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What Can I Drink



What Can I Drink?

Food often takes center stage when it comes to diabetes. But don't forget that the beverages you drink can also have an effect on your weight and blood glucose!
We recommend choosing zero-calorie or very low calorie drinks. This includes:

  • Water
  • Unsweetened teas
  • Coffee
  • Diet soda
  • Other low-calorie drinks and drink mixes

    You can also try flavoring your water with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice for a light, refreshing drink with some flavor. All of these drinks provide minimal calories and carbohydrate.

    What to Avoid

    Avoid sugary drinks like regular soda, fruit punch, fruit drinks, energy drinks, sweet tea, and other sugary drinks. These will raise blood glucose and can provide several hundred calories in just one serving! See for yourself:
    • One 12-ounce can of regular soda has about 150 calories and 40 grams of carbohydrate. This is the same amount of carbohydrate in 10 teaspoons of sugar!
    • One cup of fruit punch and other sugary fruit drinks have about 100 calories (or more) and 30 grams of carbohydrate.

    Tired of Water?

    As you can see, you have many other options!
    Mix it up by choosing unsweetened teas. Hot or cold - black, green, and herbal teas provide lots of variety. You could also try sparkling water or making your own infused water at home. To make infulsed water, simply put water in the fridge with cucumbers, strawberries or fresh mint for a refreshing low-calorie drink.
    Most diet drinks (like diet soda or diet tea) have zero grams of carbohydrate per serving, so they will not raise blood glucose on their own. These diet drinks are sweetened with low-calorie sweeteners instead of added sugars. Removing the added sugars and replacing them with low-calorie sweeteners removes most of the calories and carbohydrates.
    Other low-calorie drinks and drink mixes are available in several flavors. They may be a good alternative to regular lemonade, iced tea, fruit punch, etc. These drinks also use low-calorie sweeteners in place of sugar. They are very low in calories (about 5-10 calories per 8-ounce portion) and have less than 5 grams of carbohydrate per serving.

    Milk and Juice

    Low-fat milk and 100% juice with no added sugar are also options. These drinks provide more calories and carbohydrates than the other recommended choices, but they also contain important vitamins and minerals. In addition, milk is also a source of protein. Just remember to control portion size when you drink them, because the calories and carbohydrates can add up when you have too much.
    Choose low-fat 1% or skim milk, and make sure that you count it in your meal plan. One cup of skim milk provides about 12 grams of carbohydrate, 80 calories, calcium, and vitamin D. If you are lactose intolerant or don’t like milk, you can try fortified soy milk, rice milk, or almond milk instead.
    If you choose to drink juice, be sure the label says it is 100% juice with no sugar added. Juice provides a lot of carbohydrates in a small portion, so be sure to count it in your meal plan. Usually about 4 ounces or less of juice contains 15 grams of carbohydrate and 50 or more calories.
    If you like to have juice in the morning but don’t want the carbohydrate from fruit juice, try low-sodium vegetable juice.  At just 50 calories and 10 grams of carbohydrate in 1 cup, it is a great alternative.

    Why eating with your hands is good for Health


            


      Why eating with your hands is good for Health
    Most Indians eat with their hands. But today as we adopt more traditions of the western world, it is common to see people using spoons and forks to eat. But did you know that eating with your hands has a number of health benefits? Here are the top 4 reasons you should start eating with your hands.
    Keeps all your vital life energies in balance: According to Ayurvedic texts, we are all made up of five main pranas or life energies and these five elements correspond to each finger on our hand (your thumb indicates fire, index finger correlates with air, middle finger indicates sky, ring finger stands for earth and little finger indicates water). An imbalance of any one of these  elements can lead to diseases. When we eat with our hands we usually join our fingers and thumb to eat, this is actually a mudra that is a form of mudra vigyan, or the study of mudras and their healing power on the body. Therefore when we eat we are putting together all the five elements and energizing the food we eat so it helps us become healthy and keep all our pranas in balance. 
    Improves digestion: Touch is one of the most strong and often used sensation in the body. When we touch our food with our hands, the brain signals our stomach that we are about to eat. This in turn, readies the stomach to digest the food it will receive, aiding in better digestion.
    Promotes mindful eating: Eating with your hands requires you to pay attention to what you are eating. You often need to look at the food and focus on what you are putting into your mouth. Also known as mindful eating, this practice is much more healthier than eating with a fork and spoon that can be done mechanically. Mindful eating has a large number of benefits for your health and one of the most important benefits is the fact that it  improves the assimilation of nutrients from the food you eat, enhances digestion and makes you healthier.
    Protects your mouth from getting burnt: Your hands also act as a very effective temperature sensor. When you touch food it is easy for you to gauge how hot it actually is, and you are less likely to put food that is too hot into your mouth – effectively preventing you from scalding your tongue.

