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Pooja Makhija

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Get wired, not tired

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As you flop on your couch, lie down and stare at the ceiling, you wonder why you are so exhausted. It was not the day that had been longer or more eventful than usual  so what’s making you feel so tired?

Summers are one of the biggest causes for energy depletion. The obvious solution, of course, is to drink a lot of fluids: 10-12 glasses a day is not just preferred, it’s mandatory. Mix it up as well. Top up with chaas, nimboo paani, and the like to have a productive day. But that’s not why I’m writing this column. My point is that what and how you eat could also be the reason of your fatigue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The best way to explain the relationship between energy levels and nutrition would be to understand it in terms of your blood sugar levels. Your blood sugar level needs to be stable through the day for you to feel energetic. Certain foods help keep it stable while others spike it (making you super energetic in the short term) and then send it crashing down (making you feel so tired at the end of the day, that it’s hard for you to even lift your finger), not to mention the temper flares.

Sugary and High GI foods, like cakes, chocolate, sweets, sugary drinks, cocktails, white flour etc., spike your blood sugar. Opt for the following slow-release sugars and eating habits to feel better.

 

1. FRUIT

You’d be surprised at how beautifully fruit helps you feel energised and active. About three medium-sized seasonal fruits a day -each eaten at different times and at least two hours apart -is a great and fairly unobtrusive way to snack with benefits.

2. FRESH VEGETABLES

Whether you make a salad or a freshly cooked bhaji, eat them as a main dish or include them as a sneaky side show, invite more fresh vegetables in your life. In addition to managing your sugar levels, they overflow with vital vitamins and minerals, which are good for you. During peak summer, I prefer my veggies raw, sans he extra masalas and garlic-ginger paste  chop them finely, add some healthy sprouts, chat masala and fresh coriander chutney. Chilled yogurt and rice can be happy adjuncts to make a complete meal.

3. VEGETABLE JUICES

Even unsweetened fruit juices are high in sugar. Vegetable juices work brilliantly to keep your body functioning well. Blend three different raw vegetables in a mixie. Add half the pulp back to the juice, top up with water, and season to taste. Drink daily.

4. GOOD QUALITY PROTEIN

Egg whites and lean protein are key to beating fatigue. Red meats have a lot of saturated fats and the body takes more effort and time to digest it, ultimately making you feel sluggish.

5. BREAK UP YOUR MEALS

Eating every two hours works brilliantly to manage your sugar levels, giving you a moderated supply of energy throughout the day. All you have to do is break up your three square meals into smaller meals; it’s really that easy.

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In Articles to munch on

TALK TO THE FIST, BABY!

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Remember those `united we stand, di vided we fall’ ads that used to play on DD? Those cute little short films, about the importance of unity? The funda was simple: five fingers by themselves will not be effective unless you close your fingers and make a fist. The same principle works for your body as far as a balanced meal is concerned.

5 FINGERS OF WEIGHTLOSS
By themselves, the Five Fingers of Weight Loss -proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals -have their own functions. But the various nutrients must act in unison for effective action. In other words, for long-lasting weight loss or weight management, you need to eat all five nutrients. Every day. There is no other way.

The Five Fingers of Weight Loss can further be broken down into three macronutrients (proteins, carbs, fats) and two micronutrients (vitamins, minerals); the reason it is divided this way is because it rep resents the relative importance on your plate.Don’t overload your vitamins at the cost of carbs, or cut fats and go crazy about protein.Too much emphasis as well as the absence of any one nutrient will compromise your health and result in short-term gains ­ sending you right back where you started. Any meal plan that is skewed towards any food group, including proteins or raw veggies,w i l l give rise to a host of medical problems, and will result in a diminishing effect on your system. If you think your diet is unbalanced, it is. You cannot be short-sighted about it as the ills will eventually catch up with you.
On your plate lies the answer to many issues plaguing your life ­ from the mental to the physical. Your plate holds not just fuel for your system, but carries all the tools you need to do more with your body and your life. Because food is not just fuel. Food is power.
Collectively, these five nutrients are your defence against disease, obesity, heart at tacks and almost anything else you need to ward off. Diabetes? Make a fist. Heart disease? Hey, you’ve got your fist. Obesi ty? Talk to the fist, baby! So many dis eases are lifestyle-related and can be eradicated -not just improved -by the rule of the fist.

 

 

 

 

 

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In Healthy Recipes

OMELETTE WITH MUSHROOMS

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Ingredients:

  • 2 egg whites,
  • 5-6 mushrooms thinly sliced,
  • 2 flakes garlic,
  • 1/2 onion finely chopped,
  • 1/2 tsp mixed herbs,
  • salt and pepper to taste.

