Category Archives: Diet And Food

Try the COVID diet plan to say fit and healthy with stronger immune system during lockdown  |  Photo Credit: iStock Images

New Delhi: Good nutrition and regular physical activity are the backbone to a healthier, fitter life. Eating well is even more crucial in times like these when your immune system might need to fight back and defend you against viruses, including the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Excess body fat, especially belly fat, triggers immune cells that can harm your body. Eating a varied, balanced diet will also help you maintain a healthy weight with stronger immunity. Given the link between nutrition, body weight, immune system and COVID-19, weve listed some key nutrients that you can include in your healthy COVID diet plan to help you stay hale and hearty, maintain weight loss during the lockdown.

Perhaps, the COVID-19 pandemic seems to have shifted our focus to healthful behaviours, particularly immunity-boosting foods, in the absence of a safe vaccine and treatment for the virus. But figuring out what to eat to stay fit can be yet another daily challenge. This simple diet plan that includes several vital nutrients involved with the normal functioning of the immune system such as copper, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, iron and dietary fibre (COVID) can come in handy when meal prepping.

The bottom line is, a healthy, balanced diet - consisting of plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and wholegrains - along with physical activity will strengthen your immune system, keep you fit.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.

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Try the COVID diet plan to stay fit and healthy with stronger immune system during lockdown - Times Now

There has been much talk about nutrition as a defence mechanism to reduce the chances of contracting the Coronavirus. How important is a change in our dietary intake towards fighting the virus?

Till now, the exact nature of the Coronavirus is unknown. We are practically functioning in the dark regarding the treatment protocol against Covid-19. But it's been proven long ago that a good immune system can save us from any viral or bacterial infections. Even if infected, a strong immune system can help us overcome the pathogen. So, during this pandemic, our utmost effort should be to bolster our immune systems.

To boost immunity, we need to enrich our diet with enough vitamin C (found in abundance in guava, citrus fruits, amloki, bitter guard, etc); zinc (found in spinach, beef, nuts, milk and milk products); vitamin D3, which the body can make through exposure to sunlight from 10AM to 3PM); and anti-oxidants (found in colourful fruits and vegetables); selenium, magnesium, etc.

Why is hydration considered so important?

Hydration is key to regulating the temperature of the body. And it can help lessen existing fever. Staying hydrated also means healthy membranes. When we cough, sneeze or just breathe, membranes in our nose and mouth eliminate any bacteria.

Moisture helps heal the damaged membranes so foreign organisms cannot enter the body. And also, we need to replace our lost body fluids to make the respiratory secretion thin. When we are dehydrated our respiratory secretion thickens and it becomes hard to clean our lungs naturally, which may even lead to pneumonia.

How should fruits, vegetables and other ingredients be treated before storing/consumption? Is it wise to eat takeaway from restaurants?

The main challenge for takeaway services are physical distancing, and packaging. Even if a responsible restaurant owner maintains social distancing as per protocol, there is a risk of contamination through the packaging of the foods.

The coronavirus can live for hours to days on various surfaces. Some strains of coronavirus live for only a few minutes, while others live for up to 5 days. So, it is best to disinfect all the sealed packaging with disinfectant spray or wash with detergent thoroughly. But when the packaging is not sealed, then its better to keep it in a place of the house out of reach of the family members for 5 days before storing. And for wet groceries like fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish, the packaging materials should be removed as soon as possible. Coronavirus doesn't seem to spread through exposure to food. Still, it's recommended to wash fruits and vegetables under running water and soak in lukewarm salted water for 40 minutes before eating. And finally, after storing the groceries, hands must be cleaned with disinfectant solutions.

Current evidence on other coronavirus strains shows that while it appears to be stable at low and freezing temperatures for a certain period, food hygiene and good food safety practices can prevent their transmission through food.

The amount of time coronavirus survives on food packaging depends on the material it is made from; for example, 5 days on metal; 4 days on wood; 2 to 3 days on plastics like milk containers; 2 to 3 days on stainless steel like walls of refrigerators, pots and pans, sinks, some water bottles; 2 to 8 hours on soda cans, tinfoil, water bottles; up to 5 days on drinking glasses, measuring cups; 5 days on ceramic dishes, pottery, mugs etc.

