APT diet solutions by Apeksha Thakkar

On the eve of celebrating breast feeding week, it is important to know the significance of lactating mother’s diet, which helps in incredible physical and mental growth of her new born. A well breast fed baby shows a remarkable pace at which he achieves his regular milestones. There is the list of foods, which facilitates the production of breast milk in mothers soon after the delivery. Breast milk being an integral for the baby’s survival should be exclusively the only source of nutrition from birth to first 6 months of life. Breast milk is considered to be the most sterile, purest and wholly balanced in nutrition for the tiny tot. A new mum should ensure that she keeps a close tab on her nutrition intake, as her nutritional status will determine the quality of milk she produces. Diet of a lactating mother determines the physical and mental wellbeing of her younger one. It works as a blessing for those mums, whose milk production for some reasons is inadequate for her new born. Bel...

T he most common complain health practitioners come across on a daily basis is about kids’ unwillingness to eat nutritionally thriving vegetables. With the cessation of breastfeeding and initiation of the process called weaning, this transition holds a lot of importance to develop appropriate food taste for kids of a very young age. Apart from using traditional methods like roasting, stir-frying, steaming there are other ways of making a child eat almost all class of vegetables. If introduced at an early age, kids can befriend vegetable culture quite comfortably. The below-mentioned guidelines will ensure smoother, healthier and enjoyable fondness towards eating vegetables without any pertaining signs of force-feeding(As that never helps). Vegetable Purees are the best: – This is the most easily-accepted technique, as that comfortably hides a vegetable in a blended version. They are also very good for efficient digestion. Purees can be made up of practically any vegetable and by ...

At birth, baby’s brain consists of 100 billion neurons (Nerve cells which are responsible to process information through biochemical and electrical signals, thus helping in reacting to the environment). Brain is the most important and the most complex organ of human body; it is marked with the existence of human species. Brain development starts right at the prenatal stage, nearly 4 weeks after the conception. Nutrition plays an integral part in the cognitive function; hence the right nutrition is a prime factor for better cognitive response. As mentioned above, Baby’s cognitive development is most active between the ages of 2 to 7 years, where the little developing brain is most adaptable, to absorb to its maximum capacity. Childrens’ physical growth and appetite continue in spurts. Mental capabilities and the expanding environment is gradually explored. Nutrition hence, plays a non-negotiable role in the mentioned age group to have optimum mental development and behavioural devel...

Fruits being extremely packed with powerful antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber, play a non-negotiable role in child’s nutrition. They are extremely handy, appropriate, appetizing and nutrient rich option, especially during the initial phase of    successful weaning. It is important to understand that the natural form of fruits (thoroughly cleaned and raw form) can gain maximum health benefits. The fruits, listed below, can be introduced during infancy to inculcate the habit of eating fruits. Chickoo : – Generally known as ‘Sapota’. Chickoo is considered as an ideal option for consumption during infancy as it is loaded with antioxidants (which help to build immune response, keeping baby free from any sort of infection) and is also digested efficiently. Chickoo is a sweet treat within itself and is loaded with vitamin A and C. Banana : – Banana is usually considered as food genius. It is loaded with vital nutrients like potassium and fiber. Bananas are easy to diges...

With winters approaching, nutrition plays an integral part in maintaining good health. Out of all the seasons, winters are supposed to be the most nutritionally apt one with wide range of food option available around. Winter is an actual and most favourable season to introduce good quality fresh vegetables and fruits in the diet, also due to drop in temperature the risk of illness are quite low and hence a good season to improve overall immunity. Winter foods are usually immunity boosters and clean enough for the children to get optimal nutrition. The varieties of dried fruits, green vegetables and fresh fruits available during chilly weather have a very progressive impact on overall growth and development. Food options available during winter are at par with respect to quality and nutrients load. The below food list if introduced during winters, can actually accelerate child’s growth and immunity. 1. Jaggery: –  Jaggery or Gur is widely used in Indian Cuisine. It is an...

A very blatant phrase is often used by the health care providers stating ‘Moderation is the key’. Coaching about healthy and moderation eating right from the beginning, helps a growing child to keep health as his prime focus as he grows up. It is said that first 6 years of child’s life are like a sponge and whatever is taught during this time, is going to remain throughout his life. With increasing cases of childhood obesity, eating disorders, comfort eating and stress, eating in moderation is something which should be started at a very young age, before the child understands the relationship between body, food and mind. Moderation eating? How will it help my growing child? In a country like India, where every occasion is celebrated with a variety of delicious but not-so-healthy food items, and where children are insisted to have more laddoos even when they are full, eating in moderation should be practiced by every family. Teaching children right from a start and controlling p...

Hormone Game or a Lifestyle Problem? Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or Disorder, as abbreviated PCOS/PCOD occurs in 1 every 10 women of reproductive age. It is often associated with high levels of male hormones (androgens) in female blood stream. To put in simple words, it is a hormone game, which decides the fate of pregnancy. Not all women suffering from this imbalance are infertile, but PCOS is definitely one of the contributing factors. PCOS can be managed, not reversed. Due to excess of hormonal imbalance and increased levels of male hormones, the disorder is often associated with unexplained weight gain (Obesity) ,irregularity in menstrual cycles,acne,mood swings, facial hair(hirsutism) ,depression and sometimes development of T2DM. In PCOS, there could be development of multiple cysts in the ovaries which can make the process of natural conception difficult, but not impossible. It should be understood that women with PCOS , can conceive naturally if followed a disciplined l...