What are you putting into your mouth regularly? Ever dared to compare! It impacts not just how you feel & look but also impacts your inner cells and that glow on your external skin. Courtesy Glow with health wellness solutuions

If you eat dead food you are going to feel dull but if you eat live food you are going to feel alive. Do you know? good nutrition can prevent many lifestyle and non-communicable diseases. The 4 main types of non-communicable diseases are cardiovascular diseases (like heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructed pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes. Tobacco usage, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet and the harmful use of alcohol increase the risk of such diseases. The beauty of food as medicine is that your choice to heal your body and nurture it to promote a healthy life can happen as quick as the next meal. So go for it now.

1.What is Outer Nutrition? Science has discovered that many of the same nutrients and botanicals that support good health when taken internally can also enhance appearance and well-being when used externally. Giving your skin vital nutrients, adequate hydration, rest and relaxation are all essential factors for a healthy skin. However personalising your skincare routine with healthy nutrients helps your skin look its best, because often if your skin looks good, you feel good! ‘Outer Nutrition’ is Nutrition for Skin and not make-up, chemical bleaches or peels. 2.What is the important role of Skin? The skin is the largest organ of your body and it’s made up of two main layers; the epidermis and the dermis. The epidermis is the outer layer of the skin and it’s tough, waterproof and protective. The dermis, or inner layer, is thicker than the epidermis and gives the skin strength and elasticity. One of the most important roles of the skin is as a protective barrier against exposure to the elements and environmental pollutants. It’s important that you nourish and support your skin in this protective role, whether you are male or female. 3.Why do I need basic Skin care? The skin constantly protects the human body from infections and other sickness. Yet at the same time, the skin is the most vulnerable organ in the body because it is exposed to pollution like cigarette smoke, specifically to the carbon monoxide emitted by vehicles and also such as nitrogen dioxide and sulfur. Outdoor pollutants are detrimental because they increase the number of free radicals in our environment. Free radicals can damage cells over time by encouraging oxidation. The skin may also be exposed to the sun's ultraviolet rays. According to the National Institute on Aging, "The main cause of skin cancer is the sun." Indoor pollutants can also cause dry skin and irritation. Overall pollution can be responsible for skin dryness, dullness, clogged pores, some allergic reactions, skin irritations, inflammation and premature aging. Your skin is one of the most vital structures of the human body and it acts as shield between the internal and external and you replace and regenerate it every day. Taking care of it daily helps you protect the skin's delicate moisture balance to keep you healthy-looking. 4.What is part of basic Skin care? The basic of good skin care are Cleansing, Toning and Moisturizing, in that order twice a day morning and night. Never leave your skin dry after cleansing your face. A gentle Toner should be used to tone up the skin followed by a Moisturizer as per your skin type to moisturize and protect your skin - this would complete a daily cleaning routine. Remember your skin need to breathe and look as natural; as possible. So reduce the amount of makeup and let your skin breathe daily. Use skincare products that are rich in antioxidant vitamins and are not loaded with chemicals that can be harsh on your skin. Always prefer sulphate free, paraben free and non alcohol based products. More and more cosmetics and skin care products in current days include the words essential, natural, bio, botanical, and herbal in their product name or description connoting that the product is made from herbs or plants. Often times, however, the label is looked at and things like Octisalate, Octinoxate, Lyphazomes, Oxybenzone, are seen and it's hard to believe it is a natural product. Some of them are partial where as some are completely made from botanical extracts. So be conscious to check the labels and understand product well before you apply it. 5.Is it harmful to use chemical bleaches? Using chemical bleaches for whitening and bleaching skin can cause harm to your skin in the long run. Therefore, it is essential to use natural remedies for having clean and flawless skin. Although skin bleaching or whitening could be a good option for getting rid of dark spots or skin discolouration, the process is not free from side effects. Some of the products are rather very harmful and cause skin cancer too. Therefore, it is very important you find out the side effects of skin bleaching before you opt for the whitening of your skin.   Courtesy Glow with health wellness solutuions

