Archive for 2014

6 Unhealthy Food Habits to quit

Friday, October 24th, 2014

It’s not just lack of willpower, or determination, that makes us overeat and gain weight. Sometimes, it’s that sneaky bad habit you developed without even realizing it. Yes, that’s true…

One bad eating habit can trigger a lot of weight gain and increase your risk of developing various illnesses. Here are some of the worst food habits that need immediate transformation:

Eating Restaurant Food

Hectic lifestyle, work pressure and too much of stress in people’s life have compelled them to depend largely on restaurant prepared food. With no time left to cook food at home, many find it easier to order food instead. What they don’t realize is that such food can easily expose them to serious health risks

In case, you have no choice try ordering sandwiches and dosa and insist on using less quality of oil to prepare

Skipping Breakfast

Some people believe that skipping breakfast will help them lose weight. For all you people out there who still believe in this myth, it’s time to get a reality check.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Skipping this meal can result in lower levels of alertness and leave you feeling lethargic and weak throughout the day.

Excessive Intake of Salt & Sugar

There are some people whose taste buds aren’t excited unless they add extra salt to their food. Similarly, people who have a sweet tooth simply can’t resist adding some more sugar to their desserts and drinks. Salt contains sodium which increases blood pressure and causes hypertension. Also, eating too much sodium can trigger water retention, and in some cases dehydration. On the other hand, too much of sugar intake can not only result in excess weight gain but also weaken your body’s immunity and play havoc with the blood sugar levels which could ultimately lead to diabetes.

Rushing through your meals

If you swallow food without chewing it properly, it may create problems in digestion. Eating slowly generates saliva and helps in breaking down the food which ultimately benefits oral health and aids digestion. By taking time to chew your food, you will also be able to appreciate the flavors better

Excessive intake of Caffeinated drinks

Did you know…?

Caffeinated drinks, especially tea & coffee when taken on an empty stomach, leads to the secretion of gastric acid which can trigger ulcers. Drink tea/coffee after eating your breakfast. In fact, if taken at the right time both tea and coffee can be healthy for you.

Eating at Odd Hours

If you exercise regularly but are still unable to lose weight, you may need to keep a tab on your eating habits. Midnight snacking can easily be one of the main reasons of weight gain. . While some people may do this occasionally, for others, it’s a regular nightly occurrence. Night eaters are also highly prone to suffer from depression, low self-esteem and insomnia. To prevent bingeing at night, experts recommend increasing the portion size of breakfast and lunch. This helps spread your calories throughout the day and prevents mindless eating at night.

Beat your sugar cravings

Friday, October 17th, 2014

Finding it difficult to resist sugary foods?

Do you feel like you are constantly giving in to your sugar cravings?

Like any other habit, turning to sugar can be a tough one to kick, especially if you are constantly exposed to a variety of sugary foods that come in attractive packages.

Festivals and sweets always go hand-in-hand. During this season, it becomes extremely difficult to refrain from tasting those mouth-watering sugary delights. It is great to celebrate and indulge a little, but you don’t have to stuff your face with celebratory foods. When it comes to food temptation, a strong mind alone can help you fight sugar cravings during festivals. The longer you can withstand these temptations, the easier it will become to get rid of this addiction. With sweets turning up everywhere how does one turn away?

Here are a few tips to kick your sugar cravings:

Never skip meals as doing so will only make you feel hungrier later. When people are hungry they often tend to reach out for sweet and sugary food items, if easily accessible. During festivals the house is full of sweets and in such times it is very easy to reach out to one when hungry.

Clean out your refrigerator by getting rid of unhealthy foods and tempting treats. For a sugar addict, there’s nothing tougher than resisting his/her temptations for sugary treats. The less you see such foods, the less there will be any temptation to eat them. Make sure to store sweets where they are not visually accessible.