    6 useful tips to reach your weight loss goals successfully!




    6 useful tips to reach your weight loss goals successfully!

    Setting a weight loss goal is the first step you take towards your fitness but reaching it is another ball game altogether. Many a times, you will want to give up or be tempted to cheat on your diet which can ruin all the hard work you’ve put in. In order to stick to your plan, here are six useful tips which will help you reach your goal. 

    1. Don’t weight yourself every day

    You’ll feel disheartened when the scales don’t change or even go up, which it can throughout the day. So, weigh yourself only after 15 days or so. Better, work hard and let others notice the change in you. It is always good to hear from friends that you’ve lost weight. You can also take out an old pair of jeans and check if you fit into them after a few months of your workout. 
    2. Don’t fall for the latest fad diet

    Fad diets can look tempting with their large claims in a short time but remember, they will do a lot of harm to your health. They’ll inevitably fail and you’ll find yourself putting on all of the weight again. Small changes to your diet and lifestyle will make the big difference in the future.
    3. Prepare and plan your meals in advance
    It might be hard to know what you’re going to feel like for tea next Tuesday but if you make a plan in advance and get the foods you need for it you’re more likely to stick to it. Get up in the morning an extra five minutes early to prepare a healthy and nutritious lunch as opposed to being stuck in the café eating a calorific sandwich or pasta filled with lots of creamy sauces.
    4. Work out in the morning
    If you do it in the morning, you won’t be trying to find excuses to get out of it later in the day when you’re tired and worn out. You also will feel more energetic and fresh if you work out in the morning. All you have to do is get yourself out of bed on time. You can save time by packing your gym bag in the night itself. 

    5. Don’t let tough times get you down
    We all know that it’s going to be tough, but if you spend 10 seconds envisaging where you want to be you’ll find the strength to carry on and get better. Don’t forget to look back on how far you’ve come already. It’s definitely something you’ll want to celebrate. Put up inspirational quotes which will help you get back on track when your confidence wavers. Even take help from loved ones to not let you quit unless you reach your goal. 
    6. Work out in the morning
    If you do it in the morning, you won’t be trying to find excuses to get out of it later in the day when you’re tired and worn out. You also will feel more energetic and fresh if you work out in the morning. All you have to do is get yourself out of bed on time. You can save time by packing your gym bag in the night itself. 



