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Sunday, July 3, 2011

Why going 'veg' is good for you

Experts tell you why going veg is a good idea, even if it's just once a week

Detoxifies: A veggie diet contains dietary fibre (bottle gourd, pumpkins, spinach, cabbages), which flushes toxins out of the body. A diet containing only eggs, fish and mutton is a poor source of fibre.

Stronger bones: Gorging on meat can lead to protein overload. This can tax our kidneys, interfere with the absorption of calcium and prompt the body to extract existing calcium from the bones. Such calcium excretion is rare amongst vegetarians.

Carb deficiencies: A non-vegetarian diet is a poor source of carbohydrates. Carb-deficiency can lead to ketosis – a condition where the body starts breaking down fat (instead of carbs) as a source of energy.
Easy digestion: Complex carbohydrates in vegetarian foods are digested gradually providing a steady source of glucose. Conversely, meats rich in fat and proteins are difficult to digest.

Healthy skin: Eating beetroot, tomato, pumpkin and bitter gourd can clear off blemishes. And guava, apples, pears and peaches, eaten along with their peel, promise a glowing complexion.

Weight management: Avoiding meat is the simplest way to reduce fat intake. Instead, eating whole grains, legumes, vegetables, nuts, and fruits, lowers cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and obesity.

Easy on the teeth: Our molars are more suitable for grinding grains and vegetables than tearing flesh. Digestion begins with the saliva, which can only digest complex carbohydrates present in plant foods.

Phyto nutrients: Diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, stroke and bone loss are partially preventable with a good intake of phytonurtients. As these are present only in vegetarian diet, the non-vegetarians are at a loss.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Nimbu paani a solution to many probs

Lemon juice has more benefits that you'd ever imagine. Lemons have five per cent of citric acid, which gives it its unique taste.

Rich in vitamin C, it also has vitamin B, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, proteins and carbohydrates.

Here are some benefits.
- Suffer from indigestion? Mix a few drops of lemon juice with warm water and sip on it. This is useful for treating nausea, heartburn, diarrhoea, bloating and burping.
- Since lemon is a natural antiseptic, it is great to cure skin problems. It clears your skin and also acts as an anti-ageing agent by eliminating wrinkles and blackheads.
- Have a toothache? Apply fresh lemon juice where it hurts. If you have bleeding gums, applying lemon juice can curb the bleeding and stop bad breath.
- A sore throat can be cured by gargling with lemon juice and water regularly.
- Nimbu paani is high in potassium, which controls high blood pressure, dizziness, nausea and reduces stress. It also cures respiratory disorders like breathing problems and asthma.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Keep gas under control


Some people experience an increase in gas when stepping up their intake of fiber while on a diet. While not a symptom of any serious condition, gas can be uncomfortable and unpleasant. This side effect can be managed with the simple modifications listed below. 


Reduce sugar-alcohol intake. One of the unfortunate side effects of sugar-alcohol consumption is excessive gas production. Since sugar alcohols are found in a variety of sugar-free foods, they may be a cause of your troubles. The 75-100-calorie limit on sweet treats (which includes foods containing sugar alcohol) will help you avoid this unpleasant side effect. 

Start slowly . Most diets encourage the consumption of fiber-rich foods. You may need to approach this slowly, though, starting with a half cup per day of gas-producing foods like Crucifixions vegetables (broccoli and cabbage, for instance) and beans. Gradually increase the amounts of these foods as your body adjusts to them (usually in a matter of days or weeks). 

Cut back on fiber supplements . Taking a daily fiber supplement may also increase gas production. Try easing up on your daily use of these supplements and see if your gas problem clears up. If it does, you may want to cut back on your dosage of these supplements and concentrate more on getting fiber from natural food sources. Be advised that if you are taking fiber supplements, you should drink plenty of water throughout the day to aid in their digestion. (Also, if you are using a supplement because your doctor has suggested you do so, do not discontinue it without first talking with your doctor ) . 

Pay a visit to your doctor . If you follow this advice but continue to experience uncomfortable gas, it may be time to see a doctor. Excessive gas production can also be attributed to lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome, or antibiotic use. Your doctor can help pinpoint the problem and determine a suitable course of action.