Health Tips
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We all love to add a dash of saunth ki chutney on our dahi bhalla, papdi chaat, aloo tikki and raj kachori; basically everything chaat. The sweet-tangy chutney adds to the many flavours chaat has. This chutney is made using dried ginger and tamarind paste and is brownish-red in colour. While it is enjoyed in most Indian street foods, it has a bad reputation for making you gain weight. Tamarind or imli, on the contrary, is a great food to help you shed kilos, considering it has one of the most important compounds known as hydroxycitric acid that is connected to weight loss. Moreover, it has fibre present in it that makes it a healthy food. Now, although the dominant part of saunth ki chutney is tamarind, what makes it fattening? Let's find some answers.Saunth ki chutney is said to be great for digestion; thanks to the dry ginger in it. It is said that digestion is the key to losing weight. Dry ginger has long been used as a natural remedy to reduce the symptoms of conditions like IBS, bloating, gas, constipation and stomach cramps. Tamarind is another great ingredient in the saunth ki chutney that helps you shed those extra pounds.
Saunth ki chutney has sugar in it, which is generally considered the main culprit. Sugar has zero nutrients, plus it gets converted into fat and stored as adipose tissue on our waistline. In fact, it also spikes blood sugar levels that are associated with weight gain. Refined sugar can be super-addictive, which can be harmful for your health. Basically, sugar is too much of bad carbs that can lead to weight gain. According to Macrobiotic Nutritionist and Health Coach Shilpa Arora, "Saunth is great for weight loss and digestion; however, the sweetening agent used should be either jaggery or palm sugar, otherwise, this defeats the health and weight loss benefits it has to offer."

How To Cut Down On Sugar In Saunth Ki Chutney?
The best way to make saunth ki chutney more effective and good for weight loss, is by adding the following ingredients in it that make for great sugar alternatives.

1. Jaggery (gur)

Jaggery is said to be one of the best and most-unprocessed raw forms of sugar. In fact, jaggery is known to boost metabolism and reduce water retention, which in turn helps in managing your weight. Read: How to tell that the jaggery you are buying is pure.

2. Dates

Dates are high in fibre content. Fibre tends to keep you full for longer as it adds bulk to your diet, which further helps you lose weight.

3. Raw Honey

Yes, you heard us! You can add honey to your saunth ki chutney. Honey contains a good amount of fibre, protein and other essential vitamins and minerals that help cut the flab.

Basically, anything that's not refined sugar is good for health. Don't worry about the taste, as these alternatives will only enhance the flavour of saunth ki chutney. While you cannot ask the chaat-wallah to prepare chutney that has these sugar alternatives, you can definitely prepare it at home; making it healthier and yummier.

After eating a meal to your heart’s content, it is very normal to burp or belch. However, it is normal only when it happens occasionally, or after a meal, for someone used to a contented meal every single time. On the other hand, excessive burping or belching can happen due to two reasons.

Excessive air intake: There are multiple ways that excessive air can reach the food pipe. Sucking on straws, chewing gum constantly and ill-fitting dentures are some common reasons for burping.

Digestive problems: Ulcers in the stomach, prolonged gastric, gallstones and rarely, esophageal or stomach cancers can also cause burping.
When to see a doctor
Check with a doctor if you have persistent burping, followed by a meal or otherwise, and accompanied by the following symptoms.

a.Nausea

b.Bloody stools

c.Abdominal pain

d.Vomiting

e.Weight loss

f.Fever

g.Preventing belching

1.Go slow when eating and/or drinking: Most of us are pressed for time and eating and/or drinking has now become a task that needs to be finished quickly. Eating fast causes air to be swallowed, and therefore one of the best ways to stop burping is to eat slowly. Sitting in a calm, relaxing environment when eating also allows one to enjoy the food and avoid or stop burping.

2.Avoid taliking while eating: There is always so much to catch up, whether at home or outside. So, talking while eating is a common practice. This is not just bad manners, but there is also a lot of air that is swallowed, which leads to burping. A solution is to chew the food properly, which not just helps stop burping, but also aids in better food digestion by mixing it adequately with saliva.

3.Substitute coke with water: Carbonated drinks are another reason for belching. Replacing them with water, tea, or anything noncarbonated is advisable, not just from burping perspective, but also from the excessive sugar consumption. Carbonated drinks are just sugar solutions, and are absolutely of no nutritive value.

