Winter Health Tips: Benefits And Easy Ways Of Staying Hydrated During Winters

Winter Health Tips: Benefits And Easy Ways Of Staying Hydrated During Winters  

Winters are here and while we're all looking forward to the feasting and snuggling, it is important to take care of health as well. Like any other season, winter also demands special dietary and lifestyle adjustments to prepare the body for the cold weather. Staying hydrated may not look like an important thing to do during winters, as we don't lose a lot of sweat during cold weather. But as in summers, drinking enough water and retaining it in the body is important during winters as well. Staying hydrated may seem like an easy enough thing to do during winters, but it may not be so for a number of reasons. For one, dehydration is much less noticeable during winters, than it is during summers as you don't notice how much sweat you've lost under all those layers of clothing.


For another, the dryness in the air may dehydrate our bodies quicker than we can imagine and most often we don't even feel thirsty, so our need for adequate water may remain unmet. The effects of dehydration may be subtle and hence, less noticeable during winters, but it's important to work pre-emptively to replenish the fluid reserves of the body, in order to avoid any physical discomfort in the future.

Here are some health benefits of drinking adequate water during winters:

1. Temperature Regulation: Water helps regulate the body temperature, during both summers and winters. Staying hydrated may be a sure shot way to stay warm internally and prevent conditions like hypothermia.


2. Boosting Immunity: The cold and dry air may sap your body of energy, making you feel sluggish and even making you more susceptible to cold and flu. Stay hydrated to boost immunity and protect your body from illnesses.


3. Regulating Weight: When you're hydrated, your body is more capable of breaking down fats, effectively regulating body weight.


4. Boosting Skin Health: Drinking adequate water is one of the first things any beauty expert will suggest to you for skin health. During winters, it's essential to stay hydrated to prevent dry and dull skin.

How To Stay Hydrated During Winters

1. Drink Warm/Room Temperature Water: After exercising during winters or even generally, one should drink beverages or water which is at room temperature. This is because cold water/liquids get absorbed faster in the body.


2. Eat Fruits/Veggies With High Water Content: Eating a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables with high water content is also a great way to stay hydrated. Load up on strawberries, oranges, pineapple, lettuce, celery, tomatoes, carrots, spinach, cucumber, etc.


3. Limit Consumption of Alcohol/Caffeine: Although it's extremely tempting to indulge in hot teas, coffees and alcohol during winters, both alcohol and caffeine may dehydrate your body, so excessive consumption of both is not recommended.


4. Eat More Soups/Broths: Salty foods like soups and broths are healthy and may help in retaining water in the body. They also have the added advantage of warming you up from the inside.

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The Good Place Actor Jameela Jamil Wants You To Know About These Scary Side Effects Of Slimming Teas

The Good Place Actor Jameela Jamil Wants You To Know About These Scary Side Effects Of Slimming Teas 

Hollywood actor Jameela Jamil, who is known for her role in the English series 'The Good Place', has a message for all the celebrities who promote 'miracle cures' and fat burning or sliming teas and other products. Jamil, who is also a British television presenter, radio presenter and model, has been taking a firm stand against celebrities and social media influencers who promote brands which sell slimming products. She took to Twitter to voice her disapproval of such brands and celebrities who promote them, urging her fans and followers to 'unfollow' celebrities who promote weight loss miracle cures. She even posted screenshots of social media posts by celebrities like reality TV star Khloe Kardashian, singer and rapper Cardi B and singer Iggy Azalea, to drive the point home. All three celebrities have been promoting various slimming products through their social media pages, and soon Jamil's followers started posting their own experiences with these slimming products.


Jameela Jamil posted a whole statement against slimming laxative teas stressing on the fact that they
are unhealthy and unsafe for consumption. She said that these products only 'give you diarrhea, which makes your tummy flat for a day.' She further added by saying, 'Please unfollow celebrities who try to push this nonsense on you. It's not safe. It's not FDA approved. No doctors advise you to use this stuff.' She further gave us advice on how to actually lose weight in a healthy way: 'If you want to "curb your appetite", then eat some green vegetables or take some nutritious natural vegetable soup. Don't drink these "detox" teas. You need fiber!' Jamil said that if someone wants to get slimmer, they should 'talk to a trainer/doctor', instead of taking diet advice from 'from women who know nothing about nutrition/basic advertising ethics.'

