One of Indias biggest festivals is finally here. Navratri begins today and will continue till October 25. People celebrate this grand festival with great pomp and show all over the country. From preparing delish dishes to wearing new clothes and enjoying Garba to keeping a fast, people celebrate the festival in several different ways. If you have planned to keep a 9-day-fast this Navratri, here are some tips for you. Pick healthy vrat itemsNavratri brings along with itself an opportunity to fast and worship the supreme Goddess Durga. If you fast during the entire duration of Navratri, make sure you are feeding yourself healthy food items. Eat fruits, makhana, kuttu dosa, samak rice and baked potatoes. Avoid deep fried snacks or sugar loaded sweets, as such food items will only add to your waistline and provide no health benefit.

Avoid overeatingEven if you are consuming vrat food items, avoid overeating. Instead, break your meals into small portions and consume them 5-6 times a day. This way you will keep feeding your body with energy and will also prevent the feeling of fullness you might get after eating a heavy meal.

Avoid packaged foodsPackaged foods like fried chips and namkeen, which are especially made for the purpose of vrat are loaded with sodium and refined oil. These food items are usually prepared using substandard oil which can even make you sick. Take the healthier route during fasting and opt for fruits and natural food items.

Eat nutsConsuming nuts is an amazing way to ensure that you are eating healthy while fasting. They will keep your energy levels high and will also keep you full during the day. You can easily consume almonds, cashews, pistachios and raisins in moderate qualities. You can also roast some makhanas, along with these dry fruits and prepare a nutritious chat for yourself. Roasted dry fruits could also be added to milk shakes or fruit salads, as they too are some amazing foods to consume during Navratri.

Stay hydrated

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Navratri Fasting 2020: Here is what you should do and avoid during Navratri fast - Times of India

Chances are youve got a friend or family member who swears by KETO, or if you havent, then youve almost certainly heard of the myriad of celebrities who follow the diet religiously.

KETO has become more than a diet nowadays, its a way of life. Many restaurants offer extensive keto options on their menus, withSkinnys Bar and Grillin Bondi being Australias first KETO CAFE! Everything on their menu is low-carb, gluten-free and sugar-free. Sounds good, right?

Well before you hop in your car and make the mad dash to Bondi to grab a carb-free cheeseburger, let us see if the KETO hype stands up to science.

So, what is KETO? KETO stands for ketogenic. A ketogenic diet involves consuming as little carbs as possible, so the body is forced to enter a state of being called ketosis. Essentially, this means that it burns the bodysfat storesrather than thecarbohydratesa human consumes on a daily basis.

DoctorMarcelo Camposfrom Harvard Medical School explains it like this:Most cells prefer to use blood sugar, which comes from carbohydrates,as the bodys main source of energy. In the absence of circulating blood sugar from food, we start breaking down stored fat into molecules called ketone bodies (the process is called ketosis).

Once you reach ketosis, most cells will use ketone bodies to generate energy until we start eating carbohydrates again. The shift, from using circulating glucose to breaking down stored fat as a source of energy, usually happens over two to four days of eating fewer than20 to 50 grams of carbohydrates per day.

Keep in mind that this is a highly individualized process, and some people need a more restricted diet to start producing enough ketones.

Because it lacks carbohydrates, aketogenic dietis rich in proteins and fats. It typically includes plenty of meats, eggs, processed meats, sausages, cheeses, fish, nuts, butter, oils, seeds, and fibrous vegetables.

Because it is so restrictive, it is really hard to follow over the long run. Carbohydrates normally account for at least 50% of the typical American diet.

One of the main criticisms of this diet is that many people tend to eat too much protein and poor-quality fats from processed foods, with very few fruits and vegetables. Patients with kidney disease need to be cautious because this diet could worsen their condition.

Additionally, some patients may feel a little tired in the beginning, while some may have bad breath, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and sleep problems.

Despite the recent hype, the ketogenic diet is not something new. In medicine, it has been used for almost 100 years to treatdrug-resistant epilepsy, especially in children.

In the 1970s, Dr. Atkins popularized his very-low-carbohydrate diet for weight loss that began with averystricttwo-week ketogenic phase. This is where the KETO craze all began, and over the years, other fad diets incorporated a similar approach for weight loss.

Now that we know what the ketogenic diet involves, lets look at how safe it is for humans to follow.

According to Doctor Campos,We have solid evidence showing that a ketogenic diet reduces seizures in children, sometimes as effectively as medication. Because of these neuroprotective effects, questions have been raised about the possible benefits for other brain disorders such asParkinsons,Alzheimers, multiple sclerosis, sleep disorders, autism, and even brain cancer.