The use of gibberish words and sounds by parents to communicate with their child, also known as baby talk, can have a negative impact on a child's speech and language development.   According to language therapy studies, baby-talk associated with nonsense words and sounds which provides inaccurate models fo infants and a developing child is not to be encouraged. The research in the field of child development, speech and language acquisition instead recommends the use of 'parentese' as it has been shown to have positive benefits when used with developing infants. Parents who wish to start using parentese with their child should: * Speak in a sing-song voice. Change the intonation and melody with which you speak. • * Use a higher pitch. * Slow your speech. Use elongated vowels and consonants. • * Speak with precise pronunciation and accurate grammar. • * Exaggerate your facial expressions. * Repeat, repeat, repeat -Ratnakar

A healthy diet – vegetarian or not – consists of a balance of important food groups – fruits, vegetables, proteins and grains. One of the biggest dietary challenges – especially for strict vegetarians – is getting adequate protein from plant sources. Proteins are made up of small units called amino acids, which your body uses to manufacture body proteins like hormones, enzymes and muscle tissue. Your body can make some amino acids, but others are called essential – because your body can’t make them, so they have to come from the diet. Fortunately, there’s a fairly easy work-around – and that is to combine plant sources in such a way as to provide all the building blocks that the body needs. The essential amino acid that is lacking in beans, peas or lentils, for example, is abundant in grains – and, conveniently, what grains lack, beans can provide. So, when you pair black beans with brown rice, or a bowl of lentil soup with whole grain bread, you can provide your body with all the essential amino acids it needs. One of the most common mistakes that many people make when they decide to “veg out” is to simply eat everything that used to be on their plates – minus the ‘animal flesh’. A diet made up of little more than pancakes, noodles and French fries might qualify as vegetarian…but it’s hardly healthy. Few basics to get you started on vegetarian diet: 1.Have a fruit or veggie at every meal and snack That’s good advice for everyone. Its generally recommend that people strive for at least 3 fruits a day, and then two servings of vegetables at lunch and another two servings at dinner. As calories allow, you can increase these numbers. 2.Whole grains contribute to protein needs Whole grains provide some (although not all) essential amino acids, which makes them an important component of a vegetarian plan. The amount you need to eat each day will depend on your calorie and protein needs, but you’ll need a minimum of two daily servings. 3.Beans, peas and lentils help complete your protein needs The amino acids found in beans, peas and lentils (and products made from them like tofu, tempeh or protein powders made with soy or pea protein) complement those found in grain foods, which is why these foods are so important. You don’t necessarily have to eat beans and grains at the same meal, but you should make a point to have some of each throughout the day. Again, the amount you need will depend on your calorie and protein needs, but as with any other plan, you should aim to have some protein at each meal and snack to meet needs and help with hunger control. 4.Dairy are great protein sources for lacto-ovos It’s somewhat easier to meet protein needs if you’re vegetarian (not vegan) and are ready to include dairy products in diet. These foods provide high quality protein at a relatively low calorie cost. 5.Protein powders can also help meet protein targets Protein powders made from plant proteins – like soy, or rice and pea – are great for vegetarians, since they help boost your protein intake at a relatively low calorie cost. They’re easy to add to foods like protein shakes, cooked oatmeal and even soups to boost protein– and, you can tailor the amount you use to your individual needs. Note: Pay attention to the calorie cost of some of these foods. Nut butters, for example, do provide some protein, but the calorie count is relatively high. Also, included rice, hemp and almond milk on the list because many people use them as alternatives to dairy milk, but notice that they are quite low in protein. As informed by Susan Bowerman, Nutritionist, USA   Courtesy Glow with health wellness solutuions

We need some means to stretch all our muscles and strengthen different parts of the body to become fit, to look and feel well, to relax our mind, to gain energy and - to have great health. However lot of people in urban world assume that spending hours together regularly in Gym, Yoga centers, Aerobic centers, Marathon walks/runs etc. is ultimate for fitness. And when they don't get enough time or miss few sessions or stop then they feel guilty also to find out that their body doesn't support them. Remember you can get healthy or unhealthy due to kitchen and not just because of gym or strenuous exercises! Don't overdo any exercise as you may end up becoming dehydrated, sick, depressed, weak inside and dull outside! "Eat to nourish your body and nurture it with every meal but not just to please your eye, nose or tongue or to use food as a reward" So we re-emphasize this - "75% of time and energy should be focused on consumption of balanced nutritional food in all meals every single day, 15-20% on some form of exercise and 5-10% on keeping the mind calm focussed on your goals." It becomes easy when you make it a lifestyle habit. Courtesy Glow with health wellness solutuions

