Category Archives: Diet And Food

The placebo effect is a wonderful thing, and still highly mysterious. A person who believes they have been given effective treatment for pain or disease, even though they havent, might get better. Placebos can work even if you know they are placebos, and for reasons no one understands the placebo effect appears to be getting stronger over time. It is silly to casually dismiss findings that a medicine performs only a little bit better than placebo: placebo is already extremely strong.

It is surprising, then, that the placebo effect is first mentioned only halfway through this compendium of stories about people given terminal diagnoses for stage 4 cancer and other diseases who, for medically unexplained reasons, suddenly experience a miraculous recovery, or in the lingo a spontaneous remission. One woman goes to a faith-healing centre in Brazil and gets better; another quits her job and starts doing yoga and gets better; another accepts herself just as she is and faces up to death and gets better; a man adopts the keto diet and gets better, and so forth.

The author, a psychiatrist with a theology degree, is determined to keep an open mind about all this but not so open, the reader hopes, that everything falls out. He notes, for example, that people who attend the Brazilian healing community experience a sudden change in diet (lots of fruit juices and vegetarian meals), spend hours a day meditating, and experience the loving kindness of strangers, all of which are definitely good for you. The keto diet, in particular, might be excellent for the immune system and we know, thanks to the growing field of cancer immunotherapy, that a supercharged immune system can defeat tumours all by itself. Even forgiving those who have wronged you, some research suggests, is good for the immune system.

There are no stories here about people who became ill, changed their diet, avoided stress and still died anyway

This is all interesting and warmly related, and Rediger mainly avoids woo, as you would hope a medically trained person would though there is one dispiriting section in which he excitedly suggests that quantum physics might explain how the mind can affect the body. How, exactly? Oh, just because quantum physics apparently is showing us that some of the laws of the universe that we thought of as fixed or immutable are, in fact, not. Actually, quantum physics, too, is grounded in immutable laws. The author is in a hurry, too, to dismiss the possibility that a couple of his case studies happened to be especially high responders to chemotherapy drugs that they did, in fact, take, while also embracing their unique individuality.

Its worth noting that an ancient, moralistic view of health and disease is still encoded into the terms we use: remission originally meant forgiveness of sins, or pardon for a crime, and the potential negative implication of a book such as this, which cheers on those who experienced remission for having done all the right things, is that if you get sick, and stay sick, you have no one to blame but yourself. The sect known confusingly as Christian Science, indeed, follows the teaching of its founder, Mary Baker Eddy, that sickness is merely an illusion and can be corrected by prayer. Despite his laudable attempt to reassure the reader that being sick is not your fault, Redigers own conclusion is not a million miles from the same idea. What spontaneous healing has taught us, he writes, is that waking up to a deeper awareness of our value and strength is capable of changing our physiology. If we assume that the mind is powerful and capable of altering disease progression, it follows that a significant mental change may be capable of precipitating a significant physical change even a remission.

There is a lot of work being done with that little may. From a scientific standpoint, there is a severe issue of selection bias in the narratives the book offers. Rediger does not, after all, tell any stories about people who became ill and then changed their diet, avoided stress, embraced love, and faced up to their inevitable extinction and still died anyway. You would think there would be no shortage of such discouraging tales. Without a sense of whether they, as you might suspect, vastly outweigh the cases of amazing recovery, it is hard to draw firm conclusions. The introduction even claims that the author has discovered the foundation for a new model of medicine, but it would be irresponsible to suggest anyone decline hospital treatment in favour of positive thinking. In the meantime, the author himself at one point boasts that it is almost impossible for him to become ill. Given the timing of his books publication, one can only hope he is right.

Cured is published by Penguin (RRP 16.99). To order a copy go to guardianbookshop.com. Free UK p&p on all online orders over 15.

Original post:
Cured by Jeffrey Rediger review stories of spontaneous healing - The Guardian

Faced with months of crippling road-closing construction outside her five-year-old bakery in downtown Massillon last year, Jamie Anania decided to take a big plunge.

