Tips to stay on a Healthy Eating plan while on Vacation

Exams are finally done with and as parents, this is the perfect time to plan a summer vacation but wait…. Aren’t you forgetting something …?

While travelling it is very important to ensure that you & your family take all necessary health precautions in order to avoid any unpleasant incidents that may arise during the trip.

Although, packing your favorite outfit and useful travel accessories, could be on the top of your to-do list but make sure you don’t overlook the importance of healthy eating habits which is equally important to ensure a happy journey.

Here are 6 ways to stay on a healthy eating plan while on vacation

• Always stay hydrated while travelling. Make sure you keep a bottle of water handy. Drink boiled water or opt for packaged mineral water that is purchased from an authentic store. Some packaged water could also be tampered therefore take necessary precautions to avoid unwanted health issues.
• Do not skip breakfast. When you get up in the morning the blood sugar levels in your body are at its lowest because of 6 to 8 hours of fasting (while sleeping) all night. While vacationing, it is very important to have a wholesome breakfast in order to give your body a much need kick and energy to go through the entire day of fun & frolic
• No matter which part of the world you travel to, harmful bacteria causing food borne illnesses is everywhere. By making smart food choices, you can keep such illnesses at bay. Roadside vendors and Restaurant food could be prepared in unhygienic conditions, paving way for germs to enter your body. Be very selective while ordering food from various eatery hang outs. Non-vegetarian food should be consumed in moderation as they tend to rot easily due to poor storage facility at certain restaurants. Some kinds of sea foods are also known to spread hepatitis and other food-borne diseases
• Resist the urge to overeat, especially when you have untimely hunger pangs. If compelled to eat at odd hours, make sure you pick out a healthy food item for consumption as compared to loads of tempting but highly unhealthy munchies that are easily accessible at most hotels and lodges
• When ordering at restaurants, ask for three times the normal serving of veggies that accompanies your entrée. By adding an extra serving of fresh vegetables to your plate, you are not only improving the nutritional value of your meal but also fueling your body with plenty of nutrients to fight various illnesses
• While vacationing, try to avoid prescription drugs as much as possible. Some medicines that intend to treat your illness could in fact end up contributing to the toxins in your body. This is because several prescription medicines and antibiotics possess harmful substances that can accumulate in the digestive system and intestines over a period of time. Although some medicines may be absolutely essential for your health & wellness, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to turn to a few natural herbs for treating minor illnesses once in a while.

As you chill out & relax at a fun trip, these important tips will ensure the safety of your loved ones and certainly give you peace of mind

Have a Happy Journey!

Sweltering heat in our environment has already started to take its toll on stray animals; it’s only a matter of time before it affects the human health. With rising mercury levels and weather conditions turning hot & sultry, it’s time to take necessary steps to keep your body cool.

Beat the heat and keep summer ailments at bay with these Natural Coolants

Cucumber – 96% of this veggie is water which makes it the perfect summer food to prevent dehydration. The good news here is that you can incorporate cucumbers in your diet regime in multiple ways. Tuck it in your sandwich, add it to your salad plate or simply have it plain with a dash of salt & pepper. Cucumber juice and soups are healthy too

Melons belong to the same family as cucumbers and squash. Owing to its high electrolyte content, this delicious fruit is known to keep the body temperature cool and sufficiently hydrated at all times.

Kokum – Rich in anti-oxidants, Kokum has a cooling effect on the body and is also beneficial for the Liver. What’s more…it protects the body from dehydration & sunstroke and is also a remedy for diarrhea and many allergic reactions.

Cardamom – One of the most popular Indian spices, Cardamom has excellent detoxifying properties that are known to keep the body cool from within even during the hottest weather conditions

Watermelon – This delicious, juicy fruit has 95% water content. A bowl full of watermelon cubes works like a charm on hot sunny days but avoid having these at the roadside vendors.