Method:

Heat 1/2 tsp oil in a pan.

Add garlic and onion and saute well, then add sliced mushrooms, mixed herbs and salt and saute till done.

Beat the egg whites till soft peaks are formed add salt to taste.

In a frying pan heat the remaining oil add the egg whites when it sets a little put the mushroom mixture in the centre and keep on slow flame till done.

When ready fold the omelet into half and serve.

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In Healthy Recipes

EGG WHITE SALAD WITH BELL PEPPERS

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Ingredients:

  • 4 egg whites cut into cubes,
  • 1/4 each of red and yellow bell peppers,
  • 1 stalk of celery finely chopped,
  • few pieces of broccoli
  • 1 chopped carrot
  • handful of boiled rajma
  • handful of boiled corn
  • 1 tbsp dijon mustard paste,
  • jalapenos to taste,
  • salt and pepper to taste.

Method:

In a bowl add all the ingredients together and toss the salad till well coated.

This can be eaten hot or cold.

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In layer3

TOMATO EGG DROP SOUP

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Ingredients:

  • 2 cups chopped tomatoes,
  • 1/2 cup chopped onions,
  • 1/2 tomato ketchup,
  • 2 tsp coriander leaves,
  • 2 tsp soya sauce,
  • 3 egg whites,
  • 1/4 tsp pepper,
  • 1 tsp oil,
  • 2 tbsp corn flour,
  • 1/4 tsp chilly powder,
  • salt to taste,
  • 3 cups water or vegetable stock

 

Method:

Heat oil and add chopped onions and saute for 2 minutes in a soup pan.

Add tomato ketchup and cook for a while.

Add chopped tomatoes and cook for 3-4 minutes.

Add water or vegetable stock and bring to a boil, add soya sauce, salt and pepper. Dissolve corn flour and add to the soup, boil until thick.

Beat egg whites till fluffy and add to the soup. Add coriander and serve.

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In Healthy Recipes

BOILED EGGS IN MUSHROOM SAUCE

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Ingredients:

  • 4 boiled eggs,
  • 100-150 gm mushrooms,
  • 11/2 tbsp maida, 11/2 cup of skimmed milk,
  • salt, pepper and mustard to taste,
  • a few drops of lemon juice,
  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley or coriander,
  • 2 green chillies-deseeded and chopped.

Method:

Cut the eggs into two halves and discard the yolks.

Place in a baking dish sprinkle some salt and pepper. Heat 1 tsp of olive oil in a pan and add chopped mushrooms, stir for 1-2 mins till soft.

Sprinkle the maida on the mushrooms and saute till light brown.

Lower heat and add milk.

Boil till milk thickens add salt, pepper, mustard powder, few drops of lemon juice and parsley or coriander leaves.

Add green chilies.

Pour the sauce over the eggs sprinkle breadcrumbs on top and bake for 7-10 mins.

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In layer1

EGGY MIX ON TOAST

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Ingredients:

  • 6 boiled egg whites,
  • 4 bread slices,
  • 2 cups skimmed milk,
  • 3 tbsp wheat flour,
  • 1 diced capsicum,
  • 1 small onion,
  • 2 green chilies,
  • Salt and pepper to taste.

Method:

Grate the egg whites. Mix milk and flour in pan and keep to boil. Add all the ingredients. Now apply this mixture generously on bread slices. Grill it in the oven till crispy. Cut and serve.

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In Healthy Recipes

Healthy Scramble – Egg Whites

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Ingredients:

  • 6 eggs ,
  • 1cup skimmed milk,
  • 1/2cup chopped mushrooms,
  • 1 diced capsicum chopped,
  • 1tsp oil
  • 1 green chilli chopped into two
  • salt and pepper to taste

Method:

Separate the egg yolks from white and discard the yolks ( or use it for conditioning ur hair).

Beat the egg whites and  keep them aside .

Take a thick bottom pan and put it on heat. Add 1tsp oil, put the green chilli.

Sauté mushrooms, add egg whites and stir. Then add milk and keep stirring. Add capsicum, salt and pepper. Serve hot.

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In Articles to munch on

POOJA MAKHIJA: SUMMER GUEST LIST

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Foods have personalities too, just like us. Take the case of caffeine, it revs up your engine and gets you all riled up! Water, on the other hand, gently lays down a blanket of calm inside your body. This summer, learn about the foods that should get a VIP access pass to your plate and those which should be struck off the list.