She used that downtime to convert her Sugar Mamas Bakery at 44 Lincoln Way E into The Root Vegan & GF Cafe, something shed long dreamed about. The cafe, like Ananias own diet, is 100% free of animal products and uses organic produce and non-GMO products.

Here, Anania talks about her food and why it is attracting lots of enthusiastic repeat customers.

Q. Are you surprised by the quick success of your cafe?A. I guess Im a little shocked. I didnt realize there were so many vegan people in Massillon and around this area. Saturdays are usually standing-room only. It was a huge gamble, but when the streets closed and our income went to nothing, I figured its either going to be this or Ill get a job at a factory.

Q. Having eaten at The Root and talked to some customers, it seems like the key is simply making vegan food taste good.A. Everyone always expects vegan to be crunchy, flavorless and kind of blah. I dont think you should have to sacrifice flavor for health when you can have the whole package. People eat with their eyes so it should be beautiful as well as taste good.

Q. You serve things like Reubens and sausage sandwiches that use jackfruit instead of meat. How do you make that work?A. What we do is mimic foods using plant-based options. The jackfruit is a big hit. I use it for turkey, I use it for chicken, I use it in the Reuben. Its very versatile, and like tofu, it will take on the flavors of whatever youre cooking it with. Our BBQ jackfruit wrap is extremely popular, which is a big ol tortilla wrapped with organic greens, sauteed peppers and onions, (dairy-free) cheddar cheese sauce and our homemade Southwestern avocado dressing.

Q. Many vegans seem to miss cheese the most of all. What can you tell me about yours?A. When you first start venturing into the non-dairy world, dairy-free cheese can turn people off real fast because thats their one vice. We kind of just ventured into using different products and altering our recipes to come up with the perfect creaminess of cheese without dairy, lactose and hormones. We make our loaded fries, chili fries and nachos with plant-based cheese sauce. Its a cleaner version of naughty food.

Q. Do you have non-vegan customers?A. Weve had quite a few people who are not vegan come in to try it out and they find out they dont miss meat. Some people are just trying to clean up their diet. Some people appreciate diversity in food.

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The Root Vegan & GF Cafe | Behind the Food - Aboutstark.com

One of the key issues with packaged snack foods is that they are easy to over-consume, either because they are particular sweet and tasty, or because they come in large packets of which we keep on munching once they are opened.

Making a concerted effort to prepare a nutritionally balanced snack once or twice each day is the key strategy that will help you to keep your snacking under control when you do have easy access to the family fridge. One of the best options nutritionally is teaming wholegrain crackers with a protein rich topping such as cheese, tinned fish, baked beans or 100% nut spread.

Here the protein will help to keep you full in between meals, as opposed to snacks we graze on and your will keep your calories and portions under control. Even better, add some extra veges to top your crackers to further bulk up your crackers of choice.

Read more from the original source:
The best snacks to eat when you are working from home - 9Honey

FRISCO, Texas Like everybody in these uncertain times, Luchi Gonzalez and his FC Dallas coaching staff have had to be nimble to navigate through this new, ever-changing situation.

In a conference call with media earlier this week, Luchi shed some light on how the team is doing personally and the steps being taken to maintain health and fitness during the league-wide training moratorium.

Without access to team facilities, the training staff have devised specific workout regimens the players can do from the comfort of their own homes using common household items. This can involve using shoes instead of cones, or books in leu of dumbbells.

Soon, the players will also be given nutrition guides to maintain a balanced diet over the period theyre away.

We do have a nutritionist on the team, Brittney [Bearden], who is working on getting meal plans set up for the players starting next week, Luchi said. Knowing we are currently limited, she will offer suggestions on what we can eat and what we can buy at stores while keeping in mind that going to the store may be an obstacle right now. But she will send a guide for players to follow.

Aside from basic exercises and nutrition plans, Luchi is working with his staff on creative solutions to keep their players prepared and engaged.

