inch pieces
Other veggies which can be used are raw papaya, potato, bottlegourd etc.
1 teaspoon Panch phoron (a mix of whole cummin seeds, mustard seeds, kallonji or kalo jeera (nigella sativa), saunf, fenugreek or methi seeds)
1/2 teaspoon asfoetida or hing
milk 1/2 cup
1 teaspoon flour
Mustard oil
Ghee
Salt to taste

Procedure:
1. Pour 1 tablespoon mustard oil in a heated frying pan, once the oil is heated add the cut bittergourd in to the pan, cook till it iss light golden in color, take it out and keep it aside.
2. Pour a little more oil & add a teaspoon of ghee. Add the panchphoron and hing to it and later add the rest of the vegetables to the pan. Cook for sometime covering the pan.
3. Add the salt after the vegetables are little softer & add some water to it, let it cook for some more time. Add the bittergourd also after some time.
4. After the vegetables are fully cooked around 20 min later, add the mix of milk and flour (can be whole wheat or refined).
5. Once the mixture boils properly, you can turn off the gas.

The dish is best served as the starting item in the menu with rice.

Curry Leaves-Health Benefits

Curry Leaves are leaves used widely in preparations from southern part of India. They are strong flavoring agents with a great no. of health benefits. I have personally seen lot of people throwing away the curry leaves or kadi patta while eating. Once you know the health benefits you will really not feel like throwing away. I actually feel very proud that our Indian food habits are very scientifically devised thousands of years ago; the spices, the food & the cooking methods. And addition of curry leaves to the cuisine is just one example.

1. Great to fight anemia: Both iron & folic acid are in abundance in kadi patta which makes it a desired choice to fight against anemia. Folic acid is the carrier of iron in the body so both are essential to keep anemia at bay.

2. Controls Diabetes: The leaves are known to affect the insulin production & performance which helps control diabetes. Also the fiber presents helps the diabetic tendency.

3. Lowers Cholesterol: Curry leaves are known to reduce the LDL cholesterol or bad cholesterol by lowering the fat absorption in the body. This also helps in losing weight naturally also.

4. Reduces hair fall & promotes growth of hair: The quality of hair improves considerably on using dry curry leaves mixed with oil as it strengthens the  hair roots & promotes hair growth. It is  also considered useful for graying hair.

5. Reduces congestion in chest & nose:It s packed with Vitamin C and A along with compounds like kaempferol that acts as a potent anti-inflammatory agent. It helps loosen & decongest mucous. It is good for people suffering from wet cough, sinus & chest congestion.

6. Prevents Skin infection: Because of it's anti-inflammatory & antioxidant properties it helps cure any skin infections with its anti-bacterial & anti-fungal properties. This makes it a great home remedy to deal with common skin infections like acne and fungal infections of the nail that are often difficult to treat.

7. Improves digestion & good for diarrhea: It helps a number of digestive issues along with aiding in excretion. Regular intake cleanses the system of toxins as well. Also an upset stomach is taken care with its antibacterial & anti-inflammatory properties.

All these benefits are just a few leaves away. Also it is small plant & can be planted in your garden or also in a pot. And you can use the leaves of the plant without any problem.

Coconut Water- Health Benefits

It is summers & what best other than cool drinks to quench your thirst. Making some healthy choices in the drinks is extremely important. Coconut water is a drink which is widely recognized for its health values. I will just try to point down a few so, there is more reason to include in your diet. Coconut water is the water which is present in the tender or green coconut & not to be confused with coconut milk or oil which are very high is fats & carbohydrates. Rich in natural vitamins (especially the B vitamins), minerals, and trace elements (including zinc, selenium, iodine, and manganese). Full of amino acids, organic acids, enzymes, antioxidants and phytonutrients. Rich source of electrolytes and natural salts, especially potassium and magnesium. 

Let's count the benefits:

1. Weight Loss: As the fruit's water is light, low-calorie and nearly fat-free, as well as low in sugars as well as containing a little fiber to moderate absorption, it can play an important part in weight loss. As water is important part of diet & the calorific value & other benefits makes you feel full, suppresses the appetite.

2. Improves Digestion: Coconut water claims to be a cure for all digestive problems. If you face problem of acid reflux, definitely you will be benefited drinking coconut water. Other problems like stomach flu, indigestion, constipation are also treated by drinking coconut water regularly. Also urinary problems & kidney problems are also taken care with this.