Soon people were sharing their own experiences with slimming teas on Twitter. On user shared her experience of trying a 'fad diet': 'Unfortunately, during my knee surgery, I was persuaded by the family to go on a shake diet and when I stopped, I did not eat for a whole week because I had so much constipation. Never touching any of this 'weight loss' shit again!' Another user pointed out the harmful effects of detox teas: 'As a GP I've dealt with side effects of detox teas such as tachycardia, restlessness, decompensation of thyroid pathology, etc. Luckily those patients asked for help on time.' Jameela also opened up about her own struggles with weight and how her brush with weight loss and slimming products, left her feeling 'sick' and gave her 'digestion and metabolism problems for life.'

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Happy Birthday Sushmita Sen: Diet And Fitness Secrets Of The Youthful 43-Year-Old

Happy Birthday Sushmita Sen: Diet And Fitness Secrets Of The Youthful 43-Year-Old

Former Bollywood actor and beauty queen Sushmita Sen has quite an active presence on social media. The super fit actor is celebrating her 43rd birthday today and let's just admit it- Sushmita Sen doesn't look a day older than 30! The former Miss Universe kick-started her birthday by spending some quality time with her family and rumoured boyfriend Rohman Shawl. Sen posted pictures of herself celebrating her special day with Shawl, her daughters Renee and Alisah, her brother Rajeev Sen and her mother.

The Instagram post showed that the actor was feeling particularly loved on her birthday. She even cut a delicious-looking dessert, which, from the looks of it, is a cheesecake of some kind. The family appeared to have gone on an outing and the pictures suggested it was a high-end dining place or a hotel. Either way, it's clear that Sushmita Sen is having the time of her life, looking as lovely and youthful as ever.

It's obvious that you don't just end up looking as fit and as beautiful as Sushmita Sen does, without doing anything! The beauty, who was crowned Miss Universe in 1994, is an inspiration to millions of women around the world. Sen posts a lot of workout and fitness videos of herself and her two daughters on Instagram, which gives us a peak into the healthy lifestyle that she is teaching her daughters to lead. Let's take a look at Sushmita Sen's own diet and fitness routine to see what keeps the svelte star so fit, even at 43.

Sushmita Sen Diet

Although everyone knows how much Sushmita Sen loves to work out, we're here to tell you that the beauty doesn't compromise on her diet either. Her personal fitness trainer Nupur Shikhare had told Vogue in an interview that Sen has a very healthy diet. He revealed that Sen didn't believe in following any fitness fads and instead made sure her diet gave her a more holistic nutrition. According to Shikhare, Sushmita Sen is very particular about her Macros and her diet is rich in all of them- proteins, carbs and fats. She never indiscriminately skips meals, and vegetables and grilled fish were regulars in her daily meals. She also made sure that she was always adequately hydrated. The beauty is something of a cooking enthusiast as well. Here's proof of Sushmita Sen's cooking skills, when she made a pineapple dessert for her family.

Sushmita Sen Fitness Routine

When it comes to fitness, Sushmita Sen has proved that age is just a number and if you want to keep fit, you can do that at any age. The former actor is seen pushing the envelope during her workouts and trying out newer and more challenging exercises and workout routines. Sen's intense workout routine even at 43 is a testament to the kind of discipline that she has inculcated in her life. The diva keeps her workout routine flexible as it keeps changing throughout the week. She started doing Aerial Silk (AS), which is a form of dance that involves hanging in the air with the help of a fabric, when she suffered a back injury.

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Huma Qureshi's Post Workout Snack Is Gajak: 4 Reasons To Love This Healthy Winter Sweet!

Huma Qureshi's Post Workout Snack Is Gajak: 4 Reasons To Love This Healthy Winter Sweet!

Bollywood actor Huma Qureshi has inspired many with the healthy outlook towards health and her body-positive attitude. Qureshi, who often shares videos of herself working out and also shares diet tips with her followers on Instagram, has always promoted love and acceptance for all body types and shapes. The 'Gangs of Wasseypur' actor has proven her acting chops to Bollywood lovers multiple times, but we also love her for her inspiring diet and fitness tips that she often doles out on social media. To maintain a healthy weight, mind and body, one must approach one's diet very mindfully and turn towards healthy eating practices in the long run, instead of adopting crash diets or excessively restrictive diets.


It is important to eat a healthy and proper diet during winters, as it is during the cold weather that our immune system takes a hit. There are some common winter foods that we must add to our diets for a healthy mind and body.


