Don’t let weekends ruin your diet

Don’t let weekends ruin your diet

“I try to be good during the week, but by Friday night, I just want to let go. I spend most of my weekend on the couch, plus eating out, catching up with friends, family....the list is endless ” this is what clients commonly say.

Weekends are tough times for dieters – it’s a time to reward ourselves after the busy work week, so we take time to relax, maybe have a meal or two out, or get together with friends – which often involves eating and drinking. But if you aren’t reasonably careful, you could easily undo a week of good behavior between Friday night and Monday morning.

For most people, checking your weight at the beginning of the week isn’t all that productive – since the damage has already been done. So I suggested to my client that they weigh themself on Friday morning, instead. When his week has gone well, a Friday weigh-in would tell him so – and he’d be more likely to stay on track during the weekend.

The weekend offers a great opportunity to get more active too often we pass up these opportunities because of mental or physical exhaustion and over-scheduled days. Instead of five hours channel-surfing, substitute a one-hour nap followed by a long walk or other activity. It’s fine to set aside a couple of hours to read or watch TV, but then get moving. Exercise is an established mood-lifter and energizer. You’ll be surprised to find your sluggish attitude melt away within minutes of getting active.

You can also use your time over the weekend  to get ready for the week ahead.Set aside half an hour over the weekend to plan workable menus for the coming week. Stock up on the groceries, cook an extra meal, chutnies, pastes, pre-portion small bags of trail mix, nuts or other healthy snacks for the week ahead.

When you’ve been sticking close to your diet plan all week, it’s natural to want to reward yourself – but rewarding yourself with food is probably not the best approach. Of course you should go out and enjoy yourself – but let the relaxing time you spend with friends and family be reward in itself. You’ll be more successful at managing your weight if you stick fairly close to your healthy eating patterns, food choices and portions – no matter what day of the week it is.

Weekends should be a time to relax and de-stress. Being active with family and friends, enjoying food that is delicious and nutritious, and getting ready for a healthful week ahead can turn our weekends into one of our best strategies for healthy living.

Mrs Shilpa Mittal
Nutritionist and Diet Consultant
Founder Shilpsnutrilife - Diet and lifestylemakeover

Maha Shivratri and health benefits of bael leaves

 Maha Shivratri and health benefits of

 bael leaves

Maha Shivratri, as the name suggests, is in the honour of Lord Shiva, the third lord of the Trinity (Bramha-- the creator, Vishnu--the preserver and Shiva - the destroyer).Shiva is always worshipped with bael leaves, and it is said that this tree is much loved by him. It is to be found in all Shiva temples throughout India.Lets have a look at its benefits on this occassion.

Bael, also known as the “Wood Apple”, is a species native to India. The bael tree is considered to be sacred to the Hindus.The Bilva tree grows in almost all parts of India, irrespective of the nature of the soil, and is bitter, astringent and dry by nature. Tall and austere, with a stern aspect, gnarled trunk and sharp thorns, the Bilva is undoubtedly Lord Shiva’s tree.

The English name for Bilva is Bael, also called ‘stone apple’ as its rather large fruit is like pale yellow suns when ripe. The Hindi appellation is Bel or Bael Sripal. In Sanskrit it is also called Bilva or Sriphal. The botanical name for this tree is Aegle Marmelops, and it belongs to the Rutaceae family. In the Atharva Veda it is described as being so sacred that its wood may not be burned for fuel. 


Health Benefits:

•  The consumption of Bilva leaves alleviates diseases caused by excess vata and kapha (mucus).
•  They are also useful in diabetes mellitus. For this a few leaves should be chewed daily and their fresh juice drunk. 
•  They are diaphoretic (producing more perspiration), thus reducing temperature and lowering fevers, and an aphrodisiac. 
•  A decoction of leaves is a favourite remedy for ailments that often occur during seasonal changes, such as fever, flu and fatigue.
•  According to Swami Sivananda, “The fresh juice of the leaves is given with the addition of black pepper in cases of jaundice, and when diluted with water or honey, this is highly praised remedy in catarrh and feverishness.”
• Bael is beneficial in the digestive system and it is also a mild laxative.Bael has a high tannin content which makes it an effective cure for dysentery and cholera.
• The fruit, roots and leaves have antibiotic activity.
• Bael root, leaves and bark are used in treating snakebite.
• An infusion from bael leaves is an effective remedy for peptic ulcer.