Barley water – Loaded with vitamin C, iron, calcium, phosphorous, manganese and copper, Barley water not only strengthens the immune system but also promotes bone health and helps in the formation of hemoglobin–which is needed to produce red blood cells. What’s more…it also brings down the heat content in the body

Curd – A powerhouse of protein, Curd can be used for preparing several summer drinks like buttermilk, lassi, chaas, flavored yoghurt etc. It gives your stomach, a cooling sensation and equips the body with essential Probiotics, vitamins and minerals that are often lost due to excessive perspiration

Radish – This nutritious vegetable is loaded with potassium, Vitamin B6, riboflavin, folic acid, magnesium, calcium and copper. Radish also contains antioxidants that tones down the body heat and prevents heat stress.

Coconut water – Natural electrolytes in Coconut water benefits the body by replacing the fluid loss and what’s more… it is fat-free and has a refreshing taste which makes it the perfect beverage for summer season.

Sweet toddy (Neera) – Packed with essential vitamins, amino acids and minerals like potassium, magnesium, zinc and iron, Neera, also known as sweet toddy or palm nectar is a natural detox drink with a refreshing taste. 100 ml of Neera provides 75 calories of energy and 250 mg of proteins. What’s more… it keeps the body cool from within and aids digestion

Tadgolas – Also known as Ice apples, Tadgolas act as natural coolants for the body. Having them regularly during summer is a tasty way to battle heat exhaustion & fatigue. Apart from treating various stomach ailments and digestive problems, Ice apples also help in stabilizing the glucose levels and maintaining a healthy body weight.

Today, Diabetes takes more lives than AIDS and breast cancer combined. With alarmingly high percentage of diabetic patients reported each year, India is on its way to becoming the diabetes capital of the world.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that triggers high blood sugar (glucose) levels in the body. Although diabetic patients can lead a normal life, uncontrolled diabetes can cause serious long-term complications. The saddest fact about this medical condition is that it cannot be cured, it can only be managed to make you feel better.

This year’s theme for World Health Day calls for a renewed focus on Diabetes, its prevention, control & treatment

With regards to the same, let’s unveil a few lesser known facts about Diabetes

• It is reported that, in approximately 50% of cases Diabetes doesn’t show obvious symptoms in patients, which is why it is termed as a silent-killer.
• Diabetes can have one or multiple causes. Genetic makeup, family history, ethnicity, health and environmental factors play an important role in the detection of this disease
• Research indicates that in approximately 90% of cases, unhealthy eating habits are the possible triggers for Diabetes. Eating a wholesome breakfast reduces the chances of Type 2 diabetes. Try to avoid sweetened beverages, fried and prepackaged food items.
• Experts also believe that people with a sedentary lifestyle double their risk of diabetes and several cardio vascular illnesses owing to raised sugar/cholesterol levels and insulin readings. 2minute walk around the office every half an hour can actually help you keep diabetes at bay. These brief walkabouts at your work place can save you from the misery of diabetes in the long run.
• Sometimes this medical condition causes a significant amount of damage to the capillaries and blood vessels of the eyes, resulting in blurred vision and even or complete blindness in extreme cases. Conditions like cataracts and glaucoma can be aggravated by diabetes, but the most common issue is diabetic retinopathy (diabetic eye disease)
• Those diagnosed with severe Diabetes should frequently check their blood sugar levels. If a patient’s blood sugar level shoots up significantly (hyperglycemia) or falls too low (hypoglycemia), he/she could fall into a diabetic coma.
• Diabetes can also cause complications during pregnancy.
• Diabetic patients to stay away from Alcohol. While moderate amounts of alcohol can shoot-up the blood sugar levels, excess alcohol can actually decrease them – sometimes causing it to drop to dangerous levels.
• Diabetes can sometimes develop during pregnancy. Hormonal changes during pregnancy causes the blood sugar levels to increase which triggers gestational diabetes in some women. In most cases, after giving birth, the pregnancy hormones and the blood sugar levels subside, alleviating diabetes in the process.
• Diabetes is the number one cause of kidney failure in the world.

In the absence of timely detection and treatment, diabetes can virtually damage all organs of the body. Featuring a wide range of relevant medical tests, The Basic Diabetes Package at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital is designed to diagnose & treat such complications at the right time.