Capsicum Cheela

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Capsicum Cheela

  • Author: Mahima Bansal
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 1
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Cuisine: Multi
  • Diet: Low Calorie

Description

This super quick chilla recipe is very easy to make and also is super healthy to kickstart your day. Besides, this breakfast recipe will be loved by all your family members especially kids because of its amazing taste.


Ingredients

  1. Moong dal – 1 cup
  2. Capsicum – 1 Cup chopped
  3. Coriander Leaves – 2 Strands
  4. Green Chilies – 2
  5. Salt as per tase
  6. Garam Masala – 1/2 tsp
  7. Desi Ghee – for greasing

Instructions

  • Firstly, soak a cup of moong dal overnight.
  • Secondly, add the soaked lentil, water, a cup of freshly chopped capsicum, coriander leaves, and green chilies to a mixer and then grind it to form a chilla batter.
  • Once the batter is ready leave it for 5 minutes, then add salt and garam masala to it.
  • Now heat a pan, pour a tablespoon of desi ghee, and gently pour the mixture.
  • Furthermore, start circulating it into a thin round shape.
  • Let it cook on one side then flip it to another side to cook it.
  • Finally, capsicum chilla is ready to be served hot with homemade chutney.

Notes

The fiber and protein content of Capsicum chilla recipe makes it perfect for weight loss.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 156
  • Sugar: N/A
  • Fat: 1.2 gm
  • Carbohydrates: 20 gm
  • Fiber: 4.2 gm
  • Protein: 5.2 gm

Keywords: Breakfast, diet, nutrition, lifestyle, wellness, High fibre, protein, snack.

 

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Metabolism Boosting Juice

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Metabolism Boosting Juice

  • Author: Mahima Bansal
  • Prep Time: 10 - 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5-7 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: Multi
  • Diet: Low Calorie

Description

A metabolism boosting juice is packed with ingredients that have been proven to have a positive effect on a healthy metabolism. This juice is a metabolism boosting breakfast idea which boosts metabolism and if it happens so fat loss will be good from your body.


Scale

Ingredients

Water – 1/2 cup

Lime – 1

Cucumber – 1/2

Mint leaves – 1/4 cup

35 drops dao drops skinny

Maple syrup – 1 tbsp


Instructions

Blend all the above listed ingredients together and pour in a glass. Add 1-2 ice cubes on top



Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 78
  • Sugar: N/A
  • Fat: N/A
  • Carbohydrates: N/A
  • Fiber: 12 - 15 gm

Keywords: Breakfast, smoothie, fruits, diet, nutrition, lifestyle, wellness, protein, post workout snack, snack.

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How to boost your Metabolism?

Metabolism describes all the chemical reactions in your body that keep one’s body alive and functioning.

Metabolism is also responsible for converting nutrients from the foods you eat into fuel. This provides your body with the energy it needs to breathe, move, digest food, circulate blood, and repair damaged tissues and cells.

High proteins food meal healthy meal for          boosting metabolism

However, Metabolism is often used to describe your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) or the number of calories you burn at rest.

The higher your metabolic rate, the more calories you burn at rest. Many factors can affect your metabolism, including your age, diet, sex, body size, and health status.

Following are the 9 ways to boost up your metabolism: –

  1. Eat plenty of protein at every meal

Eating food can temporarily increase your metabolism for a few hours. This is called the thermic effect of food (TEF). It is caused by the extra calories required to digest, absorb, and process the nutrients in your meal.

Photo by Polina Tankilevitch

Protein causes the largest rise in TEF. Dietary protein requires 20 to 30 percent of its usable energy to be expended for metabolism, compared to 5 to 10 percent for carbs and 0 to 3 percent for fats.

Eating protein has also been shown to give you a greater sense of fullness and prevent you from overeating. Eating more protein can also reduce the drop in metabolism often associated with losing fat. This is because protein helps prevent muscle loss, which is a common side effect of dieting

  1. Drink more water
Photo by Pixabay

People who drink water instead of sugary drinks are often more successful at losing weight and keeping it off. This is because sugary drinks contain calories, so replacing them with water automatically reduces your calorie intake. However, drinking water may also temporarily speed up your metabolism. Water can also help fill you up if you are looking to lose weight.

  1. Do a high intensity workout

High intensity interval training (HIIT) involves quick and very intense bursts of activity. If this type of exercise is safe for you, it can help you burn more fat by increasing your metabolic rate, even after you have finished your workout. This effect is believed to be greater for HIIT than for other types of exercise.

Photo by Julia Larson

  1. Lift heavy things

Muscle is more metabolically active than fat. Building muscle can help increase your metabolism to help you burn more calories each day, even at rest. Lifting weights can also help you retain muscle and counter the drop in metabolism that can occur during weight loss.

  1. Stand up more

Sitting too much can have negative effects on your health. This is partly because long periods of sitting burns fewer calories and can lead to weight gain.