The coronavirus crisis has led people to unprecedented financial hardships. What types of food would you suggest for people to include in their diet at an affordable price?

At this moment, not only for the economic crisis, even for those who do not want to go to the grocery shops to maintain social isolation guidelines, sprouted Bengal gram is a rich source of vitamin C. If there is crisis of meat and fish, we can prepare khichuri (the mixture of lentils and rice) as a source of first-class proteins. We should depend upon seasonal colourful vegetables as a rich source of vitamins and minerals.

What should be included in the dietary chart of those who have unfortunately contracted the coronavirus? Should the diet change as they recover?

A Covid-19 positive patient must include high protein diet to stabilise the immune system. Also, as per World Health Organization (WHO) guideline, a patient needs a minimum intake of 2.5 litres of fluid, and fresh and healthy vitamin rich foods, restrict raw sugar, and include at least 5 servings of vegetables and 4 servings of fruits per day.

Black cumin, ginger, honey, turmeric these all have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, so they can be included in the diet as well.

Lastly, can diet alone help prevent Covid-19?

No, diet alone cannot fight the coronavirus. Proper and balanced amount of exercise, sound mental health and to maintain all the protocols of hygiene and physical distancing are equally important.

Photo: LS Archive/ Sazzad Ibne Sayed

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FAQ on diet and Covid-19 - The Daily Star

A tender bell pepper stuffed with spiced beef and rice makes a tasty dinner, and it's a great way to get a few veggies into your diet.

Look for large peppers. We used red, but green peppers (which are less expensive) work too.

This recipe uses the short cut of bottled pasta sauce.

Makes 4 servings. Recipe is adapted from Cooking Light.

cup cooked rice

4 medium red bell peppers

pound ground beef

1 cup chopped onion

cup chopped fresh parsley

1 teaspoon paprika

teaspoon salt

2 cups bottled tomato-and-basil pasta sauce (such as Classico), divided

cup (2 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese

cup dry red wine

1. Preheat oven to 450 F.

2. Cut tops off bell peppers; reserve tops. Discard seeds and membranes. Place peppers, cut sides down, in an 8-inch square baking dish; cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on high 2 minutes or until peppers are crisp-tender. Cool.

3. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, onions, parsley, paprika and salt. Cook until beef is lightly browned, stirring to crumble. Remove from heat.

4. Add rice, cup pasta sauce, and cheese to beef mixture, stirring to combine.

5. In a sauce pan, combine 1 cups pasta sauce and wine and bring to a boil.

6. Spoon about cup beef mixture into each pepper. Place peppers in a 2-quart baking dish coated with cooking spray; add wine mixture to pan. Cover with foil.

7. Bake for 20 minutes. Uncover; bake an additional 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve peppers with sauce. Garnish with pepper tops.

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Cook This: Stuffed Peppers are a tasty way to add some veggies to your diet - The Advocate

A sub-inspector, who recovered from Covid-19 on May 7, has come out with an awareness video on his recovery process, stressing on having a balanced diet, coupled with breathing exercises and Yoga. The policeman was posted at JJ Marg, one of the police stations worst-hit by the pandemic.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Police in western suburbs provided vaporisers to their personnel to clean their respiratory tracts and prevent them from getting infected. Over 538 police personnel in the city have been infected with Covid-19 and eight of them have died so far.

Sub-inspector Sham Bise, who made the recovery video, had high fever on April 26 and tested positive on May 1. Two days later, his wife also tested positive but was asymptomatic. On May 7, he recovered from the disease at a Thane hospital.

In the video he states, There is nothing to fear. A strong diet and Yoga boosted my immunity. I had a high fever since April 29 and it came down only on May 7. I was admitted to Vedant Hospital in Thane. Every morning, I gargled with warm salty water. I had two eggs and jaggery mixed with nuts every day. I ate dry fruits like almond, cashew nuts and dates. Before sleeping at night, I used to drink hot milk with turmeric, followed by warm water. I used to start my day with Yoga exercises like Pranayam and Kapalbharti to increase my breathing capacity.

The total number of infected police personnel at JJ Marg station in south Mumbai till Sunday rose to 59, of which 10 have recovered.