3. Isotonic drink or Refresher: The composition of coconut matches our blood plasma, so it is also known to use instead of blood for transfusion in third world countries during emergencies. So, drinking this drink helps your body also gain good vitamins & minerals apart from water.

4. Reduces Blood Pressure: Coconut water is known to have more potassium than 4 bananas. It helps lower elevated blood pressure and reduce risks of heart attacks & strokes. Also it is known to regulate blood sugar levels due to low calorific value and also moderate sugar absorption in the blood stream.

5. Flawless Skin: Not only drinking but applying it on the skin helps repair the wear & tear of the skin. It is known to reduce the blemishes & helps treat acne due to its purifying powers of antioxidants. It moisturizes the skin when you drink eliminating excess oils from the skin.

6. Anti-ageing properties: It's a natural source of cytokinins, a group of plant hormones known to affect the cell growth & ageing. Rich in antioxidants, potassium & cytokinins balance the pH levels, & strengthens tissues & cells to become firmer, also help fight ageing related diseases.

Luckily this drink has no known side effects, if you are allergic to nuts please check with your doctor.  It is also known for stronger bones, reduces muscle cramps, manage stress & many more. It is great for children & pregnant women. Pregnant women are advised to drink coconut water especially to avoid heart burns & digestion related problems. Drink fresh coconut water only, the more its is exposed to air it gets oxidized & rapidly loses its nutritional value. This drink is also called the fruit of God for this reason. Thanks Friends!

Pranayam (Yoga) for Healthy Life-2

Hi Friends! This post is in continuation to my previous post on Pranayam. I had informed about three ways of doing Pranayam to be healthy & will continue with the rest of the three. To read about the previous ones already discussed & benefits of Pranayam please click here.

Bahya Pranayam
1. Sit with cross legged on the floor or ground.
2. Inhale fresh air & fill your lungs, hold.
3. Exhale the air forcefully (do not make it uncomfortable)
4. Now touch your chin to the chest & pull your stomach in so that it feels that you are trying to touch your back with your stomach.
5. Next lift your chin & breathe in slowly, hold it. Then exhale.
6. Repeat this 5-6 times.

Brahmari Pranayam
1. Close your eyes & start breathing.
2. Close your ears with the thumb & place the index finger above the eyebrow. Place the rest of the fingers on your eyes & face.
3. Keep your little fingers near your nostrils.
4. Now start breathing & fill your lungs with air.
5. Partially close your nostril with your little finger & breathe out with a humming sound like a bee originating from the throat.
6. Repeat thhis 3-5 times.

Udgeeth Pranayam
1. Breathe into fill your lungs with air.
2. Then slowly breathe out chanting "Om" originating from the throat with an emphasis on O and a short M.
3. Repeat this 5 times.

Enjoy doing Pranayam daily & let me know how you feel. Thanks Friends!

Pranayam (Yoga) for Healthy Life

Hi Friends! Today we are going to talk about Pranayam the ancient technique of breathing exercise. It consists of six breathing exercises out of which we will talk about three of them. At first listing down the benefits of these exercises for you so that you know why you should include it in your daily routine.
1. Improves blood circulation
2. Eases out breathing
3. Healthy heart & other organs with proper movement & blood circulation
4. Increases life expectancy
5. Better mental health

Bhastrika Pranayam:
1. Sit with crossed legs in your lawn or your porch on the ground.
2. Close your eyes & breathe deeply so that your diaphragm goes down & your chest expands.
3. Release your breathe at once.
4. Repeat for 5 mins.
5. Start it slow & with time you can increase your speed.

This technique helps us to ease out our breathing process & improves our concentration and other mental abilities.

Kapalbhati Pranayam:
1. Sit in the same position as mentioned above in open air (lawn or porch).
2. Inhale through your nostrils normally, allowing the lung to expand.
3. Exhale through both nostrils forcefully, assist by pulling in your stomach.
4. Repeat for 10 min

This technique helps us concentrate on forced exhalation & normal inhalation. The contraction of stomach muscles in the process helps you in burning fat around the area & improved digestion.

Anulom Vilom Pranayam:
1. While sitting in the same position, close your eyes & concentrate on your breathing.
2. Close the right nostril with right thumb breathe from your left nose, fill your lungs.
3. Move away the thumb & now close the left nostril with the middle & ring finger of the right hand. Exhale completely from the right nostril slowly.
4. Now inhale with your right nose & fill the lungs.
5. And now move your hand & close the right nostril with the right thumb like earlier & exhale.
6. Repeat the process for 10 min.

