By nutritionist Kohila Govindaraju
What are Chia Seeds ? They are a member of the mint family
Why love them?
• Chia seeds improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. The soluble fibre in the seeds helps to stabilise blood glucose levels. When soaked in liquid, they develop a gelatinous texture. This gel formation phenomenon creates the barrier between carbohydrates and digestive enzymes that ultimately slow down the conversion of carbohydrates into simple sugar.…
Diabetes
Juliana Lim has had Type II diabetes for 27 years. Here, she shares her diabetes and cholesterol friendly secrets and her little treats. She is a committee member of Diabetic Society of Singapore and represents the Diabetic Support Group. Food - Try to include the following in your daily diet: 1. Small black fungus -These are easily available in supermarkets and can definitely help to manage your blood sugar. 2. Ladies fingers (Okra) - Try to get the fresher ones.…
All you need to know about artificial sweeteners and sugar-free treats. By Dr Gita Mathai, a paediatrician and family practitioner. Food is enjoyed if it looks, smells and tastes good. It needs to provide an appetising blend of salt, sugar, bitters, sourness and spice. The first three in excess are “injurious to health”, and, of these, sugar is considered the greatest villain of all. It is purported to be singlehandedly responsible for the global epidemic of…
People with diabetes need to be very careful during Ramadan in order to maintain good glycemic control. Here are some tips for those who are fasting during this period. During the fasting month of Ramadan, Muslims all over the world are fasting during daylight hours, eating two meals a day – Sehri or Suhoor (at pre-dawn) and Iftar (at sunset). For people with diabetes taking insulin or on some medication, the many hours without food and water puts them at risk of…
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Meaning Sarpa means snake. Sarpasana mimics the posture of a snake. Benefits of Sarpasana 1. It strengthens the back and makes the spine supple. 2. The posture helps to stretch the abdominal cavity and the chest. 3. It stimulates and directly exercises internal organs such as the pancreas, intestines, liver and kidneys. Thus Sarpasana is believed to help manage diabetes. 4. It massages the pelvis and the reproductive organs, helps in menstrual and other gynaecological disorders. 5. It deepens…
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Meaning: Ardha is half. Pavan is air/wind/gas. Asana is posture. This asana’s name reflects its benefits, that is, the release of unnecessary gases from the body, especially the stomach. Benefits 1. It strengthens the lower back and stretches the spinal cord. It is thus particularly good for treating back pain. 2. The posture helps to massage the abdomen and the digestive system thereby eliminating wind and preventing constipation. 3. It stimulates and directly exercises internal organs…
With all the hype around high-protein diets, more and more people want to cut down, and some want to eliminate, carbohydrates from their diets. But not only are carbohydrates present in almost all foods, eliminating them would disturb the body’s natural functioning, says Dietitian and Diabetes Educator Ujjwala Baxi. Why do we need carbohydrates? Carbohydrates are the body’s primary source of fuel for our internal and external functions. Carbohydrates are digested and broken down into glucose,…
Lasagna made from whole wheat doesn’t spike the post-lunch blood sugar as much as the refined flour varieties. Tuna rich in omega- 3 fatty acids and Vitamin D are ideal for people with diabetes who run a higher risk of cardiovascular problems, high blood pressure and elevated triglycerides. Ingredients: Tuna /White Pomfret (boneless ) - 700 g Onion – 2 Olive oil – 2 tbsp Tomato puree – 1 cup or 250g Sundried tomatoes - 10 g Freshly ground pepper - ¼ tsp Sweet corn - 300g…
Chickpeas or garbanzo beans are rich in fibre, iron, phosphorus and the B-complex vitamins. It has been seen that eating chickpeas control blood sugar levels after meals, so it is good for people with diabetes. This recipe also uses poppy seeds, which are a good source of calcium and fibre, low in sodium and have no fat or cholesterol, as well as coconut, which provides certain essential fats missing from other vegetable oils. In this recipe they have been used in…
Paneer paratha is a favourite choice for kids’ lunchboxes. It is nutritious and can be modified for the needs of growing children by using whole-fat paneer instead of low-fat and an extra dash of fat (ghee, butter or oil depending on preferences). Ingredients For the dough 200g whole wheat flour 2 tsp white oil Pinch of chilli powder Pinch of salt For the Filling 200g low-fat paneer 100g onion 50g carrot Small bunch of coriander…