Nutrient Content per 100 g of Edible Portion:

• Vitamin A: 55 mg
• Vitamin C: 8-60 mg
• Thiamine: 0.13 mg
• Riboflavin: 1.19 mg
• Niacin: 1.1 mg
• Protein: 1.8-2.62 g
• Fat: 0.2-0.39 g
• Carbohydrates: 28.11-31.8 g
• Water: 54.96-61.5 g
•                                                                                                                 source:-http://www.healthandbeautypages.com/tag/bael-leaves-benefits/

Mrs Shilpa Mittal Nutritionist and Diet Consultant Founder Shilpsnutrilife - Diet and lifestylemakeover

Weight loss challenge

 Weight loss challenge

Once you have made up your mind to lose weight, you should make that commitment and go into it with a positive attitude. We all know that losing weight can be quite a challenge.

Think like a winner, and not a loser - - remember that emotions are like muscles and the ones you use most grow the strongest. If you always look at the negative side of things, you'll become a downbeat, pessimistic person. Even slightly negative thoughts have a greater impact on you and last longer than powerful positive thoughts.

Mrs Shilpa Mittal
Nutritionist and Diet Consultant
Founder Shilpsnutrilife - Diet and lifestylemakeover

Learning to love healthy food at a young age

 Learning to love healthy food at a young age

You may have heard the phrase "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" and it is certainly true.

A French fry certainly won't cause obesity as long as it is the exception and not the rule. We can all make better choices for our children's diets, think about substituting a more nutritious food in place of a sugary snack or cereal, include whole grains and fresh fruit and vegetables in your n your child’s meals.

The healthy habits your children learn today come from your example and will impact them for the rest of their lives. 

Give them the best you can and their bodies will thank you.


Mrs Shilpa Mittal
Nutritionist and Diet Consultant
Founder Shilpsnutrilife - Diet and lifestylemakeover

Maternal obesity and obese kids

 Maternal obesity and obese kids

Studies have shown that maternal obesity leads to obesity in children. But the way we shape the lifestyle of all children could help to keep the cycle of inactivity and obesity from perpetuating itself.

“We drive our kids to school; they sit at a desk all day long; then they sit at tutions, classes, home playing video games, then they go to sleep,” “Unfortunately, we live most of our life going from chair to chair to chair. And if we can change that, just a little bit, we can have a massive impact on our healthcare costs.”

Friends please think over this.....atleast don't introduce your laziness to your kids....be active and let your kids follow you



Mrs Shilpa Mittal
Nutritionist and Diet Consultant
Founder Shilpsnutrilife - Diet and lifestylemakeover

Health Benefits of Betel Leaf (Pann)

 Health Benefits of Betel Leaf (Pann)

Mouth sweetener, freshener, digestive, symbol of hospitality... the Paan! Eating Paan is popular all over South East Asia - from India to Thailand and The Philippines to Vietnam! Paan is made from Betel leaves on which various 'fillings' are put like candied fruit, raisins, gulkand, Mukhwas, cardamom, saffron, roasted coconut, Areca nut, slaked lime paste. The leaf is then wrapped into a neat little parcel and served.

Maximum number of people considers chewing paan as a wrong habit, very harmful for your health. But the fact is paan is full of health benefits. Surprised? Well you all will be glad to read that chewing paan helps in giving you relief from acidity problem to osteoporosis.

Health Benefits of Betel Leaf (Pann):
• It is very cooling
• Useful in providing relief for headaches.
• Beneficial in treating nervous pains.
• Betel leaves have diuretic properties.
• Soak the leaves in mustard oil and warm it and apply them on the
chest to get relief from cough and to make breathing easy.
• Effective in treating sore throat.
• It helps digestion like no other, when taken after a heavy meal
and helps you to lighten up fast.

It is a stimulant, an antiseptic, a digestive aid and a breath freshener. - See more at: http://www.sanjeevkapoor.com/Paan-even-the-saada-is-special.aspx#sthash.8LN6PvkQ.dpuf

• It is stimulant, antiseptic and a breath freshner.