This technique of alternate breathing helps improve breathing and also uses both the nostrils & clears any congestion. It also helps people suffering from problems of sinus.

I hope this article gives you an insight on how useful introducing pranayam in your daily routine. It gives a fresh start to your day & shows great results in improving the quality of life. Thank You!

Benefits of Walking

Hi Friends! Mid of the week & missing your daily routine of exercise. Add a twist start walking, it is the simplest of all to add to your routine.

The benefits of walking can be listed as below:
1. Improved cardiovascular & lung fitness.
2. Better management of hypertension, high cholesterol, joint & muscular pain, stiffness, and diabetes
3. Reduce body fat
4. Increased muscle strength
5. Strong bones & improved balance

These are the health benefits which should be on your mind while planning for that walk. Well other than that the benefits which can be mentioned are available to everyone, and best there is no cost for this exercise. It is also good for beginners, no pain which is generally associated with work out. It does not give you results in a week but the long term effects are worth noticing.

When you walk 30 mins a day your body becomes active & it really does not pose any health risk. You can make walking a part of your life easily & add it to your routine. The time of the day doesn't make any difference on the amount of calories burnt.

Walk 10000 steps a day & you will keep your heart fit. Wear a pedometer while walking to count your steps, this will help you motivate. Be comfortable while walking, whether you run or walk the same distance you lose the same amount of calories. Only when you walk you take more time to cover the distance. Once you become comfortable while walking, you can increase the intensity by walking uphill, walking longer, increase the speed etc.

To enjoy walking the footwear you wear has to be perfect else it can give you blisters or sores, comfortable shoes are a must. What else we can do to increase our pleasure while walking is simple like listening to music, walking with friends, taking your pets for a walk. Go explore new places while walking, make your walk more interesting. If you want to stick near your residence, take rounds around your complex. You will not get this comfort with any other form of exercise.

So, friends how about a walk right now. Because there is no correct or right time to start. Start early to be healthy. Thanks!

Diabetes & Foot Care

Hi Friends! We know that diabetes is becoming a very common disease in the society today, and high blood sugar levels over time start affecting the various organs of the body. Trying to throw some light over one of the common problems faced by patients of diabetes mellitus which is foot problems. Diabetes is responsible for ailments related to kidney, nerves, eyes, blood vessels etc. Immunity is also affected in most cases of these patients. Commonly foot problems are seen in patients which is due to damage to the blood vessels & walking and other physical activities can create abnormal pressure on the skin, bones & muscles. Normal sweat secretion & lubrication of the foot is reduced under diabetic conditions finally leading to foot sores.

Because of a weak immune system the healing process is affected in patients. The wounds can lead to bacterial infections of skin, muscle, tissues etc. These wounds take turn into gangrene, the slow absorption of antibiotics is affected due to poor flow of blood to these parts of the body. People with diabetes should take extra care of foot.

• You should learn to examine your foot regularly to recognize early signs of diabetic foot problems.
• Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly and try to remain within the target range.
• Wash your feet regularly & dry them carefully.
• Apply moisturizer to your feet to avoid drying & cracking of skin.
• Do not let your shoes trouble you. Wear right shoes of correct size, blisters & burns in foot can be a serious problem.
• Poor circulation of blood can cause troubles so wiggle your foot & legs in intervals of 5 mins.
• Do not use extra hot or cold water or therapy on your foot. It can cause trauma & can lead to internal damages without your knowledge.
• Do not smoke. tobacco can cause damage to the blood vessels of your feet. The damage can interfere with your healing process.
• Trim your toenail carefully avoiding any cuts etc. Do it with a nail clipper & not scissors for safety. If you are unable to do it ask your family members.
• Avoid tripping, remove all obstacles which might be a reason for hurting yourself. Also avoid walking on uneven grounds to be safe.

These are a few tips every diabetes patient should follow for foot care. If anyone in your family suffering from diabetes, ensure they know about foot care. Enjoy a safe & happy day. Be Healthy!!

