Diet to Stay Healthy This Winter

Diet to Stay Healthy This Winter. 

The onset of winter makes us yearn for spicy foods with extra fat Fried

buttered curries, mirchis- bhajilyas, dal with ghee and regular cafeteria

jaunts for hot samosas and tea is the order of this season. Sadly, such

comfort food can be quite unhealthy and fattening. In addition, added

reluctance to exercise in cold weather means most people will gain

weight in winter

There is a huge difference between what and how much food the body

requires and what the mind yearns for in winter. While, cold weather

demands extra calories to keep warm, the energy needs of winter and

summer are not poles apart in India. In India most of the regions

(barringa few freezing northern parts) have mild and sunny winters

Does Spicy Foods & Alcohol Keep us Warm?

Strictly speaking, spicy foods and alcohol do not warm up the body

even though you may Sweat after consuming them. Spicy food

stimulates pain receptors on the tongue, An autonomic response dilates

the blood vessels in the skin. Inis Causes lo5S of body heat in the form

of sweat. Alcohol also has a similar end effect.

The fruits in season (dates, apple, plantains, cherry, oranges, etc) low

fat snacks, nuts, coffee, tea, and a hot chocolate drink or two are idea

mfort foods in winter. Watch out for the trans-fat laden snacks when.

you eat out. Mirchi-bhajiyas and samosas prepared on roadside joints tend

to be cooked in lard or re-heated oil that is rich in trans-fats that clog the

drteries. lt you must have mirchis or pakoras, making them at home witn

ried

fresh oil is a much healthier proposition

eria

Here are some diet tips for winter:

LIch

ded

Water: Water is the most neglected nutrient in winter. Water is imperative

gain

Tor good health and research shows that it helps to stoke the metabolism or

human body. The cold, dry air draws water away from the body. Sip water

at regular intervals throughout the day. Water is also a natural appetite

Suppressant that banishes bloat as it flushes out sodium and toxins.

Green tea: Green tea not only boosts metabolism but also help in weight

lOSs. It also possesses anti-cancer properties and helps in preventing heart

diseases.

Soup: If you eat a snack or a bowl of soup as an appetizer it will help to fill

you up with fewer calories. Studies show that after having a bowl of soup

people tend to consume about 100 calories less. The reason the

combination of both solids and liquids fills you up.

Fruits: Fruit eaters have been shown to eat fewer calories overall. This is

due to the high fibre content. Next time you feel like eating something

Sweet, grab some fruit and do your body a favour!

Low fat Lassi: Studies show that people on low calorie diets who have

included 3-4 servings of low fat dairy foods like Lassi (sweet or salty) lost

more weight significantly compared to those who ate a low calorie diet.

Calcium in Lassi speeds up the metabolism.

Phool Gobi (Broccoli): Research after research links calcium to weight loss

Broccoli or Phool Gobi (as it is called in india) is not only high in calcium,

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but it is also loaded with Vitamin C, which helps in the absorption of

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calcium. Phool Gobi is also low in calories and high in dişedse fighting

nd

phytochemicals that boosts immune system. Its truly -a super food for

ons

winter!

Oatmeal: Oatmeal is surely a good carbohydrate. It is also a good source

of cholesterol fighting, fat soluble fibre that keeps us full and provides us

with the energy we need to make the most out of our exercises.

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od

Hot peppers: Capsaicin, an active ingredient in hot peppers, can speed up

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the metabolism and help to curb cravings. Have you ever noticed howw

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people sweat when they eat hot pepper?

This winter, just remember! Calories count, portion control rules, and

there's no substitute for a well-balanced diet and regular exercise. Sa

get moving!

up with high-nutrient 1o0ds Witf

Forget sitting around shivering, and get

gaining weight.

outdoors during the day, every day! While

with your

Communicate any concerns

regular outdoor workouts improves blood

doctor Certain medical conditions make

circulation, the sunlight helps to top up the

Workouts in winter dangerous. Exercising in

vitamin D levels, and wards off Seasonal

Cold weather can cause angina (chest pain

Affective Disorder (SAD). Vitamin D,

related to heart), and may trigger asthina.

produced in our skin, is vital for healthy

Check first with your doctor if you have any

bones and accurate utilization of calcium.