Are you a physically active person? Do you eat right as per your body needs? Do you drink sufficient water as per your body demands? Do you provide enough rest to your body and mind? Do you know how much is enough? Do you appreciate life? Reaffirm yourself - Exercising more number of hours and eating less doesn't guarantee healthy living. Starvation will make us sick now or later. Neither can one lead a life on a full load of medicines. So what to do frown emoticon When we learn to respect life, take responsibility towards our body, worship it, we will also find means to apply simple tips and mechanics to reach towards our wellness goals according to our daily routine. It is not that difficult as it seems to look like smile emoticon Love yourself more to move towards a healthy lifestyle! We are here to help you in this endeavor. Reach out to us.   Courtesy Glow with health wellness solutuions

How many of us get fat by choice? It is a matter of bad choices. Good news is that it can be addressed with better choices and is not difficult to reverse. What is Obesity? The prevalence of overweight and obesity is commonly assessed by using body mass index (BMI), defined as the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in metres (kg/m2 ). Though it does not actually measure various fat levels in the body, it may be a useful tool to estimate a healthy body weight based on how tall a person is. Overweight and obesity are not same though both terms deal with fatness. When a person is 20% more than the ideal BMI he/she is termed as obese, if it is 10% more than BMI it is termed as overweight. Overweight and obesity lead to adverse metabolic effects on blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides and insulin resistance. The non-fatal, but debilitating health problems associated with obesity include respiratory difficulties, chronic muscleoskeletal problems, skin problems and infertility. The more life-threatening problems fall into four main areas: conditions associated with insulin resistance such as type 2 diabetes; certain types of cancers, especially the hormonally related and large-bowel cancers; and gallbladder disease. The likelihood of developing Type 2 diabetes and hypertension rises steeply with increasing body fatness. Approximately 85% of people with diabetes are type 2, and of these, 90% are obese or overweight. So the main reason to lose weight has to be health, fitness, energy, confidence and not just appearance. Be ready to kick start now and make better choices in life.   Courtesy Glow with health wellness solutuions

• Globally, as per 2014 data there are more than 1.9 billion overweight adults, at least 600 million of them obese. • Obesity and overweight pose a major risk for chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke, and certain forms of cancer. • The key causes are increased consumption of energy-dense foods high in saturated fats and sugars and reduced physical activity. • The health consequences range from increased risk of premature death, to serious chronic conditions that reduce the overall quality of life. • Most of the world's population live in countries where overweight and obesity kills more people than underweight. • Of special concern is the increasing incidence of child obesity. 42 million children under the age of 5 were overweight or obese in 2013. Often coexisting in some developing countries with under-nutrition, obesity is a complex condition, with serious social and psychological dimensions, affecting virtually all ages and socioeconomic groups. Increased consumption of more energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods with high levels of sugar and saturated fats, combined with reduced physical activity, have led to obesity rates that have risen three-fold or more since 1980 in some areas of North America, the United Kingdom, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, the Pacific Islands, Australasia, India and China. The obesity epidemic is not restricted to industrialized societies; this increase is often faster in developing countries than in the developed world. Why is this happening? The rising epidemic reflects the profound changes in society and in behavioural patterns of communities over recent decades. While genes are important in determining a person's susceptibility to weight gain, energy balance is determined by calorie intake, nutrient density and physical activity. Changes in dietary and physical activity patterns are often the result of environmental and societal changes associated with development and lack of supportive policies in sectors such as health, agriculture, transport, urban planning, environment, food processing, distribution, marketing and education. As incomes rise and populations become more urban, diets high in complex carbohydrates give way to more varied diets with a higher proportion of fats, saturated fats and sugars. At the same time, large shifts towards less physically demanding work have been observed worldwide. Moves towards less physical activity are also found in the increasing use of automated transport, technology in the home, and more passive leisure pursuits. Thus societal changes and worldwide nutrition transition are driving the obesity epidemic. Economic growth, modernization, urbanization and globalization of food markets are just some of the forces thought to underlie the epidemic. What can we do about it? Good news is that these diseases are PREVENTABLE as Obesity is preventable! Effective weight management for individuals and groups who are at risk of developing obesity involves a range of long-term strategies. These include prevention, weight maintenance, management of co-morbidities and healthy weight loss. They should be part of an integrated, multi-sectoral, population-based approach, which includes environmental support for healthy diets and regular physical activity with a calm mind. At the individual level, people can: -limit energy intake from total fats and sugars; -increase consumption of fruits and vegetables, as well as legumes, lentils, whole grains and nuts; -move towards complex carbohydrates instead of simple carbohydrates; -engage in being physically active with a cheerful and focussed mind The food industry can play a significant role in promoting healthy diets by: -reducing the fat, sugar and salt content of processed foods; -ensuring that healthy and nutritious choices are available and affordable to all consumers; -practicing responsible marketing especially those aimed at children and teenagers; -ensuring the availability of labels on all food items.   Courtesy Glow with health wellness solutuions

