APT diet solutions by Apeksha Thakkar

Importance of proteins in diabetes management Proteins are one of the 3 major sources of energy, but body uses them only under stress and trauma, in absence of carbohydrates. Protein can be broken down to glucose less efficiently as compare to carbohydrates, leading to slightly slow insulin spikes. However, most protein sources also come with high content of fats and calories. Medical nutrition therapy plays a key role in managing insulin function. In diabetes, especially Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), insulin insensitivity and resistance are the major cause of concern, due to oscillatory blood sugar levels, it is recommended to calculate protein requirement per kg body weight rather calculating protein requirements percentage wise; simply to avoid protein malnutrition or insufficiency while on calorie restricted diet. In case, if a person suffers from complication of diabetes like diabetes neuropathy, protein intake should be well monitored. For those, who successfully manage norm...

Protein content in the food is largely classified, depending on its amino acid content. They are majorly categorized as complete and incomplete. Complete proteins are the foods that supply all 9 essential amino acids in just enough quantity to support growth and development. Incomplete, on other hand possibly lack in one or more amino acids. Amino acids are building blocks of proteins and are categorized as essential and non-essential respectively. Essential amino acids are the ones which cannot be synthesized in the body; thus, they need to be supplied through dietary sources regularly. The essential ones can be processed in the body and do not need to be supplied through daily diet. Complete or incomplete protein largely depends on profile of amino acids that food has. There are 23 vital, identified amino acids which are required for human metabolic activities. The physiological state of the person largely determines its amino acids requirements. For instance, infants and growing ch...

  By : Apeksha Thakkar Clinical Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator and Nutrigenomic Counselor 709 Excess protein consumption? Know its implications! There is a significant role, which protein play in maintenance of good health. Protein, along with other essential nutrients is important in managing biological and metabolic functions in the body. Most people eat proteins, beyond their requirements, it may be worth remembering that, as proteins are not preferred source of energy primarily used by the body. There is no organ in the body, which can store excess protein and use it later. In usual cases, protein comprises around 15 to 20 percent of total calorie requirement per day, however the percentage might highly fluctuate based on age, workouts, requirement and other biomedical parameters. Let's discuss the demerits associated with excess protein consumption:- 1. Out of proportion weight gain: -  It is important to understand that in the process on increasing extra protein ...

Protein for Children (5-8 Years) After water, protein is probably the most abundant and plentiful element required for wellbeing and maintenance of body cells and tissues. An average full-term baby weighs around 2.5 kgs at birth and should be exclusively breast fed only on mothers’ milk for at least for first 6 months of life. Subsequently, during the weaning phase use of protein rich components, would help the growing infant to build a better body structure and immune response, as adult in later stages of life. Since the growth and development of growing child surges in the initial years of life, importance of protein should not be neglected. Optimal protein nourishment commencing right from the childhood, can represent overall wellbeing of an adult in future and its supply should be prioritize accordingly. In this write up, we are going to discuss on the ways where protein can be incorporated in a paediatric age group, followed by a sample diet chart to get an idea about how to g...

  Supplementing Vegetarian Protein Sources Vegetarian protein sources lack in complete amino acids profile, hence developing high end risk of protein deficiency, when someone decides to go on vegan or complete vegetarian diet, it is often associated with protein deficiency. Well, that’s not the case. Vegan or vegetarian diets, if well planned can provide one with all essential nutrients. Infect, certain plant-based protein origin can provide more proteins than others. As we are aware of importance of proteins in muscle building, providing satiety and to an extent promoting weight loss let’s discuss the top listed vegetarian sources of protein, which might help vegans / vegetarians to balance out their protein requirements. 1. Lentils: - Lentils are the great source of veg proteins and they also contribute to slow digesting carbohydrates, which can delay gastric emptying. They can be eaten simply as salads or can be added in soups and gravies. 2. Edamame seeds (Pre harvested soybean...