Avoid These Three Things

Hi Friends! I have not spoken about things which you should not do to stay healthy till date, but today I thought to blame three things which are causing troubles in our lives. All three of them start with the letter 'S', SUGAR, SALT & SATURATED FATS. After reading the names you can think why, though by avoiding I do not mean remove them from your diet, you just have to reduce or replace your options. They all are

As we all know Sugar is a culprit for high blood sugar levels or type-2 diabetes (not the only reason), reducing intake of sugar can help reduce the risks. Sugar is not only high in calories but also its glycemic index is high and mind you the refining of sugar uses various chemicals in the process which are harmful for the body. It is advisable to avoid sugar and use natural sweetening agents like organic honey, real maple syrup, xylitol, sorbitol, stevia etc. Though across countries in the Indian subcontinent jaggery (gud) considered as a safe option for diabetic patients but it is not. It is equally bad for your health, please consider this before using jaggery. Actually the food we eat has some or the other form of carbohydrate which breaks down to glucose to provide us energy. Now all the glucose may not be used by the body so it remains in our bloodstream and might convert to triglycerides which are stored around your waist. Sugar is not an essential item to our diet for this reason, in fact it is a bad guy. Reduce your sugar intake to avoid weight gain, weak immune system & of course diabetes.

If talked about salt, all know the chronic effects of excess salt in food like hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, edema (water retention) & stomach cancer due to the presence of Sodium. Salt is nothing but Sodium Chloride (NaCl) , the free ions of salt Na+ & Cl- are both required by the body in small amounts for proper functioning of the body. Muscle cramps, dizziness or electrolyte disturbance symptoms can be seen in people with salt imbalance. How to limit your intake of salt? Avoid packaged & processed foods, as they contain high amounts of sodium content & you cannot control your intake. Cook with less salt, avoid adding table salt during meals.

Now the last food saturated fat contains only triglycerides which are saturated fatty acids. Animal fats like butter, ghee, fatty meats, cheese etc. and plant fats like coconut oil, cottonseed oil, palm kernel oil are example of foods with high saturated fatty acid content. They are cause of many diseases which can be deadly like cardiovascular diseases by blocking the arteries and differesnt cancers like breast, colorectal, prostrate & ovarian cancers. These fats should be removed from the diet & should be replaced by monounsaturated fats like soya oil, olive oil, sesame oil etc.

Friends these small changes in our lifestyle can be a life changing event. I remember an old saying "Health is Wealth" so without health there is no fun in living. Have a great day... Thanks!

Sprouted Mung Snack

Hi Friends! I will write about a snack for the evening which can be easy & healthy for you.
It is a snack from sprouted Mung (a green lentil pic below). It is an Indian lentil which is packed with nutrients potassium, magnesium, folate, Vitamin B6 & fiber. Magnesium helps in muscle repair& control stress. Potassium is known to maintain the Sodium Potassium pump & lower the blood pressure. For pregnant women Vitamin B6 & folate are important nutrients for child growth. Unlike the black beans they are very small in size and do not need to be cooked before eating. Also being a vegan option can be enjoyed by everyone.

Ingredients:
Mung Beans: 1 cup
Tomato: 1 large
Onion: 1 large
Raw Mango: 1 small
Chilies: 2
Cilantro or Corriander: Few Springs
Pomegranate Seeds: Few
Lemon: 1
Cumin Seeds: 1 teaspoon
Corriander seeds: 1 teaspoon
Black Pepper powder: 1/2 teaspoon
Olive Oil: 1 teaspoon
Salt as per taste

Preparation:
1. Soak the Moong Beans overnight in little water, they will swell up. Drain the water & refrigerate in the morning, by evening you will see them sprouting.
2. Add the cumin seeds & corriander seeds to a heated empty pan. When it starts to change color take it off the burner, grind it to get the powder. It will have an excellent aroma.
3. Chop the Onion, tomato, mango & Chili. Mix them well with the sprouted beans.
4. Add the cumin-corriander powder, black pepper & salt and mix well.
5. Now add the olive oil & lemon juice to the mix.
6. Your tempting snack is ready to eat. Garnish it with chopped cilantro leaves & pomegranate seeds

Isn't this easy! An amazing low calorie snack for the evening great for health with a tangy flavor of raw mango. It is good for patients with diabetes, heart diseases & pregnant women. You can also make your own additions to it by adding sprouted black bengal grams or yogurt if you consume dairy products.
Thanks to all!

Heart Healthy Food

Hi Friends! Heart diseases are the no.1 killer across the world. The foods which help us keep our heart in good should be in our diet & today my topic will be the same. The risk of heart attacks & strokes (cardiovascular diseases) can be reduced by healthy eating & healthy living. Find the below list to make a difference in your diet.

