ACID Foods and ACID Producing Foods!!

Common Health Issues These Days

Every one is having health issues these days- fatigue and lethargic feeling is common.

Ever wondered as to why we feel tired even though we are cautious about eating healthy food through the week and take liberty of eating junk food during weekends.

-The whole problem lies in the kind of food that we eat!

-A diet that includes too many acid producing foods can cause bone and muscle deterioration and so the aches and pains in the body.

-We need to understand the difference between ACID FOODS and ACID PRODUCING FOODS.

**LEMON IS ACIDIC BUT HAS AN ALKALISING EFFECT ON OUR BODY ONCE DIGESTED.

**SIMILARLY MILK IS ALKALISING OUTSIDE THE BODY BUT ACIDIC UPON DIGESTION.

So often people find it difficult to digest milk..

Suggestion:

To maintain good health our diet should consist of 70%ALKALINE FORMING FOODS AND 30%ACID FORMING FOODS.

ALKALINE FORMING FOODS

ALKALINE FORMING FOODS CONSIST OF RAW FRUITS AND VEGETABLES LIKE BEETS, CARROTS, BEANS, GREEN PEAS, LETTUCE, CAULIFLOWER, SPINACH, TOMATOES, PUMPKIN, PEPPERS, CUCUMBERS, SPROUTS, ONIONS, BRINJAL, BROCCOLI, CABBAGE, SEA VEGGIES,MUSHROOMS

FRUITS LIKE APPLES,  WATERMELON, STRAWBERRIES,ALL BERRIES, LEMON, ORANGES, PEAR, PEACH, GRAPES, FIGS, DATES, APRICOTS, BANANAS, TROPICAL SEASONAL FRUITS, etc.

FRESH FRUIT JUICE, VEGGIE JUICES, PROBIOTICS, HONEY, APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, CURD, HERBS, MINERAL WATER , GINGER, GARLIC, COFFEE GINGER TEA, GREEN TEA, GINSENG TEA ,ALMONDS, COCONUT, WATER CHESTNUT, HOME-MADE PICKLES, WHEY,  ORGANIC MILK ,CINNAMON, MUSTARD ,SEA SALT,CAN ALSO BE SAFELY TAKEN.

**CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN THAT THE FRUITS SHOULD BE  FRESHLY CUT AND SHOULD NOT BE CANNED.

ACIDIC FOOD INCLUDES

ACIDIC FOODS INCLUDE CORNS, LENTILS, OLIVES, WHEAT, RICE, NOODLES, MACARONI, SOY MILK, BEANS, CHICK PEAS, ALL PROCESSED FOODS-CHEESES OF ALL TYPES, ICE CREAM, PEANUTS, CASHEWS, MEAT, FISH, BEEF, SUGAR , WINE, BEER, SOFT DRINKS, COCOA ,SWEETENED YOGHURT, PICKLES, JAMS,JELLIES, WHITE VINEGAR, PACKAGED GINGER GARLIC PASTE , BLACK TEA ,CRANBERRIES, TABLE SWEETENERS, Milk, ASPARTAME, PEANUT BUTTER.

Health Tip

I've given you a general list of foods that are alkaline forming and acid forming. So when setting the meal for the day ensure that 70%is taken from the alkaline forming foods and 30% from acid forming foods.

Diet Plan for Diabetics and Weight Management

Diet Plan 

Always have whole foods- unprocessed foods: A healthy meal for diabetics is whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables and lean protein.

Have small servings of fruits:  Like apples, peaches, apricots, oranges, berries (strawberries, raspberries, Jamun, blue berries), pears, Melons (water melon, musk melon).

**It is beneficial to have whole fruits but a big NO to fruit juices, fizzy drinks, canned fruits , biscuits, chocolates etc.

Fruits should be best eaten raw . They have a good mix of soluble and insoluble fibre which is good for the bowel movement..

