Has more than two months of lockdown wreaked havoc with your diet? Dont panic, youre not alone.

Reduced activity levels, higher booze intake and increased comfort-eating has left almost half of Brits heavier than they were at the beginning of the year, according to new research by Cambridge Weight Plan.

The good news is theres still time to turn it around and trim down for a summer of more freedom outside. And we have just the healthy plan to get you into your best shape inside and out.

Not only is our two-week plan full of tasty breakfasts, tempting lunches and delicious dinners, its also packed with immune-boosting seasonal superfoods to help you lose weight and health-proof your body as best you can.

Today, youll find your shape-up meal planner and tomorrow an easy exercise routine, plus delicious extra recipes.

The latest diet research shows that the healthiest and most effective way to slimdown is to ditch processed foods andtakeaways in favour of fresh, home-cooked healthy meals.

And sticking to a Mediterranean-style diet has been demonstrated time after time as the ultimate way to achieve this.

This means eating plenty of lean proteins, such as chicken, fish and eggs, pulses such as beans and lentils, and cooking with olive oil and increasing your intake of fruit, veg and wholemeal carbs, such as granary bread, explains nutritionist Linda Foster.

This provides your body with high levels of protein and fibre, which will help to fill you up and create long-lasting energy while the fruit and veg, along with plenty of water, will keep you hydrated and also help beat bloating.

Our two-week plan (which can be safely followed for longer) keeps hunger at bay because its designed to keep blood sugar levels stable, helping prevent those hard-to-ignore cravings for unhealthy treats.

Youll also cut out alcohol, white carbs and excess salt and sugar to help reduce water retention and flatten your tummy for a leaner-looking body.

Better still, the recipes are super-easy to make, dont require hard-to-find ingredients and taste absolutely delicious. So get started today to head into summer feeling and looking your very best.

1 Grapefruit

As well as being packed full of immune-boosting vitamin C, some studies have found that when overweight people include grapefruit in their diet, they lose more weight. This is thought to be because the sharp-tasting fruit has been shown to curb appetite, as well as lower output of the fat storage hormone insulin, which can result in weight loss.

2 Broccoli

It contains antioxidants that can help your body fight off illness, plus its high in chromium, which helps the pancreas stabilise insulin release and prevent the fluctuating blood sugar levels that can lead to food cravings and bingeing.

3 Peppers

A great source of the health-boosting nutrient betacarotene, plus even sweet peppers have a mild thermogenic (heating) action that increases metabolism, encouraging the body to burn more calories.

4 Salmon

Its a great source of the protein leptin, which controls your appetite so you dont overeat.

5 Spinach

Its rich in vitamin C and the antioxidant betacarotene, plus it contains a unique plant membrane called thylakoid, which research by Lund University in Sweden has found can actually reduce cravings for junk foods.

Eliminate all processed biscuits, cakes, ready meals and snack foods.

Simply follow the easy meal plan below, choosing three meals plus two snacks a day from the options for two weeks or more depending on how much weight you want to lose. You can also drink unlimited amounts of black tea, herbal tea, black coffee and water.

Excerpt from:
Lose your lockdown love handles in 14 days with this easy diet plan - Mirror Online

The government submitted to parliament on Monday a draft second extra budget for fiscal 2020, totaling a record 31.91 trillion ($291 billion), to implement additional measures to strengthen the medical system and help people hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic.

With the supplementary budget, which was approved by the Cabinet on May 27, the government plans to roll out a new package of programs worth about 117 trillion. Programs will focus on support for small firms, struggling since stay-at-home requests were imposed in April, as well as medical staff at the forefront of the battle against the virus.

The government said the size of the package, including loans and investments in addition to actual fiscal spending, is worth about 117 trillion, nearly the same size as the first extra budget enacted on April 30.

The novel coronavirus is having an enormous impact on the domestic and overseas economies, Finance Minister Taro Aso said in an address at the House of Representatives. We must continue to help those that have been put in difficult situations and protect jobs, businesses and livelihoods.

The second extra budget for the fiscal year, which started on April 1, is expected to be approved by the House of Representatives on Wednesday, and to be enacted the following day after its passage in the House of Councillors.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abes administration drafted the new budget to double the scale of measures to combat the fallout from the pandemic. Japan will pay for it in its entirety by issuing new bonds, adding to its mountain of debt.

Opposition parties are likely to ramp up their criticism over a lack of transparency in how major advertising agency Dentsu Inc. was commissioned to implement parts of the package.

Among the new measures is a subsidy program for rent payments for small businesses and individual proprietors running out of cash, covering two-thirds of the payments for six months with an upper limit of 6 million.

The government will also deliver 200,000 to each front-line worker at medical institutions treating COVID-19 patients, and 100,000 to each member of staff at hospitals that have secured beds and are prepared to accept people infected with the virus that causes the respiratory disease.

