The pros and cons of following a ketogenic diet
Diets & Meal Plans

The pros and cons of following a ketogenic diet

A keto diet is fundamentally a low-carb diet. The foods permitted in this diet are referred to as keto foods. One needs to eat only 30 grams of carbohydrates every day while following this diet. In doing so, the body is urged to burn down body fat to gather energy. The energy source produced in this process is called ketones. This diet is ideal for someone who intends to lose weight rapidly and concurrently lower glucose levels for diabetes control. The article will give you an insight into the pros and cons of a keto diet. Pros and cons of keto food Like any other diet, there are a few pros and cons associated with a keto diet as well. Pros Controls the habit of sugar consumption Many individuals have the habit of consuming sugary delicacies in unhealthy quantities. Some also have the problem of sugar addiction. By following and adapting to this diet, it becomes relatively easier to be able to deal with sweet tooth cravings. Loss of weight By following a keto diet, there is a reduction in a significant amount of body weight. This is due to the intake of high-fat foods which in turn helps to reduce and ultimately remove the need to snack in between meals. Consequently, there is control in the intake of calories which leads to loss of weight. May increase female fertility With the reduction of weight and insulin levels with the help of this diet, fertility problems can be resolved to a certain extent. Health benefits This diet has health benefits in certain cases like pediatric epilepsy. Preliminary results of various research show that this diet can help in medical conditions like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s. Possibility of slowing various forms of cancer There is substantial evidence that following a keto diet helps in the reduction of growth of tumor in the body.
7 healthy snacks for kids
Diets & Meal Plans

7 healthy snacks for kids

The food we consume plays an important role in keeping our body fit and healthy. So including foods that are rich in nutrients should be included one’s diet. Healthy snack ideas that offer the perfect combination of fiber, protein, and fat are the right way to go about a perfectly healthy diet . A huge variety of processed snacks are available in the market which will help fill up your kids’ stomach but will not be healthy. Kids are fussy eaters, so it is very important to balance their diet by introducing foods offering a perfect balance of nutrients in the form of tasty snacks. Some snack ideas that offer the perfect combination of fiber, protein, and fat are discussed herein. Popcorn An absolute favorite among kids, popcorn has a lot of nutritional value as it is made of whole grain. Popcorn is rich in polyphenols, which is a great source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties which helps in preventing the body from different types of diseases. A great source of fiber popcorn in keeping the bad cholesterol levels low. Nuts A handful of nuts consumed regularly helps in the growth and overall development of kids. Regular consumption of nuts also helps in regulating bowel movements, blood pressure and also helps in lowering bad cholesterol levels. Cheese Cheese makes an excellent snack for growing kids as it provides a great source of proteins, fats, and calcium. A variety of flavors are available to savor the taste buds. Intake of cheese helps in keeping the bones strong and healthy. Eggs A great source of protein, minerals, and vitamins, eggs make a perfect snack for kids. Eggs also contain amino acids that help in the growth of healthy hair and nails. There are various ways in which egg delicacies can be prepared and enjoyed by kids as snacks.
Foods and drinks to consume for a healthy liver
Diets & Meal Plans

Foods and drinks to consume for a healthy liver

A crucial organ of our body, the liver performs some central functions to keep the body healthy. It filters the blood that comes from the digestive tract and sends it out to the rest of the body. It breaks down carbohydrates to form glucose and also bile. The function of the bile formed is to assimilate food and nutrient absorption. This organ is crucial to the human body and should be taken care of with utmost care. As a result, it is pertinent to consume foods and drinks that are good for the liver. Food and drinks that are good for the liver Dysfunction of the liver can lead to many complications, causing severe medical conditions. Thus, one should be careful of what they consume and make an effort to include healthy foods into their diet. Some of the foods that they should consume regularly include: Oats Oats are rich in fiber, which helps in the process of digestion immensely. Including oats in your diet regularly will have good effects on your liver. Beans Beans, another food item that is rich in fiber, helps maintain a healthy liver. It is also a great source of protein. Grapes Among fruits, grapes are ideal for a healthy liver. This fruit contains a good amount of antioxidants which results in the reduction of inflammation of the liver, preventing it from damage. Fish oil supplements In addition to fish oil supplements, one should also consume fish regularly as it is a good source of protein and other nutrients. Additionally, fish oil supplements help with one’s overall health as well. Yogurt Probiotics, a gut-friendly bacteria, is abundant in yogurt. This helps keep the liver healthy. Fish As mentioned earlier, fish constitutes omega-3 fatty acids which aid to reduce inflammation. They assist in the maintenance of enzyme levels in the liver.
5 foods that can help fight lung cancer
Diets & Meal Plans