    Holiday Foods with Insanely High Calorie Counts



    Festive foods taste insanely amazing for a reason: They're fully loaded with your tastebuds' favorite ingredients: fat and sugar. While precise calorie counts vary widely based on specific family recipes (and exactly how much your grandma force-feeds you), you'd be smart to go easy on these notoriously heavy holiday foods, which can contain nearly a meal's worth of calories or more. (Or? Say the hell with it, and reach for these foods first! After all, it's only once a year.)
    1. Pecan Pie (About 503 calories per 1/8 of a standard pie) Yes nuts are healthy - they're full of good-for-you fats that help your body absorb nutrients from other foods, support healthy brain functioning, and fend off chronic disease. But these fats contribute extra calories to an already colossal holiday meal. And sadly, one healthy ingredient doesn't transform a decadent dessert into a health food. Pecan pie is particularly offensive because it contains lots of butter and is loaded with sugars from brown sugar, corn syrup, and molasses.
    2. Turkey Leg (About 334 calories each) Thigh meat is plenty flavorful, but it's got much more fat than breast meat, which has about 212 calories. And that's before you hit the stuffing.
    3. Homemade Gravy (About 375 calories per serving) Some homemade recipes have more calories than the main event. Besides, ever wonder what gravy is made of? It's basically a strained stew of the fattiest parts of the meat or bird, butter, cooking juices (aka meat fat), flour, plus some spices and herbs. No wonder it tastes so freaking good.
    4. Sweet Potatoes Casserole (About 400 calories per 200-gram serving) Again, calories largely depend on the recipe (everyone and their mom has their own). But if classic recipes with sweet potatoes, butter, sugar, marshmallows have upwards of 600 calories, yours can't be far behind.
    5. Wine (About 246 calories per 10-ounce serving, or two skimpy glasses) So one glass of wine (123 calories) isn't that terrible for your health - especially if it helps you tolerate your little cousin's whining and find some humor in your drunk uncle's jokes.) But the caloriesreally rack up when you drink a more realistic amount, like the entire bottle, which will cost you nearly 500 calories and then some when you drunk-eat dessert.
    6. Potato Pancakes (About 250 calories per serving) Kind of like seasonal French fries, potato pancakes (aka latkes) are deep-fried potato shreds that just so happen to tasteincredible. They'd be calorie bombs even if you could physically limit yourself to one serving. (Like eating a single French fry, that's just not possible.)
    7. Mashed Potatoes (About 430 calories per serving) As if eating straight-up mashed carbs isn't enough to raise a red flag in the health department, the heavy cream and oil or butter (ingredients that make mashed potatoes taste extra fluffy and smooth) really increase the calorie count.
    8. Creamed Spinach (About 250 calories per serving) Yes, this is greenish and technically counts as a vegetable. But when you infuse Popeye's favorite food with cream and cheeseand cream cheese, you tack on 20 grams of fat and turn the healthiest-sounding side dish into one that's worth avoiding.
    9. Eggnog (About 838 calories per quart) Yes, per quart – because if you buy a carton of this deliciously evil mixture of eggs, cream, and sugar, and you put it in your fridge, you know you're going to finish the entire thing at some point. And good luck if you spike your drink with a shot of rum - it could cost you upwards of 100 more calories per heavy-handed pour.
    10. Dunkin' Donuts Crumb Cake Pumpkin Donut (450 calories for one) If you walk into DD for a coffee and impulsively walk out with one of these, you'll end up eating nearly 500 extra calories and a sugar high you didn't bargain for. (But honestly, crumb cake and pumpkin pie?! Still sounds like a sacred piece of *~hEaVeN~*.)
    11. Snickerdoodle Cookies (480 calories in two cookies) These cookie are the lovechild of sugar and butter, with a delightful dash of cinnamon. (Never. Change.) Despite your deepest appreciation for the brilliant baker who invented them, these addicting cookies are chock-full of fat and sugar, hence the high calorie count. (Which doesn't even include milk, for the record.)
    12. Macadamia Caramel Crisp Popcorn (590 calories per 100-gram serving) Never mind movie theater popcorn. The fancy stuff is what really gets you, mostly because it contains more nuts, butter, and sugar than actual popcorn. If you receive a tin of the stuff masked as a gift, beware before you eat it by the handful. (And at the very least, call it what it is: a very, very decadent dessert.)
    13. Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Drink (540 calories for a venti 20-oz serving) No surprise here. After all, this XXL holiday drink is made with whole milk and whipped cream. (If that means nothing to you, this might: It has more calories than a slice of pecan pie. And apart from coffee jitters, it won't even give you a real buzz.)

