Many major diseases like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, arthritis, depression and Alzheimer's have been linked to chronic inflammation. One of the best ways to combat inflammation lies not in the pharmacy but in the food we eat.

Here are 7 anti-inflammatory foods

1. Blueberries

2. Ginger

3.Pineapple

4.Green tea

5. Broccoli

6. Red peppers

7. Turmeric

 While here are some food items that trigger inflammation. Make sure you avoid/restrict these

1. Refined carbohydrates, such as bread and pastries
2. Fried food items like French fries
3. Sugar sweetened beverages like soda
4. Red meat and processed meat

source and credit : NDTV food

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. HealthCult does not claim responsibility for this information.

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Eat healthy, stay fit and healthy. Choose your food wisely

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. HealthCult does not claim responsibility for this information.

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Eating small and healthy meals through the day and not including sugary, processed or high fattening food are key to sustainable for a perfect health management. Always focus on foods that perfectly combine protein, carbohydrates and fats

Here are healthy and delicious snacks that would help regulate your blood sugar levels and also help to manage your diabetes better: 

1. Nuts: The crunchy, tasty and delicious nuts could prove to be very effective for diabetic patients. Nuts provide healthy fats, are rich in proteins and very low on carbohydrates. But make sure you these nuts in restricted quantities. According to a latest study, about 50 grams are enough for a day. In other words 5-6 soaked almonds and 1-2 walnuts a day should be enough.

2. Whole grain crackers: Crackers made of cracked wheat, quinoa, rye, oats are very low on carbs and help lowering blood-glucose levels and cholesterol levels. You can eat these crackers with hung curd dressings or cottage cheese to spruce it up while not compromising on the nutritive value of the same.

3. Steamed sprouts salad: Sprouts are easy to make and very effective in lowering blood sugar spikes too. Pulses are high in protein and fiber and help in controlling blood sugar levels. Sprout some beans or kala chana. Throw in some chopped cucumber, tomatoes and cottage cheese. Sprinkle some salt and add 1tsp lemon juice. Enjoy your own sprout salad guilt-free.

4. Yogurt with fresh vegetables: This scorching weather, yogurt is your ultimate companion to beat the heat. Raw vegetables are rich in minerals, vitamins and enzymes and yogurt is rich in protein and calcium. Combine vegetables like broccoli, carrot, celery and tomatoes with yogurt and enjoy your low carb and filling snack.

5. Roasted chana and moong lentils: Not a fan of boiled and steamed food? No worries. Take a host of protein rich pulses and roast them. Roasted chana and moong lentils make for an ideal low carb snack not just for diabetes, but for those looking to shed a pound or two too.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. HealthCult does not claim responsibility for this information.

Staying fit and healthy is easy !

Working professionals find it especially difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle. A fit and healthy life can only be achieved by persistent efforts. A little bit of preparation can help to stay healthy no matter how hectic or busy the schedule gets.

While working in office the brain is using up a significant amount of body energy. One may find reaching for snacks like chips, chocolates, fried snacks and other unhealthy eatables, which are a potential threat to fitness. There are some easy diet and workout tips that can be followed while working in the office :

1. Stay Hydrated: Keep a bottle of water on your desk at all times. Drinking water is one of the easiest ways to subdue those hunger pangs.

2. Stock Up On Nuts and Seeds: One of the best ways to stop unhealthy food cravings is to keep a box of healthy nuts and seeds on your work desk. So the next time you feel your mind thinking about a crispy, hot samosa, quickly munch on some almonds or walnuts.

3. Never Skip Breakfast: Skipping breakfast is a cardinal sin. Breakfast keeps you focused at work and prevents hunger pangs. Those who skip breakfast often tend to overeat during lunch at work. If you don't have time for breakfast make sure you pack drinkable oats at night to eat while travelling.

4. Avoid Sugary Beverages: As far as is possible, drink your coffee or tea without sugar, or if you can't do that, try and keep your sugar intake to a bare minimum.

5. Walk, walk and walk: Avoid taking escalators and lifts as much as possible. If possible have standing/walking meetings

6. 5 minutes meditation and desk exercise :  Take out 5 minutes during working hours for meditation/desk exercises.This not only relaxes your mind and body but also energizes for next few hours

7. Fix a workout routine either in morning or evening : a 15 min workout or stretching exercise done daily is  better than 1 hour workout done once a week. Follow a daily workout routine even if it's for 15 mins

8. Plan In Advance: In order to stay fit, you will have to plan your meals in advance. Count the number of calories you should ideally be consuming every day and prepare your mid-meal snacks accordingly. Time your mid-meal break right so that you don't end up on a binge during lunch and dinner. Never drink coffee during lunch time and keep a gap of at least two hours between your coffee break and your meals.

credits: NDTV.com 

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. HealthCult does not claim responsibility for this information.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. HealthCult does not claim responsibility for this information.