In terms of soccer, Im confident in my staff, Peter [Luccin], Mikey [Varas], Drew [Keeshan], Vander [Salas], Fredy [Herrera] and in the rest technical staff around me to come up with ideas to keep our players active and stimulated. We have some creative ideas for both on and off the field, or right now its more inside and outside their homes. We are going to start executing some of these ideas this weekend or first thing next week. This first week, its all about the basics and doing simple things to get into a system. Next week, we will be more confident on how we are going to move forward.

As always, Luchi also made it clear that this situation is bigger than FC Dallas, MLS andsports in general.

"Everyone be strong. Be conscious, and respectful to your neighbor by having distance. If youre helping to do so without physically touching [to stop the spread of the virus]. We are all human beings, we have our rights, and we are all in this together. Together is how we will overcome these situations. Whether youre a 20-year-old with good health or a 60-year-old person, we all have to be respectful of each other and be aware of how the virus spreads and do the right things to protect everyone."

Excerpt from:
Catching Up with Luchi Gonzalez: How His Team and Staff Are Working Through an Unprecedented Time - FC Dallas

March Mindfulness is Mashable's series that examines the intersection of meditation practice and technology. Because even in the time of coronavirus, March doesn't have to be madness.

I can't remember a time when I didn't agonize over what I ate.

Like many others, I believed I took up too much space no matter how much I weighed and it led to distorted eating habits. I'd log every bite in the MyFitnessPal app; photograph my food for a dedicated Tumblr blog; limit myself to 25 almonds a day; shame myself if I dared to go to bed full.

I believed that when I lost enough weight, my approach to food would shift overnight. I'd stop obsessing and I'd never overeat or emotionally eat, or eat "bad" food again. Despite being in the "normal" range on the Body Mass Index scale (even though BMI is bullshit), I wasn't one iota happier, and my food obsession remained.

That misbelief was, of course, a fantasy, but thankfully I discovered something that is actually helping me change my eating habits and, more importantly, my mental relationship with food: the mindful eating program on the Headspace app.

"Instead of focusing on what we put in our mouths, we are focusing on the why and the how."

Headspace is one of many meditation apps out there. I've tried plenty Calm, Buddhify, Stop Breathe Think but Headspace is far and away my favorite. (While this isn't sponsored, I do receive a premium Headspace subscription through my employer as a perk.) Like other apps, it has plenty of exercises for stress, anxiety, productivity, creativity, and sports performance. But what hooked me was its mindful eating program. It may not be for everyone some of Headspace's language around eating may cause a double-take but for me, the experience has been largely helpful.

I prefer Headspace over the others for several reasons, the biggest being that it lays out the practical reasons for meditating. It's difficult to sit in a lotus pose every day if you don't know how it can actually benefit your life. Headspace's tracks are organized by an array of applicable life pain points and then drilled down even further. For example, there are several "Anxious Moment" meditations dedicated to, say, interviews or difficult conversations. And, out of all the apps I tried, Headspace is the only one with dedicated tracks for mindful eating, like a pre-meal track or one for cooking.

Mindful eating is a form of meditation that teaches us to focus on our meals and how they make us feel. Mindful eating isn't about what you're eating, according to Headspace's Director of Healthcare Partnerships Sarah Romotsky.

"Instead of focusing on what we put in our mouths, we are focusing on the why and the how," Romotsky, who is also a registered dietician, said in an interview with Mashable. "The ultimate goal of mindful eating is to promote a more positive relationship with food and with ourselves."

Headspace offers a Mindful Eating "pack," a 30-day course that teaches you mindfulness techniques, as well as "singles," which are one-off meditations like "Eating Without Distraction" and "Eating With Appreciation."

I've completed the Mindful Eating pack and have kept using its techniques beyond the 30 days of the course. Here's what I've learned:

Traditional diets are focused on restriction, and, while some sources cite it as a way to lose weight, mindful eating is not. Diet culture fosters anxiety and fear around food, while mindful eating wants to reframe that relationship, Romotsky said.