Standing or stepping at work was associated with lowered cardiometabolic risk (CMR) scores, weight, body fat, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and fasting triglycerides, total/HDL cholesterol, and insulin. However, stepping rather than standing resulted in greater improvements to lower systolic blood pressure and insulin resistance.

If you have a desk job, try standing up for short periods to break up the length of time you spend sitting down. You can also try going for walks during the day or invest in a standing desk.

  1. Drink green tea

Green tea has been shown to increase metabolism and fat burning. These teas help convert some of the fat stored in your body into free fatty acids, which may increase fat burning when combined with exercise. As they are low in calories, drinking these teas may be good for both weight loss and weight maintenance.

It is thought their metabolism-boosting properties may help prevent a weight loss plateau in people who are losing weight that occurs due to a decrease in metabolism.

  1. Eat spicy foods

Peppers contain capsaicin, a compound that can boost your metabolism. However, many people cannot tolerate these spices at the doses required to have a significant effect.

The effects of capsaicin at acceptable doses. It predicted that eating peppers would burn around 10 additional calories per meal. Over 6.5 years, this could account for 1 pound (0.5 kg) of weight loss for an average-weight male. Alone, the effects of adding spices to your food may be quite small. However, it may lead to a slight advantage when combined with other metabolism-boosting strategies.

  1. Get a good night’s sleep

Lack of sleep is linked to a major increase in the risk of obesity. This may partly be caused by the negative effects of sleep deprivation on metabolism. Lack of sleep has also been linked to increased blood sugar levels and insulin resistance, both of which are linked to a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It has also been shown to affect levels of ghrelin, the hunger hormone, and leptin, a hormone that controls fullness (satiety).

  1. Drink coffee
Photo by Chevanon Photography

Caffeine in coffee can help temporarily boost metabolism. Like green tea, it may also promote fat burning. If your goal is weight loss, several studies have found that coffee’s effects on metabolism and fat burning may contribute to successful weight loss and maintenance.

The Bottom Line

Making small lifestyle changes and incorporating these tips into your routine can help increase your metabolism. Having a higher metabolism can help you lose weight and keep it off, if that is your goal, while also giving you more energy.

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Berry Cinnamon Smoothie

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Berry Cinnamon Smoothie

  • Author: Mahima Bansal
  • Prep Time: 5 - 7 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 1
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: Multi
  • Diet: Low Fat

Description

Summer days are back which is why people like to have quick refreshing, protein packed smoothie in hand to start the morning or after a nice workout. This creamy, protein packed blueberry smoothie is scented with warm cinnamon and fragrant vanilla. Ideal for breakfast or as a post workout snack. It’s the perfect on the go smoothie recipe to give you lasting energy all morning long.


Ingredients

Banana – 1 riped

Mixed berries – 1 cup

Almond Milk – 1 cup

Vanilla Extract – 1/2 tsp

Cinnamon – 1/2 tsp

Pumpkin seeds – 1 tsp

Ice cubes – 2-3 cubes


Instructions

Place all the above listed ingredients in a high speed blender / mixer and puree until smooth. Add ice to reach the desired consistency and enjoy healthy smoothie.



Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 199
  • Sugar: 18 gm
  • Fat: 4 gm
  • Carbohydrates: 31 gm
  • Fiber: 6 gm
  • Protein: 13 gm

Keywords: Breakfast, smoothie, fruits, diet, nutrition, lifestyle, wellness, protein, post workout snack, snack.

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“Essential Nutrients For Period Health”

Nutrition can make a BIG impact on your period health. How you are fueling your body and the amount of essential nutrients you are getting through diet can make a big difference in a variety of different essential hormone pathways.

When looking at reasons for low thyroid function, painful cycles, PMS, and other hormonal concerns, we should always be assessing diet and lifestyle to see if someone is getting the building blocks they need for healthy hormone production and clearance.  And in some cases, even with a good diet you might not be getting everything you need which is when it might be appropriate to bring in targeted supplements.

A number of stereotypes are frequently associated with periods, including feeling lethargic, sobbing, eating chocolate, and a general need for comfort. The key to truly feeling your best may lie in providing your body with the nutrition it requires during menstruation.

Regular menstrual cramps and agony may make it difficult to function normally and also affect one’s mood. Menstrual pain negatively affects a person’s ability to function efficiently, their attitude, and a variety of other aspects. The foods that one eats have an impact on menstrual pain in addition to one’s exercise regimen and lifestyle.

Dealing With Period Cravings

In order to influence hormone production and secretion, nutrients from the diet directly affect the gut and the brain system. Your diet during periods, how much you eat, and how frequently you eat all have an impact on the health of your hormones as well.

Period cravings are totally normal and natural. However, munching on anything could keep you from achieving your health goals. Swapping out what you crave during your periods for healthier alternatives can help your body get what it needs without making you feel worse. Here’s a few options of food to eat during period and their associated nutrients.

Food To eat on around Period Time

Focus on the following nutrients during menstrual cycle: –

Iron: – Beans are a rich source of iron and an excellent option for period time foods. Consuming beans is crucial for the healthy production of hemoglobin, a red blood cell protein that transports oxygen throughout the body. Iron supports blood building, which is essential after losing blood during cycles.

