Category Archives: Food

Components of Food

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FOOD comes in a variety of shapes sizes and colours and has many different tastes and textures. Most foods are made up of a combination of nutrients.
A basic understanding of the different nutrients that are contained in the food we enjoy eating is important.

The main nutrients in food are:

Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are the most important source of energy for the body. Out of all the nutrients only carbohydrates directly affect blood sugar levels. The amount and type of carbohydrate eaten are both very important. Examples of carbohydrate—containing foods are bread pasta and milk.

Proteins: Proteins are important building blocks in the body and are essential for normal growth and repair of body tissues. Examples of protein—containing foods are meat fish and eggs.

Fats: Fats and oils are also essential for growth and development and are an important source of energy. A certain amount is essential for good health but too much or the wrong type becomes unhealthy.

Other nutrients and components of food include:

Vitamins and minerals: These are important for the normal functioning of many body processes. The best way to have a balanced vitamin and mineral intake is through a healthy variety of foods especially fruit and vegetables.

Fibre: An adequate intake of fibre is important for bowel health and is believed to have a number of long—term health benefits.

Water: Water is the most common component of the body. Drinking plenty of fluids is important for general health. Your child should drink more if it is hot and if they are more active or have high blood glucose levels. Water is the healthiest fluid of all to drink.

Fruits and Vegetables

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This Facts about fruits and vegetables :

What are the recommended servings per day?
Overall: more than 7 servings Vegetables: unlimited (minimum 5 servings) Fruits: 2-4 servings

Why should you choose fruits & vegetables?

Excellent source of fiber Rich in vitamins and minerals Low in calories and most are fat-free Provide a food source of water; fruits and vegetables are made up of more than 50% water Abundant in phytochemicals and antioxidants High consumption helps reduce risk of various diseases such as cancer, obesity, heart disease, arthritis, asthma, macular degeneration and diverticulosis

Ideas to Increase Fruits and Vegetable Consumption
Do it gradually.
Snack on raw vegetables instead of chips and crackers.
To keep it interesting, try dipping vegetables in hummus, salsa or low-fat dip.
Add fruit to your cereal or yogurt at breakfast.
Order salads as an appetizer when out to dinner.
Get creative.
Add vegetables to dishes that don’t always include them, like scrambled eggs, rice or pasta dishes, pizza and casseroles.
Drink your fruit (including fruit just past it’s prime) in the form of a fruit smoothie.
Choose salads as your main course for lunch or dinner.
For variety, top your salads with dried cranberries, sunflower seeds or other nuts.
In hot weather, frozen fruit such as grapes, sliced kiwis, sliced peaches and strawberries are a refreshing snack.
Enjoy salad bars at restaurants or grocery stores.
When craving a sweet treat, try dried fruit.
Buy fresh fruits and vegetables in season.
Frozen fruit and vegetables are frozen soon after harvest and can be eaten during the off season as a nutritious alternative to fresh produce.
Watch local grocery advertisements for reduced prices on your favorite fruits and vegetables. Try fruit for dessert.
Prepare fruits and vegetables ahead of time in a way you like to eat them so they are readily available and desirable to you when you are hungry.
Fill half of your plate with fruits and/or vegetables.
Choose a rainbow of fruits and vegetables daily.

Food 101

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Are you trying to lower your blood pressure, reduce your cholesterol, or take off some weight?
Then be sure to reshape your diet so that it’s rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products. Keep your total fats at a moderate level and watch how much saturated fat and cholesterol you’re consuming. Another essential part of a good diet — consume less salt and sodium. Try these tips to get you started:
Get spicy instead of salty. In the kitchen and at the table, flavor foods with herbs, spices, lemon, lime, vinegar, or salt-free seasoning blends.
Use fresh poultry, fish, and lean meat, rather than canned, smoked, or processed types.
Eat moderate portions. When snacking, eat fruit, vegetable sticks, unbuttered and unsalted popcorn, or bread sticks.
Choose “convenience” foods that are lower in sodium. Cut back on frozen dinners, pizza, packaged mixes, canned soups or broths, and salad dressings. These often have a lot of sodium.

Andhra – Tomato Pachadi

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Ingredients:
2 Large tomatoes
1/2 onion, sliced
1/2 cup chopped fresh coriander
1/2 tbsp cumin seeds
5 green chillies {I like mine spicy } Chop Fine
salt to taste
Red Chilli Pepper.
1 tbsp oil

For the tempering or poppu
1/2 tsp oil
1/2 tea spoon mustard seeds (only if desired)
1/2 tsp split gram dal
curry leaves (desired )
Preparation :
1 Heat a few tsp of oil in a non-stick pan.
2.Add the cumin and/or Mustard Seeds let them spiltter.
3.Add the green chillis and saute for a few seconds,
4.Add the sliced onion and saute for couple of minutes .
5. In the same pan, add the chopped tomatoes and on medium flame saute till the tomatoes cook .
6.Soak the gram dal for a few minutes and microwave for a minute.
7. Add the gram dal to the tomato mix in the pan and stir.
8.Add salt , Red chilli pepper
9.Finally add the chopped coriander and saute for another minute.

