Heart and Cardio-vascular

High cholesterol and heart trouble ran in her family. But Varsha Marfatia, 85, didn’t let it control her life, says her grand-daughter Utsa Shah.  Tell us about your grandmother’s condition.  She had high cholesterol leading to angioplasty.  When was she diagnosed? She was diagnosed with high cholesterol in 1974 when she was 44. She had developed yellow deposits under her eye. She was tested and immediately put on medication. Initially her cholesterol levels were…

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…

This preparation is a low-calorie modification of the typical roast. The initial tossing in oil reduces the chicken from drying out while in the oven. The apple sauce without sugar is highly recommended for those who wish to keep their sugar spikes under control after the meal. Ingredients  Whole dressed chicken – 1 ½ kg 4 apples 6-8 small onions 6 potatoes 4-5 carrots 20 French beans 1 capsicum 1 tsp ginger juice 1 tbsp soy sauce (optional) 2 tbsp Worcester sauce 1 stick cinnamon 10 to12…

This is a vegetable omelette with a difference. You can rustle up this omelette at the drop of a hat on a summer’s day when you don’t feel like having an egg. Ingredients (Makes 6 portions) ½ cup (60g) rice flour ¼ cup whole wheat flour 1 tbsp refined flour 2 tbsp besan ½ cup buttermilk or as required 1 onion (large), minced   1 tomato, chopped  3 green chillies, chopped Few curry leaves, chopped  Salt to taste ½ tsp mustard seeds Pinch of cooking soda (optional) 1 tbsp oil…

Elevated levels of blood sugar in diabetes increase the risk of elevated ‘bad’ cholesterol, triglycerides and other cardiovascular problems. Attempts to reduce these risk factors through medication and diet also reduce the level of ‘good’ cholesterol. Exercise and the presence of moderate amounts of monounsaturated fats in the diet help to increase ‘good’ cholesterol in our body. Avocado, also called “butter fruit” in some parts of India, is rich in monounsaturated fats and anti-oxidant Vitamin…