This includes 14 personnel from the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF). Sangramsinh Nishandar, deputy commissioner of police, zone 1 confirmed the development.

Senior police officers in the western suburbs (Bandra to Jogeshwari) have distributed steam vaporisers to their personnel. The policemen have been asked to use them twice a day to keep their respiratory tracts clean. It is a good initiative. But it is also important to take other safety measures like using PPE kits and maintaining social distancing, said Dr SM Patil, police surgeon.

Ankit Goyal, DCP, zone 10 said In my zone, we gave vaporisers to almost everyone. Some of them were bought from additional commissioner of polices (welfare) fund while others paid for it from their pocket.

4 police personnel in Thane test positive

Four police personnel, including an assistant commissioner of police (ACP) from Thane commissionerate, tested positive of Covid-19 on Sunday.

The 38-year-old ACP was posted at the administration department of the Thane commissionerate headquarters. The other police personnel were a 32-year-old police officer and two constables, from Wagale Estate and Kopri police stations respectively. The ACPs residential complex in Thane has been sealed.

(With inputs from Anamika Gharat)

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Balanced diet, breathing exercises and Yoga helped boost immunity: Cop who recovered from Covid-19 - Hindustan Times

Summer diet essentials: During the summer season, your body loses more water due to sweating. The change in temperature also demands a cool environment. Not just water, your diet can also keep you hydrated if you consume foods high in water content.

This summer drink detox drinks to stay cool

With the arrival of the summer season, you need to make several necessary changes. During the summer season, you need to stay hydrated to deal with the rising temperature. Drinking enough water is the first step to stay hydrated. During the summer season, your body loses more water due to sweating. The change in temperature also demands a cool environment. Not just water, your diet can also keep you hydrated if you consume foods high in water content. The summer season also offers a variety of fruits that are beneficial for your health in various ways including fulfilling nutritional needs, can keep you hydrated as well as help in weight loss. Here are some diet essentials you need this summer.

Berries, watermelon, muskmelon, kiwi, mangoes and the list is endless of summer fruits. You can cut a variety of fruits as an evening snack. Eat a bowl of fresh fruits to beat hunger pangs healthily. It will also help you prevent weight gain. Most summer fruits also have high water content which can help you stay hydrated.

Eat more fruits during the summer season to receive multiple nutrientsPhoto Credit: iStock

It is advised to consume more and more water during the summer season. You can add some flavour and nutrition to your water. Add your favourite fruits and vegetables to water to add properties of these to the water you drink throughout the day. This drink will help in detoxification. Keep a jar full of sliced fruits and vegetables and refill it throughout the day.

Cucumber should be an essential part of your summer diet. Cucumber has high water content and it is also loaded with fibre. Cucumber is weight loss-friendly which can keep you cool. Add more cucumber to your salad. You should also add onion to your salad as it is good for your summer diet.

Fried snacks should be avoided during the summer season. Eat light and healthy snacks like yogurt, fruit popsicles or fruit shakes.

Eat yogurt as a snack during summerPhoto Credit: iStock

You should consume more liquid to fight the hot weather. Try vegetable juices to stay hydrated. Do not forget to add green leafy vegetables and melon to it. You should also drink coconut water quite often.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

DoctorNDTV is the one stop site for all your health needs providing the most credible health information, health news and tips with expert advice on healthy living, diet plans, informative videos etc. You can get the most relevant and accurate info you need about health problems like diabetes, cancer, pregnancy, HIV and AIDS, weight loss and many other lifestyle diseases. We have a panel of over 350 experts who help us develop content by giving their valuable inputs and bringing to us the latest in the world of healthcare.

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Summer Diet Tips: Add These Foods And Drinks To Your Diet To Stay Cool - NDTV

A former justice minister and his wife offered more than 7 million yen ($65,300) to at least 30 local leaders in an apparent attempt to gain her votes last year, The Asahi Shimbun has found.

The finding comes at a time when prosecutors are looking into a suspected vote-buying case involving Katsuyuki Kawai, a Lower House member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, and Anri Kawai, an LDP member who won her Upper House seat in the election in question last year.

The Kawais have denied allegations that they violated the Public Offices Election Law during voluntary questioning by the Hiroshima District Public Prosecutors Office, sources said.