Photo credit to Yulia Gusterina

Vitamin B12: – Vitamin B12 is found in abundance in cashews. It is crucial for maintaining hormone balance, as evidenced by the fact that many diseases linked to hormone imbalances are also linked to vitamin B12 deficiencies. For females who have frequent or lengthy periods, these minerals are especially critical. Moreover, vitamins B2, B6, and B12 can have an adverse effect on reproductive outcomes through altering reproductive hormones. Vitamin B6 is especially found to help reduce mood associated PMS.

Photo Credit: LumenSt

Magnesium: – When it comes to choosing the best food during periods, avocados are an excellent pick. They are filled with the goodness of magnesium aiding in relaxing the uterine smooth muscles (menstrual cramp). The diet can include chocolates, nuts, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, and green leafy vegetables.

Zinc: – As a cofactor for estrogen and progesterone receptors, zinc is employed to deal with menstrual cramps and discomfort. Both of which could be reduced by the ingestion of zinc. It is essential for thyroid hormone production and testosterone. There’s plenty of zinc found in seafood like oysters. Other options for food to eat during period are pumpkin seeds, grains, beans, and legumes.

Calcium: – Yoghurt is one of the calcium-rich meals to eat on your period. The functional role of calcium in the treatment of menstrual discomfort symptoms. The nutrient relieves water retention and behavioral changes during the premenstrual phase. Calcium-rich foods include almonds, yoghurt, ragi, Channa, paneer, drumsticks, and seeds.

Photo Credit: bit245

Omega 3 Fatty Acids: -The body’s inflammatory chemical, prostaglandin, which causes headaches and cramps, is counteracted by diets high in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. Eggs are one of the major sources of Omega-3 fatty acids. However, it can also be found in fish, walnuts, flaxseeds, and soy.

Photo Credit: bit245

Fibre: – The amounts of estrogen are reduced when you consume fibre rich food, which considerably lessens menstrual cramps. Other fibre-rich foods include oats, whole grains, and sprouts. Therefore, limiting processed foods and incorporating nutritious foods rich in micronutrients can assist in relieving menstrual discomfort.

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Folic Acid: – Citrus fruits like grapefruit, citron, and sweet orange contain plenty of citrus fruits to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This nutrient aids in overcoming anemia and menstrual cycle maintenance.

So, these were some of the best foods for menstruation. In particular, magnesium, folic acid, and iron are essential nutrients for the female body. They are crucial for the production of blood, balancing blood loss and relieving menstrual cramps.

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CONCLUSION

In conclusion, our period diet significantly affects every aspect of health, including our menstrual cycle and symptoms. You can try a few iron rich dishes to increase your iron level, which will ultimately ease your menstrual cycle issues.

Along with the food to eat in periods, we also advise you to steer clear of several others that may be making your cramps worse. You can also give some workouts a try to see if they can ease your period cramps or affect your health during menstruation in a positive way.

 

 

 

 

 

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8 Signs You are Addicted to Sugar

Sugar addiction is increasing because of high sugar present in the food we eat. The worst part is that sugar is linked to so many health issues and diseases such as obesity to headaches. Mostly people are not aware that they are addicted to sugar.

You Feel the Need to Eat or Snack All Day Long – If you find yourself mindlessly snacking throughout the day, you may be secretly addicted to sugar. Frequent snacking can also be a sign that you are riding the blood sugar roller coaster. The solution is to focus on eating a combination of the three macronutrients (fats, proteins, and carbohydrates) at every meal or snack.

Photo credits to Andres Ayrton

You Eat a Lot of Fruit or Drink a Lot Juice – Fruit juices are particularly high-glycemic and if one is frequently craving or eating fruit, it could be a sign of an underlying sugar addiction. The solution is to focus on fruits that give more nutrients with less sugar. Berries are rich in antioxidants and other beneficial phytochemicals while containing less sugar than most the fruits.

       Photo Credits to Pexels – Engin Akyurt

You are A Coffee Hound and Crave Sugary – Alcoholic Drinks – The sweeteners and mixers used in coffee and alcoholic drinks can contribute substantially to sugar intake. Many people who quit drinking alcohol or coffee find themselves craving other sources of sugar to replace what is been lost from these drinks. The solution is to add fat to your coffee and skip on the honey and other coffee sweeteners. Be sure to drink alcohol in moderation, and skip on the dark-coloured liquors, mixers, and beer which are all high in sugars.

                Photo Credits to Pexels Chevanon

You’re Chronically Stressed Out – Cortisol hormone promotes hunger and sugar cravings and eating sugar can spike cortisol hormone levels. The solution is to learn to retrain your stress response by practicing breathing through your nose and belly breathing techniques. Try not to eat when you are stressed out – take a walk instead.

             Photo Credits Pexels Energepiccom

You Crave Sugar During or After Meals – If one cannot get through dinner without thinking about dessert, it is a sign that you are addicted to sugar. The solution is to think you may have adrenal fatigue, there are saliva tests that can confirm it. If you suspect you have SIBO, there are breath, urine, and stool tests that can reveal hidden causes of infection that could be contributing to relentless sugar cravings.