As for assistance for companies that have been forced to keep employees out of the workplace due to worsening business conditions brought on by the pandemic, the upper limit will be raised to 15,000 per day per worker from the current 8,330.

The budget also includes a reserve fund of 10 trillion for potential future countermeasures. We expect this to be a drawn-out battle, and its hard to foresee how the situation will turn out, Aso said.

How to use the fund was not initially fixed. But after facing criticism from opposition parties that the amount was too large for it be spent without Diet approval, the Abe administration recently decided to earmark 5 trillion for helping companies maintain employment and boosting medical services.

Combined with the first extra budget for fiscal 2020, the government has said the enlarged economic package is worth over 230 trillion.

It includes government and Bank of Japan loan programs, and investment by the private sector. The government says such financing programs provided by the first and second packages will support 130 trillion worth of fundraising by companies.

The first supplementary budget, amounting to 25.69 trillion, finances such steps as issuing 100,000 cash handouts to 126 million residents in Japan including foreign nationals.

Amid a deteriorating economic situation and public frustration over the size and scope of the governments initial relief measures, Abe instructed officials to draw up the fresh supplementary budget in mid-May.

See more here:
Japan's government submits record extra budget to Diet for virus relief - The Japan Times

NEW YORK: This week, Beyonce delivered a message to the graduating Class of 2020, marking their achievement with a speech amplifying messages of the Black Lives Matter movement and praising change-makers.

The superstar artist was among a roster of A-listers to participate in YouTubes global virtual commencement ceremony Dear Class of 2020.

You have arrived here in the middle of a global crisis, a racial pandemic and worldwide expression of outrage at the senseless killing of yet another unarmed black human being, the 38-year-old mother of three said. And you still made it. Were so proud of you.

Beyonce was referring to the anti-racism protests roiling the nation as thousands take to the streets decrying systemic white supremacy and police brutality.

The wildly popular artist also took the moment to lambast persistent sexism in the music industry and beyond.

As a woman, I did not see enough female role models given the opportunity to do what I knew I had to do, she related.

Beyonce wrapped her message that ignited social media with a message for those who feel left on the margins: Your queerness is beautiful, your blackness is beautiful, your compassion, your understanding.

Your fight for people who may be different from you is beautiful.

Originally posted here:
5 reasons to add flaxseed to your diet - Arab News

The UK has officially passed the peak of the coronavirus infection.

The government has advised the public to remain indoors in an attempt to curb the spread of the infection.

Despite nearing the final stretch of the COVID-19 outbreak, hundreds of people are still dying in the UK everyday.

But, eating more extra virgin olive oil could lower your chances of severe complications of coronavirus, it's been claimed.

READ MORE: Coronavirus symptoms - seven signs you may have COVID-19

"The microbes that live in your gut [microbiome] play an important part in maintaining your immune system and your overall health," said the COVID-19 Symptom Study app.

"If you want to do the best thing to support your health during the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining a healthy gut is probably more important than stockpiling toilet paper.

"Recent research has shown that following a Mediterranean diet can improve your gut diversity and reduce inflammation, which may put you in a better position to fight pathogens like coronavirus.

"This involves eating plenty of fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes and pulses; healthy fats like high-quality extra virgin olive oil; and lean meat or fish for those who wish. At the same time, keep your gut bugs healthy by limiting alcohol intake, salt, sweets and sugary drinks."

Read more here:
Coronavirus: The best oil to use while cooking to protect against deadly COVID-19 symptoms - Express

Blocked blood vessels raises the risk of heart attacks and strokes, as it limits the blood supply to the heart and the rest of the body.

It's not always easy to know whether you have high cholesterol, as there aren't any obvious symptoms.

But, there are some hidden warning signs that you should consider getting your cholesterol levels checked.

You could, however, be at risk of high cholesterol if you develop yellow fatty growths on your skin.

READ MORE: High cholesterol - eat this snack daily to lower levels

"A high level of cholesterol in the blood doesn't have obvious symptoms," said medical website WebMD.

"But, it can increase your risk for conditions that do have symptoms, including angina [chest pain caused by heart disease], high blood pressure, stroke, and other circulatory ailments.

"Soft, yellowish growths or lesions on the skin called xanthomas may indicate a genetic predisposition to cholesterol problems.

"Call your doctor about heart disease if you detect soft, yellowish skin growths on yourself or on your children. Ask about being tested for high cholesterol."

Your doctor or dermatologist should be able to diagnose xanthomas from a quick examination.

A skin biopsy may confirm their diagnosis, which is where a sample of your skin is sent to a laboratory for examination.

Treating the underlying cause of the xanthoma is the best way to get rid of the fatty lumps.

But, they can also be removed via surgery or chemical treatment. They may return, however, so treating the underlying cause is the best option.