Concerns, especially if you are above 35

SAD is a type of depression experienced by

years or have been inactive for more than 60

Some people during the months of

days.

decreased daylight hours found mostly

Indoor Exercise

amongst communities in western countries.

There are numerous options for indoor

Usually there is no reason why anyone

exercises. This winter, consider

cannot continue a wide range of physical

* Joining a health and fitness centre -Health

activities throughout the year, provided the

and fitness centres offer a wide variety of

weather Is not extreme. Everything depends

exercise options in a supportive and

on the type of activity you enjoy. Depending

Comfortable environment. A three-month

upon what you enjoy, you just need to

membership in any centre will get yOu

Wear suitable clothing Wear clothes

through winter without worrying about the

that keep moisture away from skin. This

weather conditions.

will prevent you from becoming wet and

Yoga classes Physical activities, such as

chilled. Early morning joggers and walkers

yoga are often conducted at halls, studios

should wear reflective or bright coloured

and other venues. Yoga can help develop

clothes to increase visibility.

core strength, posture and

your balance,

Wear suitable headgear (cap, hat, etc.) -

flexibility, and help to relax at the same time.

While exercising outdoors in the cold, it i5

Indoor sports Many sports, such as

advisable to wear a suitable cap or hat as

volleyball, badminton and squash can be

one-third of heat loss in the body occurs

played indoors. Survey your local area to see

through the head.

if there are any facilities around, or start up

Keep your fluid levels up - Regular intake

your own club.

At-home exercise When it is too cold

of fluids and drinking water regularly 1s as

important during winter as it is in summer.

outside, and you do not even want to step

Cold weather fuels urine production, and

outside, having some exercise options at

every breath you take in winter, you

home can make all the difference.

can see water droplets being exhaled from

You can try:

the body

1.Exercise equipment There is a variety of

Exercise extreme caution - Workout in

strength-training equipment and

daylight wherever possible and beware of

cardiovascular machines available in the

slippery surtaces. Anticipate that visibility

market to suit all budgets. Select something

that is enjoyable, practical and easy to use.

is low in winters and if you are exercising

outdoors automobile drivers may not be

2.Switch on to exercise videos and TV

able to see you or stop quickly

shows -There are several exercise videos on

Avoid winter weight gain-To offset

the market, coverng everything from yoga

winter weight gain, seek ways to stick to

step aerobics. Some early-morning

to

your normal exercise routine, and monitor

television showS telecast a variety

your intake strictly, Tomato and other

0

cardiovascular exercises and toninan. 

Must Have Health 6adget

Steam Vaporizer

Humidifiers

These machines are better and are less likely to

have a lot of bacterial growth. However, the risk

of burn can be significant. Vapor is made in these

to Keep Cold Away

devices by using a heating element to cause

steam. Normal tap water can often be used with

Winter is the time when children (especially

below 5 years) catch cold. Nasal congestion due

these devices making them much less expensive

to cold is a common phenomenon in winter. If a

to operate. However, owing to very high

temperature of the water, steam vaporizers

child is suftering from an upper respiratory

should not be used for very young (below 4

infection or related breathing difficulties, other

years) children

health complications may ensue. A humidifier

may offer better comfort to a child as it inmproves

Ultrasonic Humidifiers

the humidity level; the mucous membranes

These devices cause vapor by creating ultrasonic

remain moist, allowing the child to breathe

vibrations within the water. These humidifiers

easier. Moist mucous membranes are also tar

were originally thought to be better because the

better equipped to fight infection than dry ones

risk of dispersing molds, bacteria and minerals

There are three types of humidifiers to choose

were minimal. The safety of these devices is

from: cool mist, steam vaporizer and

much better than the steam vaporizers, and they

ultrasonic.

do tend to disperse much less bacteria and mold

than the cool-mist humidifiers. However, they

Cool-Mist Humidifier

send minerals into the air quite efficientily, so

These devices work by making water vapor

distilled water is a must with these as well

through a rapidly turning disk within the water

of the humidifier. Because, the vapor from the With the burn risk to younger children, steer clear

machine is not heated, there is no risk of

of steam vaporizer if you have children. And,

burning the child should the water spill or the

with regard to your decision about whether to

child places his/her face close to where the purchase an ultrasonic or regular cool-mist

vapor escapes. However, cool-mist humidifier

humidifier ought to be based on cost and how

uSualy includes cleansing of the tank on a difficult cleaning is going to be since they will

daily basis, as the cool water in it can be an

need maintenance every day

excellent breeding ground for mold and

Dacteria In addition, only distilled water

should be used in cool-mist humidifiers. 