    7 ways to stay fit and healthy



    Staying fit and healthy plays an important role in our life. People neglect their health because of the hectic daily schedules but there are little things that you can do each day that will add to being healthy and fit.
    Here are some ways to stay fit and healthy:
    1. Get enough sleep 

    Getting enough sleep is necessary to stay fit and healthy, many of us do not get enough.Lack of sleep affects our physical and mental health tremendously. It also affects metabolism, mood, concentration, memory, motor skills, stress hormones and even the immune system and cardiovascular health.
    Sleep allows the body to heal, repair and rejuvenate.
    2. Eat healthy food

    Eat lots of fresh fruits, vegetables,and whole grains to stay healthy and fit. Also include lean sources of protein such as poultry, fish, tofu and beans into your diet.
    One should eat a balanced meal and not overeat. Junk foods like burgers, pizza and those that are highly processed and contain artificial sweeteners should be strictly avoided.
    3. Do not take stress
    Stress is not good as it harms the body and can cause a myriad of problems, from heart trouble to digestive problems. Exercise, meditation, doing what you love, appropriate boundaries, spirituality, being in nature and enjoyable hobbies helps to alleviate the harmful effects of stress on the body.
    4. Do not skip breakfast
    One should have healthy breakfast as it keeps you energetic and fuelled for optimal mental and physical performance. Eating breakfast helps to maintain stable blood sugar levels and a healthy weight because you are less likely to overindulge later in the day. 
    5. Drink plenty of water
    Drink plenty of water as it helps in keeping our bodies hydrated and to maintain a healthy body. It is the natural cleanser for our organs and digestive system. Water also helps in flushing toxins out through the skin and urine.
    6. Regular Check-ups: 
    One should get annual physical check up to make sure everything is as it should be. There is no harm getting regular check ups as it's good for your own body. Do breast or testicular self-exams and get suspicious moles checked out. Getting exams regularly benefits you because if and when something is abnormal, you will get to know about it timely and can consult with your doctor. 
    7. Exercise
    Exercise is important for being fit and healthy. One should walk for few minutes everyday to stay fit. It also improves circulation and body awareness and can help combat depression.
    Cardiovascular exercise helps to strengthen the heart and lungs, strength training helps to strengthen the muscles and stretching helps to reduce the risk of injury by increasing flexibility.




    Health benefits of Almonds




    Health benefits of almonds
    Almonds are considered to be one of the most nutritious nuts and are hence supposed to be very good for health. These nuts are high in protein, vitamins, minerals, and good fat. An almond is found within the almond fruit in the form of its seed. Almonds have gained tremendous importance in the area of diet and nutrition. There are two varieties of the plant: one that produces sweet almonds and often bears white flowers and the other that produces bitter almonds and bears pink flowers. The bitter almonds are known to contain some poisonous ingredients.
    Almonds are the richest source of vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant and greatly reduces the risk of heart disease. They also help to reduce C-reactive proteins (CRP), which are known to cause inflammation in the arteries, leading to damage. These nuts contain monosaturated fats and some polyunsaturated fats that are responsible for lowering the low density lipoproteins (LDL cholesterol), commonly referred to as ‘bad’ cholesterol.
    These nuts can help in the regulation of blood pressure as they are high in potassium and low in sodium. The amount of magnesium present in almonds is just apt to improve the flow of nutrients through the veins and arteries. Additionally, the presence of iron improves the oxygen transport in the body. Almonds are a very good source of calcium, which strengthens the bones, teeth, as well as the muscles and prevents osteoporosis.
    The high fiber content, good fat, and protein found in almonds produce easy satiety, thereby reducing your chances of overeating; hence, people on a weight loss diet should munch on a few of them. The glycemic index of this nut is low; therefore, it is beneficial for diabetes patients. Almond oil is known to prevent gallstone formation. Owing to its laxative property, it is believed to offer relief from constipation too.
    Almond oil is extensively used in most beauty and cosmetic products. The oil is known to prevent premature graying and thinning of hair. It also helps to curb dandruff formation. Almond paste, if applied on the skin can improve the complexion and prevent premature aging. It nourishes the skin to make it soft and smooth. Overall, this tiny nut is very precious for the complete wellbeing of an individual. Since ancient times, our ancestors have been recommending almonds to sharpen the brain. This is true to some extent as almonds contain phenylalanine, a brain-boosting chemical, which improves the development of the central nervous system.

