APT diet solutions by Apeksha Thakkar

Be it french fries, burgers, hash browns or simple omelet, the taste of ketchup can complement everything. This popular and inexpensive red colored condiment is regarded as healthy by some even though that does not indicate you can consume copious amount of it. Is ketchup good for health? Ketchup is a low calorie condiment made of simple ingredients like spices, salt, pepper, vinegar and naturally tomatoes. Compared to other notable rivals like mayonnaise, ketchup contains no fat and much lesser calories. But for some people, the  sugar  and salt content of ketchup is a matter of  concern . Moreover, it tends to contain natural flavoring, tomato concentrate and most importantly, high fructose corn syrup which may not be desirable. So, the key here is not to abandon ketchup on the whole but to reduce the consumption. Ketchup and its list of benefits: The  lycopene  content of the tomato, which is the prime ingredient of ketchup, cuts down the risk of  cancer  in bladder, lungs, s

Are you planning a romantic dinner or lunch to celebrate a special occasion? Then don’t forget to incorporate some of the foods listed below for a perfect unforgettable evening. These foods are the ones that have made it to the list of top romantic foods. Chocolate:  You can’t go wrong with chocolate and it would definitely be on the top of the list for top romantic foods. Chocolate contains a chemical known as phenylethylamine or PEA which is similar to and produces the same effects of amphetamine. Amphetamine is a chemical that is released in the brain, it produces the joyous or euphoric feeling. Chocolate is also a known aphrodisiac. Eaten as it is or as a fondue or used to cover strawberries, chocolate is perfect. Seafood:  Seafood is simple and easy to cook and delicious to eat. Oysters are another known aphrodisiac, they are considered to be the symbol of passion.Oysters are rich in zinc and are considered to be great for boosting fertility. They also contain a high amount of ami

Meet prominent food allergen’s An allergy is defined as when a child’s immune system oversights the important protein present in the food and starts treating is as an entity; it soon starts producing antibodies in the blood as a process of defence. The entire process triggers and initiates the production of a nitrogenous compound called ‘histamine.’ histamine production is usually associated with mild to severe itchy rashes, constant sneezing and in few cases associated with nausea and vomiting. In seldom cases, the child can complain of anaphylaxis (severe onset of allergic reaction). Most of the symptoms take a few days to develop and subside in few days and any such abnormal allergic reactions should be immediately be sorted by a child specialist. In most cases, the child eventually grows out of most of the allergens by the age of 5 to 6 years. However, fewer can continue to perpetuate lifelong. Below are the most common allergens listed which if not administered before 6 t

Pregnant - The Healthy Indian Diet For You! When you are pregnant, it is important for you to have a proper diet ,  which is full of essential nutrients. A lot of these nutrients are used as supplements for the growing fetus. This is vital for the fetus to grow properly and receive proper nourishment. Every pregnanacy is different, so does the diet differs based on issues based by a young mother. The biggest myth ever is to expect young mother to eat for two, but the truth is a pregnant woman just needs about 500 kcal extra from her normal RDA. It is always better to get a personalised diet chart, so coping up with physical and mental stress by an expectant mother becomes easier, leading to a happy and healthy pregnancy. A customised diet not only helps to be mother to take care of herself and lil one, but also ensure a positive wellbeing post pregnancy. Rest is equally important and to be mother should ensure she is active throughout her pregnancy for easy labour and fitness. Postpart

A little more about Weaning:- Weaning can be defined as a process where there is a gradual transition from an infant's diet to a fully grown adults diet. Weaning is considered a period of complementary feeds, which helps an infant to establish a better connection with food. Weaning can also be considered as a process of developing infants taste buds. Weaning should always be introduced after 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding (from birth to 6 months). Since the entire process of weaning takes a lot of patience and perseverance, mothers are expected to be creative to bring the best introductions in her child's menu. It is more of a trial method for the new mum, as it helps her govern a basic taste of her tiny tot. Below are some points which can benefit both the new mum and the baby towards effective weaning. Points to be kept in mind for a fruitful weaning:- Feed only supple or soft foods:-  To avoid the potential risk of choking, which can be common with the foods like apple,