Nuts: They are a source of plant Omega-3 fatty acids, mono & poly unsaturated fatty acids favorable for the heart, magnesium, Vitamin E, phytosterols, which prove an excellent combination for the heart, especially walnuts & almonds.

Salmon or Other Fatty Fish: The most important source of Omega-3 fatty acids. They also have good amount of folate & Niacin & have shown excellent food to keep your heart healthy.

Black or Kidney Beans:  They are a source of healthy protein without unhealthy fats. They are also rich in Vitamin B complex, niacin, calcium & soluble fiber. They help fight diabetes as well which has shown a big role in connection to cardiovascular diseases.

Tofu: Soy products like Tofu & soy milk are excellent source of protein & have no unhealthy fats. They are rich sources of polyunsaturated fats, potassium, niacin, folate, & magnesium. It also reduces blood pressure & LDL levels.

Broccoli & Spinach: They are high in dietary fibers which help cleanse your system. Other nutrients like Vitamin A, B complex, Vitamin C magnesium, potassium & calcium make it a power packed food for salads & veggies.

Red Bell Peppers: They are rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin B complex, betacarotene & lutein along with folate, potassium & fiber, also tasty to add in your veggies & salads.

Oranges & other citrus fruits: These fruits are rich source of Vitamin C which is a super antioxidant in fighting free radicals in the body responsible for damage. Also they have Beta-cryptoxanthins, beta & alpha carotenes & lutein and folate, potassium & fiber.

Tomatoes: Mentioned in my previous posts as well, they are rich in potassium healthy for blood pressure levels. Vitamin C, Alpha & Beta Carotene lycopene, lutein, folate & fiber are the other nutrients present in tomatoes like citrus fruits. Due to their low calories & sugar level they are a very good source of dietary nutrients.

Papaya: They are rich in a variety of Vitamins & minerals. They contain Vitamin C & E, beta carotene, lutein & beta cryptoxanthin, calcium, magnesium & potassium. High in soluble fiber as well makes it an excellent choice for heart patients.

Tea: It is rich in catechin & flavonols (antioxidants), a much preferred beverage in Asian countries. It helps reduce the risk of heart attack & stroke by around 20% as suggested in research.

Oatmeal: High in soluble fiber which help in fighting cholesterol. They also are a source of calcium, folate, niacin, magnesium & potassium. Other whole grain meals are also considered to be great foods for heart health.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Olives both green & black are great for health & a source of good fat for the body. The presence of Monounsaturated fats which help reduce blood cholesterol & blood sugar levels.

Pomegranates: Numerous antioxidants like polyphenols & anthocyanins have shown to help improved flow of blood to the heart. It helps prevent the stiffening of arteries.

Dark Chocolates: My favorite addition to the list as usual high in antioxidants have been known to fight bad cholesterol in the body with the help of flavonoids present. This can only be seen in chocolates with content of 60-70% minimum  cocoa & not milk chocolates.

Water: Last but not the least water, it helps your system by acting as a cleaning agent. Drinking lots of water helps you excrete toxins from the body.

Eat Healthy & Stay Happy! Thank You Friends...

Chickpeas or Bengal Gram

Hi Friends! As promised my today's topic is related to the benefits associated with chickpeas or bengal gram commonly eaten across India. It is a great source of vegan protein & also gluten-free.
Let's list it down:

1. Weight Loss: It is an important ingredient of the weight loss diet. It has a low glycemic index makes it digested slowly thus while consuming a chickpea preparation will keep you full for longer & control your appetite. Apart from it has high fiber content thus makes the bile to be forced out & prevent constipation.

2. Diabetes: This is a high fiber diet & as well a low GI food of around 28-31 which makes the digestion slow & release of sugar is delayed people with insulin resistance, hypoglycemia, diabetes are benefited by this. Also as it is gluten-free it is better for digestion.

3. Heart & Blood Health: It has high potassium content which is necessary for keeping blood pressure under control. Alongwith this it has fibers, Vitamin C, & Vitamin B-6 content which makes ita n excellent food for the heart. It also doesn't have any cholesterol. Also the fibers present help clean your system of cholesterol in the blood reducing risk of heart stroke. And in addition to this it contains iron which is important for you to prevent anemia, especially menstruating women & pregnant women are greatly benefited.