4.Avoid straw: When possible, drink from a glass and avoid straws. This reduces the amount of gas taken in and helps stop burping.

5.Quit smoking: Quitting it has multiple health benefits, and getting rid of smoking is just one of them.

6.Dentures: Ill-fitting dentures can be a reason for belching, and so they should be checked and corrected, if required, in a person who has persistent burping.

7.Chewing gum: Constantly chewing gum contributes to burping, and so avoiding chewing gum or sucking on hard candy is another way to control burping.

8.Avoid certain foods: Foodstuffs like broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, sprouts, and lentils can produce excessive gas and should be avoided in people who have persistent burping.

Bright and citrusy, oranges are juicy fruits we all love to binge on. The fruit that is available from November through January as well as in the summer months of March to May, is enjoyed around the world in numerous ways. The versatility of oranges is evident from the fact that you can eat it in a range of ways, from consuming it raw or juicing it, to including it in cakes, cupcakes, pastries, salads, mousses, etc. Whether you love to toss them in along with some greens, or down a glass of fresh juice at breakfast in the morning, oranges are simply delicious. But, that's not the only reasons they are one of the most favoured fruits around the globe.Oranges are chock-full of nutrients, the most prominent one is vitamin C, which is great for skin. Oranges are also great for the immune system, keep blood sugar levels and blood pressure in check and also may help control cholesterol. While the benefits of the fruit maybe well known, not many people know the benefits of the peels of the fruit. Did you know that orange rind may help you lose weight?

Orange Peel Health Benefits For Weight Loss
There are more reasons than one to not throw away those orange peels, because they have a number of health benefits. Orange peel powder is widely used in beauty treatments and as an ingredient in face packs. Orange peels have certain characteristics, which make them ideal for weight loss.

Here are some benefits of orange peel that make it great for weight loss:

1. Full of fibre: Fruit peels are rich in fibre, which makes them a great supplement for the ones looking to lose weight. Fibre is important for satiety and also a good digestive system.

2. Promotes fat burn: Orange peels, just like the pulp, are rich in vitamin C, which may promote fat burn. Research has also found that orange peel extracts have anti-obesity properties.

3. Fights inflammation and allergies: Orange peels may inhibit the release of histamine, which causes allergic reactions in the body. They also have anti-inflammatory action, due to the presence of flavonoid compounds.

4. Fights constipation: Orange peels contain non-soluble polysaccharides like pectin, which prevent constipation and improve health of the digestive system. They also fight acidity and heart burn. A healthy digestive system has been linked to quicker, more effective weight loss.

5. Regulates blood sugar levels: Orange peels may help prevent sudden spikes or fall in your levels of blood sugar, which is credited to the presence of pectin.

How To Use Orange Peels For Weight Loss
There are a number of ways you can consume orange peels. One of the best ways to aide weight loss by using orange peels is making a herbal tea out of them. All you need to make this tea is orange peels and water. You can either use fresh orange peels or dried orange peels to make your tea. You can choose to either chop the dried peels or grind them to make a fine powder (if you don't mind the bitter taste of the orange peels).

Add one teaspoon of chopped or ground orange peels to some water over a flame and let it brew for some time. Once the water comes to a boil, turn the flame off, cover the utensil and let the peels steep for about 10 minutes. Filter or strain the water into a cup and your orange peel tea is ready! You can add spices like cinnamon or sweeteners like honey to your orange weight loss tea to enhance its taste. Make sure you wash the orange peels thoroughly before you use them to make the tea. You may even make this tea in bulk and refrigerate it for use over two days.

Orange peel rind may also be added to yogurt for flavouring and nutrition or sprinkled over salads. You may also add orange peel powder to your smoothies and milkshakes. Similarly, you can mix orange peel powder with powdered sugar and sprinkle it over home-baked cookies, biscuits, tarts, etc.

