Health and You

To thicken curries or soups, add in sautéed & pureed mushrooms. This will not only thicken your curry but will also improve on the zinc, selenium and magnesium content.

To curb extra eating post dinners like desserts, chocolates etc. brush your teeth immediately after eating dinner.

Garlic has shown beneficial effects to reduce blood pressure. Add one garlic pod everyday either in Dals/pulses/vegetable or can even consume raw.

Include tomatoes in your diet everyday to get your share of lycopene, a very good antioxidant.

Always toast the bread, even if it is white or multigrain for better digestibility and absorption.

When going for a movie, eat healthy. Opt for steam corn or regular popcorn instead of caramel or cheese, tea or coffee instead of colas, sandwiches instead of samosas or nachos.

30 minutes before measuring your blood pressure don't smoke, drink coffee or tea or exercise as this could give a false reading.

If your child refuses to drink milk, mask the milk as a smoothie or knead the roti dough with milk or give milk as paneer or in a lassi form.

Try and include oats in your diet regularly. Oats are rich in soluble fiber and have great health benefits. You can consume them as porridge or add to idli or dosa batter or mix to the roti dough or use for thickening of soups.

To quit smoking chew on some clove or elaichi/cardamom through the day this will reduce the urge to smoke.

Eat pomegranate when in season, it is rich in iron, zinc, folic acid, fluid & fiber.

If you drink a cup of tea in the morning, add a pinch of cinnamon or ginger or tulsi or mint to increase your immunity levels.

If you feel depressed add in a sport or a game like swimming, tai chi, meditation or tennis to feel better and positive.

Do not opt for artificial sweeteners instead of sugar if you are not a diabetic. As 1tsp of sugar gives only 20cals.

Do make it a point to give some dry fruits to children every day. As nuts are rich in essential fatty acids, proteins and vitamins. You can give it as crushed or whole.

To avoid over eating at social gatherings, try and have a bowl of salad or raita or a fruit or a glass of buttermilk just before leaving. This will curb excessive eating of heavy foods.

Try and avoid the intake of tea or coffee along with your main meals, as the tannins and caffeine present in tea and coffee respectively, hamper iron and calcium absorption.

Don't skip your meals to lose weight; instead control your portions.

Make health check up a part of your lifestyle. If you are between 30 - 40years do it every 2 years and if you are above 40 do it every year.

If you are thirsty do not opt for soda or any aerated drinks, instead have plain water. This will not only quench your thirst but in turn increase your fluid content and not add any calories.