While those who are recovering from an eating disorder should definitely consult a medical professional before incorporating a new food practice into their life, there is scientific research showing that mindful eating supports recovery from distorted eating.

Thanks largely to the body-positive movement, I knew that there is no "good" or "bad" food food does not have a moral value, and eating a food that is not "good for me" does not make me a bad person. But just being aware of a fact does not make it automatically sink in. Practicing mindful eating, however, made me realize that even if a food is not "good for me" in terms of nutritional value, eating it is not wrong and doesn't reflect on my value as a person. Labels I put on it are just that, labels I (or rather, my brain) put on it, thanks to years and years of absorbing diet culture.

"The one thing that people can do today to start promoting a better relationship with food and relationship with themselves overall is to change their terminology of good and bad," Romotsky said.

Each exercise in the Mindful Eating pack was 10 minutes long; I set aside time in the morning before going to work to complete it (and still do, just with different packs). While it may seem like nothing, it's anything but. As I progressed through the 30 days, I remembered the techniques I learned in those 10 minutes per day. Even if I forgot at the onset of a meal, I'd remember in the middle and pause to take some breaths. Speaking of forgetting...

Like meditation as a whole, mindful eating is a practice. The Headspace app actually put this reminder in a push notification: "It's not meditation perfect, it's meditation practice."

This stuff is difficult to learn, and expecting perfection from ourselves for whatever bullshit reason we create that it's "just in our heads," that we're not exerting physical effort so it must be easy is not only wrong, it is also going to backfire, and badly. This is an excellent opportunity for self-compassion: Be kind to yourself when you forget to take deep breaths or pause before eating. Beating yourself up into creating a new habit can work, but that's a habit in itself. Instead, create the habit of being kind to yourself. It's actually one of Romotsky's suggestions, so take an expert's word for it.

I've thought the same way about food for decades, so it's not realistic to think I can just unlearn those patterns after a few meditation sessions.

"Trying to unlearn something after 30 years of behavior is difficult," she said. "You can't expect a turn of a switch and have a better relationship with food and a better experience with food overnight." That being said, it is possible. It just takes time and self-compassion to get there.

Set realistic expectations for yourself, Romotsky suggests. If you have a full-time job not to mention children and familial obligations it's unrealistic to believe you will be on-point at mindful eating with every single piece of food you put in your mouth. Rather, the habit will become automatic over time if you keep up with it.

"It will become intrinsic, just the way everyone's current behavior of food has become autopilot," she said.

Practicing mindful eating and meditation as a whole has changed my perspective. I realize that I am not my thoughts, and my thoughts are not inherently true. Just because my brain labels a food "good" or "bad" does not make it so it is just the product of decades of diet culture and socialization. And if that is true of food, then many of my negative thoughts, such as those about my body or my intelligence or what have you, may just be that as well: thoughts. Not the truth.

If you've tried meditating once, you know it's hard. But that's part of the fun, or at least that's how I've learned to see it. Just as with learning any difficult skill, meditation has allowed me to look inward and learn more about myself and my habits, and how to promote more positive ones.

I started with mindful eating because I knew my relationship with food could be better. Now, I'm realizing that the practice has a ripple effect, quieting not only thoughts about food, but also thoughts of self-judgment and unrealistic expectations. Who knows what else it will bring? I'm excited to find out.

If you feel like youd like to talk to someone about your eating behavior, call the National Eating Disorder Associations helpline at 800-931-2237. You can also text NEDA to 741-741 to be connected with a trained volunteer at the Crisis Text Line or visit the nonprofits website for more information.

See more here:
6 Important Lessons That'll Change The Way You Think About Mindful Eating - Mashable India

Diets that contain a variety of fresh, nutrient-rich foods can help reduce feelings of fatigue. Such foods include kale, oats, and watermelon, among others.