5 foods that can help fight lung cancer

Different foods can have positive effects on our body and mind. There are foods that may help fight lung cancer and other types of cancers. However, patients who are already affected by lung cancer should be more careful with their dietary habits and food choices. Some vitamins and minerals may be beneficial for the body during the course of treatment – chemotherapy, medication, and radiation. Studies show that there are potential cancer-fighting fruits, vegetables, and food items that could make a significant difference in the health of a person. Let us now look at those specific foods that inhibit the growth of cancer cells or stop them from becoming metastatic. Foods that may help fight lung cancer Is there anything as a lung cancer diet? Technically, there isn’t anything such. However, some foods may help fight lung cancer or even prevent the disease. It is debatable. There’s no reason to fret. Multiple studies are still looking into the effect of diet on cancer cells already present in the body. The lists of foods given below discuss the nutritional value and their effects on lung cancer. If you are already affected by lung cancer and are going through chemotherapy and radiation therapy, this information might prove to be helpful. Green tea: Green tea is believed to be very effective in fighting lung cancer. Not only does it play a preventive role but it may also benefit people living with this disease. Green tea contains caffeine in very less quantity. So, if you have caffeine sensitivity, you have to look for a caffeine-free option. Pears: A recent study showed that fruits like apples and pears induced apoptosis which is programmed cell death in cancer cells. These fruits contain phloretin, a phytochemical, which may be used as an adjunct for the treatment of non-small lung cancer cells.
6 foods that help deal with lymphoma
Diets & Meal Plans

6 foods that help deal with lymphoma

Lymphoma, a type of cancer, starts in the white blood cells or lymphocytes and can easily spread to different parts of the body. Lymphoma can be divided into two types: Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Although this condition is more common in children, it can affect anyone, irrespective of their age. The symptoms shown by lymphoma patients are painless swelling, fever, night sweats, and unintentional weight loss. The treatment options include radiation and chemotherapy. After one undergoes these treatments, it is necessary to consume healthy foods to heal the condition of lymphoma. Foods that you should consume include: Fiber A high-fiber diet is one of the natural cures for lymphoma. One should include fresh fruits, vegetables, and cereals into their diet. Regular consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables help get rid of toxins in the body. Moreover, a fibrous diet helps maintain a healthy heart and also in the digestion process. Therefore, it is important to add a variety of fibrous foods that will help heal lymphoma. This will also help one stay fuller for a long duration. Carbohydrates Starchy foods provide fiber and are the most important source of energy. Rice, potatoes, bread, and pasta are some sources from where carbohydrates can be derived. One-third of the daily food consumed should consist of carbohydrates; otherwise, one’s body would use up other nutrients and proteins to build up energy for the body. Proteins The main function of proteins in the body is to build, maintain, and repair muscle mass. The intake of protein should be slightly higher during and after the treatment of lymphoma, as the body would require more proteins to help heal the condition. Fish, eggs, beans, lentils, nuts, milk, yogurt, and cheese are some foods that are rich in protein. Although red meat is rich in protein, it should be avoided as it is linked to causing cancer.
Fight melanoma with a high-fiber diet
Diets & Meal Plans