The lawmakers also did not reply by the evening of May 17 to The Asahi Shimbun to confirm or deny the cash offers to the local leaders and the purpose of such acts.

In interviews with The Asahi Shimbun, 30 people acknowledged that the couple handed them cash before the Upper House election on July 21. Anri ran in the election from the Hiroshima constituency.

Those people were: nine prefectural assembly members; 10 city assembly members; one town assembly member; one former prefectural assembly member: two heads of local governments; four members of a support group; and three campaign staff members.

Some of the 30 said they either refused to accept the money or returned the cash to the couple.

The amount of cash offered ranged from 50,000 yen to 600,000 yen. About 40 percent of those who were offered money said the amount was 300,000 yen.

No receipts were created when the money changed hands.

Katsuyuki, who managed his wifes campaign activities, brought the cash to 28 of the 30 people, they said. The remaining two were offered cash by either Anri or a prefectural assembly member who accompanied her.

The cash was offered between March last year, when Anri announced her intention to enter the Upper House election, and July, when the election was held.

The money was given under the name of gift to an election campaign as a sign of support or gift to congratulate on winning a seat.

In April, the prefectural assembly election and eight municipal elections were held in Hiroshima Prefecture.

A man who won a prefectural assembly seat recalled that Katsuyuki visited his office in late April.

You are popular with voters, the man quoted Katsuyuki as telling him.

Before Katsuyuki left the office, he put an envelope on the desk, saying, This is to congratulate you on your success in the election.

The assemblyman thought the envelope contained gift certificates. But he found it was filled with 300,000 yen in cash.

He said he figured that Katsuyuki gave the money to win his support for Anris election campaign. The assemblyman said he was going to return the money but did not have the opportunity to do so.

He also told The Asahi Shimbun that he gave the same account to prosecutors when he was questioned on a voluntary basis.

Other assembly members also assumed the money was intended to round up votes.

I believed the cash offer was meant to seek support for Anri in the Upper House election, one of them said.

Some of them said they could not return the money because they feared retribution from Katsuyuki, who served as special adviser to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Hiroshi Tatemichi, an official aide to Anri, was given 300,000 yen while a 71-year-old clerical supervisor on Anris campaign staff was handed 600,000 yen, according to people who were interviewed by The Asahi Shimbun.

Tatemichi has been on trial on charges of violating the Public Offices Election Law by providing payments exceeding the legal limit to staff members who called out Anris name from campaign vehicles during the race.

Yoshiro Iriyama, the mayor of Otake in the prefecture, told The Asahi Shimbun that he refused to accept an envelope from Katsuyuki because he believed that it contained cash.

Shinji Kosaka, the mayor of Akiota in the prefecture, resigned last month after admitting to accepting 200,000 yen from the Kawais.

In the Upper House election, the LDPs prefectural chapter intended to field veteran incumbent Kensei Mizote as the partys sole candidate.

But the party headquarters in Tokyo set out to take both seats, allowing Anri to enter the race on the LDP ticket.

According to a source close to the LDP, the party headquarters since April has transferred a total of 150 million yen to a party branch represented by the Kawais, who are said to be also close to Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.

The figure is 10 times the sum that Mizote had received from LDP headquarters.

In the election, a candidate backed by opposition parties garnered the most votes. Anri placed second, giving her a Diet seat for the first time.

Mizote lost his seat in the election.

Katsuyuki, who is from a constituency in Hiroshima Prefecture, became justice minister in September. But he resigned in late October after reports surfaced in a weekly magazine about possible election violations regarding payments to Anris campaign staff.

See more here:
Kawais offered cash to 30 local leaders before Diet election : The Asahi Shimbun - Asahi Shimbun

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Questions have been raised over whether people with diabetes should shield during the coronavirus pandemic.

After the NHS found 26 per cent of patients who have died in hospitals in England after contracting coronavirus had diabetes, the Government was asked whether people with the condition should be added to the list.

Speaking on the matter at the daily Downing Street briefing on Saturday, England's deputy chief medical officer advised those with type 2 diabetes to think about their diet and exercise to help minimise the risks.

We are reviewing all of these different risk factors together to try and give a much more proportional representation of who might be at risk," Dr Jenny Harries said.