4. Bone health: The presence of micro-nutrients makes it important for bone health also. Calcium & phosphorus balance is required for the building of bone minerals, whereas manganese, zinc & iron play crucial role in formation of collagen. Vitamin K has been proved to improve the absorption of calcium & improving proteins of bone matrix. Lesser intake of Vit K has shown higher risk of bone fractures.

5. Cancers: Selenium is present in chickpeas has shown role in liver enzyme function & reduces inflammation & growth rate of tumors. Also it has folates which are known for good DNA health and protects from mutations. Also a compound called saponin is present in chickpeas which prevents cancer cells to grow & multiply throughout the body. Additionally Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant which fight against free radical damage.

You can see how power packed a bowl of chickpeas or chhole is. Including it in the daily diet is a very good option, or you can have atleast 2-3 times a week. Enjoy it in salads, curries etc.
Hope you had a good insight on the health benefits. Thanks!

Healthy Vegan Snack: Chickpea or Chhole Chaat

Hi Friends! We find it very difficult to think of a healthy evening snack. Most of us find it very difficult to find healthy options for evening snacks & finally eat some unwanted calories like a cake, chips, mixtures etc. Today I will write a simple vegan snack, tasty & healthy.

Indie-Chickpea Trailmix (Chhole chat)

Ingredients
Chickpea (Chhole): 1 cup
Onion: 1 large
Tomato: 1
Cucumber: 1
Corriander or Cilantro leaves: few springs
Green chili: 1
Lemon juice: 2 teaspoons
Red chili powder: 1/4 teaspoon
Black Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
Sweet tamarind sauce: 1 tablespoon
Dried mango powder (Amchur): 1/2 teaspoon
Dried Pomegranate powder (Anardana): 1/4 teaspoon
Salt as per taste
Ginger: 5-6 thin pieces for garnishing

Preparation:
1. Wash & Soak the chickpeas overnight in water 12 hrs, you will see the chickpeas swell up. Pressure cook them in the morning till soft in the same water so that all nutrients remain intact, add a little bit of salt while doing so. Leave it to cool.
2. Chop the onion, tomato, cucumber, chili finely & make a mix. Mix it well with the cooled chickpeas and add the lemon juice as well.
3. Add the spices black pepper, red pepper, amchur, anardana and salt with the already made chickpea mix.
4. Now your Indie trail mix is ready. Now you just need to garnish it with the tamarind sauce, Cilantro leaves, Ginger pieces. It will be a lip smacking snack for the evening.

Chickpeas are great source of vegan protein, gluten free with a low Glycemic index so excellent for diabetic patients as well. Await a complete article on health benefits of chickpea or bengal gram. Please let me know your suggestions to this. Thanks!

Rice or No Rice in Diet

Friends there are lots of articles which have stated all along that eating rice is bad for health & accounts to weight gain & other problems. But just think about the vast population of South East Asians Chinese, Japanase & others eat rice with every meal, all their breads & other foods like noodles are made of rice but they are not fat or overweight. So, can we actually account rice as the cause. I am also a rice eater if not three meals atleast 1-2 meals everyday, and frankly I love it :).

Removing rice from the diet is not a good idea, and especially going to a wheat diet instead. It simply means reducing your amino acid intake which is the building block for proteins and Vitamin B. It has essential 9 amino acids present which cannot be synthesized in the human body. The profile is excellent in comparison to other protein sources as well & has shown recovery in muscle strength. The presence of methionine in rice has shown to mobilize the fat from the liver and tyrosine present is also a very essential amino acid. The other option people have started choosing is to replace it with brown rice. Brown rice has the husk & bran remains on the rice which makes it high in fiber, this fiber is actually much more than the body can digest. This would only aid to indigestion, also the proteins present cannot be completely absorbed by the body. Instead of this a better way is to introduce rice which is not completely white but the husk is removed & is slightly brown.

Also to add on to the note that people think that rice is bad for type-2 diabetes has proven to be wrong. The carbohydrates present in rice are complained to be bad due to high glycemic index which makes the carbohydrates to be digested faster and increasing blood sugar levels. But recent studies have shown that Indian rice like swarna & mashuri have GI of around 50 & Basmati GI around 55-69, which is considered to be much better than other varieties of rice present. Another few ways to reduce the carbohydrate content is to wash & soak the rice for about 30 min before cooking. It also reduces the time to cook the rice. Next is to cook the rice in an open container with more water, this way the grains become much bigger as well as the excess water afterwards can be drained so reducing the excess starch.