Fight melanoma with a high-fiber diet

Melanoma is a type of cancer that starts in cells that affect the pigment melanin; these cells are called melanocytes. The unusual growth of these cells results in this type of cancer. This condition is a highly common yet highly serious type of skin cancer. It is mostly recognized by an unusual growth or change in the existing mole on the skin. Types of melanoma There are typically four types of melanoma. Each of the types comes from a different way in which cancer has affected the melanocytes. Superficial spreading melanoma Nodular melanoma Lentigo malign melanoma Acral lentiginous melanoma A high-fiber diet may help your gut A healthy diet is said to trigger a better response from the body when the patient is undergoing treatment for melanoma. Some studies have shown that fibers lead to a more diverse type of bacteria called microbiome which is a thriving gut bacterium. The gut microbiome has shown to trigger a strong response to immunotherapy in patients that have aggressive skin cancer. On average, a high-fiber diet may help your gut battle melanoma five times more if you start a high fiber diet at the beginning of your immunotherapy. Since a high-fiber diet may help your gut battle melanoma, you must make it an essential part of your routine. Like any other form of cancer, the chances of contracting this type of cancer is high due to factors like obesity. Maintaining a healthy weight is vital to prevent deadly diseases like melanoma. A high-fiber meal essentially has plenty of fiber and antioxidants. They are present in retinol rich foods like milk, eggs, leafy vegetables, fish and fruits that are yellow or orange. Antioxidants have a 20% chance of reducing the development of melanoma. Along with your vital fibers, vitamin D levels also need to be in check as they are associated with a risk of developing cancer, especially melanoma.
Best foods to boost hair growth
Diets & Meal Plans

Best foods to boost hair growth

Everyone wants beautiful hair, as good hair adds charm to one’s personality. Hair care is an important regime to be followed by both men and women. Having shiny and strong hair makes one look confident and presentable. Taking proper care of health makes them last longer and reflects a person’s personality. Some essential hair care tips for healthy hair growth are as follows: Avoid washing hair daily Pat dry your Use a good conditioner Minimize the use of styling products Make sure you use heat protectants before styling A regular hair care regimen helps in keeping healthy hair but healthy food habits help in promoting healthy growth of hair. It also helps in keeping the hair strong and shiny. Apart from caring for the hair, a proper diet also plays an important role in keeping the hair healthy. Read on to know more about what are the best foods for healthy hair growth. Proteins A protein-rich diet not only helps in promoting healthy growth of hair, but it also strengthens the hair, making it look silky and shiny look. Whole eggs, almonds, lean beef, tuna, peanuts, milk are rich in protein nutrients which can be easily added to one’s diet. Protein supplements are also available. Iron One of the main causes of hair loss is iron deficiency. Due to a lack of sufficient iron nutrients to the hair roots, the problem of hair thinning and hair fall begins. So it is very important to eat foods that are rich in iron like dark leafy vegetables, fish, chickpeas, soybeans. Omega-3 and fatty acids As the body cannot produce these healthy fatty acids one needs to get its nutrients from foods containing omega-3. The nutrients in these fatty acids provide volume and nourishment to the hair. Some foods rich in Omega 3 are walnuts, salmon, canola oil, chia seeds, flaxseeds.
10 best foods to consume during menopause
Diets & Meal Plans

10 best foods to consume during menopause

Menopause is characterized by the permanent stopping of the menstruation cycle, which generally occurs in women between 40 to 50 years of age. Since the normal menstrual cycle ceases, the women in the menopause stage experience certain hormonal fluctuations and the onset of several other diseases. With the estrogen levels falling and the disrupted cyclical changes of progesterone and estrogen, most women suffer from increased levels of cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Hence, women are highly advised to maintain a strict diet during menopause. The following food items help to keep the hormonal fluctuations at a normal rate and also helps in combating the diseases as well. Whole grains Loaded with fibers, nutrients, and vitamin B components, whole grains are primarily necessary for the normal functioning of the body. The fiber in whole grains helps in maintaining normal bowel functioning and maintains a healthy gut. The range of vitamin B complexes cater to the diverse needs of the body and helps in restoring normal body metabolism, thereby keeping various diseases at bay. Thus, whole grain foods need to be included in the diet during menopause . Oatmeal Oatmeal work wonders in lowering blood cholesterol levels and is thus considered as one of the best foods to consume during menopause. It also helps in weight loss and improves heart health in women. Fruits & green veggies Fruits, as well as green vegetables, are undoubtedly one of the best foods to eat during menopause. These are loaded with fiber, nutrients, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants which are necessary for the normal functioning of a healthy gut and heart. The antioxidant prevents the formation of free radicals and maintains normal body metabolism. Where fruits like berries help in lowering blood pressure, broccoli helps in preventing cancer in women. Dairy products Menopause results in a huge decrease in body minerals which makes osteoporosis a common condition.
Foods that help soothe a migraine headaches
Diets & Meal Plans