It is a stimulant, an antiseptic, a digestive aid and a breath freshener. - See more at: http://www.sanjeevkapoor.com/Paan-even-the-saada-is-special.aspx#sthash.8LN6PvkQ.dpuf

It is a stimulant, an antiseptic, a digestive aid and a breath freshener. - See more at: http://www.sanjeevkapoor.com/Paan-even-the-saada-is-special.aspx#sthash.8LN6PvkQ.dpuf

• Even now the pregnant are always advised to have paan to help digest fast as they suffer from indigestion more often and eliminates
flatulence.

Occassional indulgence after meal is ok but keep in mind excess intake can prove out to be harmful for your body, increase chances of mouth ulcer, gum deterioration, lose of tooth and yes oral cancers... don't get addicted to it...

But let me tell you that long term use of paan increases the chances of mouth ulcers and gum deterioration leading to total loss of teeth in some cases. These certainly outweigh any positive effects of paan chewing. It is a common sight to have paan as after dinner mouth freshner. It does help to digest but do ensure that you brush your teeth before sleeping! - See more at: http://www.sanjeevkapoor.com/Paan-even-the-saada-is-special.aspx#sthash.8LN6PvkQ.dpuf

One powerful reminder

 One powerful reminder

The Scale Does Not Define Who You Truly Are, You Are More Than A Number On Your Scale.

But be mindful of the habits you have. Choose wisely - your children are watching you.

Mrs Shilpa Mittal Nutritionist and Diet Consultant Founder Shilpsnutrilife - Diet and lifestylemakeover

Can babies teach us about losing weight?

Can babies teach us about losing weight? …..think…..

Learning to roll, sit,crawl,walk……. Have you ever seen a baby fail to learn how to walk? No matter how many times a baby falls, she will get right back up and try again. She doesn't get discouraged or frustrated. She doesn't get fed up and quit. She just happily keeps trying until the job is done. Adopt this attitude for weight loss and you won't fail either!

If everyone approached weight loss the way babies approach learning to walk, no one would be overweight.


Mrs Shilpa Mittal Nutritionist and Diet Consultant Founder Shilpsnutrilife - Diet and lifestylemakeover

My Session on healthy parents healthy child for a group of parent

My Session on healthy parents healthy child for a group of parent of Little hearts playgroup and nursery

 

Mrs Shilpa Mittal Nutritionist and Diet Consultant Founder Shilpsnutrilife - Diet and lifestylemakeover

Move your feet, not your fingers.

 Move your feet, not your fingers. Walk to the accounting office instead of calling or e-mailing to ask a question.
 Start the first day of the week on a healthy note....add on this extra activity into your lifestyle.

Mrs Shilpa Mittal Nutritionist and Diet Consultant Founder Shilpsnutrilife - Diet and lifestylemakeover

Some Amazing facts about pregnancy

 Some Amazing facts about pregnancy

Pregnancy is one of life’s miracles. You are growing a life, a child inside your body. It’s incredible.

 Did you know?

Your Sense of Smell Gets Better

During pregnancy, your sense of smell increases drastically, as does your sense of taste. Scientists hypothesize that this is to help pregnant mothers avoid eating small levels of toxins that might not be dangerous to an adult, but could be deadly to a fetus. As smoke, alcohol and coffee are all particularly noticeable to pregnant women, this theory certainly seems to be on the right path. Also they are due to high levels of estrogen and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG).

Skin glows

Saying a pregnant woman is glowing is a common expression, but most people chalk it up to the woman's excitement about becoming a mommy. While you're pregnant, the amount of blood in your body will increase by 50%. The extra blood ends up showing through the skin in many areas.
On top of this, hormones cause the oil glands to become more active, resulting in a softer, shinier appearance. When the increased blood flow combines with shine, the result is a noticeable glow

Your Heart Grows

Did you know your heart organ actually enlarges while you are pregnant? It works harder and beats at a more rapid pace due to the increased volume of blood in your body. Your blood volume alone increases by 40-50%!

Your Uterus Expands Up To 500 Times Its Normal Size

A woman’s body is an incredible thing. Did you know the uterus enlarges up to 500 times its normal size? It can go from a couple of ounces to 1-2 pounds in weight. Once you have delivered it gradually goes back to its original size and weight.