1. "You can munch diet snacks or sodas sans any guilt": The so-called packaged diet namkeens or snacks that are baked or roasted and not fried are not always healthy. "The ingredients used to make these snacks are no different from ordinary snacks. They are high in sodium, sugar, and unhealthy flour,” says health expert Prachi Agarwal. Similarly most diet sodas or colas are high in sugar. So please do check the ingredients and nutrition labels before getting blown away by marketing gimmicks in the name of diet snacks or sodas! 2. "Artificial sweeteners are completely safe": For e.g. Halwa made with artificial sweetener isn't a good idea. In fact, excess use of sweeteners can lead to bladder cancer. “They can also trigger allergic reactions among those who cannot tolerate sulfa drugs. Reactions include breathing difficulties, skin eruptions, and diarrhoea,” says dietician Dr Simran Saini. Another fact no one can dispute is that some controversial sweeteners are made from chemicals, some of which are known to be not only harmful, but truly toxic. Whether artificial sweeteners are dangerous for you may come down to how well-defended your own body is against the chemicals they contain. Switching out artificial sweeteners for all-natural, low-sugar substitutes is a smart option; you just might feel better. 3. "Honey can help to lose weight": Drinking warm water with honey and lime in the morning may help flush out the toxins from the body but it has got nothing to do with shedding flab. “The bottled honey that you buy off the shelf is high in sugar and hardly has any weight loss effect,” says Dr Simran Saini. It is a myth that honey does not add fat to your body. Honey has just as much carbohydrates as sugar so it is best to restrict its use, especially if you're trying to lose weight or are diabetic. You will not lose weight this way and if you have opted for honey as a sugar substitute, you may be disappointed. Since honey has some vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, nutritionally, it may be a better option when compared to sugar however a table spoon honey may be high in calories than a table spoon of sugar. If you are interested in reaping rich nutritional benefits from honey, purchase only organic, fresh honey that is 100% pure. Also, read food labels carefully to ensure that the honey you purchase does not contain any other food additives/ingredients. It should not have a strong odour either nor should it have fermented. Honey has a glycemic index value of 55 and sugar has a glycemic index of 68 which is much higher. Foods with a higher glycemic index lead to a higher rise in blood sugar levels which causes the body to keep releasing insulin from the pancreas to process all that sugar. 4."No grain is as healthy as wheat": If you thought wheat was the healthiest grain, you need to know this: Wheat is high in gluten that’s composed of sticky storage proteins. “It can trigger Gluten-sensitive enteropathy (GSE) that leads to inflammation of small intestine. Symptoms could be severe abdominal pain and loose motions,” says Dr. Simran Saini. Also processed wheat flour may contain a Super Starch – amylopectin A that is super fattening. In people with diabetes, both white flour and wheat flour bread may raise blood sugar levels 70 to 120 mg/dl over starting levels. As we know foods with a high glycemic index make people store belly fat, trigger hidden fires of inflammation in the body, and give you a fatty liver leading the whole cascade of obesity, pre-diabetes and diabetes. Wheat may not be a replacement to white polished rice as being assumed by several Indians of late. Get this clarity - rice and roti are both high in carbohydrates. Brown rice and flour made with brown rice may be actually better than wheat flour or wheat rava. Therefore, learn to use barley, soya, gram flour and bajra rather than wheat alone while making chapattis or cookies. Also opt for combination of gluten free whole grains which come with fiber along with right composition of different colors of veggies and fruits to make your daily diet complete.   Courtesy Glow with health wellness solutuions  