         Photo Credits to Pexels Tim Samuel

Hunger – If hunger comes on suddenly, urging to eat immediately, one could be suffering from hypoglycemia. Riding the blood sugar roller coaster makes us crave sugary foods when our blood glucose drops, and hypoglycemia becomes a health hazard when blood sugar levels are too low. The solution is to eat protein and fat at every meal and snack, especially if you are eating carbohydrates. Avoid eating carbohydrates in isolation.

You Crave Carbs in The Morning – Eating a carbohydrate rich meal can increase the blood sugar levels, resulting in frequent hunger and sugar cravings. Craving something sweet first thing in the morning, in the middle of the night, or when you wake up from a nap may be a symptom of a secret sugar addiction. The solution is to eat a protein rich breakfast that contains healthy fats and non-starchy vegetables. Eating starches with dinner, however, can help to promote sleep and weight loss.

         Photo Credits to Pexels Dana Tentis

Cravings for Sugar Increase the Longer You Go Without It – Try giving up sugar for a few days – the more frequent and intense the cravings, the more addicted you probably are. The solution is to eating green salads which helps to naturally balance glucose levels by providing a healthy macronutrient ratio and focusing on low-glycemic carbohydrates to help maintain steady blood glucose control throughout the day.

 

The Bottom Line

Quitting sugar can lead to some uncomfortable side effects. Many people do best with gradually overcoming sugar addiction by fueling their body with the food.

The Paleo diet advocates for a return to natural sources of sweetness coming from a moderate amount of fruit and some sweet and starchy vegetables. It may take some time, but eventually the taste buds will adapt to having less sugar. It may not seem like you are getting enough sweetness on your Paleo diet but be patient as the taste buds evolve.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Carrot Cupcakes

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  • Author: Banhishikha Roy
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 10
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Made completely with real grated carrots and the option to add nuts or raisins, these cupcakes are always a hit! Soft, fluffy, Healthy, Sugar- free, Vegan and Moist carrot cupcakes! 

Carrot Cakes became popular with the health food craze of the 1970s, although Jean Anderson in her American Century Cookbook says This carrot cupcakes recipe has began to appear as early as the 1920s.
These cupcakes are easy to make, versatile and utterly delicious. These cupcakes are also inspired by one of our most popular recipes! Carrot cupcakes are very simple to make and you don’t need any fancy equipment to make the batter. These healthy and vegan carrot cupcakes are soy-free and can be gluten-free and sugar-free.


Ingredients

  • Wheat flour – 1 1/2 cup
  • Baking soda – 1/2 tsp
  • Salt – 3/4 tsp
  • Cinnamon – 1 tsp
  •  Sugar free – 1/4 cup
  • A drop stevia
  • Raisins – 1/2 cup
  • Applesauce – 1/2 cup
  • Peanut butter – ½ Cup
  • Apple cider vinegar – 2 tsp
  • Pure vanilla extract – 2 tsp
  • Carrot  (peeled and grated carrots) – 2 cups

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 3500F and place 10 cupcake liners in a muffin tin.
  2. Combine all dry ingredients in a mixing bowl, then set aside.
  3. In a large measuring cup, combine all liquid ingredients (including carrot).
  4. Mix wet ingredients into dry.  Blend well with a whisk and immediately portion into the baking cups and place in the oven.
  5. Add the grated carrots, chopped and floured raisins to the other ingredients and stir to combine.
  6. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  7. Cool 10 minutes in pans then move to wire rack to cool completely.
  8. If you have leftover Cupcakes, store them, covered, at room temperature for two days, or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Notes

You can grate the carrots by hand, or for an easier option, use the grating attachment on your food processor


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 150 - 155 Kcal
  • Sodium: 235 mg
  • Fat: 5.9 - 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 41 g
  • Fiber: 0.9 g
  • Protein: 4.7 - 5 g

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Stress and Diabetes Mellitus

Stress can raise Diabetes Mellitus and make it harder to regulate them. Stress is the physical and emotional response to events that threaten or challenge people in various ways. For example, it can be a response to an unpleasant event like having network issues during your job interview or an event like preparing for your sister’s wedding. The possibility or the situation that is the source of stress is called a stressor.

It is essential to keep in mind that people’s minds and bodies may react to the same stressor differently. It is a by-product of the fact that everyone responds differently to triggers and their bodies are unique. Stress is a bodily response to protect you from danger and ensures the body’s well-being. Also, as a result, the human body, when under stress, releases stress hormones (mainly adrenaline and cortisol). It coincides with an energy spurt to function effectively.

Stress and diabetes

When you have Type 2 diabetes, any kind of stress can cause changes in your blood sugar levels. Mental Stress, like worrying about work or family, typically increases blood sugar levels. If you experience physical stress, like if you are sick or injured, you may also see an increase in blood sugar levels.