Alternative Healing Theraples

Do they really cure?

People from all ages have turned to the spiritual world for healing trom

diseases. Seeking divine positive interventions for one's health 1s an

essential part of many major religions. As science can investigate tne

natural world only, it surely cannot show whether divine intervention

is possible; that question can only be left to a person's faith.

Amongst religious heads who operate, so to speak, "in good taith,

lurks another kind of faith healer: a seething pantheon of godmen,

gurus, fakirs and faith-healers whose practice of faith healing is

deliberate hoax. Their aim is money and fame, so it is no surprise

that these cheats tend to operate through public performances.

Using basic conjuring tricks and the ignorance of people, these take

faith healers command legions of followers while creating business

empires that are Worth millions.

Faith Healers

The notion that divine intervention,

prayer or the care of a supernatural

healer can cure disease has been

popular throughout history.

Miraculous recoveries were

attributed to countless spiritual

techniques commonly tied together

as 'Faith Healing

Anything is possible with faith

healing the blind can see, the

dumb can lame walk.

famous mostly curing mentally Approximately

all Indians seeking help for mental-health problems, first, consult

local traditional healers be it in villages or big cities. Faith healers,

fakirs and godmen are by far the most socially acceptable way to try

to cure mental illness in the country.

Some faith healers claim to get medical information about the

diseases of their audience from God. Their unexplained knowledge

evidence of their divine healing ability, but in reality, they

get hold of this information through some cheap and ordinary

means to trick these gullible audiences.

Talking about these growing phenomena, DrJ. Mayurnath Reddy,

consultant psychiatrist, Yashoda Hospitals, said, There are very few

psychiatrists in India and very few mental hospitals (only in cities) to serve

India's entire population. It is one of the lowest ratios anywhere in the

world. But even if there were more professionals, it might not matter. As

lack of awareness, inadequate hospitals and social stigma attached with

mental patients lead them to seek faith healers help. Psychiatrists compete

not with each other but with healers and gurus in India.

This means that most people in the country go untreated for severe

depression, substance abuse problems and psychotic disorders. Or rather

these people go untreated by qualitied doctors. instead, they turn to the

gods

Faith healers disseminate extremely hazardous misinformation in defending

their practice of withholding medical treatment and seeking spiritual means

Solely for the cure of diseases.

Is there any proof that faith healing really work?

The first step in approaching this question is to identify what should be

considered as evidence that an ailment was cured by a supernatural

method. In my view, the evidence must be based on 3 basic criteria:

1. The disease must be the one that normally does not get well without

medical treatment

2. There should not be any medical therapy involved that may intluence

the disease.

3. Both diagnosiS and recovery should be provable by detailed medical

evidence

As far as I know, none of the above criteria were ever met. No faith healer

has ever sent the medical records ot his/her patients. None of their clients

(or patients) were ever examined by a physician before and after the

healing was administered. No faith healer ever compiled data, inquired

about his/her patients health, months or years after the healing, or even

kept statistics to show what percentage of people with various diseases

ere healed. On the other hand, there are many documented cases wnic

shows that people with serious disease have died due to abandoning

effective medical care after being healed by these so called faith healers

Tips to identify fraudulent Faith Healing Frauds

Faith healers are, simply said, con artists seeking money. Their trade

depends on our ignorance and sometimes lack of scientific or medical

investigation. Accordingly, it is apt to be careful with any godmen (sod

women), spiritual gurus, fakirs, faith healers, etc., who seek favours and ask

for money in return for healing, and that tells the patient to avol

conventional medical therapy.