[www.keralites.net] Are you being fed Humbug?

 

Are you being fed Humbug? Nasrin Modak-Siddiqi       Green tea isn't ideal for all and there are cheaper but equally nutritive alternatives to quinoa. We separate fact from myth It's easy to fall prey to health studies. Almost every day, there's one that makes head lines, praising or demonising a food item or the other. So, your humble morning cup of coffee may have a zillion health benefits one day, and be near-poisonous the next. Such an oscillatory stance can naturally lead to confusion as there's rarely a way to verify the credibility of the source that has published the said study."Most of these articles are written out of context and often, the perspective of the study cannot be accepted in absolute terms. A popular victim of such studies are food items which sporadically acquire a bad name for lacking certain nutrients or negatively influencing one's health. Another common concern is the superlative perception of superfoods propagated by these studies, which inspires many to stock on them, even while there would be cheaper local alternatives which would deliver the same nutrients," says Nutritionist Naini Setalvad. Mirror asked experts to bust common myths: 1 BLUEBERRIES ARE A MUST Hailed as the king of superfoods the world over, blueberries are known to be powerful antioxi dants, high on Vitamin C content."About 16 per cent of the fruit is Vitamin C but it also contains 10 percent of sugar. Instead, the Indian gooseberry has 90 per cent vitamin and 0 per cent sugar. Sugar is the root cause of many diseases and the maximum that the body needs is 15 grams a day, so we need to keep a watch on how much we consume, even in natural forms.Since Vitamin C is absolutely necessary for the absorption of vitamins, minerals, and proteins, lowering cholesterol, controlling blood sugar, increasing immunity, preventing inflammation and in reducing cancer cells from multiplying, I'd say our good ol' amla is a better choice," says Setalvad. 2 GREEN TEA FOR WEIGHT LOSS Not if you have heart issues and are on certain blood thinners, say experts. "It contains high level of Vitamin K and that can interfere with warfarin (if that's what you are on). Although there is limited information to confirm this, it is better to be safe than sorry in such matters," says Dr. Gorey. 3 QUINOA CANNOT BE SUBSTITUTED This new and expensive kid on the block is selling like hot cakes even at local supermarkets. Since it isn't grown locally, it needs to be imported and comes with a big price tag."It has four grams of protein and 2 grams of fibre, of the 120 grams of calories per 100 grams, 17 comes from fat, while our local amaranth has 4 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber, of the 102 calories only 13 are from fat per 100 grams. So isn't amaranth a better bet as it is locally grown," says Setalvad. 4 EGG YOLKS ARE BAD They may contain high fat and cholesterol content, but that is no reason to avoid them entirely."The real threat to high cholesterol is saturated and trans-fats, not dietary cholesterol," says Ruchira Ranadive, Dietician, Hinduja Healthcare Surgical, Khar. Whole eggs are also full of omega-3 fatty acids and deliver many of the B vitamins and nutrients including B6, B12, riboflavin, folate, and choline. "In fact, it is one of the few natural food sources of Vitamin D. These days, a lot of youngsters face an acute shortage of Vitamin D that not only results in bone problems but also leads to depression, weight issues and gut issues," adds Ranadive. 5 HAVE PLENTY OF FLUIDS One has always been told that 16 glasses of water is minimum that one must consume each day.However, the body's water requirement differs from person to person. "Excess water for some, especially those with cardiac issues may lead to fluid overload. It's important to consult a doctor before determining how much water is needed based on your clinical history. They would also be able to suggest which fluid is good for you," explains Dr. Gorey. 6 GHEE IS BETTER THAN OIL Both oil and ghee provide the same nine calories per gm.But ghee also contains saturated fats which could lead to health issues. "Though ghee does contain some amount of Omega 3 fatty acids, it doesn't mean that including large portions of ghee in one's diet will aid in weight loss. It can't be consumed indiscriminately, especially if you have heart issues," says Dr. Beena Chheda, Nutritionist, Cumballa Hospital. 7 THE POST-FESTIVAL DETOX DIET Most nutritionists face a heavy demand from clients wanting to opt for a detox diet after they have binged on fatty and sugar-laden foods during the festive season."There is no such thing as detox diet, eating healthy itself is detoxification. Detoxification just means adding less rubbish in the body. You can't abuse your body first then look for a quick fix -it's like slapping someone and then saying sorry," says Dr. Chedda. 8 NUTS ARE THE HEALTHIEST OF SNACKS We have all read about the wonders that a handful of nuts can do.But how much is too much? "Nuts are extremely high in calories, so consuming nuts will also increase your calorie and oil intake, far exceeding the recommended daily intake. This means you are actually increasing the load on your heart and the digestive system. One must always consult a dietician to understand the exact quantity of nuts that can be accommodated in one's daily diet, instead of making a meal of it," says Dr. Varsha Gorey, Clinical Nutritionist, Apollo Hospital. 9 WHEY PROTEIN CAUSES KIDNEY DAMAGE Firstly, one needs to understand how whey protein formula is made. "Whey is the finest of all protein components found in the water that separates when milk is torn into paneer or when it curdles. It has 100 per cent bioavailability, all of which is consumed and absorbed by the body, leaving no remnants. However, it needs to be consumed under the supervision of a registered clinical dietician or a qualified sports nutritionist. Water consumption along with it is crucial. The quantity and frequency of consumption (before or following a workout) needs to be determined by them," says Dr. Chedda. 10 SKIP BANANAS AND POTATOES FOR WEIGHT LOSS Both are a good source of complex carbohydrates. "Bananas are high in calcium and potassium. It gives instant energy, especially after a workout. It helps you avoid constipation. Potatoes on the other hand are a good source for Vitamin C. It's about how we eat the potato -boiling or frying will make it even more harmful for you but you can certainly grill or bake it, it is a good source for carbs," says Ranadive.          

 

 

__._,_.___

---

Posted by: Cool Kis <cooolkis@gmail.com>

---

Reply via web post

•

Reply to sender

•

Reply to group

•

Start a New Topic

•

Messages in this topic (1)

---

Have you tried the highest rated email app?

With 4.5 stars in iTunes, the Yahoo Mail app is the highest rated email app on the market. What are you waiting for? Now you can access all your inboxes (Gmail, Outlook, AOL and more) in one place. Never delete an email again with 1000GB of free cloud storage.

---

KERALITES - A moderated eGroup exclusively for Keralites...

To subscribe send a mail to Keralites-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
Send your posts to Keralites@yahoogroups.com.
Send your suggestions to Keralites-owner@yahoogroups.com.

To unsubscribe send a mail to Keralites-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.

Homepage: http://www.keralites.net

Visit Your Group

• New Members 8

• Privacy • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use

.

__,_._,___