Find a Healthy Substitute to satisfy your sweet cravings. Most people have a habit of eating something sweet after their meals (lunch & dinner). Make sure that there is always a healthy substitute that you can grab instead of calorific desserts. A box of raisins, a piece of fruit, peppermint tea, fresh fruit juices etc. are nutritious and can satisfy your cravings at the same time.

Experts believe that cravings last only for a certain period of time, like a couple of minutes. If you can wait it out and keep yourself occupied in something else every time you have a craving, you won’t even need any food substitutes. The next time your taste buds crave a sweet treat, just pick up your phone and chat with a friend, take a short walk or do something to distract yourself.

Some people tend to eat sweet foods for stress relief or to find comfort in traumatic situations. Learn to recognize your emotional eating triggers and break free from food cravings. If you’re depressed or lonely, call someone who always makes you feel better, play with your dog or cat, or look at a favorite photo or cherished memento.

As hard as it may be to believe, you CAN quit the sugar habit. Not only will you lose some weight in the process, but you will also increase your confidence level, feel positive and more energetic.

Natural cures for Insomnia

Friday, September 12th, 2014

Do you struggle to get to sleep no matter how tired you are?

Do you wake up in the middle of the night and find it hard to go back to sleep?

Insomnia is a rather common sleeping disorder that is known to affect approximately one-third of the adult population worldwide. Stress, extreme temperature fluctuations, medication side-effects, noisy environment and hormonal changes can trigger this sleep disorder in many individuals. These natural approaches might help you get some rest:

  • Bring your body to a relaxed state before your nap time by taking a warm bath. However, don’t overdo it because bathing in warm water for long can exhaust your body. Massages are also known to work the tension out of your muscles and get you to sleep
  • A glass of warm milk when consumed 15 minutes before going to bed soothes your nervous system. Milk is a rich source of calcium which works directly on jagged nerves, making you feel at ease. If you are not a big fan of milk and dairy products then a hot cup of herbal tea can give similar results. Most health food stores will also have special blends of herb tea designed to soothe your senses and promote uninterrupted sleep.
  • Listen to some soft, soothing music that will lull you to sleep. You can easily access exclusive music CD’s that are designed solely for this purposes.
  • Drink 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in 8 ounces of water just before bedtime. Although this home remedy does not have any medical/scientific backing, there are many who have tried this remedy and found it to be extremely effective.
    https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep-pictures/home-cures-for-insomnia.aspx#04
  • Avoid untimely naps throughout the day. Napping during the day can make it more difficult to sleep at night. If you are extremely drowsy and feel like you have to take a nap, limit it to 30 minutes only.
  • Create a comfortable and serene ambience in your bedroom. Make sure that the surrounding is quiet, dark, and cool. Make sure that your bed is not too hard nor too soft and that your pillows are in proper balance.
  • Cherry juice can also help you doze off, because it is naturally high in melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate your body’s sleep-wake cycles
  • Limit your caffeine intake as it stimulates your brain and affects your sleep. If you are an insomniac, avoid food or beverages that contain caffeine after noon.
  • Once you are ready to hit the bed, keep away all gadgets including your smart phones. As per a recent study, the blue wavelengths produced by smart phones and other gadgets significantly subdues the production of Melatonin – a hormone that helps you fall asleep
  • Meditation can also help you calm your mind and put aside thoughts from the day which in turn promotes healthy sleep patterns thereby alleviating sleep disorders
    If you’ve tried the insomnia cures listed above and are still having sleep problems, it is recommended to seek professional help

Best Healthcare Tips for Moms!

Thursday, August 21st, 2014

There are no words that can precisely describe the many wonderful feelings that come with being a mom. If you are a mother, you probably know what I am talking about.

Most women end up ignoring their health in an attempt to cope up with today’s fast paced lifestyle. As mothers, watching kids grow up to be healthier, disciplined and productive adults is an absolute honor, but taking care of your own health is equally important. Although, being a new mom can be like riding an emotional roller coaster, following these simple healthcare tips will help you stay hale and hearty even on the most challenging days:

Follow a healthy diet regime – Here’s what you must do: Pick a nutritious meal plan, something that includes more of fruits and vegetables that offer essential vitamins, minerals, fibers and other important substances for good health. Include whole-grains and lean sources of protein like fish. Calorific foods should be strictly avoided.