Checkout some healthy munchies on our website :

Poha for weight loss, dietitians on why it’s the healthiest Indian breakfast

Poha is a popular Indian breakfast made with beaten rice which has variations in different parts of the country. Nutritionists acknowledge poha’s high nutrient value and recommend it as one of the healthiest Indian breakfasts. Poha is a wholesome meal. It is a good source of carbohydrates, packed with iron, rich in fibre, a good source of antioxidants and essential vitamins and is gluten free. It is known to be good for those who have diabetes, skin and heart problems. To make it protein rich, one can add peanuts and sprouted legumes. Poha also helps those fighting the battle of the bulge.

Poha is very low in calories. It has about 76.9% of carbohydrates and 23% fat, which makes it one of the most ideal choices for weight loss. Apart from this, it is rich in fibre and therefore leaves you feeling full for a longer time, curbs mid-meal cravings and helps avoid overeating.

The fact that poha can also be cooked in different ways means that it can be both tasty and healthy. Those on a diet can still enjoy a delicious breakfast without losing out on the benefits. Poha can be eaten as a snack too but it essentially is a good breakfast option despite oats, quinoa and other whole grains flooding the Indian market and being promoted as ‘healthy and nutritious’.

Try these awesme Poha variations across India and make it interestingly different each time -

In Uttar Pradesh and some parts of Rajasthan, poha is served topped with bhujia. In Maharashtra, potatoes are added to poha along with green chutney and sev on top. You can also make cutlets out of poha and then there is misal poha, which is basically misal pav, but the pav is replaced with poha. Another way is having kanda poha, which is poha made with onions, which is famous in Mumbai.  Poha also has different names- it is known as aval in Tamil, avalakki in Kanada, chiura in Bhojpuri, chuda in Oria and so on.

Source and credit. Image credit : Shuttershock

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. HealthCult does not claim responsibility for this information.

Buy with us these amazingly healthy munchies, add to give poha a super-tasty twist : 

Unhealthy eating makes you unfit and lethargic. To avoid this it is important to make sure you eat healthy options and eat on time. Here are some superfoods that you can add to your diet daily to make you fit and healthy 

Here are some awesome healthy options to keep you feeling full and hydrated for longer. 

1. Roasted Chana and Peanuts: good source of protein, fiber and healthy fats

2. Sprouts : all options roasted, raw or cooked are rich in fibers, proteins and low in caloies

3. Foxnuts (makhanas) : a good source of anti-oxidants, omega 3 fattly acids. Low on glycemic index

4. Millets : like roasted bajra, jowar, ragi, quinoa. They are a powerhouse of essential nutrients

5. Dry fruits : are a protein booster

6. Green tea : rich in anti-oxidants

7. Berries and seeds mix : packed with anti-oxidants

8. Yoghurt : calcium and magnesium warehouse

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. HealthCult does not claim responsibility for this information.

Buy and munch on some super-food snacks with us now: 

 To beat the heat and hunger while staying fit and hydrated checkout the list of these 6 fruits that not only have a high water content but are amazingly healthy

1. Watermelon : Contains about 92 percent water per volume. It is a rich source of lycopene which plays a crucial role in lowering risk of heart diseases. Watermelon also boosts immunity system
2. Strawberries : They area rich source of vitamin C, manganese, folate, potassium, B vitamins and vital flavonoids. Strawberries help keep the bad cholesterol at bay and are thus quite heart-friendly.
3. Peaches : Due to its high vitamin C content, peaches are considered to be one of the most skin-friendly foods. Peaches may also aid weightloss
4. Cantaloupe :About 90 percent of cantaloupe is water. Cantaloupe is also rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, which is good for eye health. 
5. Pineapple : Pineapple has many anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe sore throat.
6. Apricot : Low in calories and high in fibres, apricots may help improve digestion

Source and credit : NDTV food https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/summer-special-6-seasonal-fruits-with-highest-water-content-1825611

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. HealthCult does not claim responsibility for this information.

Checkout some healthy and easy vegetarian lunch options -

1. Pasta salad : Pasta salad prepared with one or more types of pastas, and often tossed in vinegar oil. It must include fresh vegetables and a simple dressing devoid of any fat and cream.Serving size of 140gms consists of approximately 58 calories, which is a very healthy and simple option for lunch 

2. Rajma Chawal : Rajma chawal is the most famous delicacy made with red kidney beans cooked in delicious gravy with hot rice. However, use the white rice in moderate quantity when picking this for a working lunch as it might make you feel bloated.1 cup of 100gms of rajma chawal consist of approximately 110- 150 calories.

3. Sambar, rice and curd : 2 cups of rice and 1 cup of sambhar and curd is an easy, quick and simple dish to make. It is a very healthy and nutritious office lunch.This entire meal consists of approximately 300-500 calories. (via) Ensure that you control the rice portion to less than 60gms and add some vegetables on the side.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. HealthCult does not claim responsibility for this information.

A handful of peanuts per day provide enough recommended levels of phenolic antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and protein. The nuts are a rich source of minerals like copper, manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and selenium.

Some of the other benefits are - 

1. Peanuts have monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) that helps lower LDL or "bad cholesterol" and increases HDL or "good cholesterol” level in the blood

2. A good source of dietary protein

3. Peanuts contain high concentrations of antioxidants

Roasting/boiling enhances antioxidant content of the peanuts. 

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. HealthCult does not claim responsibility for this information.