Meanwhile, high cholesterol may be caused by eating lots of fatty foods, or by not doing enough exercise.

Obesity, smoking, and drinking lots of alcohol, all contribute to your cholesterol levels.

Medication can help to keep your cholesterol levels in check, but it's also important to stick to a healthy diet, and to do regular exercise.

Everyone should aim to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day, as well as 150 minutes of exercise every week.

Read more here:
High cholesterol warning: The fatty growths on your skin that raise your heart attack risk - Express

A STUDY in the North-East has found half of the children who received free school meal vouchers are reporting a significant drop in their intake of fruit and vegetables since schools closed in March.

Research by Northumbria Universitys Healthy Living Lab found over 50 per cent stated they had eaten no fresh vegetables across a three-day period following the UKs Covid-19 lockdown.

Almost half reported having eaten no fruit in the same period, yet many reported a large increase in consumption of sugary drinks and snacks.

The findings of the study have been released today, a week after many English schools re-opened their doors to children in selected year groups.

Northumbria Universitys Healthy Living Lab is one of the UKs leading research centres into issues around the provision of child feeding programmes and holiday hunger.

Researchers were keen to investigate what children entitled to free school meals would be eating when it became apparent that the UK was going to enter a period of lockdown and schools would be closing their doors to all but the most vulnerable pupils and children of key workers.

Although the Department for Education implemented a shopping voucher scheme worth 15 per child per week in England to provide support for those children who would normally receive free school meals, many parents and schools reported a number of issues with the scheme and the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland chose to introduce alternative schemes.

The researchers worked with almost 60 nine-to-twelve-year-olds in London and the North East of England who completed specially designed questionnaires on their eating, sleeping and physical activity across six days.

Data were collected on three consecutive days before, and three consecutive days during, lockdown.

The questionnaires were returned to the researchers by parents for statistical analysis.

The preliminary findings show a significant decrease in the amount of fruit children have been eating.

Before school closures they ate, on average, just over one portion of fruit per day.

During the three-day reporting period during lockdown, almost half of the children (45%) said they hadnt eaten any fruit, with the remaining children eating an average of half a portion of fruit per day.

Similar results were seen in the childrens responses on the amount of vegetables they had eaten.

More than half of the children (55%) said they had not eaten any fresh vegetables during the three days during lockdown.

The mean vegetable intake dropped from just over two portions per day when children were attending school, to an average of half a portion per day at home.

However, a four-fold increase was reported in the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks consumed, together with a substantial rise in the amount of crisps, chocolates and sweets being eaten.

Childrens consumption of unhealthy snacks increased from an average of one over the three days when they were at school to six portions across three days at home during lockdown.

The researchers also asked if the children had skipped any meals.

Approximately 25% said they had skipped at least one meal a day prior to schools closing usually their breakfast and this increased to 35% following lockdown.

Professor Greta Defeyter, director of the Healthy Living Lab said: These preliminary findings make for pretty horrific reading. As a nation our shopping habits have changed, with an increase in shopping online and shopping locally. However, if a parent doesnt have internet access or has a low data allowance, cant afford the minimum shop for free delivery, or lives in a food desert that is populated with fast food takeaways then it is hardly surprising that, in the absence of free school breakfasts and free school lunches, some childrens overall dietary intake has changed. While I welcome the fact that more supermarket chains are now included in the DfEs voucher scheme the preliminary findings in our report highlight wider, systematic, societal failures.

Baroness Boycott, chairwoman of the charity Feeding Britain agreed.

She said: "The social and economic consequences of coronavirus are exposing millions of people in our country to hunger and malnutrition.

"As these preliminary findings show, we need a seamless year-round programme of nutritious meals for all children which incorporates school breakfasts and dinners, as well as a continuation of that service, alongside enriching activities, during the holiday periods. The automatic registration of all eligible families for Healthy Start vouchers the take-up of which is pitifully low would also increase the flow of fresh fruit and vegetables to young children.

Professor Defeyter said there is a high probability that children from lower socio-economic backgrounds will be most disadvantaged when the new academic year begins in September, given the combination of a lack of healthy nutritious food and the educational learning loss experienced due to school closures, which will disproportionally affect disadvantaged children.

She called for a universal school meal service and school breakfast club programme to be made available to all children, to ensure equal access to a healthy diet to promote health, and learning, adding: Our report highlights the importance of free school meal provision, and the importance of access to healthy, nutritious food in every community. We believe that all children have the right to access nutritious healthy food within their community and school.

In the immediate term, we urge the UK government to rethink school summer holiday provision to ensure that all children from low income households are provided with the opportunity to access healthy food, cultural, social and physical activities during the upcoming holiday period

Expansion of the DfEs funded holiday provision programme will support parents in childcare provision and their return to work, reduce parental stress, ensure children receive healthy, nutritious food that complies with school food standards, and provide a solid foundation for an extended school programme to provide long-term support to address educational learning loss.