  Healthy Woman; Healthy Family Women play various roles throughout their life being a daughter, a wife or a mother. Whether she is a housewife or a working woman, women are always managing so many things. In most households, women are the primary caretakers of their family. While managing it all, women often neglect their health. Poor nutrition, a lot of work responsibility with low levels of appreciation takes a toll on their physical and mental health. A healthy woman can give rise to a healthy family. Proper nutrition and well-being of a woman can positively affect the family’s health. With increasing attention to the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, besides the rising prevalence of overweight, obesity, and lifestyle disorders affecting women later on in life, it is becoming more important that women’s health and nutrition is given priority at all stages of her life. Few tips for women to ensure good health: • Try to have a balanced, wholesome meal comprised of all the fo...

  Foods to be introduced after Infancy (0-1 Years) Infancy is the most significant phase, where a new born gets complete exposure to new world, developing distinct relationship with the people and food. Infants tiny digestive organs are still under progress and a special heed should be paid to ensure infants overall development isn’t hampered.  As every mother wants the best for her new born, a special guideline will help anxious mums to make the wise choices and avoid giving certain food items in the first year of child's life. FOODS WHICH CAN WAIT TILL INFANT'S FIRST BIRTHDAY Honey: -  Honey in any form (raw, organic, cooked) should be strictly prohibited during infancy phase, there are chances of infant getting affected with ‘Infant Botulinum’ toxicity. Clostridium Botulinum present in honey can be dreadful and an infant can show persistent symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea. It can be life threatening. It is better honey is introduced in infants’ diet after 1 s...

  Snacking options for children (Age 5- 7 years) Right snacking habit is quite a big challenge with today’s generation. With the childhood obesity cases is one of a kind, which act as a quick filler in between the main meals and most children savor on it. Snacking items should contribute to nutritional aspects, as it helps in providing right nourishment at this age. While suggesting snacking foods for children, taste and the nutritional benefits should swivel around health, immunity, taste, and growth. Let us check snacking food items, which are powerhouse of nutrients and rationalize ‘Right nutrition is the plinth to flourishing health’. Dairy Products : - If you offer a direct glass of plain milk to this age, there is likelihood of it getting rejected. Dairy products are loaded with nutrients like calcium, proteins, magnesium, and other minerals. Milk can easily blend with fresh, seasonal fruits and made as fruit smoothie, which is a great bet to get almost all vital nutrients in...

  Ways to deal with FUSSY EATERS (AGE 3-5 Years) As a practicing dietitian for more than a decade, I encounter cases in my daily practice about mothers getting anxious about their children nutrition. Caregivers often request me to help them with some enchanted tonics, which can take care of little one’s immunity and weight; Bid on prescribing multivitamin tonics available over the counter on the prescription letter head has become quite rampant these days. The most common grumble I hear dealing with paediatric cases, ‘Ma’am I’m trying my level best to feed right nutrition to my little one, but he/she is refusing and not cooperating, I’m losing out on my patience’. As a healthcare professional, I find this extremely noteworthy to aid certain strategies, by providing required guidance to the mothers to handle fuss eating in compliant ways. Let’s discuss important pointers for the caregiver for smooth, efficient journey towards optimum nutrition. Prompt starter:  : Researches hav...

Significance of mother’s milk for infants (0-2 years) Mother’s milk is the most precious gift to her newborn. Mother’s milk is complete milk for her growing child, rich in antibodies, antiviral properties acting protecting shield for new born and accelerating growth and development. WHO strongly recommends, exclusive breast feeding for first 6 months of life and continued with weaning for at least 1-1.5 years. Post-partum a special care has to be taken to ensure that the mothers produces milk from both quality and quantity aspect. Breast milk is considered to be the most sterile, purest and wholly balanced in nutrition for the tiny tot. A new mother’s diet should ensure that her nutritional requirements are enough to help her recover faster from post-partum, ensuring she is producing good quality food for her child, as her nutritional status determine the quality of milk she produces. Diet of nursing mother determines the physical and mental wellbeing of her child; the fact is establis...