Surprising hidden calories in so called healthy foods

• Hummus/pesto from store and also depends if you have more than tablespoon.
• 1 Whole avocado.
• 1 King size Bowl of fruits.
• Banana/zucchini bread.
• Fruit cake.
• 1 Whole bunch of grapes.
• 1 Whole sweet potato.
• More than handful nuts at a time.
• Flavored milk or yogurt.
• Fruit juices.
• Commercial/packet soups.
• Thai sauces.
• More than 1 tablespoon of Ketchup.
• Oily pickles.
• Tuna/salmon in oil cans.
• Salad dressing.
• Movie sizze pop corn.
• Lemonade commercial or added sugar.
• Whole wheat cookies.
• Instant oats.

LiveNutriFit by Doctor Anjali Hooda Sangwan: Truth about the low fat yogurt

LiveNutriFit by Doctor Anjali Hooda Sangwan: Truth about the low fat yogurt: Lots of people love the low fat flavoured yogurt , surprisingly this is a hidden source of weight gain. These yogurts are so processed an...

Truth about the low fat yogurt

Lots of people love the low fat flavoured yogurt , surprisingly this is a hidden source of weight gain.
These yogurts are so processed and have high amount of processed sugars/fructose.
Continuous cosumption of these high glycemic index yogurts leads to not only weight gain and excess fat storage in the body, it also leads to insulin resistance which is a pre diabetic condition.

Replace them with plain non fat live culture yogurt and add your own fruit/raisins/dried cranberries etc. Keep an eye on portions too. Always refer to calorie counts and sizes. It may take a while to understand but then it becomes a part of daily life.

Acne and scars

Acne can be very upsetting physically and emotionally,

It can happen at any age.

It can happen to any gender.

Likely causes of Acne are:

Hormones,

PCOD

Teenage

Stress

Genetics

Food

Smoking

Hormones: too much Testosterone, DHEA.S, Estrogen. Teenage, pregnancies or oral contraceptive pills are likely usual causes.

PCOD:  Polycystic ovarian disease is of above hormones out of whack in addition to excess hair growth also contributes to acne and this cause is generally treatable.

Teenage: again basically hormonal surge during teens, usually self-limiting.

Stress: Not a known documented cause but this is a hypothesis: The way stress can increase acne is increasing stress hormones that leads to excess oily skin and sebum production leading to acne, can be treated by reducing stress and meditation.

Genetics: If your parents had it you are likely to inherit that gene of acne.

Food: Surprisingly study shows chocolates are a cause of acne, otherwise foods generally not the number one cause, 

Smoking: Conflicting studies show conflicting point of views; in fact one study in 2007 showed that smoking in adolescents may be anti-inflammatory and decrease acne, well whatever studies say, smoking is a bad idea from every point of view. I will stick with the harmful effect on acne.

Usual medications to treat acne range from benzoyl peroxide, retinols, topical clindamycin/erythromycin, and systemic antibiotics of tetracycline class like doxycycline or minocycline.

What really might work for very cystic acne are acid peels or lasers done by professionals and dermatologists, derma abrasions are reserved for scarring.

Newer dermatologists everywhere are brining in new technologies for a clearer skin, so an appointment with a dermatologist is totally worthwhile, if someone you know has been to a dermatologist already its better to take feedback before you visit them.

PCOD: THE TIME BOMB OF THIS CENTURY FOR WOMEN.

PCOD: THE TIME BOMB OF THIS CENTURY FOR WOMEN.

What is PCOS/PCOD: it’s the cysts in the ovaries combined with hormonal disturbances like insulin resistance, irregular menstrual cycle, infertility, excess hair and acne and weight gain.

Why it happens:

Eating processed foods (like sweets, fried snacks, packed noodles, pizzas, burgers) and high sugar foods and lack of exercise leads to insulin resistance as the basic problem leading to cystic ovaries and thus the whole array of hormonal changes.

Can you avoid it? YES

Try to stick to foods in natural forms and have an active lifestyle.

Try to eat foods low in dense calories for example if you eat foods rich in sugars, even if you manage the calorie intake the damage is already done so under eating will not help.

Tests:

High fasting insulin and glucose,

Reversal of LH/FSH ratio more than 2:1

High Free testosterone 

High DHEA. S.

Ovarian Cysts on Ultra sound of abdomen.

Treatment:

Firstly life style modification is a must.

No excuses: You have to exercise no matter how you find time. Even half hour of good intensity exercise is good.

Food habits need to change forever: have fruits that are low in sugar and vegetables and good quality proteins from food. Avoid combinations like starch and sugar, starch and oil.

Insulin resistance is the key feature so to tackle your doctor may put you on Metformin (class of drugs called biguanides) initially. Usually Metformin should help in regulation of periods and help with weight loss and acne and excess hair.

Sometimes doctor can even put you on Aldactone/spironolactone which are potassium sparing diuretics which help in lowering the androgenic features like acne and excess hair.

Sometimes you will also receive oral contraceptive pills for regulation of menstrual cycle.

But all this can be avoided if life style changes are made.

Long term dangers of PCOS:

Development of diabetes,

Inability to have children,

Mood disturbances,

Obesity.

Hope this helps.

Stay Healthy Folks.

Food options for Navratras

Food options for Navratras

It’s a great time to detox your body for almost 7-8 days.

Please don’t fall for fried snack and fried potatoes that are so common and increase your body inflammation leading to weight gain.

If you prefer potatoes then have roasted or boiled 1 medium size potato per day with rock salt.

Ram Dana Ladoo also called Amaranth cakes in moderation, since they are sweet, try the ones with pure Jaggery or organic honey (1 Tbs serving size).

Roasted flax seed with favorite fruit.

Gluten free flour buckwheat flour chapatti/bread: its great for weight loss too in everyday life.

Sendha Namak or rock salt is great low sodium pure salt which should be used anyway in everyday cooking.

Fox Nuts or Makhana: Rich source of protein and carbohydrate, best eaten roasted and sprinkled with rock salt or sendha namak. Avoid the fried options as I said before.

Eat high fiber and high pectin fruits like apples and pears.

Top up the water and increase detoxing by having herbal teas like Jasmine and Dandelion root tea.

5 ways to a post-festival recovery:

5 ways to a post-festival recovery:

Most of us will have a slip during festival, as food is an integral part of the celebrations.

By doing either of these you can make up for the slips that happened, but this should not become a habit.

·      First repair is fasting the next day with only water or herbal/green teas.

·      Second repair is Physical exertion in terms of a workout or a run that is more than your usual.

·      Third repair option is to under eat for at least 3-4 days, depending upon how big was the slip.

·      Fourth repair is to eat high lean proteins for short term and decreasing carbohydrates like 2-3 days.

·      Fifth repair is to do a 3 day detox by Dr. Oz. and recharge your system.