'Health' - Most crucial word that often gets misused, misinterpreted and misguided. If no injury or illness is diagnosed in the body then am I healthy? What is the actual meaning of Health? Is it a term that has to deal only with Medicinal science, Sickness, Hospitals, Doctors, Pharmacists or related Healthcare specialists? Check this. "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."- WHO definition. WHO also says "Health is a resource for everyday life, not the objective of living. Health is a positive concept emphasizing social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities." Hope you have better clarity on what Health is after reading this post. If yes, you may always click like button. Courtesy Glow with health wellness solutuions

However the moment a word 'Diet' is heard most people often misinterpret it as starving in the name of dieting! Now balanced Diet means being aware to eat from all food groups every day as per your body type and lifestyle consuming sufficient calories that supply all the essential nutrients to help nurture all your organs, skin, tissues, muscles, bones, cells etc. Eating right regularly and not once in a while has a significant role in making you achieve some of your wellness goals. But crash dieting does have side effects which people need to be conscious about that is explained in this post. Crash diets/Fad diets/Green diets/Zero carb diets/Mono diets/Tea diets/Soup diets/Protein diets/Nature cure there are so many forms! All these can also be termed as 'starvation dieting' which involves cutting off the amount of food intake to a larger extent without looking at the nutrient loss. Most dieting repackaged plans rely on three basic principles: pushing or banning a specific food or food group which may be harmful on health in the long run. Crash Dieting Health Effects : • Each vitamin or mineral regulates a bodily process, for instance calcium keeps bones strong, vitamin A keeps the skin smooth, vitamin C and E fight infection. When you exclude any of food groups from your food in the name of crash dieting, you are putting yourself at risk for illness. • Deficiencies of essentials vitamins and minerals – It can cause deficiency of sodium and potassium in body responsible for proper functioning of nerves and muscles. It also leads to iron deficiency which causes anemia. • Osteoporosis – It also leads to calcium deficiency which can cause bone loss. • Extreme calorie cutting can lead to dizziness or even fainting due to lack of nutrients. • Negative effects on cholesterol levels - It lowers the level of HDL (good cholesterol) in body which can lead to a heart disease. • Organ Failure – Due to lack of energy organs like heart, kidney, liver and brain will start burning muscle tissue which can lead to organ failure. • Low Metabolism – Crash diet leads to slow metabolism as body gets used to few calorie intake. It goes to starvation mode even after one goes back to normal calorie intake. • Eating Disorders - Excessive crash dieting can also develop eating disorders namely anorexia or bulimia. • Depression- Person following crash diets suffers from either depression or mood change. Sorry to inform but there are no miracle pills, potions, creams, belts and shoes which can help you grow muscles or cut flab from your body in no time. These may sometimes help in short term but then you have to supplement them with right dietary and fitness programmes along with a positive mind to extract the benefit out of them. Courtesy Glow with health wellness solutuions

  Food not only provides the energy needed to function in our daily lives but constantly supplies the nutrients which are required to build and regenerate body tissue, bone, muscle, fat and blood. The nutrients in the food are also necessary to produce substances for the chemical processes that take place in our bodies millions of times a day. A Healthy Diet Part Of Every Meal May Be Broken Into 3 Categories: * Macro nutrients which include carbohydrates, protein and fats * Micro nutrients which include vitamins and minerals * Fiber, which may not technically be a nutrient but is part of a holistic diet An average person in this country thinks he/she knows little about medicines, but knows everything about food. But the fact is that he/she knows more about medicines than the food which he/she daily consumes! This ignorance about food is one of the main reasons for the present day fitness, lifestyle diseases, minor ailments, mal-nutrition and obesity problems. Courtesy Glow with health wellness solutuions

