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Dear Pooja,
My father, 72, had an open heart surgery a few weeks ago and is better now.  He did not have a heart attack, and he does not have diabetes nor high BP. What are the kinds of foods he can have now to gain back his strength? He is slim and had been otherwise fit always and is a vegetarian.

Your father can most easily be the best example to what I say over and over again ‘You are what you eat’ being a wise eater thus the absence of any excess weight baggage and like you said fit always’ and therefore is metabolic disease free even now. The reason for an open-heart surgery could very well be age related plague deposition as the most noticeable characteristic of vascular ageing is the change in the mechanical and structural properties of the vascular wall. Now to help him regain his strength first focus should be on better quality proteins – being vegetarian please ensure you are giving him one-two servings of dal/pulses/sprouts daily – low fat milk and its products and if possible introduce some quinoa and soyabean weekly. Vitamins are another point to emphasis thus ensuring no micro nutrient deficiency leading to delayed healing. Two-three servings of vegetables plus an additional raw veggie juice daily (minimum three colours of vegs) along with two-three servings of fruit daily should do the trick. Ample hydration, adequate sleep and slow walks for about 15-20 minutes a day should help in better recoup and recovery. Check with your doctor or nutritionist for basic multi vitamins and some B12 as well as omega 3-6-9 supplements since he is vegetarian. Always keep the faith in the magic and the powers of healthy frequent eating and may he have a long healthy life ahead.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

 

HEMP SEEDS Advantages: A complete protein like egg, hemp seeds are an excellent source of easily-digestible proteins. They contain the essential fatty acids (Omega-6 and Omega-3) with GLA (Gamma-linoleic acid) that helps build anti-inflammatory hormones; they prevent conditions like arthritis, asthma and fibromyalagia.

Add them to your diet: They look like sesame seeds but have a nutty flavour like sunflower seeds. Add them to salads or breakfast cereals, soups, pesto sauce (instead of cashew nuts) and post-workout smoothies for faster muscle recovery.

CHIA SEEDS Advantages: Excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids, fibre and minerals like calcium, manganese and phosphorus (all necessary for healthy bones and teeth), chia seeds are a healthy addition to your diet. They lower insulin resistance (main cause of PCOD among women) and help fight diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiac problems.

Add them to your diet: Chia seeds don’t have any particular taste. Add them to your breakfast your breakfast porridge or even plain milk. Sprinkle them (whole or ground) on salads or risottos, maketos, make them into a pudding with fruits, or make chia seed jam.

PUMPKIN SEEDS Advantages: Diversity in antioxidant content makes pumpkin seeds a good anti-ageing property. They contain Vitamin E in different forms, and thus benefit the skin. They ward off cancer, heart attacks, diabetes and have anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-microbial benefits. A handful of pumpkin seeds, three to four times a week, is a must.

Add them to your diet: Roasted pumpkin seeds make for a tasty snack when flavoured with paprika or just lime and pepper. Do note they are high in calories too (100 gm = 560 calories), so limit your consumption. You can make granola bars out of them or add them to baked products, like muffins.

FLAX SEEDS Advantages: Rich source of dietary fibre, Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, flaxseeds help adjust your good (HDL) and bad (LDL) cholesterol ratios and thus protect your heart, promote fertility, relieve constipation, improve immunity and avert production of cancerous cells.

Add them to your diet: Most nutri tionists suggest that ground flaxseeds are better than whole because the former are easier to digest. However, remember, these seeds when ground and exposed to air, oxidise easily, turn rancid and lose their nutrition profile. So, grind small quantities, store in an air-tight container and consume them soon. Add them as a topping to yogurt, oatmeal, desserts and shakes.

SUNFLOWER SEEDS Advantages: An excellent source of Vitamin E, sunflower seeds neutralise free radicals and prevent asthma, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.High in magnesium, they treat blood pressure, headaches and migraines along with promoting healthy teeth and bones.

Add them to your diet: Because of their high fat content sunflower seeds be come rancid quickly. It is best to store them in the refrigerator. Add them to salads and scrambled eggs or sprinkle on hot or cold breakfast cereals.

SESAME SEEDS Advantages: Sesame seeds possess nutritive, preventive and curative proper ties. Their copper content helps provide relief from rheumatoid arthritis. Magnesium improves cardiovascular health and lung function while calcium prevents osteoporosis, migraine and PMS.

Add them to your diet: Tahini, made out of sesame seeds, is a favourite Arabic paste added to dips like hummus and moutabel. Sauté sesame seeds with vegetables or chicken, garlic, ginger and soy sauce or add them to breads, muffins or theplas and dhok theplas and dhoklas to increase their nutritional value.