However, there are no human studies to support recommending ketosis to treat these conditions.

According to the worlds leading low-carb diet blogger and podcasterJimmy Moore, author ofKeto Clarity, the ketogenic diet seems to be quite beneficial for effectively treating a range of other health conditions, including metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), heartburn (GERD) nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), Type 2 diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease.

On the subject of Type 2 diabetes, Halle Berry began speaking out in support of the keto diet in 2017. She explained in an appearance onLive With Kelly and Ryanthat shes a good candidate for the diet because shes diabetic.

Halle also spoke toPeopleabout KETO. I eat healthy fats all day long, avocado, oil, coconut oil and I use butter, but dont have any sugar. So when your body gets trained to burn fats, its constantly on fat-burning mode thats the secret,she noted.

A ketogenic diet also has been shown to improve blood sugar control for patients with type 2 diabetes, at least in the short term. However, there is a lot of controversies when doctors have considered the effects of KETO on cholesterol levels.

A few studies show some patients have an increase in cholesterol levels, in the beginning, only to see cholesterol fall afew months later. However, there isno long-term researchanalyzing its effects over time on diabetes and high cholesterol, at least as of now.

Back to Ms. Bond for a minute. Berry is just one of many celebs who swear by theKETO dietto help them combat health conditions naturally, with others who seemingly swear by the diet for staying slim and trim.

It would seem weight loss is the primary reason many people use the ketogenic diet. Previous research shows good evidence offaster weight losswhen patients go on a ketogenic or very low carbohydrate diet compared to participants on a more traditional low-fat diet, or even aMediterranean diet.

However, that difference in weight loss seems to disappear over time, as the KETO way of living is hard to keep up long term. And this is where we hit a crossroads.

If you want to lose weight, the fastest route to drop the kilos is often taken, without much consideration on long term effects or any advice taken from a doctor or dietician on proper eating.

KETO is often promised to get you slim quicker, as low-carb diets are famous for quick fat loss. The person will often lose a considerable amount of weight on KETO, then afterwards, go back to their normal way of eating. The weight slowly comes back and, then we go diet again; usually even more restrictedly than the first time. It is often much harder to lose the second time on a diet, and each time we restrict our bodies heavily, our metabolisms are put under a lot of stress. This process is called yo-yo dieting and can be harmful long term.

Studies have shown that most people who participate in the KETO diet, end up gaining the weight back faster than those who follow other restrictive diets. Why is that? Firstly, metabolic needs are largely based on body composition. Muscle uses more energy than fat, thus higher muscle mass means higher caloric needs.

Leading Dietician and Nutritionist Emily Baum explains KETO yo-yo dieting like this:

Quick weight loss often means losing muscle mass, not just fat loss. Most, if not ALL Fad diets are typically unsustainable so that when the diet is over, your body composition is now completely different to before. You now have less muscle, which means you now have to consume fewer calories than before the diet to maintain your new weight. People then resume their normal eating patterns and gain weight very quickly. This causes people to blame carbs or whatever food group they eliminated. When in reality, you changed your body composition, thus your caloric needs have changed. This is where KETO can potentially become dangerous.

So, is it eliminating carbohydrates the key?

It would seem that the KETO Diet is unsustainable long term; therefore, there are no long-term studies supporting that a keto diet is healthy, in particular for losing weight or decreasing morbidity rates.

So what can we take away from all this?

If you dont have a pre-existing health condition, (mentioned above), or havent been advised to eat KETO by a Doctor, Specialist or Dietician, perhaps following a traditionalMediterranean dietis the answer to optimal health, longevity and weight loss that stays off.

This way of eating combines a good combination of healthy fats and healthy, complex carbs. By including a larger food group, this ensures cravings are kept at bay, all the while getting all the nutrients you need to feel satiable and happy.

So, what are you waiting for! Lets get to cooking thosegemista(stuffed capsicums) and roast lamb with Greek salad. Happy healthy carb consuming!

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KETO Diet: Is It Just Hype Or A New Way Of Life? - Greek City Times

Losing weight with fasting - Know what to eat during Navratri, tips, recipe to fast safely  |  Photo Credit: iStock Images

New Delhi: Navratris mark the beginning of the festive season, especially in North India, where people start looking forward to the festive season of Durga Pooja, Diwali, and Dushehra as the auspicious days commence. Most people, who practice the Hindu religion, fast on some, or all 9 days of Navratri, and while it has its spiritual significance, fasting during the festival is also seen as a good way to lose weight and get in shape.