Your delicious tomato pachadi is now ready

Serve with Dosa, Idli or Hot rice .

Andhra – Tomato Pachadi

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Ingredients:
2 Large tomatoes
1/2 onion, sliced
1/2 cup chopped fresh coriander
1/2 tbsp cumin seeds
5 green chillies {I like mine spicy } Chop Fine

salt to taste
Red Chilli Pepper.
1 tbsp oil

For the tempering or poppu

1/2 tsp oil
1/2 tea spoon mustard seeds (only if desired)
1/2 tsp split gram dal
curry leaves (desired )

Preparation :
1 Heat a few tsp of oil in a non-stick pan.

2.Add the cumin and/or Mustard Seeds let them spiltter.
3.Add the green chillis and saute for a few seconds,

4.Add the sliced onion and saute for couple of minutes .

5. In the same pan, add the chopped tomatoes and on medium flame saute till the tomatoes cook .

6.Soak the gram dal for a few minutes and microwave for a minute.

7. Add the gram dal to the tomato mix in the pan and stir.

8.Add salt , Red chilli pepper

9.Finally add the chopped coriander and saute for another minute.

Your delicious tomato pachadi is now ready

Serve with Dosa, Idli or Hot rice .

New remedy for Diabetes

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Please note that another name for Lady Finger (Bhindi ) is ” OKRA “.
Last month in one of TV program I learnt of a treatment of Sugar(Diabetes). Since I am diabetic, I tried it and it was very useful and mySugar is in control now. In fact I have already reduced my medicine.

Take two pieces of Lady Finger (Bhindi) and remove/cut both ends of eachpiece. Also put a small cut in the middle and put these two pieces inglass of water. Cover the glass and keep it at room temperature duringnight. Early morning, before breakfast simply remove two pieces of ladyfinger (bhindi) from the glass and drink that water.

Keep doing it on daily basis.

Within two weeks, you will see remarkable results in reduction of your SUGAR.
My sister has got rid of her diabetes.

New remedy for Diabetes

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Please note that another name for Lady Finger (Bhindi ) is ” OKRA “.

Last month in one of TV program I learnt of a treatment of Sugar(Diabetes). Since I am diabetic, I tried it and it was very useful and mySugar is in control now. In fact I have already reduced my medicine.

Take two pieces of Lady Finger (Bhindi) and remove/cut both ends of eachpiece. Also put a small cut in the middle and put these two pieces inglass of water. Cover the glass and keep it at room temperature duringnight. Early morning, before breakfast simply remove two pieces of ladyfinger (bhindi) from the glass and drink that water.

Keep doing it on daily basis.

Within two weeks, you will see remarkable results in reduction of your SUGAR.

My sister has got rid of her diabetes.

Superfoods!

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Almonds: A source of “good” fat, almonds can help your heart by lowering bad cholesterol!

Berries: They’re jammed with vitamins — particularly vitamin C — but new research has found these sweet little sensations to be ace disease fighters too, helping to prevent bladder infections and even cancers, among other illnesses.

Broccoli: Folate, vitamin C, calcium — broccoli is packed with all these awesome nutrients. Now researchers think it might also fight cancer!

Avocado: The large number of calories in a serving of avocado is totally worth it! This source of healthy fat contains a ton of vitamin K and potassium and is also associated with lower cholesterol and even the prevention of breast cancer!

Salmon: Low in calories, easy to prepare, and amazingly good for you — what’s not to love about salmon? And the omega-3 fatty acids in salmon are great for your heart!

Olive oil: Another good fat! Besides making your food incredibly tasty, olive oil can also protect you from heart disease.

Green tea: So much research has touted the benefits of green tea, it’s hard to know where to begin! But here’s a sample: A Japanese study in 2006 showed that green tea lowered the risk of death from all causes.

Superfoods!

Posted on by
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Almonds: A source of “good” fat, almonds can help your heart by lowering bad cholesterol!

Berries: They’re jammed with vitamins — particularly vitamin C — but new research has found these sweet little sensations to be ace disease fighters too, helping to prevent bladder infections and even cancers, among other illnesses.

Broccoli: Folate, vitamin C, calcium — broccoli is packed with all these awesome nutrients. Now researchers think it might also fight cancer!

Avocado: The large number of calories in a serving of avocado is totally worth it! This source of healthy fat contains a ton of vitamin K and potassium and is also associated with lower cholesterol and even the prevention of breast cancer!

Salmon: Low in calories, easy to prepare, and amazingly good for you — what’s not to love about salmon? And the omega-3 fatty acids in salmon are great for your heart!

Olive oil: Another good fat! Besides making your food incredibly tasty, olive oil can also protect you from heart disease.

Green tea: So much research has touted the benefits of green tea, it’s hard to know where to begin! But here’s a sample: A Japanese study in 2006 showed that green tea lowered the risk of death from all causes.