However, some processed foods such as white bread and baked goods can worsen fatigue in some people.

Read on for more examples of foods that could help beat fatigue. This article also takes a look at foods and drinks to avoid, along with some general tips for boosting energy.

In general, foods that can help boost energy levels are fresh rather than highly processed. They also tend to be rich in nutrients.

Some examples include:

Whole eggs contain plenty of nutrients. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a typical egg contains 7 grams (g) of protein. It also provides 4% of the recommended daily intake of calcium and 6% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin A.

Eggs are also a source of fats. According to the National Institute on Aging, fat provides energy and helps the body absorb vitamins.

Bananas are a good source of potassium, fiber, and carbohydrates. This combination of carbohydrates and fiber provides a long lasting source of energy.

In fact, according to one small study, trained cyclists who ate bananas performed equally to those who consumed sports drinks during a 47-mile time trial. The researchers concluded that bananas are a good source of energy, specifically before and during long periods of exercise.

Whole almonds are rich in nutrients such as fats, fiber, and protein. Both protein and fat provide a feeling of fullness and can help increase energy levels.

Almonds also contain vitamin E and magnesium. They make a great afternoon snack.

Watermelons are a great source of hydration. According to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, watermelons are 92% water and contain vitamin C, vitamin A, and many other nutrients.

Dehydration can increase feelings of fatigue. However, a review from 2010 suggests that proper hydration increases mental alertness and improves well-being.

Kale is a leafy green vegetable rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and iron.

Red blood cells in the body contain iron. This mineral is essential for carrying oxygen around the body for cells to use as energy. For this reason, low levels of iron can cause a lack of energy.

According to the USDA, 1 cup of raw kale also contains plenty of potassium and vitamin A.

Spinach is another green leafy vegetable rich in iron. It is also high in vitamin K and magnesium.

Spinach and kale make an excellent combination in salads.

Chia seeds are rich in nutrients. For example, 1 ounce of chia seeds contains 4 g of protein, 11 g of fiber, and 9 g of fat.

Fiber is useful for preventing blood sugar spikes around meal times. Rapid changes in blood sugar levels are another possible cause of fatigue.

Oats are high in fiber and complex carbohydrates.

The body can easily break down refined carbohydrates and use them to provide a short-term energy boost. Sugar is one example of a refined carbohydrate.

However, complex carbohydrates are more difficult for the body to break down. This makes them a longer lasting source of energy.

Some foods and drinks might increase feelings of fatigue. For example, foods that are high in sugar can temporarily boost energy, but this spike often leads to a dip immediately after.

Examples of foods that could increase fatigue throughout the day include:

There are also some general diet-related behaviors a person can try to help keep their energy levels up during the day. These include:

However, different people may respond differently to these strategies, and something that works for one person might not work for another.

Making some other lifestyle changes can also increase energy levels throughout the day.

For example, the American Council on Exercise suggest that regular exercise can prevent fatigue. A person should aim to exercise on 35 days per week.

Also, the National Sleep Foundation explain that a good nights sleep helps the body with:

These benefits can help maintain energy levels throughout the day.

Managing stress is another way to fight fatigue. Over time, chronic stress can cause symptoms such as tiredness and exhaustion. There are many things a person can try to reduce their stress levels, including meditation and exercise.

There are several foods that can help beat feelings of fatigue during the day. Look for foods that are high in protein, good fats, and fibers. Foods high in iron and other nutrients are also helpful.

It is best to avoid highly processed or sugary foods when trying to boost energy levels.

Continued here:
Foods that beat fatigue: What to eat and other diet tips - Medical News Today

For most of us, eating in line with the Mediterranean diet is a smart choice. Theres solid research that basing your diet around vegetables, fruit, beans, nuts, seeds, and whole grains can:

The Mediterranean diet also allows for some animal protein mostly chicken and fish, and some dairy foods. And pasta, red meat, and sweets are limited, but not forbidden. It includes foods that people like to eat, so its pretty easy to follow and sustainable. Its less about whats off limits, says Samantha Cassetty, RD, a nutrition and weight-loss expert with a virtual nutrition counseling practice based in New York City.