Get sufficient sleep – A good night’s sleep is an important healthcare routine that should be followed by people of all ages, in order to stay in good shape. Sleep deprivation can trigger many chronic illnesses, including obesity, diabetes, depression and even cardiovascular diseases. Try to get at least 8 hour sleep throughout the day.

Get moving – It’s good to include some amount of physical activity in your daily routine. Doing so will not only help you maintain an ideal weight but also reduce your risk of diabetes, heart diseases, stroke, cancer, etc.

Manage stress – Being a full time mother can often turn out to be extremely stressful for many women. When stress is severe, it can not only hinder your ability to take care of your home but also lead to depression and pave way for serious health issues. Share your problems with friends and relatives or take the help of a healthcare professional if required.

Bone up daily – Keep your bones strong by getting your daily dose of calcium either by popping a tab, chugging milk or eating yoghurt. The bone density begins to deteriorate after you reach the age of 30. The recommended calcium intake per day is 200 milligrams.

Go for Regular check-ups – A thorough medical examination from time to time can prevent major health threats, ranging from heart disease to breast cancer and depression. If detected at the right stage, most of these illnesses can be treated to a large extent. Visit your family physician. Be vocal about your health concerns and learn what you can do to prevent these problems.

Being aware of your family’s medical history is extremely beneficial. This is because family members share genes, lifestyle and surroundings which can have a subsequent impact on their health. Knowing important medical details about your family members can be of great help in managing your and your baby’s health risks.

And finally, stay away from smoking and alcohol consumption as it can have a negative influence on your overall health and well-being.

Organ Donation – Giving someone the Gift of Life

Wednesday, August 13th, 2014

Did you know…?

1 Organ Donor can save up to 8 Lives and up to 25 different organs and tissues can be donated for transplantation.

Organ donation has always been a controversial subject but a selfless act like this can easily tilt the balance of life and death in favor of a person in need. An individual that does not suffer from any chronic illness is a potential donor. Lack of knowledge and awareness has led to the development of false notions about organ donation.

Understandably, potential donors may have a few reservations about organ donation, which is why we have compiled a list of reasons that will hopefully motivate you to take the first step in giving someone the gift of life. Here are a few benefits of Organ Donation:

Social Responsibility

Every year thousands of people die while waiting for a transplant in the absence of a suitable donor. By pledging your organs you will not only be doing a humanitarian deed and fulfilling your social responsibility but also ensuring that a part of you survives even after your death.

Giving the transplant recipients a second chance at a normal life

Patients suffering from organ failure often have to continue expensive and painful treatments in order to survive. By donating your organs, you can relieve them of such costly routine treatments and give them a fair chance to improve the quality of their life

By donating an organ, the family of the deceased donor, can somewhat be able to feel a sense of goodness that comes from a tragedy. Although the sorrow of losing a loved one cannot be overcome, many grief-struck families of organ donors can at least find solace in the fact that someone on this planet is able to live a productive life because of their deceased relative.

Another advantage for donors and their families is that all costs for organ transplants are covered by recipients or the organ transplant program.

Living persons too can donate a kidney, portions of the liver, lung, pancreas, intestines, blood, and still continue to live a normal life. Most of the times, people volunteer to donate their organ in part or full to an ailing relative but there have been cases whereby individuals have agreed to perform this noble act for strangers completely on humanitarian grounds.

The success rate of organ transplant is high but unfortunately not many people come forward to pledge their organs for the good of an ailing patient.

Your organs benefit someone else after your death but your memory will live on for the grateful people who receive your organs.

Register to be an organ donor today and make a difference by giving someone the Gift of Life:
https://bit.ly/1o8oFAx