Both “good” stress, like receiving an award or doing something exciting, and “bad” stress, like difficulty at work or home, can raise your blood sugars, which is why it’s important to monitor yourself and your stress level.

According to research, stress can cause blood sugar to spike, regardless of whether it’s related to the job, relationships, or any other aspect of life. Stress and glucose have a close two-way link, which is crucial to understand. It’s also vital to comprehend how stress affects people and develop appropriate stress-coping mechanisms to maintain constant blood glucose levels.

Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexel

Effect of Stress on Type 2 Diabetes

Stress can raise blood sugar levels and make it harder to regulate them. As a result, you may need a higher dose of diabetic medication or insulin for type 2 diabetes. Low blood glucose that occurs after too much medicine or insulin is a frequent concern for people with type 2 diabetes. Epinephrine and glucagon are released quickly in reaction to low blood sugar. Cortisol is released more gradually.

These hormonal reactions to low blood sugar may last for 6 to 8 hours, during which time it may be challenging to control blood sugar levels. This phenomenon of low blood sugar followed by high blood sugar is known as the “rebound” or “Somogyi” reaction.

Can stress cause diabetes?

Stress alone doesn’t cause diabetes. But there is some evidence that there may be a link between stress and the risk of type 2 Diabetes. Researches show that high of stress hormones might stop insulin-producing cells in the pancreas from working properly and reduce the amount of insulin they make. In turn, this might contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes.

Overeating when you’re stressed could also be a factor in how people develop type 2 diabetes. Some people react to stress by eating more and this can lead to them putting on a lot of weight.

 

Can Stress Cause Diabetes?

Stress alone doesn’t cause diabetes. However, some evidence establishes a connection between stress and diabetes. For example, a study on Swedish women demonstrated stress’s direct and indirect effects on diabetes. The study’s findings support perceived stress to be considered alongside other modifiable risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

Furthermore, researcher think that high-stress hormone levels can prevent insulin-producing cells in the pancreas from functioning properly and reduce the amount of insulin production. It, in turn, can contribute to developing type-2 diabetes.

Another psychological point of view is that people often tend to overeat, among other things, when stressed. But unfortunately, overeating also leads to unhealthy weight gain, a significant risk factor for diabetes.

How to prevent Stress and Diabetes

  • Reduce Screen Time- Studies have shown that excessive usage of smartphones can cause increased stress levels. Another study showed that increased screen time could also cause lower psychological well-being levels in children and adults. Furthermore, research has shown that excessive screen time can also lead to poor sleep quality, contributing to higher stress levels. So, it is best to cut down on your screen time to reduce stress.
  • Self Care- Sufficient self-care is vital in keeping your stress levels under control. For example, reading, cooking, exercising, walking, getting a massage, etc., can help improve mental health and decrease stress levels. Another way is aromatherapy, meaning that some scents have a calming effect on the mind. Studies point out that aromatherapy improves sleep quality and hence helps in decreasing stress levels and anxiety.
  • Reduce Caffeine Intake- Caffeine has a direct and indirect effect on stress. As per studies, excessive caffeine consumption can cause stress and raise anxiety levels. Furthermore, research suggests that caffeine prevents you from getting good sleep, adversely affecting your stress levels. Different people have different levels of caffeine tolerance. Hence, you should decide how much caffeine you should have so that it does not make your stress levels bad.
  • Practice Yoga- Yoga is one of the ancient and most effective techniques to reduce stress. As a result, people worldwide have been using Yoga as a tool for stress management. Yoga helps to calm the nervous system and improve stress response. Furthermore, several studies show that yoga improves psychological well-being and reduces stress and anxiety levels. As per a study, yoga can enhance the secretion of a neurotransmitter known as gamma-aminobutyric acid, which elevates your mood.

How to prevent Stress and Diabetes by lifestyle changes

  • Increase Physical Activity- An excellent way to reduce stress is to move more and sit less. As per a study, regular physical activity is helpful in anxiety and depression. In addition, another study has shown that regular physical activity and exercise elevate overall mood. In contrast, a sedentary lifestyle can lead to poor mood and increased anxiety. Exercise and physical activity should not bother you too much as you do not have to do it daily if you can’t. A six-weeks study showed that you do not need to exercise daily to improve your stress. As per that study, exercising just twice per week can decrease stress levels. An excellent way to increase your physical activity is to walk or jog to the nearest grocery store.
  • Healthy Eating Habits- What you eat has a significant effect on your overall stress levels. Studies how that eating large amounts of processed foods and sugar leads to higher perceived stress levels. Also, research has shown that not eating nutritious food can cause a deficiency of vitamin B and magnesium which help in elevating mood. Stress can also cause you to overeat, which is harmful if you have diabetes.
Diabetes healthy food
Photo by marilyna from Pexel
  • Supplements- Some nutrients are necessary for managing stress levels in the body. For example, magnesium is an essential element that plays a vital role in stress management. As per a study, magnesium supplements can be helpful for people who experience chronic stress. Research also shows that other supplements like ashwagandha, vitamin B, and Rhodiola can also help manage stress, especially in women. However, you should eat these supplements only after consulting with your doctor. That will help you avoid any side effects.