Joints Soften

In order to prepare your body for birth, it produces a hormone called relaxin which softens your ligaments. This softening helps your baby pass through your pelvis during labor. Amazing isn’t it?


Feets get bigger

Feet will get bigger towards the end of the pregnancy. This occurs because of swelling and the pregnancy hormone, relaxin which loosens the ligaments causing your foot to spread apart. The swelling generally subsides after delivery

Some other facts

If you are within the normal weight range for your height you are less likely to suffer problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes during pregnancy.

Fetus starts moving shortly after the mother is 8 weeks pregnant.

Baby's life in the uterus is so noisy that he gets accustomed to constant noise.

Of the average weight gain in pregnancy, 38% is the weight of the baby. The rest constitutes the placenta, fluid and blood and the fat gained on the breast and uterus.

Nerve cells or neurons are produced in the fetus at an average rate of 250,000 per minute.

A pregnant body gains a minimum of 6.6 liters of fluid.

Pregnancy increases the body temperature thereby making the pregnant lady more prone to dehydration.

One in every two thousand babies is born with a tooth.

A fetus acquires fingerprints at the age of 3 months.

So here we come to the end of pregnancy awareness week- Isn’t it all amazing……
 
Mrs Shilpa Mittal
Nutritionist and Diet Consultant
Founder Shilpsnutrilife - Diet and lifestylemakeover

Exercise and a good diet are the key factors in cancer prevention

 Exercise and a good diet are the key factors in cancer prevention

50% of cancer cases preventable, report suggests.

The World Health Organisation has released its 2014 World Cancer Report which emphasises the importance of a healthy lifestyle in preventing the disease, which affected more than 14 million people in 2012.

Smoking, alcohol, sugar intake and obesity are all linked to a substantially increased risk of developing cancer. “Despite exciting advances, the report shows that we cannot treat our way out of the cancer problem. More commitment to prevention and early detection is desperately needed in order to complement improved treatments and address the alarming rise in the cancer burden globally,” said co-author Dr Christopher Wild in his preface to the report.

The authors emphasise the importance of a healthy diet, regular physical activity and avoid cigarettes and alcohol in prevention of alcohol. They believe that up to half of cancer cases globally could be avoided through reasonable lifestyle changes.

source:-http://www.health24.com/News/50-of-cancer-cases-preventable-suggests-new-report-20140204

Mrs Shilpa Mittal
Nutritionist and Diet Consultant
Founder Shilpsnutrilife - Diet and lifestylemakeover

World Cancer Day 2013 (4 Feb 2013)

World Cancer Day 2013 (4 Feb 2013)  

World Cancer Day 2014 (4 February 2014)  build on the success of last year's campaign, by again focusing on  
Target 5 of the World Cancer Declaration: Reduce stigma and dispel myths about cancer, under the tagline “Debunk the myths”.

Every year, 7.6 million lives are lost to cancer worldwide – more than AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined – according to the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), which organizes World Cancer Day.

This year the UICC will focus on dispelling damaging myths and misconceptions about cancer, under the tagline “Cancer - Did you know?” 

The organization will use World Cancer Day to improve knowledge about cancer and dismiss these 4 myths: 

Myth 1: Cancer is just a health issue. 

Truth: Cancer is not just a health issue. It has wide-reaching social, economic, development, and human rights implications.

    

    Myth 2: Cancer is a disease of the wealthy, elderly and developed countries. 

Truth: Cancer is a global epidemic. It affects all ages and socio-economic groups, with developing countries bearing a disproportionate burden.

 

    Myth 3: Cancer is a death sentence. 

Truth: Many cancers that were once considered a death sentence can now be cured and for many more people, their cancer can be treated effectively.

    Myth 4: Cancer is my fate. 

Truth: With the right strategies, a third of the most common cancers can be prevented.

Preventing cancer and raising quality of  life for cancer  patients is important.

  Source:-www.cancer.org/cancer/news/world-cancer-day-2013

Mrs Shilpa Mittal Nutritionist and Diet Consultant Founder Shilpsnutrilife - Diet and lifestylemakeover