Jul 27, 2005 05:32 PM
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(Updated Jul 27, 2005 05:32 PM)
I am sorrty to say I have to write under this heading'Choosing weight loss plan'.Please excuse me for the same!
The old saying “You are what you eat” *is absolutely correct! Food is our source of energy. It also has the power to heal & to make us more beautiful. Research has shown which are the foods, which can enhance “HEALTH; VITALITY and APPEARANCE.” **By choosing food properly we can give our body a boost everyday! What are those foods? List is very long and I will be very choosy in selecting them for readers’ benefits.
A) FRUITS= *1) Apple= Apple is good for heart and lipids(controls bad cholesterol). For weight control apple just before meals is very good! It prevents you to over-eat! Apple is also good to control frequent motions.
2) Apricot=Has got “Beta-Carotene” which is good for eyes; bones; teeth and also for a good immunity to fight diseases. *“Flavonoids”; which are good for capillaries to stop un-necessary bleeding.”Vitamin-C” is good for skin glow and elasticity(to prevent wrinkles). Vitamin-c is also good to heal wounds and resistance to infection.
3) Figs= Super foods; they are “good substitutes to chocolates and sugar(which two are definitely bad for health)”. Figs are rich in Fibre; Calcium and Magnesium.
4) Orange=Citrus fruits are rich in Vitamin-C; Folate(which prevents from heart attack) and Potassium.
5) Lemons= best skin food; both way(internally and application with olive oil). They are known to prevent wrinkles. Rich in Vitamin-C.
6) Papaya= contains “Papaine’- good for digestion. Good sources of Vitamin-C; Flavenoids; Carotenoids.
Other fruits worth mention are Bananas;Grape-fruits;Pineapples;Strawberries.Blueberries;Raspberries.
B) VEGETABLES= 1) Asparagus= Excellent natural diuretic to get rid of excess salt and extra water in the body. Chromium is there to control blood sugar, which is very important not only to Diabetics but also “OBESE” people. Also has got Vitamin-c; Vitamin-E; which prolongs cell life; so very useful for “youthful looks!”
2) Broccoli= It is full of Sulphoraphanes; Beta-carotenes; Folate; Calcium; Magesium and Vitamin-C. It is supposed to prolong life; helps to prevent from deadly diseases like cancer and others. You must add this vegetable to your daily food.
3) Capsicum= In body it is used as “glue” that gives skin elasticity and support; so vital to prevent “ageing process”. Rich in Vitamin-C.
4) Spinach= it has all anti-oxidants; which prevent heart ailments. And ageing eye process, like cataract and macular degenerations. Rich source of Iron. Good laxative for chronic constipated people. It helps to lose extra weight; if taken regularly.
5) Tomato=It has been strongly recommended as anti-cancer; particularly “prostrate’. Cooked tomatoes are better than un-cooked; because Lycopene is released when tomatoes are cooked and better absorbed.
6) Garlic=Garlic taken regularly reduces blood viscosity by reducing bad cholesterol and increases body resistances. Garlic and Onions together fight against Cancer and Bacterial infections. Raw garlic taken regularly in morning prevents “ageing” . If one cannot take Garlic in raw form; then one can try Garlic capsules. Garlic is also good natural treatment for common cold. Garlic has also Selenium; one the powerful anti-oxidants.
Other vegetables worth remembering for good health are Bamboo Shoots;Onions; Carrots; Beetroots.
Since I practise as Physician and Obesity consultant I do not advise “Carrots;Beetroots;Bananas;Peas;Potatos;Chikoos;Mangos; Pineapple;GrapesCustard Apples; because of high sugar contents and may add to your weight.”
C)FISH= All fishes are good for your health; provided they are cooked properly. Deep-fried and with gravy(lots of spices and salt) are not advised. Steamed or grilled oily fish (like Salmon; Sardines; Mackeral(Soormai?); Tuna and Trout) are rich in Omega3 essential fatty acids; prevents heart attacks( by reducing stickiness of blood, so called viscosity). They are also rich in Calcium; Magnesium.
In Bombay(upper class) fish means only Pompret; which is total ignorance about these fishes.
D)CEREALS= Those who are weight-conscience; must avoid Polished Rice(including Basmati); Refined flour(Maida; so no bakery items). Wheat; Millet; Oats; Brown Rice; Wheat Pasta(see my previous review); KUDIT; RAAGI(Naachni); all are more in Zinc; Vitamin B1; B2; B6;and fiber.
E)OILS= I would recommend Olive oil; Almond oil; Fish oil. Safflower(Kardi); Sunflower and Coconut oils for healthy heart.
“Those oils which are cold-processed retain more of natural goodness of oil(essential fatty acids) and Vitamin-E.” It is good to include Olive oil in raw(without any dressings) salads daily food. Oil for cooking food should be changed more often so that one can get all benefits of vegetable oil.
SUGAR= crystalline white synthetic agent(which is used very regularly by everybody); should be discouraged; because it doesn’t do any good to body but gives extra energy which is stored in as FAT in body. Sugar is known to cause ageing faster; are indirectly responsible in causing Arthritis.
Jaggery or Brown sugar is better alternative. But nothing is better than natural sugar of FRUITS. Figs and Dates(not dry) are used by some to sweeten food; but again I advise people to refrain from any sweet of any kind if you want to maintain your weight & remain healthy!
Dr.Shafique Pathan.
