Transfat

What is it?

Transfat is a bad fat which results from the addition of hydrogen to vegetable oil in store bought foods like baked goods(cookies, cakes, biscuits), snacks(chips, crackers) and fried foods(like doughnuts, french fries). Partially hydrogenated vegetable oils are used in food for various reasons. It increases shelf life of the product and decreases the need for refrigeration.They are also inexpensive and enhance taste. Trans fats are also found in shortenings commonly used for deep frying in restaurants.
Some margarines(low fat butter) also are high in trans fat.

Health risks?

Trans fats are not essential for the body unlike good fats present in nuts and olive oil. They do not promote good health. The consumption of trans fats increases the risk of heart disease by raising levels of bad LDL cholesterol and lowering levels of good HDL cholestrol. Health authorities worldwide recommend that consumption of trans fat be reduced to trace amounts.

How do you know whether food contains trans fat?

Read the nutrition information label. Look for the words "partially hydrogenated" vegetable oil/soybean oil. That's another term for trans fat. The word "shortening" is also a clue: Shortening contains some trans fat.

Source:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/trans-fat/cl00032
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans_fat

Curry leaves

Other than adding wonderful flavor to Indian dishes, curry leaves can be used as home remedies for the following:

Hair care

Curry leaves boiled in coconut oil till they are reduced to a blackened residue helps in retaining the natural pigmentation and also stimulating hair growth. Liberal intake of fresh curry leaves is beneficial in preventing premature graying of hair.

Diabetes
Eat 10 fresh mature curry leaves every morning for three months to prevent diabetes due to heredity factors. Another traditional remedy to control diabetes is by finely grinding enough curry leaves to make it into a small ball. Mix with yogurt and take it the first thing in the morning.

Constipation

Curry leaves strengthen the functions of stomach and promote its action. To help in constipation, soak curry leaves in hot water for a few hours and drink the water with a spoonful of honey added to it.

Morning sickness

One or two teaspoons of juice of curry leaves mixed with a teaspoon of lime juice and 1 teaspoon sugar may be taken. The curry leaves, ground to a fine paste and mixed with buttermilk, can also be taken on an empty stomach in case of stomach upsets. Plain curry leaf tea also helps to cure nausea.

Diarrhea

Tender curry leaves are useful in diarrhea and piles. They can be taken, mixed with honey. Alternatively you can also chew on fresh curry leaves.

Source:http://healthy-lifestyle.most-effective-solution.com/2007/04/29/the-curry-leaf-magic-in-the-kariveppillai/

Dates-Powerhouse of energy

Picture Courtesy:http://www.thedailygreen.com/cm/thedailygreen/images/TJ/dates-potassium-lg.jpg

I overate dates today. So I feel energetic to write a post on dates. They are naturally sweet and highly nutritious.

Benefits of dates:

• Rich in carbohydrates and hence provide instant energy.
• Great source of fiber.
• Rich in iron and calcium. When eaten regularly, they can help in strengthening of bones.
• Contains stimulants that strengthen the muscles of the uterus during the last few months of pregnancy. These stimulants help to dilate the uterus at the time of delivery.
• Provides natural remedy for those suffering from giddiness due to low sugar and low blood pressure.
• Contains 25 per cent more potassium than a banana.
• Rich in Vitamin A.
  
• Prevents constipation.
  
• Helps cure abdominal cancer.
  
• Helps in maintaining your heart in healthy condition if taken twice a week.

Sources:
http://naturegnome.com/alternative-healthcare/health-benefits-of-dates/
http://www.bt.com.bn/en/home_news/2008/09/03/dates_offer_complete_health_benefits
http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/health-benefits-of-dates.html

Top six worst foods you should avoid

1. Soda - loaded with high fructose sugar and high in calories
2. Doughnuts - made from refined flours and high in trans fats, high in sugar
3. Potato chips and french fries- highly processed, contains acrylamide, a known carcinogen, high in sodium and calories
4. Store bought baked goods(cookies, cakes, pastries)-loaded with high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, partially hydrogenated oils, high trans fat, high in calories
5. Canned soup - high in sodium, contains MSG, lots of trans fats
6. Hot dogs and processed meats- high in sodium, contains nitrates and nitrites which is a known carcinogen. Go for nitrate free meats.

Source:
http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/05/07/20/the-6-most-unhealthy-foods-you-should-avoid-at-all-costs.htm

Interesting articles:
http://www.x-raytechnicianschools.org/florida/the-100-most-unhealthy-foods-in-the-american-diet/

To know more about these foods, watch this video!

Demerara Sugar- Healthy alternative to White sugar

Picture courtesy: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2044/2487717771_6086aee630.jpg

Demerara sugar is a golden brown sugar which is not only healthy but also tasty. It is one of the healthiest sugars because it is totally free from chemicals like phosphoric acid, formic acid, sulphur dioxide, preservatives, or any flocculants, surfactants and bleaching agents. Whereas white sugar is processed which involves chemicals which may impact our health.

It contains 11 calories per teaspoon as compared to 16 calories per teaspoon of refined white sugar. It is also nutritionally rich & retains all natural minerals & vitamins like calcium, phosphorus, iron and potassium present in sugarcane juice. These minerals are only found in trace amounts in refined white sugar.
In US, we can find this in smart and final or any chain grocery stores.

Sources: http://www.sugarindia.com/dem.htm
http://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/product.asp?product_id=sugardem&searchflag=1
http://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/product.asp?product_id=sugardem

Health benefits of Almonds

1. Almonds lower bad(LDL) cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease partly due to the anti-oxidant action of Vitamin E found in them.
2. Including almonds in main meals lower the rise in blood sugar and insulin seen after eating. Tips:Add chopped roasted almonds to salads, vegetables, gravies, rice etc..
3. Whole almonds (with skin) provide hearth healthy benefits. 20 Anti-oxidant flavonoids are found in almond skin.
4. Nuts reduce your risk of gaining weight when consumed in moderation.
5. Almonds are rich in protein. 1/4 cup of nuts have about 7 grams of protein.
6. Almonds are good source of manganese, copper and riboflavin which help with energy production.
7. Almonds are high in monounsaturated fat which is a health promoting fat associated with reduced risk of heart disease.

How many almonds can you eat?

A small handful(about 20) per day.
Have them as an afternoon snack or along with meals.

Sources:http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=20#healthbenefits
http://www.foodfit.com/centers/almond/healthsnack.asp

Watch out for sugars in fat free foods

These days we prefer to have low-fat or fat-free store bought foods like cookies, cakes, cheese, flavored yogurt, ice cream etc. We think they are low in calories and enjoy them without any guilt. But fat free doesn't necessarily mean zero calories. In fact, they may be higher in calories than regular ones because of high sugars added in them. If you eat more of fat free food than you would of regular food, you are more likely to gain weight.

So the conclusion is:Read the label properly. Watch out for added sugars and calories in fat-free stuff. Just because a food is fat free doesn't mean it doesn't have calories.

For more info read:http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2002/chrt_calcomp.html
http://lowfatcooking.about.com/od/faqs/f/fatfreefaq.htm