Gajak is one of those and Bollywood actor Huma Qureshi has found a great way to incorporate gajak in her winter diet as a post-workout snack! Qureshi posted a picture of a box full of the wintery goodness, sent in for her by her trainer. Celebrity fitness trainer Akki Sharma seemingly approves of the winter sweet as a great energising post-workout snack.

Gajak is a popular winter sweet that is available in north Indian states. Gajak is made from sesame seeds or til and jaggery or gur, both of which are extremely healthy for consumption during winters.

Here Are Some Incredible Health Benefits Of Eating Gajak During Winters:

1. Boosts Digestion: Sesame seeds and jaggery are both great for digestion and ensure regular bowel movements.


2. Boosts Skin Health: Sesame seeds have anti-inflammatory properties that are good for the skin, which tends to become dry and flaky during winters.


3. Boosts Energy Levels: The presence of jaggery in gajak makes it a great energiser. Even sesame seeds are great for boosting energy levels, due to the presence of high levels of good fat in them. Eating a small piece before or after your workout may boost energy or fasten recovery, respectively.


4. Satiating Fibre: Gajak is filling, as sesame seeds are rich in fibre, which makes it a good winter snack.

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Chia Seeds For A Healthy Gut: Here's Why These Tiny Seeds Are Beneficial For Gut Health

Chia Seeds For A Healthy Gut: Here's Why These Tiny Seeds Are Beneficial For Gut Health

Good things come in small packages - it is also true for Chia's seeds. Chia seeds are a powerhouse of essential nutrients. From promoting healthy heart to keeping the gut healthy, these extremely tiny seeds could possibly do wonders for your overall health. One of the most interesting things about chia seeds is that they are hydrophilic in nature, which means they can be mixed with water and can soak up to twelve times their weight. This particular quality of these wondrous seeds makes them perfect for a healthy gut.


As indicated by the book, 'Healing Foods' by DK Publishing House, "The mucilaginous (gum-like) fibre in the sprouted seeds promotes bowel regularity and helps stabilise blood sugar levels. Briefly soaking the seeds for one hour releases more of their beneficial fibre. Or, leave to soak for longer and sprout the same as you would for other seeds."

It is of utmost importance to build and maintain a healthy gut flora as it is connected to everything that happens in our body. Chia seeds help promote growth of healthy bacteria and come loaded with dietary fibre. A 100-gram serving of chia seeds will give you close to 40g of dietary fibre. Fibre can help you keep bowel-related ailments at bay as it is an excellent agent for digestion. Various health experts advise that it is best to start your day with small snacks to get your metabolism going.


Soak a teaspoon of these super chia seeds in water overnight and have them once you wake up. These can also be soaked in coconut milk or almond milk. Apart from having all nine essential amino acids, these tiny seeds are packed with healthy fats and protein, and have an amazing effect on your digestive system.


So, include these tiny seeds in your daily diet and say bye-bye to gut-related problems!

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This High-Carb Food Is Jacqueline Fernandez's Favourite: Why You Should Eat It Too!

This High-Carb Food Is Jacqueline Fernandez's Favourite: Why You Should Eat It Too!

Not all carbohydrates are bad- this may just be the pet phrase of any health expert or nutritionist. You may have heard the harmful effects of removing entire food groups from your diet like some people do. Low-carb diets for weight loss are all the rage right now, with many variations of them cropping up as fads every now and then. However, not all carbohydrates are bad for your health and doing away from them completely may, in fact, hinder weight loss.


Moreover, staying away from carbohydrates completely is bound to make you quite a diet earlier as it is not sustainable. Our body is naturally used to burning carbohydrates for energy and while carbohydrates in junk foods are bad for health, there are some healthy carbs as well that you must consume for good health. Sabudana or sago is one such healthy carb, which is typically consumed during Navratri fasts.


However, sabudana or tapioca pearls can be consumed even when one is not fasting, as a healthy alternative to refined flour. Jacqueline Fernandez certainly likes sabudana and we know that because the Bollywood beauty posted a picture of a sabudana dish on her Instagram stories. The picture showed a dish that resembled sabudana khichdi, with peanuts in it and Jacqueline wrote on the picture, "My fav!" 

The tiny translucent sabudana globules are a favourite dish of many people around the country. It is also consumed as a breakfast dish in Maharashtra and some other parts of the country. Usually, some vegetables and peanuts are added to sabudana khichdi to make it more wholesome and filling. Sabudana has a number of health benefits, including boosting energy.