                                               Importance of Prenatal Nutrition As it is rightly said ‘Nutrition starts at Conception’. Diet plays a vital role in physical and mental development of the child right from the conception. An expectant mother must make sure to follow the right diet.   There is much hyped misconception about following healthy dietary habits during pregnancy for benefit of her little one, but that’s untrue. If a to be mother manages to follow a good and nutritionally adequate diet, it will in fact help her as well to achieve healthy weight gain, comfortable child birth and most importantly helping her body to prepare for post-delivery weight loss. A physically and mentally fit mother makes a happy and active child. By following a healthy and balanced diet throughout her 9 months and 9 days of pregnancy will immensely benefit her unborn. Inclusion of foods from all the food groups will be an added benefit. The following content will help an expectant mother t

Fennel is a very common spice in India and is usually present in every kitchen. In fact, from a very young age, it has been seen that the elders advise the youngsters to consume a pinch of fennel after any meal for proper digestion. Fennel is also added to many dishes to make the dish flavourful as well, so that the person eating the dish can reap the benefits of all its medicinal properties. Fennel is much more than just a digestion enhancing natural ingredient. Fennel if boiled in water and the water taken empty stomach in morning, can be used as diuretic and also used in renal calculi (kidney stones).  Some of its other uses and benefits are explained below. Breath Freshener:  Fennel has anti microbial properties which clean your mouth and give you a fresh breath after every meal. In fact, it is not uncommon to notice fennel seeds being served in hotels and restaurants after a meal for better digestion and having a fresh and sweet breath. Helps in digestion:  Fennels help in not onl

The mere thought of biting into a chilled watermelon or sipping chilled watermelon juice during summer is a refreshing thought. What many do not readily realise is that not just they are not just a refresher, but they are also loaded with multiple health benefits. Another surprising fact is that they have been in use since 5000 years ago and are referred to in ancient literature. There are about 300 plus varieties and are easily available during summer. Many may think that watermelon is loaded with water. However, there are also multiple compounds including vitamins and minerals; vitamins C, A, B1, B5, and B6; minerals like potassium and magnesium, and compounds like carotenoids and lycopene. These have multiple benefits on the health and so watermelon can be consumed without any second thought in abundance. Read on to know some of the wonders of this melon. Hydration:  One of the best remedies to avoid the ill effects of summer is to improve hydration levels, and there could be no bet

High Protein Diet - Things You Must Know!   Proteins are said to be a building block for the body. That being said, a high protein diet can either have some great results to show, or some terrible consequences. As long as a person is willing to learn more about it, only the former will appear! When a person thinks of a diet which is high in protein, the automatic association is with the famed Atkins diet. This is a diet which is not only high in the amount of protein consumed but is low in the relative amount of carbohydrate. Who is it For? A high protein diet is a way to go, if a person is looking to build a little muscle and does not consume enough protein in his or her current or normal diet. However, studies have found that only professional endurance athletes showed any benefits from a hike in their consumption levels of protein and that too, they could have received these benefits by just eating more food. So, it is fair to say that the normal person is not likely to need more pr

Our digestive system is made up of a complex set up of organs, enzymes, secretions and much more. In order to ensure that they all function in tandem with each other so that our digestion works properly, we need to take many measures. Solid food and liquids both go hand in hand when it comes to digesting your food properly. Water is one of the main elements that one must ingest regularly during the day so that the body remains hydrated and the stool also softens. It is also a digestive aid. Yet, there are two varied schools of thought when it comes to drinking water during one’s meals. While some people say that it is good, there are others who say that it should not be practiced. So let us find out whether having water during your meals is a good thing or not. Stomach Acids: If we are to look at water during a meal from the perspective of our stomach acids, then most doctors will tell you that there is no problem in having water with your food. The main doubt here is whether or not th