The next important point to be noted is that rice is a gluten free grain. Gluten is a protein present wheat, barley, rye & oats. Gluten sensitivity is seen in many individuals and shows digestive issues like gas, bloating, diarrhea & also constipation in certain cases. This can cause disease called celiac disease which causes inflammation & destruction of inner cells of the small intestine. This chronic disease leads to malabsorption of vitamins  minerals. Also it has shown adverse effect on type-2 diabetes.

I hope the above article has helped you make your decision clearer. The average Indian's staple food is rice & can be enjoyed in a healthy diet, without worries. Please share your thoughts on the same.
Thanks!!

Obesity---> Diabetes- Power Foods

Hi Friends!! Today have chosen a topic which is becoming a dreaded name & a very common ailment. In yester years it was seen to affect at old age maybe after retirement or just a few years before that. Today you cannot say so any of us can be affected by it there is no age restrictions. Primarily what has changed is our lifestyle, & so very rightly called lifestyle diseases. Nowadays everyone is busy with their careers, running around for work (though not literally) & has very less time to relax & care about themselves and families. Also it is said by doctors & researchers people who are obese have a higher risk towards diabetes. Overweight stresses the individual cells which in turn send signals for insulin resistance thus increasing the blood sugar levels the first indication of diabetes.
We can control diabetes from early stages called pre-diabetes by changing our lifestyle. This includes Breakfast which is the most important meal of the day. It has been seen a person who does not have breakfast properly has a tendency to overeat during the day and also becomes lazy & sluggish. A healthy breakfast should have carbohydrates, proteins & fiber (ofcourse vitamins & minerals). A combination of fresh fruits, whole grain cereals, milk, eggs are ideal choice for breakfast (fruits will not include sealed fruit juices). Most of you will find it very cumbersome to do so much in the mornings, so atleast have a filling breakfast & change it on regular basis. A change in the eating habits have shown to trigger a good signal to the brain.
Today the main focus is on food which you can have as a diabetic which will control your symptoms. I will again focus on food high in anti-oxidants, vitamins and fiber and something which can be easily made available.

1. Beans: Beans typically available in India as Rajma & Soybeans, are in true sense the magic beans. They are a great source of protein, and have high dietary fiber. They help control blood sugar level & reduces risk of first time stroke. They are high quality carbohydrates and 1/2 cup of beans count for more than 9g of fiber, one starch & one lean meat. So now you know how much beans you should have, but barring the ghee in the preparation of Rajma :D.

2. Broccoli: This vegetable not liked by many (including me earlier) is a great source of Anti-oxidants beta-carotene which is responsible for production of Vitamin A in the body. Also the Vitamin C found in 100g broccoli is higher than similar amount of oranges. It does not have any starch & promotes good vision, teeth, bones & skin. Very rich content of folate & fiber with minimal calories & carbohydrates. Include this in your veggies sauteed, steamed, grilled.

3. Low fat Yogurt: Be sure to eat low-fat yogurt, as mentioned in my yesterday's post the fat content in dairy products are very high and not good for health. The high content of calcium & good amount of proteins have known to reduce risk of type-2 diabetes. Already mentioned yesterday calcium helps slowing down the break down of carbohydrates in the meal.

4. Watermelon: They are a good source of antioxidant lycopene, which may help protect against some cancers & cell damage associated with heart diseases. The fruit is low in saturated fat & cholesterol keeps the heart healthy. It also has a very good amount of water content. The amount of watermelon a person can have defines how much effect it has on the glycemic index (GI: a measure of effects of carbohydrates on the blood sugar level), a normal serving of watermelon is around 1.25 cup which has a low GI of only about 9.

5. Cinnamon: Cinnamon known as Dalchini in hindi is known to reduce the insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes. Also it has shown effect on lowering the cholesterol levels by around 18%. To have around an inch of cinnamon raw has shown great results, in lower blood sugar levels & cholesterol. People with any kind of liver ailments should exercise caution while consumption of cinnamon.While consuming ground cinnamon powder available in the market, the results might not be very favorable as the contents may not be very pure.

Hope you like this post & circulate it to maximum people you know. It might help them fight this disease. A good diet can improve our lives alot & save us from various lifestyle diseases. Please provide me with your valuable suggestions over the content. Thanks!!