Dr Emily Mann, who also worked on the study, said that parents and schools had reported difficulties in accessing the food voucher scheme.

We already know that households with children eligible for free school meals are at risk of food insecurity. Parents and schools in England complained about the time taken to receive the vouchers and said some shops refused to accept them as they are limited to certain supermarkets.

The additional 15 per child from the food vouchers has not enabled the lowest-income households to move out of this risk area, especially at a time when household income is likely to have suffered due to the economic impact of the pandemic.

The full report is entitled The Free School Meal Voucher Scheme: What are children actually eating and drinking?

Read the original post:
Study reveals the impact of lockdown on children's diets - The Northern Echo

Patients with stricturing Crohns disease (CD) may experience episodes of intestinal sub-occlusions, which in many cases lead to surgery. The aim of this study was to examine whether adding a liquid diet to medical therapy could improve the management of patients with stricturing CD.Medical records of CD outpatients with a small bowel stricture, either receiving (group 1) or not (group 2) a 24-h liquid diet every 10-14 days, were retrospectively analyzed. Number of sub-occlusive episodes, frequency, and timing of intestinal resections for strictures were analyzed.During the 12-month follow-up, there was no significant difference in the occurrence of new sub-occlusive episodes between the 2 groups (10/37 patients (27%) in group 1 vs 9/45 patients (20%) in group 2). Similarly, the number of patients undergoing bowel resections for sub-occlusive episodes non-responsive to medical therapy did not statistically differ between the two groups (9 patients (24.3%) in group 1 vs 7 patients (15.5%) in group 2). In group 1, surgeries were equally distributed along the 12-months of follow-up, while 85.7% of patients in group 2 underwent intestinal resection within the first 3 months of follow-up.Adding a liquid diet to medical therapy does not help management of patients with stricturing CD.

PubMed

Read the original post:
No effect of a liquid diet in the management of patients with stricturing Crohns disease. - Physician's Weekly

World Poha Day: The nutritional value of the popular breakfast and simple ways to incorporate in your diet  |  Photo Credit: iStock Images

New Delhi: Let me begin with this fun fact: Poha may rightly be described as one of the world's first-ever "fast foods, that is super healthy too. Every time I eat poha, which incidentally is one of my favourite dishes, I am reminded of just how Sarvagun Sampann it is. And yet, it is so underrated! One of the biggest nutritional benefits of poha is its high fibre content as dietary fibre is an essential part of a Sampann and healthy diet.

A bowl of cooked poha delivers about 250 calories, and with the addition of vegetables, peanuts, coconut and a squeeze of lemon, it delivers a lot of fibre, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.It offers some iron and lots of B vitamins, particularly vitamin B1 (thiamine), which aids in stabilizing blood sugar. It is an excellent meal option for diabetics as it promotes the slow release of sugar into the bloodstream, and also keeps you full for a longer time. Poha is gluten-free so everyone from infants to elderly people can have it.

That said, besides knowing the benefits it is also important to know how to pick the right kind of poha. Did you know that it is always better to pick packaged poha over loose poha? That is because packaged poha assures 100% quality and has no residual powder at the bottom of the pack.

Try red poha, which is made from red rice. The red colour is due to the presence of a pigment called anthocyanin, which is a flavonoid (antioxidant). Plus it is rich in fibre, vitamin B, and minerals like calcium, zinc, iron, manganese, magnesium etc. that your body definitely needs.

There are several ways you could eat poha and every single one of them can be very exciting.

The Traditional Recipe: Cook with lots of rai (mustard seeds), curry leaves, peanuts, potatoes, and peas, with a generous squeeze of lemon juice on top

Experiment: Prepare it pilaf-style with raisins, nuts, black pepper, salt, green chillies, and sugar to taste. Or, give it a continental twist by making red rice poha with peppers, mushrooms, and cheese. You could also soak poha in water, sieve it, add curd and a pinch of table salt in it, and then relish it with mango or lime pickle.

Make it Protein-Packed: Add boiled egg, chickpeas, sprouts or soya nuggets to your poha dish or just pair it with curd.

Go Eccentric: There are no limits when it comes to poha. Try stuffing samosas with spicy poha filling for a lip-smacking snack with chai.

Jump from Savoury to Sweet: Make Aval Nanachathu (literally means poha that is moist). This is rice flakes mixed with grated coconut, cardamom, a bit of milk and jaggery, embellished with banana slices. This mix gives both, instant as well as a sustained release of energy and fortifies like no other dish.

With that said, go get your pack of poha and begin experimenting with the Indian way of nutrition!

Kavita Devgan is a guest contributor. Views expressed are personal.

Read the original:
World Poha Day: The nutritional value of the popular breakfast and simple ways to incorporate it in your diet - Times Now