Londoners returning to work near London Bridge

Jeremy Selwyn

Emergency as Lockdown is slowly lifted at Victoria Station

Nigel Howard

Cyclists travel in central London

AFP via Getty Images

Emergency as Lockdown is slowly lifted at Victoria Station

Nigel Howard

Alan Price on his Penny Farthing this morning on Battersea Bridge

Jeremy Selwyn

Delivery men are seen outside a reopened McDonald's with take-out only deliveries in Dalston

Reuters

Jubilee Line tube commuters as lockdown eases

Nigel Howard

Worlds End Nurseries in Chelsea opens for business. Customer Nika Kucifer is shown flowers by Janson Lotery

Nigel Howard

Londoners going back to work at Waterloo

Jeremy Selwyn

People ride bicycles in a cycle lane in Chelsea

PA

Jubilee Line tube commuters as lockdown eases

Nigel Howard

Londoners going back to work at Vauxhall

Jeremy Selwyn

Jubilee Line tube commuters as lockdown eases

Nigel Howard

Jubilee Line tube commuters as lockdown eases.

Nigel Howard

Matt Writtle

Londoners going back to work at Vauxhall

Jeremy Selwyn

Vehicles are seen on the M56 motorway near Manchester,

Reuters

Londoners going back to work at Waterloo

Jeremy Selwyn

Londoners going back to work at Vauxhall

Jeremy Selwyn

Londoners going back to work at Vauxhall

Jeremy Selwyn

Monty's first day back. West Highland Terrier Monty commutes to work on his bike on his first day back with owner Darragh McElroy. Monty, who's Instagram account is @monty_whitehall_westie, works at the Cabinet Office in Whitehall with his owner Darragh who is Deputy Director of Coronavirus Communications at the Cabinet Office

Matt Writtle

Londoners going back to work at Vauxhall

Jeremy Selwyn

A commuter wears a mask at Canning Town station

Reuters

Rush hour on the M6 at the junction for Birmingham/Walsall on the first morning of the eased Coronavirus lockdown

PA

Londoners going back to work at Vauxhall

Jeremy Selwyn

Commuters, some wearing masks are seen on a London Underground tube, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease

Reuters

Londoners going back to work at Vauxhall

Jeremy Selwyn

Commuters, some wearing masks are seen at Stratford station,

Reuters

Cyclists in Chelsea today.

Nigel Howard

Londoners returning to work near London Bridge

Jeremy Selwyn

Emergency as Lockdown is slowly lifted at Victoria Station

Nigel Howard

Cyclists travel in central London

AFP via Getty Images

Emergency as Lockdown is slowly lifted at Victoria Station

Nigel Howard

Alan Price on his Penny Farthing this morning on Battersea Bridge

Jeremy Selwyn

Delivery men are seen outside a reopened McDonald's with take-out only deliveries in Dalston

Reuters

Jubilee Line tube commuters as lockdown eases

Nigel Howard

Worlds End Nurseries in Chelsea opens for business. Customer Nika Kucifer is shown flowers by Janson Lotery

Nigel Howard

Londoners going back to work at Waterloo

Jeremy Selwyn

People ride bicycles in a cycle lane in Chelsea

PA

Jubilee Line tube commuters as lockdown eases

Nigel Howard

Londoners going back to work at Vauxhall

Jeremy Selwyn

Jubilee Line tube commuters as lockdown eases

Nigel Howard

Jubilee Line tube commuters as lockdown eases.

Nigel Howard

Matt Writtle

Londoners going back to work at Vauxhall

Jeremy Selwyn

Vehicles are seen on the M56 motorway near Manchester,

Reuters

Londoners going back to work at Waterloo

Jeremy Selwyn

Londoners going back to work at Vauxhall

Jeremy Selwyn

Londoners going back to work at Vauxhall

Continued here:
People urged to improve diet and exercise to help reduce risks of type 2 diabetes during pandemic - Evening Standard

We dont often think our diet could have an effect on whether we can conceive, but research shows it does. Good nutrition and a healthy body weight for both partners can have a significant impact on the ability to conceive.