Hypoglycemia and Depression/Anxiety

Low blood glucose levels lead to the production of adrenaline, which is the fight-or-flight hormone. If adrenaline stays for a long time, it leads to stress. In case the blood sugar level frequently becomes low (less glucose, more adrenaline), the stress can lead to depression or anxiety. If a person with unhealthy glucose levels doesn’t monitor their food and medicine properly, it can lead to hypoglycemia. There is a well-researched connection between diabetes and depression or anxiety. A study found associations between severe hypoglycemia and depressive symptoms.

Furthermore, these depressive symptoms lasted even when people resolved hypoglycemia.  But researchers agree that hypoglycemia can cause symptoms of depression and anxiety. One possible reason is that a person with a low blood sugar level might constantly worry about their condition, which can add to the stress.

Stress is your body’s natural response to feelings like nervousness or threatening situations. However, your body’s natural reaction can be disastrous if you have diabetes. Extended stress levels can work against all your efforts to reduce diabetes complications. So, to manage your diabetes effectively, you must reduce your stress levels.

There can be various ways of doing this. Some of these include: 

Photo by Marcus Aurelius from Pexels
  • Regular exercising
  • Yoga
  • Spending time in nature
  • Spending time with family and friends
  • Cutting back on alcohol and tobacco
  • Engaging in hobbies
  • Going to a psychotherapist for mindfulness-based stress reduction etc.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the last stages of diabetes?

There is no such thing as the last stage of diabetes or the final stages of diabetes. However, when diabetes ails you for a long time or the amount of sugar in your blood increases to very high levels, it may lead to end-stage complications or advanced complications of diabetes. These complications may include albuminuria, chronic kidney diseases, heart failure, chronic artery diseases, or stroke. Therefore, you must take all steps and preventive measures to mitigate the effect of diabetes on the body and prevent it from progressing to higher levels.

Can stress cause diabetes 2?

Stress alone is not a cause of diabetes. However, high levels of stress increase the risk of getting type 2 diabetes. High levels of stress can decrease the production of insulin. As a result, the glucose build-up continues in the blood unchecked. It may lead to type 2 diabetes in the long run. One should practice stress-relieving techniques to lower the risk of becoming diabetic.

Is coffee good for diabetics?

As per a review of studies, coffee might play an essential role in lowering the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. That is because coffee improves sugar metabolism in the body. However, adding sugar or cream to coffee may adversely affect blood sugar levels. Therefore, the best type of coffee for people with diabetes is decaffeinated coffee, as it has the goodness of all other components of coffee. Furthermore, you should also ensure that you consume coffee in moderation as it contains caffeine, and excess caffeine consumption may lead to side effects and increase stress.

Does type 2 diabetes get worse with age?

Diabetes is a progressive disease. Diabetes peaks in individuals in the age group between 65 and 74. A probable reason for this may be that you may put on more weight and exercise less as you get old, making it easier for diabetes to develop.

What is the miracle fruit that cures diabetes?

Jamun is widely regarded as the miracle fruit for diabetes. Since diabetes causes issues for two significant reasons- increased blood sugar levels and decreased insulin levels. Jamun targets both these causes together and hence helps cure diabetes. Jamun possesses antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties, which slow down the breakdown of sugar into starch.

As a result, it prevents sudden spikes in blood sugar levels. At the same time, Jamun seeds are helpful because they increase the amount of insulin in the body, either by increasing its secretion or preventing its degradation. In addition to controlling diabetes, Jamun plays a crucial role in purifying the blood, easing digestion, improving immunity, and increasing hemoglobin.

Can lack sleep lead to diabetes?

Yes, lack of sleep not only makes you tired and irritated and impacts your body’s ability to regulate and break down blood sugar. Research has shown that even one night of sleep deprivation causes your body to utilize insulin inefficiently. The ineffective response to insulin by the body’s cells leads to more insulin secretion by the pancreas. As a result, the cells fail to absorb the blood glucose, and the insulin level keeps rising. As a result, it can raise your fasting blood sugar levels above what they should be.

Do diabetics get angry easily?

Yes, diabetes is known to cause mood swings. Higher blood glucose is generally associated with feelings of sadness. Diabetes is also associated with lower self-control, which leads to aggressive behavior.

How do you calm down diabetes?

There are a variety of ways in which you can manage your diabetes. Exercising regularly, eating a balanced and nutritious diet, reducing stress, and cutting back on alcohol and tobacco are good habits to start with. When you do these things together, they help manage diabetes effectively and help prevent it.

Can metformin cause anger issues?

Yes, metformin causes mood changes, irritability, anger, and sadness. It is especially true for females over 60 years of age who take the drug for 1-6 months.

This article will help you understand how your continuous hustle that leaves you stressed might not be great for your overall well-being. You will also discover how you could develop habits to stay healthy with real-time health status and proper guidance.