Made from the tapioca root, sabudana is also great for digestion and it keeps digestive troubles at bay. It is nutritious, easy-to-digest and has the right amount of carbs, minerals and vitamins, as well as calcium, potassium and iron to keep you healthy and hearty. Moreover, it contains negligible fats. Although it's a starchy food and one must be mindful of how much sabudana they eat- you can't eat it every day.


However, you can consume cooked sabudana once in a while as a gluten-free snack, in place of a sandwich or a high-calorie meal. No wonder sabudana or sago has found favour with the lovely and super-fit Jacqueline Fernandez.

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World Diabetes Day: 8 Dietary Tips To Manage Diabetes In Kids

World Diabetes Day 2018: 8 Dietary Tips To Manage Diabetes In Kids

Diabetes has three types, of which type-1 diabetes is a common condition in teens and children. With type-1 diabetes, the pancreas is not able to produce insulin, which is a hormone that helps glucose, or sugar, get into your cells to give them energy. Without insulin, too much sugar tends to stay in the blood. Type-1 diabetes in children requires consistent care and attention; however, advances in blood sugar monitoring and insulin delivery have improved the daily management of this health condition. According to Dr. Ravishankar Marpalli, Pediatrician, BR Life SSNMC Hospital, "Childhood type-1 diabetes is caused by the autoimmune destruction of the pancreatic B-cells. While diabetes can be seen at any age, type-1 diabetes is seen among the children around the age of puberty. But the sedentary lifestyle and rise in obesity has increased the risk of type-2 diabetes among children of less than 5 years."

Causes of type-1 diabetes in kids

While causes of type-1 diabetes are unknown, most children with this condition may have a weaker immune system that tends to mistakenly destroy insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Some of the risk factors for type-1 diabetes may include family history, genetic susceptibility, viruses (in the environment), and diet.

Signs and symptoms of type-1 diabetes

A few signs and symptoms of type-1 diabetes may include:

• Weight loss
• Fruity-smelling breath
• Blurred vision
• Extreme hunger
• Increased thirst and frequent urination
• Fatigue
• Irritability or behaviour changes
• Yeast infections in girls 

As per Dr. Ravishankar Marpalli, "Kids with type-1 diabetes need to take insulin every day to control the glucose level in their body. This is for the lifetime. If they stop insulin, the life expectancy may become shorter. It is harder for the kids to accept diabetes as they have to use insulin regularly."

World Diabetes Day 2018: Dietary tips to manage type-1 diabetes in kids:

According to Dr. Marpalli, "Breastfeeding can provide protective effect against type-1 diabetes. It is proposed that the presence of antimicrobials and anti-inflammatory agents in the breast milk and substances that promote the maturation of the immune system in human milk create a protective effect against type-1 diabetes. Proper nutrition during the first few months of life can prevent the appearance of diabetes. Breast milk results in greater satiety than infant formulas, preventing the development of obesity. Children who receive breast milk in the initial few months have a lower risk of being overweight during childhood, adolescence which will avoid developing type-2 Diabetes."

Here are some dietary tips that can help manage blood sugar levels in kids, as suggested by Dr. Marpalli:

1. There is a huge change in the diet of children who happen to have type-1 diabetes. To avoid kids with diabetes to feel depressed about their diet, make them eat ice-cream or sweets once in a while and control on other dietary aspects.

2. Kids with diabetes should take proper meals during regular intervals.

3. Parents should be an example for the kids. They should avoid junk and instead choose to eat healthy food. Children tend to learn what they see, so you, as parents, have to take the initiative to toss away unhealthy food in your diet.

4. Keep your kids away from processed foods. These foods are high in carbohydrates and sugar, both of which are responsible for spiking blood sugar levels, further causing complications in the body.

5. Kids love aerated drinks, and sugary beverages. These zero-nutrition beverages can increase the chances of developing diabetes. Try and limit the consumption of these drinks that may only up the chances of developing this lifestyle condition.

6. Cut down the consumption of carbohydrates and include complex carbs like vegetables and grains.

7. Include kids-friendly choices like low-fat string cheese, a hard-boiled egg, or a small serving of nuts with a sugar-free drink for snacks.

8.  Do include more fibre- and protein- rich foods in their diet. Prepare interesting and delicious delicacies that they can enjoy.

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