    Top 5 health benefits of buttermilk



    Top 5 Health Benefits of Buttermilk

    With its distinctive texture and tangy taste, buttermilk is one drink which has to be a part of your meal specially during summers. Buttermilk is a probiotic food and has great health benefits. 
    Here are a few health benefits of the drink: 
    1. - Since it contains electrolytes and lots of water, it is the best treat to give to your body to fight dehydration. 
    2. - Buttermilk also works as one of the best remedies to treat acidity.
    3. - Buttermilk has acid in it which fights germs and bacteria and helps clear stomach and aid digestion. 
    4. - It is a rich source of Vitamin B12 and so is believed to help fight anaemia and stress. 
    5. - After having a heavy, oily and spicy meal, buttermilk works best to drain out excessive fat from the body and making your stomach light. 

    What do ice-cream, pasta, chocolate, cookies, bread, chips, cheese and crackers have in common?



    What do ice-cream, pasta, chocolate, cookies, bread, chips, cheese and crackers have in common?
    They’re all comfort foods that we turn to in times of emotional upheaval, boredom or loneliness. When we eat our favourite comfort food, we feel great for a little while. Until discomfort sets in.

    Any time we eat for reasons other than hunger, we are most likely attempting to escape uncomfortable emotions. Very early we learn to equate food with “comfort”. As life goes by, however, things happen that threaten our sense of comfort. We get nervous, lonely, bored, scared, tired, irritated, depressed, disappointed, angry or even excited. Given that we’d rather feel good than anything else, it is easier to head to the refrigerator to find something to fill up that uncomfortable emotion inside us.
    We eat to feel better but very soon we start feeling bloated, tired or wheezy. Or maybe we just start craving more and more food.  Guilt and remorse usually complicate the picture.

    Eating when you are not hungry in order to make yourself feel better is like pumping air into a leaky tyre again and again, rather than finding the holes where the air is escaping and patching them. It’s an attempt to deal with the symptoms of the problem (uncomfortable feelings) instead of the root cause (emotional hungers). So, the truth about comfort foods is that there is not much comfort associated with them.
    Follow these simple tips to avoid comfort food:

    Question yourself before eating
    Ask yourself whether you are truly hungry. If you realise that you don’t actually feel hungry, accept it and address the issue right away. May it be because of your anger or unhappiness? Try looking for options like going for a walk to release your emotions. Not only is this a healthier way to get rid of the negative emotions, it is also a good exercise that will leave you feeling satisfied and happy with yourself.

    Try Mindful eating
    Eat only when you can give your full attention to the food you are eating, instead of grabbing bites when you are in the middle of urgent work or watching TV. Eating only when seated at the table is a good rule to follow in one’s family and office as it inculcates mindfulness about food.

    Keep temptation out of reach
    You might find that despite your best efforts, you cannot help but turn to comfort food. In that case, ensure you do not keep any such food around you. Clean your store or fridge or wherever you keep comfort foods in a stock. Replace it with something healthy to force yourself to turn to healthier alternatives. Like instead of chips, cookies keep bowl of fresh fruits.

    One thing’s for certain. There isn’t a comfort food in the world that will patch those leaks. Finding true comfort by getting curious about the underlying driving emotion, seeking deep connection, love and security with a firm belief on your inner power to sail through the uncomfortable times are the only ways out.