Infertility affects about 9 percent of married women of childbearing age, according to a national survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

To help with fertility, women need to maintain a healthy weight and choose foods that will promote a healthy baby foods that are high in folic acid, iron and calcium. Foods high in folic acid include dark leafy green vegetables, fortified cereals and breads.

Folic acid is needed to prevent neural tube defects. The neural tube develops into the brain and spine three to four weeks after conception, before most women even realize theyre pregnant.

Foods high in iron include red meats, spinach, beans, lentils, fortified cereals, whole grains and enriched long-grain rice. You can enhance iron absorption by adding vitamin C to meals from foods such as strawberries, bell peppers or berries.

And to boost calcium, choose dairy products such as yogurt, milk, cheese and cottage cheese, as well as vegetables such as broccoli and leafy greens.

A woman who is underweight may have irregular menstrual cycles or stop ovulating altogether. In addition, those who participate in high-intensity exercise (like gymnastics or dancing), or those who have an eating disorder or follow highly restrictive diets, may be at an increased risk for reduced fertility.

A healthy weight is important for men as well because male obesity may alter hormone levels and lead to low sperm count or motility. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends loading up on fruits and vegetables, which contain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that may help create strong sperm.

Who knew fruits and vegetables were so important to having a healthy baby?

Theres even a fertility diet, published by a team of Harvard researchers in 2007. In the fertility diet study, they found that women with ovulatory infertility who followed the diet had a 66 percent lower risk of ovulatory infertility and a 27 percent reduced risk of infertility from other causes than women who didnt follow the diet.

Women following the fertility diet chose:

Less trans fat and more monounsaturated fat (from foods such as avocados and olive oil)

Less animal protein and more vegetable protein

More high-fiber, low-glycemic carbohydrate-rich foods (including whole grains)

More vegetarian sources of iron and fewer meat sources

Multivitamins

High-fat dairy instead of low-fat dairy

The bottom line? Eating more vegetables and a variety of types, eating healthy monounsaturated fats instead of saturated and trans fats, making at least half your grains whole grains and getting enough calcium-rich foods including dairy will help meet nutrient needs, promote a healthy weight and conceive a healthy baby.

Q: Avocados are high in calories. How can they be good for me?

A: Its true avocados are high in calories due to their fat content, but the fat is considered a good (monounsaturated) fat, like olive oil. More than 75 percent of an avocados fat is unsaturated.

Studies show that replacing saturated fat with unsaturated fat while staying within calorie needs is more effective in reducing the risk of heart disease than simply lowering total fat intake.

Fresh avocados are a smart, vegetarian substitute for animal fats in baked goods, sauces, smoothies and salad dressings. Like any fat in your diet, the key is moderation.

Heres a recipe to incorporate avocados healthy fat into your diet. These Chocolate Avocado Energy Bars are a no-bake bar that deliver a boost of energy when you need it.

1 cup pitted dates

1 cup almonds, toasted, slivered

1 ripe, fresh avocado, halved, pitted and peeled

cup coconut, shredded

cup chia seeds

cup unsweetened cocoa powder

cup raw shelled sunflower seeds

Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang. Spray with nonstick cooking spray. Process dates, almonds and avocado in a food processor until mixture is finely chopped and sticky. Add coconut, chia seeds and cocoa powder, and pulse until mixture is well combined. Stir in sunflower seeds.

Press mixture into prepared pan, and refrigerate until firm and chilled, at least 2 hours. Cut into 16 bars, and store in refrigerator.

Makes 16 servings (serving size: 1 bar)

Per serving: 140 calories; 4 grams protein; 14 grams carbohydrates; 9 grams fat (2 grams saturated); 5 grams fiber; 0 milligrams sodium

Charlyn Fargo Ware is a registered dietitian at Hy-Vee in Springfield, Ill., and the media representative for the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Contact her at [emailprotected], or follow her on Twitter: @NutritionRd, or click here for additional columns. The opinions expressed are her own.

Originally posted here:
Charlyn Fargo Ware: Fertility and Your Diet Are More Linked Than You Think - Noozhawk

Why have we been eating like little kids amid the pandemic?

Comfort foods have been known to help reduce stress.

Have you noticed grabbing an extra bag of chips at the supermarket? Or eating more frozen dinners than you used to? Or even eating snacks that you havent eaten since you were a little kid?

