Post Pregnancy-Weight Loss

Pregnancy is a beautiful thing to happen to a woman's life. It also adds weight to the beautiful figure you had before. Getting back to shape & looking like a sexy Mom surely is on the top of the list. Just to help out all those women I'm writing this post.

1. Breastfeeding: It is good for you & your baby both. Breastfeeding helps burn around 500 calories.

2. Drink Water: Drinking water helps you keep hydrated & during breastfeeding the body has a tendency to dehydrate.

3. Eat smaller meals, many times a day: Eating small meals are related to weight loss & helps weight maintenance. Skipping meals is not a good idea, as then the body tends to store carbs for future use. Eating lots of vegetables, fruits & fiber filled foods help you feel full for longer.

4. Avoid craving: Eat only when hungry & keep tempting foods out of sight. This will not only help you reduce the excess weight but also help the baby get the right nutrient share. You are the source of nutrients to the baby when you breastfeed.

5. Exercise: Do not hit the gym! Light exercise including walking, aerobics & yoga can be of great help in this phase.

If the above steps are taken care of especially taking care of the diet will surely help.

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!

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!