Fruit Intake Measurement

The best measurement for the ideal portion of fruit, to have: it should be palm size. Keep the fruit in your palm and clutch it from the sides. If the fruit is big have half, in case of berries you can have as many berries as can fit in your palm. In case of melons the bowl size should fit the palm. Thrice a day - breakfast, mid afternoon and evening three times 3 different types of fruits can be taken. All the above listed fruits are rich in antioxidants

Value Of Vegetables

• Vegetables are must - have 3-5 servings of vegetables everyday. 
• Make sure you eat lots of raw vegetables like cucumbers, tomato, carrots,peppers,radishes, lettuce, spinach etc everyday.
• Starchy vegetables like potato, corn, peas should be avoided.
• Non- starchy vegetables include beans, cauliflower, baby corn, cabbage, broccoli, beets, cucumbers, Bringal (eggplant), celery, spinach, mushrooms, sprouts ,tomatoes, turnips, okra, onions, mustard,bamboo shoots, radishes etc.
• Also avoid canned fruits and vegetables as they are loaded with sugar and salt respectively
• Have 1 cup of cooked vegetables  in every meal.
• In case of Daals - lentils, chicken, paneer, prefer having 1/2 to 1 cup during lunch and skip them during dinner.
• Have dinner by 7.30 pm and at bed time have a glass of milk to prevent any low sugar at night.

**Please keep monitoring your sugar levels regularly

For Non-Vegetarians

For non-vegetarians fish rich diet helps to manage diabetes better. Fish should be baked, steamed or broiled but NOT FRIED.

Home Remedy

• Take 1 /4th tea spoon of cinnamon in water and boil for a minute. Take this cinnamon tea everyday in the morning. It helps in controlling sugar as well as the cholesterol levels.

• Walnuts( soaked overnight) in summers also help in managing sugar levels

Exercises

• Have smaller portions of meals every 2 hours and walk around as much as possible. 
• Use stairs as much as possible. This helps in maintaining weight.

Happiness - Key To Healthy Life.

Happiness is the key to healthy life.
In my every day practice I am seeing that patients are suffering from aches, pains, bone degeneration, muscular weakness etc. at very early age as compared to our parents/grandparents. At times a 70 year old gentleman use to look more fitter than a 40 year old.

More so is the case with women. These days women are trying to prove to the world that they are Superwoman and in doing so are loosing a lot. From taking care of the whole household to having a responsible job in office has taken its toll on them.

I am not saying that it is wrong in doing all this but what I am trying to say is DO THOSE JOBS THAT MAKES YOU HAPPY. DON'T DO THINGS THAT DON'T INTEREST YOU.

These days I find lot of women taking up jobs because it gives them additional income. If the  job gives happiness then and only then it should be taken.


Happiness in Small things
Find happiness in small small things and involve yourself, e.g. if it is someone's birthday wish him or her and celebrate it in a way that gives both of you moments that you cherish..Don't do things as a favour to anyone but do it because it gives you fulfilment.

Re-live your Childhood.

• Play with children and re-live your childhood. Don't go to the park as just a duty but to enjoy every moment spent with children.
• Find creative things to do in your free time- whether it is writing, painting, stitching, cooking, gardening, playing games, music or whatever your heart desires. 
• Don't put age into doing/ or not doing something. It is my kids age to learn music or art etc. 

**Age is just a number. 

Joy Of Giving: Live life every moment and be generous in helping people around you.
Exercise regularly: whether you are walking, swimming, or taking the stairs  to work do 15-20 minutes of something .

Most Important
Lastly have good sleep of 7-8 hours at night to be active through out the day. If you are sleeping less, then there are 80% chances of being Irritable, moody or depressed during the day.

Exam fever is on

Exam fever is on

Come March and the whole nation is gripped with exam fever. Children apart parents are more worried and tensed because our whole system is based on tests and their results.

Effort should be made in understanding the concept and not rote learning. Understanding goes a long way whereas rote learning only makes us clear the exams.

Make notes ahead of the exams and not during exams.

Time management is very important with regular breaks and walks in between.
Develop positive attitude towards your studies. Get rid of all excuses. Set a goal and work towards it.
Only revision work should be done during exams. Sleep at least 7 hours at night before exam. Then your brain gives you the maximum output.

Practice previous year question papers thoroughly. Check with your teachers beforehand only for all kinds of doubts.

During exams stay focused, read the question twice before attempting it.
Don't look here and there as to what others are doing.

Attempt those questions that you know well first before pondering over what you don't know.
If in doubt just close your eyes for 2mins and relax. You will get the answer.
Chocolates and sweets help in reducing stress to quiet an extent. These can be taken in the breaks  to help the brain remember thing better, and reproduce them when required.