Still, changing your diet isnt easy. Every day you make about 200 food decisions its overwhelming, Cassetty says. On top of that, youre making decisions about your family, your work, and every other aspect of your life.

And then theres the time commitment. Most people dont find spending 30 or 40 minutes cooking and cleaning at night all that delightful it feels like a chore, Cassetty says. So its easy to default to takeout or something thats quick and convenient, but less healthy.

Having a plan can help. It can help you develop a strategy and game plan. Having healthy items in place can help you work on your process and reach your goals, Cassetty says.

It can save you some time, too. With the Instant Pot, you dont have to stand over it and watch your pot boil it frees up your hands to do other things. If you want to fold a load of laundry or check off some emails, it gives you some time to do that. And because its all happening in one place, it reduces cleanup. You havent made too much of a mess, Cassetty says.

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Cassetty is also a fan of the Instant Pot for Mediterranean diet meal prep. She says almost every week she makes a big batch of quinoa with equal parts quinoa to vegetable or chicken broth, cooked for one minute. It comes out perfectly. Youre just steaming it in there, she says.

She also like to prep chicken breasts with some broth, garlic, or Italian seasoning. She cooks them for 12 minutes and lets the pressure release naturally, then shreds it to add to salads, grain bowls, or tacos. You can add other seasonings and transform it into any number of weeknight dinners, she says.

Beans, brown rice, and hard-boiled eggs would also be good choices for meal prepping foods for the Mediterranean diet.

And Cassetty points out that foods dont have to come from Italy, Greece, or other Mediterranean countries to satisfy the diets requirements. You can follow its principles with foods that come from other locations and cultures. For example, bean and veggie tacos in a whole-grain corn tortilla shell would fit within the framework of the diet.

Americas Test Kitchens "Mediterranean Instant Pot" cookbook is filled with complete meals you can cook in your Instant Pot. Next time youre thinking of turning to takeout or convenience foods, prepare one of these one-pot meals instead:

This dish blends garlic, lemon, and olives in a to-die-for combination.

Prepared in single-serving ramekins, these frittatas are loaded with veggies and perfect for breakfast or lunch all week.

For this recipe, you cook the bulgur first, and you can finish preparing the tabbouleh salad while the fish is cooking. You could substitute haddock or striped bass for the cod.

Want more tips like these? NBC News BETTER is obsessed with finding easier, healthier and smarter ways to live. Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Transitioning to the Mediterranean diet? Your Instant Pot can help - NBC News

Several young people have fallen seriously ill from the coronavirus in Europe, the Trump administrations coronavirus task force said on Wednesday, suggesting that the elderly are not the only group vulnerable to the flu-like virus. Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus task force response coordinator, urged millennials to heed health guidelines more forcefully and avoid any large social gatherings. There are concerning reports coming our of France and Italy about some young people getting seriously ill and very seriously ill in ICUs, she said during the task forces briefing on Wednesday. She said the task force feared that Americans had seen data from China and South Korea that suggested the flu-like virus largely affected the elderly or those with pre-existing medical conditions. It may have been that the millennial generation, our largest generation, our future generation... there may be [a] disproportional number of infections among that group and so even if its a rare occurrence, it may be seen more frequently in that group and be evidence now. She said millennials cannot have these large gatherings that continue to occur across the country.. you have the potential to spread it to someone. She added that there does not appear to be significant mortality among children.

The task force issued 15-day guidelines on Monday that, in part, said states with evidence of community transmission should close bars, restaurants, and places where large groups congregate. They also called on all Americans to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people.