Eating right and exercising are key to healthy weight loss. In no case should you ever consider crash dieting or any form of extreme diets. There are many different types of diets popular today. The most common side effect of dieting is that in most cases weight loss stops the moment a diet is stopped and the individual begins to put on weight instead. Here are a few other after effects of dieting. Tiredness: Most diets are centred around limiting your food intake. As a result of this, the body has less food available to convert into energy. This also causes a drop in blood sugar levels. As a result of this, you may find yourself tiring easily and with less energy to go about your normal day. Mood changes: Fluctuating blood sugar level can also make you feel irritable and depressed. Limiting your food intake can make you crave food which further adds to your irritability. By cheating on your diet with a sugar laden snack you may cause further fluctuation of insulin levels. This can be

The pyramid diet was conceptualised in 1992 and it emphasises the best amount of servings to be consumed daily from the basic food groups (dairy, fruits and vegetables, grains, beans and legumes, meat, oils and fats). The pyramid is divided into four levels. The very first level is comprised of grains, beans and legumes; the level above it is made up of fruits and vegetable; the third level from the top is composed of meat and dairy products and the very last one on top contains fats, sugars and oils. The diet aims to divide the food groups in the above mentioned fashion to make you understand just how much to consume from each food group.  Here is a breakdown of servings from each food group: Grains- 5 to 7 servings Fruits and vegetables- 2 servings of each Milk and dairy- 3 servings of which 1/2 serving should be dairy products Oils, sugar and fats- 6 teaspoons for oils and minimal servings for fats and sugars This seems relatively easy to follow, but most people do not understand po

Diet - Why It Often Fails? A diet is something which takes a lot of effort and also a person’s will to become a better form of him or herself. After all the thought, persistence and work that goes into the process of planning the diet and the mental fortitude of going for it; can you imagine the disappointment which is inevitable when it fails? If nothing else, there are reasons why this is so! It takes time:  When it comes to dieting, it is quite unfortunate to see people think of the process as a quick fix in order to meet a body target. It is often the case that these people slip back into their old dietary ways as soon as they can. Going back to eating things which are unhealthy is really bad after going on a diet as the weight of the person then starts to change. A change in mentality is required here as the person who goes on a diet should keep in mind the fact that a diet is something which is a change in lifestyle for the better and not a proverbial shot in the arm. Be realisti

Undergoing Cancer Treatment - 9 Foods That Are Absolutely Must For You! Are you suffering from  cancer? ? Your  diet  plays an important part when you are a undergoing cancer treatment. There are several types of food items, which are actually beneficial for healing cancer. By including these items in your regular diet, there are chances of better healing. Here are 10 food items that help in healing cancer: Green leafy vegetables:  You must consume green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, collard greens, kale, watercress and arugula salad as they contain vitamins, minerals, enzymes and antioxidants. Also they are low in calories, sodium, fat and toxins and are a storehouse of antibacterial plus antiviral components, which inactivate carcinogens and help in killing program cancer cells. The formation of tumor is prevented. The chemicals turn into biological compounds and break down cancer cells. Cruciferous vegetables:  These vegetables are capable cancer killers and are rich in vitamin

People who rarely fall ill and are able to undertake strenuous tasks are said to have a strong constitution. When talking in terms of health, constitution refers to a person s physical and mental strength. The stronger your constitution, the healthier you are. Having a strong constitution also makes treatment more effective in case you do fall ill. Here are a few tips to help build a strong constitution. Eat a well-balanced diet: Missing out on important nutrients may not have immediate effects, but in the long run, will cause deficiencies and harm your constitution. Not following a healthy diet is also one of the most common reasons for reduced immunity. In a day you must eat 2-3 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables and at least one serving of carbs and proteins. Drink plenty of water: It isn t enough to give your body all the nutrients it requires, you must also drink plenty of water so that your body can absorb these nutrients. Water plays an important role in every process of th

A little extra olive oil might be good for your blood vessels. People with atherosclerosis showed significant improvement in inflammation and endothermic (the cells lining of vessels. In addition to its high mufa (mono unsaturated fatty acid) content, olive oil (specially the extra virgin varient) has atleast 28 different groups of phytochemicals which help in vasodilation (enlarging of arteries which in response control blood pressure. Atleast 2 tablespoons daily might help to control blood pressure and manage lipid profile Posted by Dt. Apeksha Thakkar