Causes of Abdomen Bloating

What causes bloating of abdomen?
Abdominal bloating is a condition in which the abdomen feels uncomfortably full and gaseous and may also be swollen or distended.

Common causes are:

• Indigestion
• Gas and flatulence
• Lactose Intolerance
• Gall bladder Stones
• PMS- Pre menstrual syndrome

Some other  causes:
Other lesser known reasons can be intestinal infections, worms, Irritable bowl syndrome etc.

What can be done to reduce the bloating?

• Start the day with 2 glasses of water.
• Follow it with green tea, banana, flax seeds, almonds
• Eat a fruit every hour like melons, oranges,apples etc.
• Have carbohydrates in lunch with lot of greens-spinach, carrots etc.
• Reduce carbonated beverages from the diet.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Exercise/walk regularly
• Reduce dairy products in case of lactose intolerance
• Increase yogurts, lassi /chaas in the diet.

In case these don't help much then do visit the doctor to ascertain the main cause of bloating.

Homoeopathy has cure for IBS, Indigestion, Lactose intolerance, Food related allergies etc. 

Green Plant - Air Filters

Green plants are good for our health.

They clean, filter,and purify the air of various toxins and pollutants. In a recent research it was proved, Atmosphere of Shimla is as laced with pollution as is Delhi. All this is because of vehicular pollution, excessive construction and use of chemicals ( plastics, detergents, liquid soaps, synthetic fibres, furniture etc.) .

Formaldehyde is really bad for our health which is released by all the things around us.

Plants absorb formaldehyde and convert into good air around us .

• Plants that can be easily grown are herbs like- basil (tulsi),mint,coriander, spinach.
• Aloevera- the gel is good for skin application as well as internal consumption for constipation.
• Rubber Plant-good air cleaner.
• Palm Trees-decorative as well as absorbs the pollutants.
• Flowering plants can be used as good decoration pieces thereby improving the air that we breathe.

Presently there are many air purifiers available in the markets. But having plants around us is the best way to have clean air. Research shows that people suffering from respiratory tract infection like bronchitis, asthma are much better with plants around them.

Gratitude - Second Key

Gratitude is the second key to reaching your dream.

ADVANCE GRATITUDE : Gratitude for what one already has, and also for what will come- is called advance GRATITUDE.

All is well in our world feeling helps us to get positive vibes and blessings from the universe.

• The more grateful you are the more positive multiplication happens in your life. 
• This gratitude needs to be of all the small things that happens for us. 
• It needs to start with our birth on this planet, thanking for each and every body part, our sense organs, every system of our body etc.

By doing so we change the focus from 'me' to 'HIM' the Supreme force- the Giver-God. Our ego starts melting and our wish becomes his command. 

Positive Thinking - First Key

Positive thinking is the master key for all kinds of locks in life.

Very often we feel we are stuck in a situation. Simply focus on what you want and not on what you have.

Once you start feeling that desire e.g. you want to be happy, see yourself in an environment (with family, friends etc.) where everyone is talking to you, appreciating you or your efforts and as you start daydreaming you put yourself in that situation and be happy.

Make this activity as often as you can.

Within a few days you will realize that things have started changing around you.

How to develop Positive Thinking Skills?

• Make a daily gratitude list:  Think of five large or small things for which you feel grateful,[21] from the roof over your head, to the smile from the stranger on the bus, to the incredible sunset you saw last night. Expressing gratitude can lead to positive feelings, optimism, and connectedness.
• Make a list of your positive attributes: You may struggle at first, but once you get going, you might surprise yourself with how long your list becomes. Include physical attributes ("My strong runner's legs"), aspects of your personality ("I'm compassionate and kind"), things you're good at ("I'm really good at painting"), and so on.

• Re-frame your negative thoughts: When negative thoughts pop up, don't automatically believe this pessimistic, critical, and unhelpful self-talk. Isolate the negative thought (such as "I bombed that test") and re-frame it so that it is positive, supportive and encouraging ("It's too early to tell. I probably did better than I think.")
• Surround yourself with positive people: Studies show that humans take on some of the characteristics of those around them. While you will not always be able to avoid negative people, take what steps you can to minimize their presence in your life.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Have you ever wondered why certain things grow better in one part of the world better than the other?

Well all will tell about different types of climate, soil, rainfall, weather etc. on which growth of that particular plant depends.