  While India still struggles to feed all of its 1.2 billion population, childhood obesity and diabetes have also become an increasing problem among the middle classes, who have largely benefited from decades of rapid economic growth. Overweight children with diabetes are at greater risk of developing heart disease and heart attacks, deteriorating eyesight, kidney failure, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Most Indian children are already on heavy dosage of medication. Many young patients already have mild depression because of their size. Time to look at Socio Cultural issues that are leading to childhood obesity: 1. A general misconception is prevalent in India that the obese child is a healthy child and the so called “baby fat” will vanish as and when the child grows. Since the child is constantly fed without giving importance to what is actually being fed, child becomes obese and remains the same throughout the life. "An obese child is bound to grow up as an obese adult." 2. Burdening the students with the studies and academic activities has left little or no room for physical activities. This is more prevalent among the Indian girls who live a sedentary lifestyle right from childhood when compared to the boys. 3. Since most of the urban parents are working they find it extremely difficult to manage time and so order for junk or quick bite foods. The importance of balanced healthy diet and lifestyle is hardly taught to the children or implemented at home. When parents themselves are into a unhealthy lifestyle and wrong eating patterns how can we expect children to get disciplined from childhood in this area? 4. For most urban Indian families the word “family outing” has become eating out or visiting a mall during holidays or weekends indulging in food. 5. High-fat, high-sugar, high cholesterol, fast food outlets proliferate in Indian cities, catering for a hard-working, time-poor middle class population eager to spend its new-found cash, with western brands often chosen as a visible sign of luxury. 6. Majority of children are on a high intake of heavy carbonated soft or energy drinks on a regular basis which they treat as a supplement for water to handle their thirst. 7. Junk is junk whether you label it Indian, Eastern or Western food. Till elders continue to treat food as a form of celebration, a punishment, a time pass, a bribe, a deviation - children would tend to treat and get addicted to food in a similar fashion. 8. Most of the children are found spending more time in front of the computers, smart phones and the television. So no time for play or outdoor games nor any other recreational activities. 9. Also influence of media and advertisements on food selection and indulgence is on rapid rise. Parents and educational institutions will have a major role to play in educating children on media promotions. Various community intervention and health education programs are being introduced in urban India to induce the children to follow a healthy lifestyle and get into eating habits and also in creating awareness about the importance of physical activities among the children. The need for parents to be educated on healthy lifestyle is also on rise. As parents you cannot preach something significant to children at home which you won't tend to believe in or want to follow. Right from being in a mothers womb to entering into this world and growing up - it is the right of every child to be healthy, fit and happy and to nourish their bodies and mind. Let us not deprive them from their right! Courtesy Glow with health wellness solutuions

Breakfast - The Most Important Meal Of The Day   You cannot start your day without any fuel can you?   A strong connection has been discovered between an unhealthy breakfast and many health-related problems. As you might know, our body consists of more than 100 trillion cells which need 114 variety of nutrients during the day.   What you ate yesterday consists of two major groups of elements.   * The first group supplies energy (proteins, fats, carbohydrates). 2.The second group supplies building materials (amino acids, vitamins, minerals, micro elements, etc.)   You expended energy yesterday when you were awake and your body used the building materials at night to regenerate itself.   In addition, your body has also expended 1 litre of water during the night through breathing and sweating, as well as your morning visit to the bathroom.   * So your body wakes up “empty” in the morning and, for its 100 trillion cells, it begs you, “pls give me back all the nutrients, energy and water I expended in the last 24 hours.”   * Eating breakfast improves your concentration, alertness and overall performance and keeps you going through the day. It is designed to kick start your metabolism and make sure that your body functions are working properly as meant for. But I never eat breakfast and I'm fine! * You may at times not feel hungry or thirsty in the morning, but it’s just a matter of time. For some people figuring out why you can’t face food in the morning can be tricky. Sometimes it’s just a long-standing habit – you just never got into the breakfast routine. And, since you manage to get through your morning okay, you just tell yourself you don’t really need to eat. * Maybe you aren’t hungry in the morning because you routinely eat an enormous dinner and snack all night until bedtime. Maybe you simply don’t like breakfast items of food or you just rely on a pot of strong coffee or Tea to get you going. Remember you will lack the mental and physical energy you need to get through your workout and your workday if you don't provide right fuel to your body.   * In a nutshell, while asleep, the body is in recovery mode and essentially fasting. Once you get up and start moving, you are running on empty. If the body isn't nourished quickly, it starts holding onto fat and burning muscle instead, which is a less-than-ideal scenario whether you are trying to tone up or slim down. Muscle is essential for burning fat - the less you have, the slower your metabolism. In essence, your body's calorie-burning potential slows down.   * Breakfast is a meal with many misconceptions. While some people skip it completely with the fond hope of losing weight with assumption of reduced calories, others stuff themselves with lot of food, because they feel that after 8-10 hours of fasting, body requires lot of food once they get up from their sleep. Unfortunately either i.e. skipping or stuffing will actually make you put on more fat.   * So if the breakfast is delayed or skipped, the body may lose muscle as the body uses it as a protein source and if the muscle is lost, the energy burning capacity of the body gets reduced. The reduced energy burning capacity means more food gets converted into fat instead of energy. So skipping the breakfast makes a person actually Fat instead of Fit!   * Making the right choices of food for breakfast is as important as the meal itself. If you start your day on a high-carbohydrate, high-fat, high-sugar meal you are going to end up feeling sluggish and lethargic in the morning itself. * Your choice in the morning has a huge effect on your day, too much sugar causes pancreas to release insulin bringing down blood sugar. Low blood sugar causes fat storage, fatigue and compromises the immune system. You will feel hungry very quickly and crave once again for simple carbohydrates or sugars.   Select a breakfast which:   • Provides body with the vital nutrients and water it needs • Provides more energy from proteins rather than all from carbohydrates • Balances energy levels and maintains normal blood sugar level Courtesy Glow with health wellness solutuions

