Special foods have forayed into the supermarket claiming to help in shedding away the puppy fats. In fact, this has been a new strategy with the food manufacturers. Be it the ready-to-eat or food from CAFO – Confined Animal Feeding Operation. These foods have questionable additives, chemicals and ingredients. Thus, we need to be careful which type of food or category of food we consumer. Listed below are some which will be of immense help, especially to those who have cardio challenges.
ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS: These sweeteners contain aspartame, sucralose, saccharin. These are responsible for increasing your carving for more food and one becomes obese through binge eating. Have the sweeteners to the minimum level and instead harp on honey, maple syrup, cold pressed fruit juice and stevia. These also add quite a flavour with addition of a wee inch of ginger and sprigs of mint.
PROCESSED JUICES: While in a grocery store most of us pick up some real juice, smoothies and other Mother Nature organic juices. While we pick up those we do not read the fine prints of the ingredients which are pumped without giving information regarding the risk on health. These processed fruit juices have loads of artificial sweeteners and more so it does not have the fibres which slows down the absorption of sugar. These fibres help in controlling the heart diseases and high blood pressure along with diabetes and obesity. Oranges, grapes, apples juices are better alternatives by providing natural fibres, important vitamins and minerals. This helps in giving a steady blood sugar and good health.
FARM RAISED FISH AND OTHER AQUATIVE EXOCTICS: Fish gives the best heart-healthy fats and micronutrients. This is true when you have wild- caught fish and not the farm-raised one. Farm raised ones are higher in pollutants and toxins due to the feed given to them while raising them. Studies have shown that these farm-raised fish pose serious health problems – insulin resistance and obesity. Get that fish from the local pond which will give you the daily dose of Omega–3 fatty acids and micronutrients. These wild fish have that taste which the farm raised ones cannot satisfy the palate.
MISCONCEPTION OF PROTEIN BARS: Gym and protein bars have become synonymous now, but these have the hidden sugar, which are not highlighted in the wrapper. The ingredients give more importance to the protein. These have quite a side effect when you chew it in the morning. It is linked to cancer, diabetes and obesity. Instead of picking up from the grocery stores make them at home as you make chikki or sesame ladoos. Have a mix of your choice of – tree nuts, dried fruits, sesame along with jaggery and natural sweetness. These are filling and one will not feel hungry for a long time.
NO TO THE FRITTERS: Some snacks today have been marketed as a good alternative to chips and wafers. But, these are deep-fried and are high in sodium, carbohydrates and other artificial additives flavours. Try to bake or fry it out with dry fryers at home. Make chips from carrots, pumpkin, bitter gourd, roasted chickpeas and toasted pumpkin seeds.
THOUGHT FOR THE BOOKEND: Stay away from processed foods, including nutritious and whole food in the diet plan. Vegetables, whole grains, unprocessed meats (chicken, lamb or goat) are good for health. Try out your own combination of your flavour; sure you will enjoy the same.