TheCOVID-19 pandemichas upended nearly every facet of our daily lives, from how we dress, to how we work, to how we exercise.

Its also changing the way we eat. As a registered dietitian and nutrition researcher, Im fascinated by the types of food people are buying during this strange time.

RELATED:CoronavirusNOW.com, FOX launches national hub for COVID-19 news and updates

Onerecent surveyfound that 42% of respondents indicated theyre purchasing more packaged food than they typically would and less fresh food.

Sales of frozen pizza have almost doubled. Sales of frozen appetizers and snacks think Bagel Bites are over a third, while ice cream sales have increased 36%.

According to Uber Eats, the most common food delivery order in the United States has been french fries, while the most popular beverage has been soda.

To me, these foods have one thing in common: Theyre the stuff we ate as kids.

Why might grown adults be reaching back into the pantry of their pasts? What is it about a pandemic that makes us feel like were teenagers at a sleepover?

The reasons are deeply rooted.

Exercising and eating right are vital.

At its core, the purpose of food is to nourish. Of course food provides us with the necessary energy and balance of vitamins and minerals to power and fuel the body. But anyone whos reached for a pint of Ben and Jerrys after a particularly stressful day will know that nourishment is about more than nutrition.

During periods of stress,people tend to eat more and show a greater preference for higher calorie foods. The sweeter and saltier the better. Regardless of hunger,a tasty snack can feel comforting. Theresevidence to suggestthat highly palatable foods, especially those high in fat and sugar, may illicit a response in the brain that is similar to the response from opioids.

Yes, a delicious slice of rich chocolate cake can be just as good as drugs.

RELATED:More than 4,000 health care workers from NY hospital hit hard by COVID-19 gifted free vacations

We tend to call many of these foods comfort foods, but the definition of comfort food is a bit slippery. Food is deeply personal. The foods that comfort people depend on their cultural background, taste preference, and personal experience. We know, however, that food can inducefeelings of nostalgiathat transport us back to simpler times.

So perhaps its no surprise that, during a period of uncertainty that has many of us desperate for some relief and comfort, the foods of our childhood can act as a salve. For some of us, that bowl of Lucky Charms isnt just a sweet treat; its a reminder of days gone by, a time of safety and stability.

Footage shows dozens of patrons gathered in close quarters at a Castle Rock coffee shop.

Theres nothing inherently wrong in finding temporary relief from chaos and uncertainty through food. But its probably best to view these changes in eating behavior as a temporary habit during a weird time. After all, a diet rich in macaroni and cheese and chicken nuggets doesnt exactly set our bodies up for long-term success.

As peoples lives start to regain some sense of normalcy, diet can actually be a major part of the equation. Returning to a more health-conscious diet could be part of reestablishing your previous routines. And if youve never been able to find the time to prioritize healthy eating, now could actually be a good opportunity to start laying the groundwork for habits that become the new normal.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here:https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-diets-whats-behind-the-urge-to-eat-like-little-kids-137864.

Originally posted here:
Coronavirus diets: What's behind the urge to eat like little kids? - FOX 10 News Phoenix

Eat a balanced diet to maintain consistency in healthy eating

Starting to eat healthy is not as difficult is maintaining consistency in following it. Cravings, mood swings, hormonal imbalance, stress and fatigue can all make it difficult for you to stay consistent in a diet. And this is a major hurdle that people face when being on a weight loss or fitness regime. In this article, nutritionist Vandita Jain talks about tips and tricks that can help people maintain consistency on a healthy diet. According to Jain, it requires one to stay hydrated, practice moderation and have diversity in diet.

1. Know your body: Try to understand how it works, don't let it crave; this would only slow down the metabolic processes of the body and would only harm the reactions occurring in the system. Long gaps between your mealsand extreme fasting can really be harmful and affect you psychologically.

2. Respect your body: Food aversions, dislikes and likes are common for one and all; we are fortunate to have so many food options available to choose from; don't eat a specific food in compulsion if you don't like it; it would compress the body's internal system and would confuse the body. Eat happily and choose healthy.