Researchers from Newcastle University in England have reviewed and conducted meta-analysis on 343 peer-reviewed scientific studies in an effort to find out if organic foods contained greater nutritional value than conventional foods. The results will probably shock some, but will confirm what many people already knew; organic foods are indeed much healthier for human consumption than ‘conventional’ foods. At the same time, the researchers found that conventional foods contained greater concentrations of residual pesticides and the toxic metal cadmium. Scientists have hypothesized that organic plants produce more antioxidants and natural toxins to defend themselves against insects and other environmental threats. Shoppers often argue that organic foods are too pricey to purchase for an everyday diet. Well, if they contain more nutrition per serving, then the body would require less servings per meal. Compare price based on the nutritional value of a food item rather than the amount, since no one wants to invite sickness which usually comes with a much heavy expenditure. Similarly if more farmers move towards organic farming & packaging there will be adequate supply of organic foods in the market enabling a reduction in the cost price.

• A recently concluded World Health Organisation (W.H.O.) study estimated that, globally 60% of Heart Patients would be Indians! • This number may seem surprising because focus of reports on obesity and heart disease has mostly been for years on fat Americans and their food habits. What could account for Indians being so susceptible - more even than regular meat-burger-and-fries-eating Americans? Four things: 1.diet and nutrition, 2.culture, 3.stress and 4.lack of fitness consciousness. • Also INDIANS have 3 to 4 times higher risk of developing Diabetes or Heart Problems, in comparison to White Americans, 6 times higher than the Chinese and 20 times higher than the Japanese. • HIGHER BODY FAT PERCENTAGES coupled with INSULIN SENSITIVITY among INDIANS in comparison to other ethnic groups, makes them genetically pre-disposed to these diseases. • Even underweight and normal weight Indians seem to be showing higher fat content in their bodies compared to overweight foreigners. Doctors say that it is this invisible fat that is the cause of concern. Dr.Shashank Joshi of Leelavati Hospital thus calls us, "The Thin Fat Indians". • As per Dr.Anoop Misra of Fortis Hospital who has done remarkable research on Metabolic Syndrome, Indians suffer Heart Attacks at a relatively younger age, which are more severe in nature and often prove fatal. A major reason he says is the lifestyle changes in the last 20 Years and also as PROCESSED, PACKAGED and JUNK FOOD (Fast Food) has become more popular. • Dr.Anoop Misra also narrates very interesting facts about Indians. Centuries ago India faced famines, which weakened our muscles and our bodies started to store Fat for energy. We have retained the same Genetic make-up and as a result today also our bodies have more Fat and less Muscle. Dr.Misra told that surveys also establish that Indians exercise the least in the World! Dr.Misra emphasized the need for a daily exercise along with providing balanced nutritional diet daily to the body in all meals. • A study conducted at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) few years ago implied that Indians should have smaller waists than the internationally accepted cut-offs of waist circumference for a healthy life. As compared to the waist circumference of Caucasians, Indians need to shed inches if their waist size crosses 35.1 inches for men and 31 inches for women. The recommended waist-to-hip ratio = less than 0.85 for men and less than 0.75 for women. • Dr.David Heber, a world-renowned expert in nutrition, who is leading the battle against the global obesity epidemic while talking about the OBESITY problem says that by the year 2020 India will register a 50% increase in Diabetes cases. He emphasizes the need for Good Nutrition and some form of Exercise because exercise strengthens muscles and “muscle burns more fat”. He also highlights about the importance of Proteins in food and that “Plant Proteins are the best and the safest”. Courtesy Glow With Health Wellness Solutions