    Tips to lead a healthier life



    Tips to lead a Healthier Life
    Leading a healthy life doesn’t only mean going to the gym and working out. It further means to take care of your body and make easy to manage healthy choices in day to day life. Our body is our physical shell that will take us through the various phases of life.
    Here are few tips to lead a healthier life:
    Drink lots of water:
    Water is very essential for our body to function. Most of us do not know that over 60% of our body is made up of water. It is very much needed in our body as it carries out body functions, removes waste and carries nutrients and oxygen around our body. We should take lots of water everyday as we lose water through urine, bowel movements, perspiration and breathing. Drinking more water helps in losing weight too.
    Eat lots of fruits:
    Healthy eating is a must to have a healthy lifestyle. Eating lots of fruits benefits our body with vitamins and minerals. For example - Oranges gives more health benefits than vitamin C pills.
    Consuming fruits directly benefits our health than taking synthetic supplements. In order to lead a healthy life one must eat a plateful of nutritious fruits everyday.
    Exercise:
    Exercising daily brings tremendous benefits to our body. Exercising increases the life span, lowers the risk of diseases, leads to higher bone density and helps in weight loss. Increase of physical activity in our life like walking over motorised transport for short distances and taking stairs instead of lift will lead us to healthy living.
    Enough sleep:
    Sleep is a must for healthy living as our body needs rest after a day of hard work. If you don't get enough sleep you tend to eat more. Due to lack of sleep one may face premature ageing and dark circles beneath our eyes. So to avoid these problems and let your body heal, get enough sleep.
    Avoid drinking alcohol:
    Alcohol is a diuretic like caffeine. Alcohol has a negative impact on our body, as it impacts the proper functioning of the brain, liver, lungs and other major organs. If you are a regular drinker of alcohol then it is time to cut it off.
    Quit smoking:
    Smoking is not good for health, as it leads to lung cancer, kidney cancer, heart attack and much more. Health risks cannot be decreased by smoking light cigarettes. To enjoy a healthy living, quit smoking.
    Meditation:
    Meditation keeps our mind calm and composed. As we all know, a healthy mind helps you maintain a healthy lifestyle. It will help curb most depression, anxiety and blood pressure related health issues. About 10 minutes of meditation everyday maintains a healthy heart and keeps stress levels low.

    9 fruits you should have this summer



    9 fruits you should have this summer

    With every single degree rise in temperature you will feel even more thirsty and sweaty. While you cannot avoid going out in the sun completely, there’s definitely something you can do about preventing the risk of dehydration and regaining all the lost minerals. Here are ultimate summer fruits that are not only light and tasty but also help you stay hydrated and make you feel refreshed.

    1. Sweet lime/Mosambi: Closely following oranges, this citrus fruit also offers somewhat similar health benefits. It is a perfect blend of sweet and sour taste that stimulates your taste buds to make your mouth watery.


    2. Pineapples: Although its external appearance may be thorny and pricky, pineapples are blissful internally. Not many people would know that this distinctively patterned fruit has more water than many other fruits that appear juicy. Each pineapple has 87% water, which is approximately equal to water content found in oranges. But of course the size of fruit and amount you consume will make a difference.


    3. Figs: Figs might not be a rich fluid source to keep you hydrated like other summer fruits but they do offer several other benefits you need during summer. Figs being rich in potassium regulate blood pressure and act as a natural remedy for digestive problems that you’re likely to suffer from during summer. 



    4. Mango: Summer and mangoes are inseparable. Almost every Indian keenly waits for summer season only and only to relish the king of fruits. Apart from its delicious taste mangoes are loaded with nutrients and have several medicinal properties. Whether you eat them with your salad or have them slice by slice, mangoes could definitely be the only reason you would love this summer.


    5. Musk melon: Related to the family of melons, this fruit also offers high water content (about 72 gm water by weight). This soft, succulent fruit will not only give you a refreshing feeling but also have a soothing effect on your digestive system to help it function smoothly.


    6. Watermelon: This wonder fruit is so fibrous that 92 percent of its weight is only due to the water it holds. Not only does it quench your thirst, it also replenishes all the minerals you lose by sweating. It also contains a compound lycopene that gives you ultimate protection against damage caused by sun. Plus, it’s an excellent source of vitamin A and C.


    7. Litchi: This bright red fruit that externally resembles strawberries is actually succulent, soft, fleshy and juicy internally. They are irresistibly delicious and help to keep you hydrated. Every single lychee contains around 77-83 percent of water content by weight. 


    8. Oranges: Nothing can beat summer heat and fatigue like citrus fruits do. One of the richest fruits with vitamin C, oranges also offers minerals like potassium which are required in large amount during summer. Oranges contain 80 percent water, so obviously you will stay hydrated. 