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Diabetes: Nutritional Management

Diabetes mellitus (DM), commonly called diabetes, is a group of metabolic disorders and diseases characterized by high blood sugar levels over prolonged period. The symptoms of high blood glucose (sugar) levels include increased thirst, increased hunger, and frequent urination. Diabetes can cause many complications if not carefully treated and controlled.

The management of diabetes focuses on keeping blood sugar levels very close to normal, without causing a low blood sugar level. This can often be accomplished with dietary changes, weight loss, exercise, and use of appropriate medications (oral medications, insulin).

Those with diabetes can benefit from the education about the disease and its treatment, dietary changes required, and exercise, with the aim of keeping both the short-term and the long-term blood glucose levels within adequate and acceptable bounds. Additionally, given the associated higher risk of cardiovascular disease, modifications of lifestyle are recommended to control blood pressure, including healthy eating, regular exercise, and maintaining normal weight (BMI 18 to 25).

One serving in a category is called a “choice.” A food choice has about the same amount of carbohydrates, protein, fat, and calories — and the same effect on your blood glucose — as a serving of every other food in that same category. For example, the starch, fruits, and milk list include choices that are 12 to 15 grams of carbohydrates.

 

Why do people with diabetes need to develop a healthy eating plan?

If you have diabetes or pre-diabetes, your must see a dietitian, who can help you to develop a healthy eating plan. The diet plan will help you to control the blood sugar (glucose), weight Management, and control heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure and high blood fats or cholesterol. When you eat extra calories and fat, your body creates an undesirable rise in blood glucose. If blood glucose isn’t kept in check, it can lead to serious problems, such as a high blood glucose level (hyperglycemia) that, if persistent, may lead to long-term complications, such as nerve, kidney, and heart damage. You can help keep your blood glucose level in a safe range by making healthy food choices and tracking your eating habits. For most people with type 2 diabetes, weight loss also can make it easier to control blood glucose and offers a host of other health benefits. If you need to lose weight, a diabetes diet provides a well-organized, nutritious way to reach your goal safely.

A diabetes diet is based on eating three meals a day at regular times. This helps you better use the insulin that your body produces or gets through medication. A registered dietitian can help you put together a diet based on your health goals, tastes, and lifestyle. He or she can also talk with you about how to improve your eating habits, such as choosing portion sizes that suit the needs for your size and activity level.

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Recommended Diet for Diabetes

Make your calories count with these nutritious foods. Choose healthy carbohydrates, fiber-rich foods, fish, and “good” fats.

Healthy carbohydrates

During digestion, sugars (simple carbohydrates) and starches (complex carbohydrates) break down into blood glucose. Focus on healthy carbohydrates, such as:

  • Fruits
  • Vegetables
  • Whole grains
  • Legumes, such as beans and peas
  • Low-fat dairy products, such as milk and cheese

Avoid less healthy carbohydrates, such as foods or drinks with added fats, sugars, and sodium.

Diabetic Fruits
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Fiber-rich foods

Dietary fiber includes all parts of plant foods that your body can’t digest or absorb. Fiber moderates how your body digests and helps control blood sugar levels. Foods high in fiber include:

  • Vegetables
  • Fruits
  • Nuts
  • Legumes, such as beans and peas
  • Whole grains
vegetables
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Heart-healthy fish

Eat heart-healthy fish at least twice a week. Fish such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which may prevent heart disease. Avoid fried fish and fish with high levels of mercury, such as king mackerel.

‘Good’ fats

Foods containing monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats can help lower your cholesterol levels. These include:

  • Avocados
  • Nuts
  • Olive, and peanut oils

But don’t overdo it, as all fats are high in calories.

Nuts
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Foods to Diet

Diabetes increases your risk of heart disease and stroke by accelerating the development of clogged and hardened arteries. Foods containing the following can work against your goal of a heart-healthy diet.

  • Saturated fats. Avoid high-fat dairy products and animal proteins such as butter, beef, hot dogs, sausage, and bacon. Also, limit coconut and palm kernel oils.
  • Trans fats. Avoid trans fats found in processed snacks, baked goods, shortening, and stick margarine.
  • Cholesterol. Cholesterol sources include high-fat dairy products and high-fat animal proteins, egg yolks, liver, and other organ meats. Aim for no more than 200 milligrams (mg) of cholesterol a day.
  • Sodium. Aim for less than 2,300 mg of sodium a day. Your doctor may suggest you aim for even less if you have high blood pressure.

Putting it all together: Creating a plan

You may use a few different approaches to create a diabetes diet to help you keep your blood glucose level within a normal range. With a dietitian’s help, you may find that one or a combination of the following methods works for you:

The plate method

The American Diabetes Association offers a simple method of meal planning. In essence, it focuses on eating more vegetables. Follow these steps when preparing your plate:

  • Fill half of your plate with non-starchy vegetables, such as spinach, carrots, and tomatoes.
  • Include “good” fats such as nuts or avocados in small amounts
  • Fill a quarter of your plate with protein, such as tuna, lean pork, or chicken.
  • Fill the last quarter with a whole-grain item, such as brown rice, or a starchy vegetable, such as green peas.
  • Add a serving of fruit or dairy and a drink of water or unsweetened tea or coffee.