See the original post here:
Trump Task Force: Millennials Are Getting Seriously Ill From Coronavirus and Need to Avoid Socializing - The Daily Beast

Things are rapidly changing around us, but the good thing is that as we do our part to flatten the curve, we can eventually see an end in sight. That means we can pack up our work from home essentials and plan to get back outside. Get out of that pair of sweatpants and into a pair of jeans you love while Everlane is marking all of their denim down to $50.

Personally, I swear by the Cheeky Straight Jeans in the Ankle length (thanks to being 51). Theyre comfortable all day, with just enough stretch, and are the perfect length for a small cuff at the ankle. They come in a handful of colors that will go with everything in your closet. Or go for the Performance Jean for men, which says everything about it in its name. The four-way stretch organic denim gives you movability and because its part of Everlanes Uniform line, theres a 365-day guarantee if they rip, fade, or shrink.

https://www.pntrac.com/t/TEFNS0VFQUVMRkVHTUFFREhLRE0?sid=50-denim&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.everlane.com%2F

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You're Gonna Leave the House Eventually. Grab Everlane Denim While It's on Sale - The Daily Beast

Good nutrition somehow has a direct impact on ones overall health and quality of well-being. When you follow a healthy diet that consists of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, you arent just satisfying your hunger, but youre nourishing your body too. Nutrition serves as an essential aspect of a healthy lifestyle, the importance of which just cannot be undermined. But are we even familiar that the benefits of good nutrition go beyond weight? The Bridge caught up with Arunava Bhattacharyya, a certified personal trainer, and nutritionist to discuss how good nutrition helps boost ones health and how to go about it.

Source: Instagram / Arunava Bhattacharyya

Proper nutrition means to be benefitted with all kinds of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that a human body needs to work its best. Usually, the source of daily calories consumed becomes just as important as the number of calories we consume. Nutrition trainers often stress upon limiting the consumption of empty calories, which comes with food that provides little or no nutritional value at all.

There is a common belief that in order to become fit, you should hit the gym or maybe enroll yourself in Zumba classes or be involved with any physical activity. Even when doctors come across an overweight person, they usually advise for a morning walk or jog. But I have been stressing upon how important nutrition is to our health. There is a lot beyond the kind of physical activities we do daily, says Arunava.

Also read: Could proper nutrition be the Achilles heel to coronavirus?

However, there is a piece of much differing information out there when it comes to nutrition. As a consequence, it can be sometimes difficult to figure out the healthiest ways to eat. But having said that, one might wonder what to expect to familiarise with specific requirements and limitations while consuming a proper diet.

Source: Deccan Chronicle

Ghee always had its own benefits, but in between, it had a nasty reputation of being high in saturated fats. Ghee, butter, and coconut oil are rich in Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT). MCT is helpful in boosting energy and increasing endurance, besides it plays an important role in improving weight management, he explains.

But then, how does one build an ideal nutritional plan? Experts suggest it is all about balanced proportions of a nutrient-rich diet from various food groups, and adhering to several healthy eating habits. Besides, vitamin and mineral use has skyrocketed over the past decade as the nation has experienced a massive health and wellness boom.

In general, it is believed by health experts that our diets should be our main source for vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Should health supplements replace a well-balanced diet, one may argue. Human bodies, as Arunava admits, are naturally designed to absorb and make use of nutrients as they occur in foods.

Source: Instagram / Arunava Bhattacharyya

The deadly coronavirus presents many uncertainties, and none of us can completely eliminate our risk of being infected. But what we can definitely do is eat as healthily as possible. If infected, our immune system is responsible for fighting it, because research shows improving nutrition helps support optimal immune function. Micro-nutrients essential to fight infection include vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, and the minerals iron, selenium, and zinc.

The fear of Coronavirus is more because of the way it has been spreading. As a matter of fact, there is not enough research to suggest where this virus is originating from. One of my friends called up and said that his father is prescribing homeopathic medicines to help people cure them of coronavirus. To me, 99% of it is misinformation that has been floating around, Arunava suggests.

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Know what this nutrition expert believes is best to fight coronavirus - The Bridge