    9. Sweet lime/Mosambi: Closely following oranges, this citrus fruit also offers somewhat similar health benefits. It is a perfect blend of sweet and sour taste that stimulates your taste buds to make your mouth watery.




    Top 5 myths about cooking oil busted



    Top 5 myths about cooking oil busted

    Myth 1 – Vegetable oils low in cholesterol should be used
    Indians mostly use vegetable oils for cooking purposes. Most of us might have come across ads which say that one should choose a vegetable oil which is low in cholesterol, but in reality, vegetable oils are obtained from plants and hence, do not contain cholesterol. So do not ever go by ads that are a mere marketing gimmick, but check the nutritional information on the oil packs or cans to know about the nutritive value of the oil.   


    Myth 2 – Replacing cooking oil with olive oil is good for health

    While olive oil is good for heart health and contains good amounts of omega 3 fatty acids, one cannot use it for cooking purposes. This is because olive oil has low smoke point (the oil becomes useless beyond this point as it starts to break down) and hence is not suitable for cooking. While normally used cooking oils like coconut oil, groundnut oil and rice bran oil have high smoke point and hence, can be used for deep frying, shallow frying as well as sautéing.

    Myth 3 – Using more oil makes food tastier 
    The second most common myth about cooking oil is that the more oil you use while cooking, the tastier is your food. The fact is that using more oil to cook causes the food to overcook and also lose a lot of nutrients from the food. Additionally, consuming food that is high in oil increases your risk of health complications by raising your cholesterol levels in the body. 
    Myth 4 – Reusing oil causes no health issues
    People often tend to reuse oil several times irrespective of the type of oil used and its cooking purpose (frying, sautéing, etc). Reusing cooking oil is not a safe practice, as using the same oil again and again creates free radicals, which in turn cause cancer. In addition, overheating and repeated heating of cooking oil is dangerous for health as it causes detrimental effects on health like acidity, heart disease, irritable throat and Alzheimer’s disease.
    Myth 5 – Traditional cooking oils are not heart-friendly
    With the introduction of so-called heart-friendly cooking oils like sunflower or safflower oils in our diet due to the presence of PUFA (Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acids) in these oils, traditional cooking oils have been side-lined. However, research studies have proved that traditional cooking oils like ghee, mustard oil and coconut oil are better than heart-friendly oils in reducing your risk of acute heart disease, type2 diabetes and dyslipidaemias.


    Healthy festive sweet options



    What are some healthy festive sweet options that won't completely derail my diet regimen?
    Most Indian desserts are between 200 and 500 calories per piece.
    So make smart choices. "Choose less dense options (sandesh over pedha, for instance), those with less sugar and added fat (dry fruit chikkis over kaju/badam barfi) and fresh over fried (fig roll over boondi ka ladoo)," suggests Suman Agarwal, nutritionist and author of Unjunked. Make sure you don't go over one piece-pick the smallest.
    Make healthy desserts at home. Try this apple almond rabdi recipe from Unjunked. It's only 152 kcal (per 1/2 cup). Reduce 1 litre double-toned milk to half its quantity. Add 3 Tbsp sugar and boil for a couple of minutes; cool. Add 20 chopped almonds, half a diced apple and a pinch of cinnamon.

    5 reasons why you should eat celery



    Celery is one food item, the health benefits of which remain somewhat unsung. The goodness of celery is evident from the fact that it is high in fibre content and contains little calories. Also, it is packed with minerals, vitamins and nutrients. Celery is considered as an important medicinal plant, as it helps in curing various health disorders.

    Here are a few undiscovered health benefits of celery:

    1. Celery is a natural source of Vitamin A and is thus good for improving eyesight.
    2. Drinking celery juice daily, effectively balances the body’s blood pH, neutralizing acidity and also aids in constipation and smooth bowel movement.
    3. It is an extremely good food choice for those looking at weight reduction. Because it has little calories, you don't have to worry about turning fat.
    4. Celery reduces stress hormones, thereby regulating the stress in your body and providing relief.
    5. It contains natural organic sodium and so helps in regulating blood pressure.