Most of the food channels that we see show that olive oil is the most preferred oil to be used in cooking and is the best oil for our body. These channels talk about super foods that grow in the Mediterranean region and the Mediterranean diet to be the best and healthy diet.

In India people are shifting to olive oil/ virgin olive oil/ brocoli, zucchini, variety of breads ,blue berries etc.

My question is- Is all this required by our body?

Nature knows best what is required by our bodies.What ever grows in a particular area is what is required by the people of that area. Eg. In North India we get red carrots in the winters and we make gajar ka halwa to be add in the winter season. If we were to freeze it and have it in summer season we will not enjoy having it.

 It is so cold in the winters that our bodies need dry fruits, desi ghee etc.

Mustard(sarson) is grown in abundance and burnt mustard oil is the best medium to cook in this part. It is better than all refined oils. Lot of chemicals go in refining of oils which negate the benefit of oils.

In the same way in south India coconut is used in mostly all the dishes as it has a cooling effect. Coconut oil is the preferred oil used there. People eat lot of rice based dishes because they can digest these better and keeps the body cool.

 In Rajasthan millets, jowar, bajra is grown and that is what is required by the people along with ghee. 

Don't remove ghee from your diet as it is the good fat required by our brain( brain is made up of fat cells), heart and all our joints. Joints need lubrication and home made ghee is the best fat that one can consume. 5gm of ghee should one had every day for proper functioning of our body parts.

Avoid yellow butter, processed cheese and ready to eat meals. These are loaded with fats to preserve the food.

Where ever a person stays he should eat what is locally produced in that area because that is what our bodies need. Karnataka grows watermelon, mangoes etc in the months of Jan ,feb ,march and it is fine to eat these fruits in south India. Having watermelon for breakfast in these months in north India is not a great idea.

So let's not mimic the west and enjoy what nature has given to us.

Feeling Stressed with Age - Here's the solution

First of all a very happy new year to all. New year brings in lots of positive vibes,thoughts and a desire to bring a change in our lives. Every new year also adds another year to our body and we realize that the jobs that we used to enjoy doing 4-5 years back feel a little cumbersome some - jogging, playing with our children, cooking a favourite meal etc. 

Some might experience chronic fatigue, legs feel like lead or for some concentrating on certain issues becomes difficult. All these things start making people irritable with themselves and also with people around them. 

 The question is why does this happen? 

 As we cross 40 (usually ) there is a decline in our hormone levels which causes forgetfulness, mental fatigue, loss of vigour, muscle weakness and decrease in muscle mass etc. We need to have a solution to tackle this problem.

Eat high fibre diet -wholegrain like bran chapattis, bajra/jowar porridge etc. 

Have lots of fresh fruits and vegetables especially in raw form like carrots,tomatoes, radishes,cucumbers, apples,strawberries, oranges etc. 

Reduce salt in your diet -pickles,papads, chips etc before the menstrual cycle

Exercise halfnhour 5 times a week. If you cannot take time out to exercise then make sure that you take stairs to office and keep getting up from your seat every half n hour probably to go and sit somewhere else.

Finally if symptoms keep getting worse contact homoeopathic doctors. You will find good relief from homoeopathic remedies 

Arthritic joints.

As the winter season sets in people suffering from arthritis dread every cold wave. The joints become more painful,  inflexible and creaky. Movement becomes troublesome and overall uneasiness increases.

Tips To Ease Out The Pain

Exercise is a Must: Exercising helps increase blood circulation and enables warm blood reach all peripheral areas of the body including the joints. Regular exercise also helps keep the muscles strong and healthy which help in supporting the joint.

Eat a well balanced diet: Eat a well balanced diet with sufficient vitamin C,D, K to keep the bones and cartilage well nourished. For this oranges, cabbage, carrots,spinach  and tomatoes are a must.

*Also spend half n hour under the sun to allow production of vitamin D.

Water Intake: Keep on drinking sufficient water through out the  day. At least 2-3 litres should be had during the day and minimal at night to keep the joints hydrated.

Knee Support: Wear knee supports while walking long distances.


Homoeopathic Remedies
Homoeopathic remedies like Lycopodium,  Rhus tox,  Bryonia,  calcarea Phos , Phosphorus help when the symptoms match. These should be taken only under the guidance of a good Homoeopathic physician.