Foods that help soothe a migraine headaches

It has been reported that over 75% of people aged between 18 and 65 deal with a headache over once or twice annually. Among them, more than 30% of adults usually develop the symptoms of migraine. By nature, a headache is caused due to migraine lasts longer and leads to more physical effects than any common headache. Certain foods have the ability to soothe migraine headaches, and various studies have reported that certain tweaks in your regular food can soothe migraine headaches. Herein, we’ve compiled a list of foods that can help you to reduce the impact as well as experience of headache caused by migraine. Include these foods in your diet and stay away from the inferior living condition caused by the symptoms of migraines. Baked potato This is one of the most loved sides of our dinner. It can do wonders in soothing migraine headache especially caused due to higher consumption of alcohol. A baked potato can help you to retain various electrolytes such as potassium in your body while your level of alcohol is high in your body. Further, it also ensures that your body is well hydrated. This is because the potato is a potassium-rich food and such food can alleviate hangover related to headaches and migraines. It is to be noted that baked potato contains a whopping 721 mg of potassium in comparison to 467 mg of banana. Watermelon Dehydration is one of the major causes of migraine headaches. Hence, instead of immediately reaching out to a pain killer or reliever, any water-rich food such as watermelon can help you in soothing down the headache caused by migraine. The natural water available in fruits and vegetables is rich in essential minerals such as magnesium. Magnesium is one of the key minerals for the prevention of a migraine headache.
Follow these tips to effectively manage multiple myeloma symptoms
Diets & Meal Plans

Follow these tips to effectively manage multiple myeloma symptoms

Multiple myeloma is a cancer wherein the body’s plasma cells are affected. The American Cancer Society reports that over 30,000 people are expected to be diagnosed with the disease in recent times. Although the disease is not preventable, there are foods that help you to effectively manage multiple myeloma and its symptoms. Malignant plasma cells may cause anemia or other infections. While normal cells try to ward off infections, myeloma cells prevent healthy cells from working efficiently. Myeloma cells instead accelerate bone breakdown, and put off new bone development, thus making fractures and breaks very common. Conventional treatment includes chemotherapy, bisphosphonates, surgery, radiation, and stem cell transplant. Complementary treatments include special diets, herbs, vitamins, massage, and acupressure. Although there are no such proven diets to treat or fight multiple myeloma, a specific nutrition strategy might prevent other symptoms like anemia or kidney damage. It may also reduce the risks of cancer recurrence. Get adequate iron Foods that curb multiple myeloma symptoms contain iron. Multiple myeloma leads to anemia – a condition in which the body contains only a few red blood cells. As a result, it causes weakness and fatigue. Other causes of anemia include deficiency in iron, vitamin B12, and folate. Foods containing iron are an integral part of a diet that aims to help patients with the disease. Some good sources include: Raisins Lean red meat Bell peppers Kale Sweet potatoes Broccoli Brussel sprouts Tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, papaya, guava Foods containing essential folate, a B vitamin that contributes to the formation of white and red blood cells in the bone marrow, include: Asparagus Black-eyed kidney beans Beef liver Lentils Beans Spinach Broccoli Foods containing vitamin B12 work together with folate to help the body form more red blood cells. Vitamin B12 deficiency can affect the ability of the bone marrow to make as well as maintain red blood cells in patients suffering from multiple myeloma.