Low Calorie Lunch Options
Eating meals timely is important to maintain the metabolism. Untimely meals, delayed meals or even skipping meals slows down the metabolism. What happens when the metabolism gets disturbed? Simple, you start putting weight. Everyone tries to start healthy by keeping breakfast options minimal and healthy. But by the time we reach lunch all the work or a busy day takes a toll over our lunch choices. We dont realize eating unhealthy food will only make things worse both in terms of being bad to the body but also adding stress to our lives. Eating processed and junk food leads to high cholesterol, disturbed sugar levels resulting in high blood pressure, hyper-tension and Type 2 Diabetes.
We suggest why develop bad habits when its as easy to develop good habits. This doesnt mean you have to punish yourself and live only on raw food and water. It means that if you start planning in advance you can be more conscious while packing lunch at home or eating out. Here are some healthy lunch options that you could carry it from your home or buy.
Vegetable besan cheela with low fat curd: This chick pea-flour pancake are packed with protein. It can be prepared in no time and at the same time its tasty as well as nutritious. Chick pea is said to be a good source of fiber and many other nutrients and low in fat. One best thing about this Besan Chilla is that it can be pretty much toyed around with to suit different tastes. You can change the veggies you add to it: mushrooms, green peppers, onions, tomatoes, zucchini, carrots, or spinach. One vegetable chilla gives aroun 120-140 calories.
Paneer/Chicken wheat flour Kathi Roll: Kathi Rolls are hot crispy rotis served with a choice of fillings. Use any combination of vegetables like paneer, mushroom, soya, corn or green peas to make these vegetarian rolls. For non veg fillings you could use chicken. These rolls are ideal for packed lunches as these are quite easy to prepare, pick and eat.The calories varies according to type of filling, But on an average 1 vegetable kathi roll provides around 195 calories. (more…)— this article is written by a dietitian @ FitHo
Indian Diet for Weight Loss
Indian cuisine is rich, diverse and balanced. From the spices that are used to cook it to the different vegetables available through the year not only makes the diet packed with essential nutrition but also provides huge variety.
Unlike American or European where large part of their meals consist of pre-packaged cereals or breads an average Indian household is brimming with wide variety of delicious food options like cheela, dalia, poha, upma, stuffed roti and many more options.
As you enjoy the wide variety of Indian food available here are some quick options that can be easily made, are very healthy and can help you lose weight.
Some healthy Indian Diet Options for weight Loss
Khicdi: Dal(Split Pulses) and rice cooked together and generally eaten with a combination of curd. This indian diet is simple with least spices except salt, turmeric and some herbs for aroma. It contains protein from dal, carbohydrates from rice and is easy to digest and light for the stomach.
Besan ka cheela made of gram flour is usually eaten in combination with curd is a instant, nutritious, low calorie, protein rich recipe ideal for breakfast and snack time . Cheela can be a part of weight loss diet since it is low in calories and also a part of muscle building diet since it is high in protein. Make sure its made in minimal oil and cooked on a non-stick. (more…)— this article is written by a dietitian @ FitHo
Say Hello to Food Plate and Bye to the Pyramid
Food plate replaced food pyramid. Instead of stacking food groups in a pyramid (in the order of consumption), food groups are now being laid out on a plate. Instead of pyramid suggesting portions of various food groups striped in rainbow color there will be a new circular chart depicting recommended meals.
More interesting than the design change are the category modifications but missing few items. Let’s compare pyramid with plate and how implementing it will help make our diet healthy.
- Fruits and vegetables have taken a centre stage, comprising largely half of the plate. Suggesting half of your meal should be vegetables-cooked plus raw (salad) and fruit. Both these food groups contribute to provide essential vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants guarding our body from any infection. Vegetables are organized into 5 subgroups- dark green leafy, red& orange vegetables, beans & peas,starchy and other vegetables, based on their nutrient content.
- Former “Meats and Beans” group from pyramid is now simply “Proteins,” The plate further states that at least 50% of the proteins should be lean proteins- pulses, chicken, egg white or lean fish as against meat, ham or organ meat. With an increase in cardiovascular problems and obesity, these guidelines extend a helping hand for consumers to diligently select what they are consuming.
- One more food group from food pyramid “Milk” is also changed now to “Dairy.” The new guidelines indicate a switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk from full cream milk.
- Grains which were earlier given a major bottom slab at the bottom now form 65% of a main meal. The new icon nutrition plate states that at least half of the grains consumed should be whole grain ensuring that you get enough fibre in your diet.
- Close attention to the new MyPlate image shows that there is no representation and guidance for Fats/Oils. Fats/Oil are often linked to many health issues, including risk of heart disease.
Besides some specific advice on food groups, new plate recommends:
- Enjoy your food, but eat less
- Avoid oversized portions
- Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals ― and choose the foods with lower numbers
- Drink water instead of sugary drinks
The real aim for new plate undoubtedly is too make healthy eating more easier to understand and implement. Since we use plates at our meals, it’s easy to translate what a well-rounded, nutritional healthy meal should look like.