ON THE VIP LIST
Fresh fruit, fresh veggies, salads:

Summer heat could lead to dehydration, which, in turn, could lead to electrolyte loss. It makes you feel lethargic, nauseous, exhausted and may even cause diarrhoea and constipation. Raise your intake of fresh fruits and veggies in ways that are creative and tasty like finger foods.

Lush liquids and sorbets:


Have kokum water, coconut water, chaas, fruit slushes and frozen iced sorbets. These foods work well to restore electrolyte balance and also provide healthy and interesting ways to pack in nutrients.

Water, Infused water:

Apart from increasing your water consumption to about 10-12 glasses per day, why not try killing two birds with one glass by infusing your water? Take care of both dehydration and nutrition by adding a small piece of fresh fruit like kiwi or strawberry or even basil to your water container.

Sautéed greens: 

Give a nod to sautéed greens this season. These are light, can be made very appetising and always bring nice gifts with them like reduced cholesterol, cancer-fighting abilities, antiaging benefits, powerful vitamins and energy.

Cold soups: 

Team up fresh salads with the perfect escort: hearty cold soups that include gazpachos, cold cucumber soups, tomato soups for flavour and a feeling of fullness.

OFF THE LIST

Excess protein:

Proteins are harder to digest in general and coupled with heat and dehydration, they leave you feeling uncomfortable and nauseous. The recommended daily intake of protein is one gram per kilo of ideal body weight (the appropriate weight for your height). So, no matter what you currently weigh, if your ideal body weight is supposed to be 57-58 kg, your protein in take should not exceed 57-58 gm.
Alcohol:

Alcohol adds heat. It’s is a va sodilator, which means that more blood gushes through your system leaving you feeling hotter and sweatier. Alcohol is also dehydrating.

Oily food:

When the body is not hydrated, it can’t expel the byproducts of heavy, oily foods through the kidney, which is why urination is not as frequent when you are dehydrated. The oily food then reaches your skin, the second largest excretory organ in your body, which makes you sweat more, dehydrates you further, kick starting a vicious cycle. It’s your body, your health, your life. Only food that is good must make the cut.
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In Healthy Recipes

LIGHT SUMMER SANDWICHES

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For lunches and fun picnics to a laid-back no-cook dinner, sandwiches can pack all the nutrition, taste and convenience in a neat, bread-encased parcel.

Smoked Salmon sandwich:  The very pinnacle of lunchtime perfection.

Filling: Multigrain toasted bread + smear of cream cheese + smoked salmon slices + raw white onion rings + capers.

Boiled egg white sandwich: A complete meal that is healthy, tasty and satisfying.

Filling: Fresh white or whole wheat bread + Dijon mustard spread + lettuce + grated boiled egg whites + coarsely ground pepper.

Paneer jungle : Tastes better on soft, fresh bread. Saves time as no grilling or toasting required.

Filling: Grated cottage cheese + finely-chopped onions + coriander in a panini bread or regular white bread.

Pita-wrapped chicken/paneer gyro : Sumptuous summer time dinner option!

Filling: Grilled chicken or paneer + grilled red and green peppers + onions + dash of fresh parsley + vinaigrette.

Taco pockets : Tangy, spicy and yummy even when cold.

Filling: Pita bread + salsa + dash of sour cream + let tuce + corn kernels (boiled) + boiled chick en/egg whites/tofu + chopped jalapenos. Cucumber and dill sandwich:

Delicious summer cooler sandwich.

Filling: Soft, fresh bread slices + dash of butter + cucumber slices finely-chopped dill + little crumbs of feta cheese.

Turkey sandwich with apple: Juicy, crunchy and full of flavour.

Filling: Whole wheat bread + mayon naise mixed with Dijon mustard as spread + turkey slices (or any cold cut meat slices) + thinly-sliced green/red apple. Alternate the meat and fruit slices, one on top of the other.

Avocado and tomato open sandwich: Fresh burst of healthy antioxidants plus healthy fat.

Filling: Sliced toasted baguette + hung curd spread + sliced tomato + avocado + rocket leaves.

Chicken/paneer tikka sandwich: Grilled bliss.

Filling: Multigrain bread + spread of hummus + onion rings + green pepper juliennes. Serve grilled.

Masala omelette sandwich: Eat it hot or cold. Masala omelette sandwich: Eat it hot or cold.

Filling: White bread slices + egg whites omelette with coriander + tomato + onion + green chillies + fresh coriander, mint and raw mango chutney as spread.
WHITE VS WHOLE WHEAT BREAD Which is healthier? Please note that all breads (other than gluten-free breads) have refined flour a.k.a `maida’ in them; the percentage varies depending on the kind. So, choose what suits the preparation and your palette.
More details about food item Click Here

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