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Are eggs off-limits? How to make sense of the numbers on ‘low-cholesterol’ packaged foods? Is extra virgin coconut oil all it is made out to be? These and other questions answered by nutritionist Kohila Govindaraju  Does our body need cholesterol? The surprising answer is Yes! Cholesterol, a fatty substance that circulates in the blood is an important component of human cells. It is often viewed as an all-out villain, but our body needs some amount of cholesterol to…

3 Key takeaways on this topic: Is Coconut Sugar or Coconut Palm Sugar more nutritious than Regular Sugar? Yes, it is. But while Coconut Sugar is more full of nutrients, it also has the same amount of calories as regular sugar.  Does it have a lower glycemic index than table sugar? While it has a lower glycemic index compared to glucose, it has not been tested against table sugar. Does it have less fructose than regular sugar? Coconut sugar supplies almost the same amount of fructose as…

Or is it sometimes the fall guy for other allergens? Dietitian Ujjwala Baxi tells you what to do if you think you are gluten-sensitive. First tip: Do not rush into a gluten-free diet plan. I first heard about gluten sensitivity during my college days when I was studying nutrition. During my year of internship in a 1,000-bed government hospital in India, I heard of only 3 gluten sensitive cases that were referred to the dietary department for a specific meal plan. This was 10 years back. Now, in…

As the temperature plummets, asthma attacks and pneumonia cases rise. Family practitioner and paediatrician Dr Gita Mathai tells you why this is so and how to protect yourself.  Asthma What is asthma? Asthma refers to a condition that causes shortness of breath with a whistling sound from the chest. It is also called "reactive airway disease".  What causes asthma symptoms? The whistling sound is caused by the narrowing of the tubes through which the air passes…

6 signs that you may be iron-deficient – exhaustion, thumping heart… and what to do about it. Nutritionist Kohila Govindaraju tells you what to eat to manage iron-deficiency anaemia. According to a World Health Organisation study, 40% of non-pregnant women in South-East Asia and and 50% in India suffer from anaemia.  What is anaemia  Anaemia is a condition in which the body lacks enough healthy red blood cells or haemoglobin. Iron is a vital mineral used to…

Older people with chronic conditions often suffer from multiple illnesses and it is very confusing and taxing for them to see different specialists at different times. Its also very hard for them and their family caregivers to follow different instructions from different clinics and doctors. So this is definitely a great initiative by TTSH to simplify one aspect of care for the elderly Struggling with multiple illnesses including diabetes, high blood pressure, gout attacks and chronic kidney…

By Poshan Cure Thru Diet A great alternative to meat cutlets, especially if you are trudging your way to vegetarianism. These cutlets can be eaten by themselves or as a patty in a burger. Have them on a winter evening with cream cottage cheese and go light on the dinner!  Red Beans Cutlets (Makes 8 - 10) Ingredients  Red beans – 1 cup  Raw bananas – 2 (cooked) Bread crumbs – 3 tbsps Onions – 1  Green Chillies – 2  Ginger – 1 inch piece (grated) Garlic – ¼ tsp (minced)…

As a family caregiver of a loved one who is ill, you are juggling multiple jobs. You are nurse, counsellor, dietitian, secretary, friend and emotional anchor – all rolled into one.  However sincere you are about your responsibilities, the stress can mount up quickly and cascade onto the lives of others in the household. How do you keep your patient well and happy and keep yourself and your family calm and happy, too?  The Caregiver’s Guidebook brings you ideas to help…

Nutritious foods that give you the most bang for your buck. By Dietitian and Diabetes educator Ujjwala Baxi When we hear ‘superfoods’, we think quinoa, blueberries, salmon, chia seeds etc thanks to clever marketing and hype. These are not only expensive, but can be hard to get hold of, especially in India. The good news is that there are ‘superfoods’ that are readily available and affordable, but are often ignored. They pack as much punch as the much-touted superfoods but are overlooked as…