— this article is written by a dietitian @ FitHo
Healthy Breakfast Ideas
Quit believing in myths and start getting real. Rev up your metabolism naturally through food and workouts. Clock your meals and sleep patterns at a definite time allowing your body adapt to the patterns to show results. Avoid yo-yo diets or crash diet and stick to your normal routine. Instead know the foods that you eat and learn healthy eating habits for a faster metabolism.
Here are a few breakfast ideas for you
Eggs: Poached eggs with a glass of milk and a multi grain toast. Eggs & milk provide with protein and important minerals like calcium , phosphorous etc. Toast providing some carbohydrate & fibre to keep you full of energy and (more…)— this article is written by a dietitian @ FitHo
Chicken Sandwich vs Tuna Sandwich- Healthy Food Options
Most of us have a decent idea on what is healthy and what is not. We eat healthy to the best of knowledge and experience but sometimes get confused while choosing between two similar looking healthy options. There are numerous combination or options that are available.
To help you ease your dilemma we have put together a list of 5 regular options you come across everyday and supporting it scientific reason to help you make healthiest decisions.
Wheat Flakes vs Oatmeal : Wheat flakes and oatmeal are made from whole cereal grain and provide good nutrition. Both are rich in fiber but the soluble fiber in oatmeal is higher than wheat flakes making it a healthier option. The soluble fiber makes you feel fuller for a longer duration and lowers the glycemic index of the food. Mix wheat flakes in your oatmeal for variation.
Chicken Sandwich vs Tuna Sandwich: This is a tough choice as both are white meat and healthy too. Tuna is a fish which contains a lot of omega 3 fatty acids and very little fat. Chicken contains more cholesterol than tuna making fish a healthier option for heart health.
Single fruit Juice vs (more…)— this article is written by a dietitian @ FitHo
Healthy Pizza Options: Eat this, not that
Pizza is generally not the healthiest food around, but we all love pizza, and are definitely going to eat it.
If you’re going to eat pizza, why not make the right choices, so you can enjoy your pizza and not feel guilty about eating unhealthy!
Best Minerals for Weight loss
If losing weight was a child’s play, obesity would never have been an epidemic. Losing weight requires a scientific approach and a planned routine along with proper micro-nutrient supplementation (vitamins and minerals).
In our attempt of losing weight we become obsessed with our carbohydrates, protein, fat and vitamin consumption however nobody really bothers about their mineral intake…..Although it is important but has a very small percentage in our body so without the consultation of your doctor you should not increase the consumption of these important minerals. Moderation and balance is required for healthy living.
You would be surprised to note that body’s weight-related functions – like appetite, hunger, metabolic rate, metabolism of fats and sugars, blood-glucose levels, calorie-burning, and so on – operate more efficiently when we have an optimum intake of minerals.
Therefore it is worth keeping a watch on your minerals. Let’s have a look which minerals are the best for losing weight
Recent clinical studies demonstrate a positive relationship between calcium intake and weight-loss. Controlled weight loss studies indicate that increasing calcium intake by the equivalent of two dairy servings per day can reduce the risk of overweight, perhaps by as much as 70 percent. Also, it’s worth remembering that lower-calorie fat-free milk contains the same amount of calcium as full-fat milk. The
same goes for low fat yogurt and reduced fat cheese.
Chromium is required for the metabolism of sugar. Without sufficient chromium, insulin is less effective in regulating blood-glucose levels. In this way, chromium helps to control cravings and reduce hunger. Good food sources of chromium include: egg yolks, molasses, beef, hard cheese, liver, fruit juices, and whole grain bread.
Manganese helps regulate fat metabolism and blood-glucose. It is needed for a healthy thyroid function which itself is essential to maintain a healthy weight. Good food sources of manganese include: tea, wheat germ, spinach, split peas, nuts, oat germ, oatmeal, pineapple, green leafy vegetables.
Zinc helps to regulate appetite. Zinc is also needed for the correct functioning of hormones, like insulin. Zinc deficiency is common among smokers, heavy drinkers, some vegetarians, people with chronic illness and those on non-nutritious or very low calorie diets. Good sources of Zinc include: shellfish, herring, wheat germ, lean beef or lamb, eggs, lentils, Brazil nuts,
Caution: Please discuss with your doctor, before consuming any supplements. Self prescription and over dosage can have serious side effects.— this article is written by a dietitian @ FitHo
Chicken Breast – Total Fat Burning, Muscle Food
In the world of muscle food, the chicken breast is held in high regard. Chicken breast without the skin, has a high protein content, very low fat and carbohydrate content. The protein helps to build some muscle. Chicken breast also contains a dose of vitamin B, which helps to metabolize food for energy in your body.
And chicken breast is really easy to cook- it can be grilled, roasted or pan fried. Top it with some cheese and have it with a side of grilled vegetables. Shred it into a soup with vegetable, and it makes a nutrition balanced meal that fills you up.— this article is written by a dietitian @ FitHo