Rice is the one of the most common non-allergen,very useful for the people who have gluten sensitivity(which is largely present in wheat and its products). Rice is Low in Sodium, unlike chapatis,makes an ideal meal for those who have troubles managing hypertension. Besides it also has very negligible traces of sugar and Fat, which can be helpful for weight watchers. Rice Bran oil which is made from the bran of the rice is very effective in cholesterol management. Brown rice could be a wiser choice to consume, as the outer layer of the rice is retained,making it high in fiber with most of the nutrients preserved. White rice is further processed and polished resulting in loss of vital nutrients during milling. Rice has many ingredients associated with it, as listed below. Carbs: A good source of carbohydrates, in many cases and the main source of carbohydrates, it has digestible starch. This is both the best and the worst part of rice. The human digestive system lacks the enzyme required

Cranberries are rich in folate, vitamin c, vitamin b12 and trace calcium. This makes it ideal for the expectant mothers as the above all nutrients are very much needed for the healthy development of the baby. Consuming cranberries during pregnancy helps in fighting off urinary tract infections (uti), reduces constipation. Cranberries are also beneficial for weight management, as they are high in water content and keep one hydrated. Cranberries are known for various healing and protecting properties.

The immune systems in your body are always at work trying to fend of many of the attacks that happen on it every day. Although it is able to protect the body most of the time, sometimes it fails in doing so. While medicines can help to restore the balance, it is advisable to include certain food items in your diet, which boost the immune system naturally. Let's take a look at six vegetables which can help your immune system in getting supercharged: Ginger  - This food item is very good in regulating mobility within the gut and regulating bowel movement and is also known to relieve nausea,cramping and bloating. Ginger is also known to have many anti-inflammatory properties as well as being an antioxidant and antimicrobial. All of this makes ginger very good for the immune system. Wheatgrass  - One of the most densely packed green nutritional food ingredients when consumed in the form of a juice, it helps the liver by increasing its ability to flush out toxins. This results in an imp

 We live in a busy world and when one is so pressed for time, it may seem a good thing for him or her to do to skip a meal or two and catch up on it later. He or she should realize, though, that this is one of the worst possible things he or she could be doing to himself or herself!  Each meal that a person has, is a window for nutrients and vitamins,  which are crucial for the maintenance of good health to be ingested into the body.  When a person makes the unwise choice to go ahead and skip a meal, the ramifications may not be so evident at first.  It is to be kept in mind that the repercussions can manifest themselves in the not so distant future, all depending on the frequency of his or her missing a meal. If a person is of the opinion that he or she does not have enough time or energy to get through the day, it is for sure that skipping a meal in order to try to make more time for the things which need to be done, he or she will be unintentionally skimping on the latter as a conse

A kiwi looks like a fuzzy brown egg, on the inside its bright green pulp is sprinkled with a ring structured small and black seeds are superheated with important nutrients. Once an exotic fruit, kiwis have now are plentiful. Kiwis provide potassium in abundance, which help lower blood pressure and contain soluble fiber, pectin which help in cholesterol management. Being high in soluble fiber, it plays a vital role in weight loss and management. It contains powerful antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which are boon for eye health. Posted by Dt. Apeksha Thakkar 

Rice is the one of the most common non-allergen,very useful for the people who have gluten sensitivity(which is largely present in wheat and its products). Rice is Low in Sodium, unlike chapatis,makes an ideal meal for those who have troubles managing hypertension. Besides it also has very negligible traces of sugar and Fat, which can be helpful for weight watchers. Rice Bran oil which is made from the bran of the rice is very effective in cholesterol management. Brown rice could be a wiser choice to consume, as the outer layer of the rice is retained,making it high in fiber with most of the nutrients preserved. White rice is further processed and polished resulting in loss of vital nutrients during milling. Rice has many ingredients associated with it, as listed below. Carbs: A good source of carbohydrates, in many cases and the main source of carbohydrates, it has digestible starch. This is both the best and the worst part of rice. The human digestive system lacks the enzyme requ