Many diets can help you lose weight. Low-carb diets, low-fat diet, eating more fruits and vegetables, etc are a good idea, but this alone is not likely to help you lose weight. Eating high-fibre foods, such as nuts, beans, fruits and vegetables, and high protein foods, drinking lots of water, are also important steps to take in order to lose weight.People tend to think they're hungry, when they are really just thirsty.The fasting rules of these 9 days allow people to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. This helps in detoxifying the system of toxins as well as building immunity.Fruits arealso generally low in calories and high in fibre, which may help you lose weight- in addition to a well-balanced diet. In fact, eating fruit is linked to lower body weight and a lower risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, and heart disease.Bhavya Singh, nutritionist, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Noida, gave us more insights on how to lose weight while fasting, and ensure that your body is safe and healthy.

The 9 days choices can be made from foods not usually taken and this is a time for great experimentation. Various combinations of grains, veg protein and antioxidant-rich vegetables and fruits can be included in addition to milk and its products.All these 9 days of including a wide variety and new different types of food are very beneficial for your health. You can try all these offbeat dishes at home & comfortably consume them, as they are easy on the tummy and deliciously different too.

Day 1 - The first day of Navratri, you can prepare dishes like kuttu ka chilla or uttapam, rajgira ka chilla or sabudana khichdi. This is a start to try new grains not usually consumed for the rest of the year.Day 2- On the second day of Navratri, you can consume kuttu ka dosa or pumpkin and apple soup, potato chaat etc.Day 3- The third day of Navratri is you can cook elaborate dishes like sabudana kheer or makhana kheer, sweet potato Kheer for the day.Day 4-Fourth day of Navratri, devotees can consume kuttu ke atte ka malpua in the form of bhog. Ye can add on fruits on the side and nuts to make it healthier.Day 5- The fifth-day food options include Palak Paneer Makhana vegetable (with rock salt), banana walnut lassi and kele ki sabzi.Day 6- You can bea little more creative and make your own vrat-friendly Sabudana Kheer, Sago yoghurt with fruits, arbi kofta, fruit chaat etc.Day 7- You can add jaggery to your vrat-friendly sabudana kheer, kuttu ki khichdi and even in juices. Savoury options include amaranth flour rolls stuffed with tofu or paneer and veggies-easily eaten during the busy festivities.Day 8- You can make arbi Cutlet as a snack and wash it down with banana Walnut Lassi. Curd can be good addition on these days to ease digestion and improve gut immunity.Day 9 - Dishes like Sabudana upma with assorted veggies and topped with boiled peanuts, boiled sprouts and chana. All of this can be taken with Rock salt nimbu paani and or cucumber chaas to cool the system.

Fasting completely for one or two days a week, known as the Eat-Stop-Eat diet, involves eating no food for 24 hours at a time. Many people fast from breakfast to breakfast or lunch to lunch. People on this diet plan can have water, tea, and other calorie-free drinks during the fasting period. However, use caution with this approach as blood pressure and blood sugar levels can dip for some people- so do check with a nutritionist how you can do this safely.

Kuttu ka Chilla

Ingredients -

Method

Benefits of kuttu ke chilla:

It is a great grain easy to digest, an antioxidant, helps controls cholesterol, and provides essential vitamins and minerals. Kuttu ka atta or buckwheat flour is low in glycemic index, due to this it is easy to digest and good for diabetes. This chilla can also be made on normal days, it is very healthy and nutritious.

Nutritive Value [Per 100 grams]:

Please note - In pregnancy, exercise caution while taking any type of fasts, as the baby's needs are specific and usually fasting is not encouraged. If you are still keen to know how to modify your diet during Navratri, please contact your nutritionist for safe personalized guidance via a video consultation so that you can reach out from the safety and comfort of your homes.

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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Losing weight with fasting - Know what to eat during Navratri, tips, recipe to fast safely - Times Now

Dear PDSA Vet, Ive noticed that my cat has smelly breath and he has put on some weight could these two things be related?

There can be several possible causes of bad breath, including dental disease, kidney disease, diabetes, a foreign body in the mouth or, in rare cases, a mouth tumour. Overweight cats have a higher risk of developing diabetes, but that doesnt mean that diabetes is necessarily the cause of the problem, or that the two issues are related. Id advise taking your cat to your vet for a check-up to find out whats causing these problems. They will also be able to recommend a diet and exercise programme to help him to lose weight safely. Its important for cats to do this gradually, as rapid weight loss can be dangerous.

Dear PDSA Vet, Im pregnant and my young spaniel, Honey, who went to training classes and was always well behaved, has suddenly started to bark a lot, and become aggressive. With my baby due in a few months, how can I put a stop to this?