What are the results of a diabetes diet?

Embracing your healthy-eating plan is the best way to keep your blood glucose level under control and prevent diabetes complications. And if you need to lose weight, you can tailor it to your specific goals. Aside from managing your diabetes, a diabetes diet offers other benefits, too. Because a diabetes diet recommends generous amounts of fruits, vegetables, and fiber, following it is likely to reduce your risk of cardiovascular diseases and certain types of cancer. And consuming low-fat dairy products can reduce your risk of low bone mass in the future.

These things may seem like a lot to do at first. Just make small changes until these steps become a normal part of your day. Follow Your Healthy Eating Plan Ask your Nutritionist (FoodNWellness), to help you to create a healthy eating plan. Our dietitians can help you to plan meals that include foods that you and your family like and that are good for you.

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Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates Counting and Glycemic Level

Carbohydrates Counting

A Carbohydrates Counting is the break down into glucose, they have the greatest impact on blood glucose level and helps to control your blood glucose. You may need to learn to calculate the amount of carbohydrates you are eating so that you can adjust the dose of insulin accordingly. It’s important to keep track of the amount of carbohydrates in each meal or snack.

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A dietitian can teach you how to measure food portions and become an educated reader of food labels. He or she can also teach you how to pay special attention to serving size and carbohydrate content. If you’re taking insulin, a dietitian can teach you how to count the amount of carbohydrates in each meal or snack and adjust your insulin dose accordingly.

Glycemic Index

Glycemic Index is the numerical index given to a carbohydrate-rich food that is based on the average increase in blood glucose level occurring in blood after the food is eaten. The higher the number, the greater the blood sugar response.

The Glycemic Index tells us how rapidly a particular carbohydrate turns into sugar.

The smaller the number, the less impact the food has on your blood sugar.

  • 55 or less = Low (good)
  • 56- 69 = Medium
  • 70 or higher = High (bad)

Some factors that affect GI: 

Processing (puffed cereals have a much higher GI than the grain they came from), ripeness of fruit (unripe bananas can have a GI of 43, where overripe ones have been clocked at 74), protein content (soy beans have a lower GI than other beans), fat content (peanuts have a very low GI), fiber (orange juice has a higher GI than oranges), and how small the particles are (whole grains have a relatively low GI, but grinding them into flour shoots up the GI).

Glycemic index is the scale that was created on a standard amount of carbohydrate per food (50 grams), it doesn’t give people information about the amount of food they are actually eating. This information too is important if we want to assess the true impact of carbohydrate consumption. For this reason, the concept of the glycemic load was created, which takes serving size into account.

Benefits of the Glycemic Index

Eating a lot of high GI foods can be harmful to your health as it pushes your body to extremes. As this is especially true if you are overweight and sedentary. Switching to eating mainly low GI carbohydrates that slowly trickle glucose into your bloodstream keeps your energy levels balanced and will feel fuller for longer between meals.

Low GI food have beneficial effect:

  • people to lose and control weight
  • increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin
  • reduce the risk of heart disease
  • improve diabetes control
  • reduce blood cholesterol levels
  • reduce hunger and keep you fuller for longer
  • prolong physical endurance
  • help re-fuel carbohydrate stores after exercise

 

Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC LOAD

The glycemic load of a food is the glycemic index divided by hundred and multiplied by its available carbohydrate content (i.e. carbohydrate minus fibre) in grams.

For a diet with a lower glycemic load, eat:

  • More whole grains, nuts, legumes, fruits, vegetables without starch, and other foods with a low glycemic index
  • Fewer foods with a high glycemic index, like potatoes, white rice, and white bread
  • Less of sugary foods, including candy, cookies, cakes, and sweet drinks

The concept of  Glycemic load (GL)

Glycemic load (GL) was developed by scientists to simultaneously describe the quality (GI) and quantity of carbohydrates in a food serving, meal, or diet. The GL of a single food is calculated by multiplying the GI by the amount of carbohydrate in grams (g) provided by a food serving and then dividing the total by 100.

GLFood = (GIFood x amount (g) of available carbohydrate food per serving)/100

For a typical serving of a food, GL would be considered high with GL≥20, intermediate with GL of 11-19, and low with GL≤10. Using the above-mentioned example, despite similar GIs, one serving of watermelon has a GL of 8, while a medium-sized doughnut has a GL of 17. Dietary GL is the sum of the GLs for all foods consumed in the diet. All healthy food choices generally are not low-GI foods. For example, intermediate-to-high-GI foods like parsnip, watermelon, banana, and pineapple, have low-to-intermediate GLs.

For example, if we consider watermelon. Water melon has a high glycemic Index (about 72). However, a serving of 120g of watermelon has only about 6g of available carbohydrate per serving. So its glycemic load is pretty low i.e. 72/100 x 6 = 4.32.

 

 

Glycemic Load

 

 

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