Also read:Exercise At Home: Follow These Workout Tips To Maximise Results

3. Moderation is the key: A balanced diet is technically a combination of all food groups in your meal in your whole day. The best advice you can get from your nutritionist or a health care professional is to eat all the food groups in a day except for food allergies and other therapeutic concerns. Don't go Carb off or Dairy Off; if you don't have any specific problem. Stay wise to your body, Eat right.

4. Know your plate: My plateis a reminder to find your healthy eating style and build it throughout lifetime. The right variety of foods in the right proportionscan help you be healthier now and in future:

5. Know the mantra: Focus on variety, amount and nutrition. Choose foods, beverages with less saturated fat, sodium and added sugars. Learn to study Food Labels to understand your food item better.

6. Eat five colors a day: Start with small changes to build healthier eating styles; if you are eating a combination of five colored fruits and vegetables; you are doing a justice to all your vitamins and mineral needs for the day.

Include a variety of foods in your dietPhoto Credit: iStock

Also read:Heart-Healthy Foods: Top 5 Summer Fruits You Must Add To Your Diet

7. Go seasonal: Don't go looking for those fancy vegetables and fruits which have been once tagged healthy by a friend; be practical, eat fruits and vegetables which are available seasonally; don't go turned over those cold storage stored vegetables. Our body also adapts as the environmental conditions change; nature has already been kind to produce the right crop at the right season. So eat what is available in the season in the market.

8. Hydration: Hydration is the most important factor which is often ignored during the chores of the day. Make sure you have a Bottle or a Jug filled kept by your side wherever you are working. Try Detox water recipe like by adding Mint leaves and cucumber chunks in the water you drink. You will feel refreshed and rejuvenated to maintain the rhythm of healthy eating which you have already started.

Also read:Water: From Preventing Joint Problems To Keeping Obesity Away, Why Being Hydrated Is Important

9. Go natural, avoid artificial supplementations and medicines: Try growing vegetables in your kitchen gardens, go organic and never be dependent on the artificial products until there is a crisis. Body understands natural products in a better way, so don't overdo it, never self-prescribe the medicines which you actually don't need. Remember the last time you had an instance of an acid reflux, it might be the result of that protein shake which you were dependent on instead of your whole meal.

10. The grocery list: Believe this, it is the most important and simple aspect of maintaining a healthy lifestyle; don't buy unhealthy and then you don't eat unhealthy. Let go off the temptation of buying those calorie dense chocolates and Juices; when it won't be available at home, in any case you are not going to eat it and divert.

11. Small frequent meals: Eat small frequent meals to fulfill your satiety levels and to avoid overeating in one meal. It leads to better digestion, better concentration levels and good energy levels besides other advantages. It is must needed if you want to sustain healthy eating habit goals.

Also read:Why You Must Eat After Every 2 Hours: No, It Won't Make You Gain Weight!

12. Don't follow fads: Must have heard about mediterranean diet, DASH diet, The paleo diet, GM diet, popcorn diet; with all due respect the benefits from these fad diets are temporary and no long term goals can be achieved by not following the balanced diet principle.

13. Take care of your bowels: Don't let problem of constipation hamper the consistency of your goals; it can cause irritability and stress; consume lot of fiber in your food and if it is severe natural laxatives and herbs like triphla etc. which have laxative properties also does the work well.

14. Regular exercise regime and meditation: Changing the mind game is directly related to healthy body and healthy soul. Exercise regularly to restrict the hormonal rushe to quit and indulge. Meditation does result in better understanding of self and hence aids the body processes. Reading motivational quotes right in the morning before starting the day have been proved to be beneficial and help in sticking to the goals.

Be consistence in exercising and being physically activePhoto Credit: iStock

Also read:Watch: Alia Bhatt Is Stronger, Fitter And Better At Performing Burpees! Her Workout Videos Are All The Motivation You Need Today

15. Never overexert: If someday you feel like eating something in particular, do it; Once in a while principle soothes the mind and will help you to stay on track. Try doing new dishes at home like air frying your favourite kebabs or what about trying a pizza base at home which can be done with millets instead of refined wheat flour and can be turned healthy or simply making a multigrain bread pizza would do the job.

(Vandita Jain is Delhi-based nutritionist and Diabetes educator)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. NDTV is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

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15 Tips To Stay Consistent On A Healthy Diet From Nutritionist - NDTV