Dogs have very heightened senses and are able to pick up on hormonal changes as well as changes in the atmosphere at home. Its not unusual for a dogs behaviour to alter in unison with a womans pregnancy; they can become unsettled, affectionate or protective of the mum-to-be, and may even display signs of aggression.

Get Honey checked over by your vet, to make sure there isnt a medical problem. Pain and fear are usually the root causes of aggression.

Dear PDSA Vet, Our elderly cat, Peter, has a large bald patch along his spine. We think it is because of excessive licking or possibly stress. Is there anything we can do for him?

Its important to have Peter checked over by his vet to rule out any possible medical issue. Its also worth just checking the basics; make sure that he is up to date with his flea treatments because pets that are very sensitive to fleas can develop sore, bald areas. If fleas arent an issue, then over-grooming can be a sign of stress. Cats are very susceptible to stress and over-grooming is often a good indicator. Causes include changes to normal life, such as building work, a new pet, new baby or even a new cat in the neighbourhood.

Dear PDSA Vet, Im thinking of getting a hamster for my daughter. What types of food should I avoid and are there any which are poisonous?

Providing a balanced diet is important, so feeding a complete pellet food for hamsters is ideal, supplemented with small amounts of fresh fruit and vegetables, but be careful not to give too much in one go as they can store the food and it soon spoils. Foods to keep well out of reach of hamsters include the leafy green stalks on tomatoes, fatty meat, chocolate, kidney beans and raw potatoes. Like dogs, hamsters can be poisoned by onion, garlic, almond nuts and citrus fruit. Beware feeding too many sunflower seeds, a hamsters particular favourite, as these can cause them to become overweight.

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My cat has smelly breath and has put on weight - could this be related? - NW Evening Mail

Kelly Osbourne is looking trim after her 85 pound weight loss, and fans are taking notice to a new string of family photos.

Travel Channel posted the images of Kelly and the entire Osbourne family to promote The Osbournes: Night of Terror, a television special depicting their first ghost hunt. The eldest Osbourne child stands pristine amid the familial backdrop, sporting purple buns and a sleek black outfit. Sharon, Jack and Ozzy fill the remaining space wearing smiles. Youll notice the Prince of Darkness smile is wrought with a hint of mischief.

Another picture shows Kelly and her younger brother sitting on posh furniture amid a shower of daylight.

Since receiving gastric bypass surgery in 2018, the 35-year-old has been shedding the pounds and sharing her progress. "Today I'm feeling #Gucci," the star captioned along with a slick pic of her bright red dress.

Speaking with the Hollywood Raw with Dax Hold and Adam Glyn podcast, she said losing weight was a physical and mental journey. "This has been two years of me working on this.Figuring out if I wanted to be in this industry, figuring out if I was even capable of even losing this weight, she said.

"I did, and I figured out I wanted to keep going. I didnt do this for anyone."

Kellys father has been striving to improve his own physical health. The 71-year-old is still recovering from many physical maladies including a staph infection on his hand, pneumonia, a re-aggravated 2003 ATV accident and a recently revealed Parkinsons diagnosis.

But he recently announced his No More Tours II run will take place in 2022. Sharon told Planet Rock Radio she believes a two-year window will allow for venues to fully, and safely, reopen to the public amid COVID-19 and allow Ozzy to fully heal.

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Ozzy Osbourne and family look better than ever in new photos - RADIO.COM

DEAR HARRIETTE: My boyfriend and I live together. He doesn't like to party or go out, but I do. I like to be with my girlfriends and have fun. All of my girlfriends are in relationships, too. Anytime I tell him that my girls want to go away on a trip, he tells me to go enjoy myself. When the day gets closer, he starts to tell me he doesn't want me to go because he doesn't know what my friends and I will be doing and he's not comfortable with it. I know if I still go, he will just constantly call and text me and I won't enjoy myself.

At times, I feel trapped. I don't want to spend my life knowing there will never be an overnight trip I can take without him. I want him to be able to trust me, but he makes me feel like he doesn't. Is this a trust issue or something deeper? -- Don't Want To Get Trapped

DEAR DON'T WANT TO GET TRAPPED: Since all of your girlfriends are in relationships as well, could you plan a couples trip? Perhaps if your boyfriend experiences being with the whole group, he may relax when you are just with the girls. That's worth a try.

Outside of that, you may want to reconsider if this is the partner for you. If you and your girlfriends are truly just enjoying spending girl time together and he cannot accept that, he may be too controlling for your taste. Now is the time to figure out how compatible you two are -- that includes your values and practices. You need to have shared values in order to enjoy a long-term committed relationship.

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Boyfriend may have trust issues | | thetandd.com - The Times and Democrat