Red, juicy and plump with nutrients, tomatoes are an integral part of a quintessential Indian spread. The classic tangy punch of tomatoes is clearly irreplaceable, which is why each time there is a surge in prices of tomatoes, all hell breaks loose in India. Tomatoes are that basic and that essential to us. Not just home, if you look across, Spanish, Italian, Mexican cuisines are all dominated by the red and juicy wonder. Apart from its distinct flavour, tomatoes are also such a rage, especially amongst nutritionist and dieticians, courtesy it's dense nutrient value. It is one of the richest sources of vitamin C and beta carotene, all of them support heart health. They are also abundantly loaded with lycopene, which has been found to reduce risk of high cholesterol, protect eyes and skin, and boost immunity and heart health. Vitamin K, B1, B2, B3, B5 and B6 and minerals such as potassium, manganese and iron further make tomatoes a popular superfood. In fact, the rich content of potassium (267 mg in 100 grams) in tomatoes makes it an ideal pick for high blood pressure patients. One of the most significant benefits of adding tomatoes in your diet is its ability to burn fat.

Tomatoes are relatively low in calories and carbohydrates and have high water content, which makes it an ideal pick for those looking for something filling, which would not topple their calorie requirement for the day. Here's why tomatoes make for an ideal addition to your weight loss diet:

1. Low Calories: You would be surprised to know that 100 grams of tomatoes contain just about 18 calories, which makes it a perfect bet for those on a calorie-restricted weight loss diet.

2. Revs Up Metabolism: Tomatoes are plump with antioxidants, one of the most significant being - lycopene. According to experts, lycopene may rev up metabolism naturally.

3. Curbs cravings: Tomatoes are high in fibre. Fibre takes the longest to digest and induce the feeling of fullness. If you are satiated for long, naturally you would crave less and binge less.

4. Good For Digestion: Fibre is extremely important for good digestion. It adds bulk to your stool, which facilitates your bowel movement, further preventing constipation and boosting digestion. Bad digestion is closely tied to weight gain. If you do not have a good digestive system, your ability to absorb and assimilate nutrients is hindered, moreover, you would face difficulty in eliminating waste and toxins from your body. This can impact your metabolism and slow it down.

5. Fat Burning Properties: Tomatoes encourage the production of the amino acid called Carnitine, which is an organic molecule that plays an important role in the regulation of fatty acid and energy metabolism. This amino acid is reported to enhance the body's fat burning ability.

How To Eat Tomatoes For Weight Loss: Recipes And Ideas
You can have them in salads. Toss them up with other veggies like olives and basil leaves. Here's a delicious recipe oftomato olive salad by chef Ajay Chopra that you may enjoy.
Tomato juice makes for an excellent belly fat burning juice too. You can add other fruits or veggies and herbs to make it more palatable and filling. Blend 2 cups water, tomato paste, lemon juice, and salt together in a blender or food processor until you get smooth consistency. Stir 2-3 cups water into mixture, if you find the juice to be too thick.

You can have them in soothing broths and soups. For those scouting for a perfect recipe. Look no further. Here's a heartcarrot and tomato soup for days you wish to go light.
Sneak them in your sides. Have grilled fish or chicken with grilled tomato, beans with a drizzle of olive oil.
You can chop them up and add them to your sprouts.
For healthy breakfast, you can whip up a quick vegetable omelette with tomatoes or a quick tomato and cucumber sandwich.

So, what are you waiting for? Time to enjoy the juicy and healthy treats. But, make sure you do not overdo it. Check for allergies and portion sizes before you start loading up on them.

National Institute of Nutrition in India (NIN), recently released a report on its foundation day, in which it was revealed that your gender will define whether or not are you at risk of suffering from hypertension. It was mentioned in the report that 31% men and 26% women in urban localities of India suffer from hypertension. The report also indicated that whatever you eat has a crucial impact on preventing and controlling hypertension and one such superfood is Lemon. It is helpful in lowering your blood pressure, as it can make blood vessel soft and flexible.

Ask any health conscious person for health hacks and one of the first things they would share with you is to begin the day with a glass of warm lime water. Those of you who have tried this are well aware of its benefits and in case, you haven't tried it so far and are wondering as to what this magical potion can do read on to know more.

Digestive benefits: The food that we eat passes through the food pipe. When we wake up after a good night's sleep there could be remnants of food along the food pipe, and drinking warm water flushes out this and renders the food pipe clean for today’s meal. Warm water also helps in removing the oiliness, which is quite likely due to your present food habits.


Improves immunity: The vitamin C and potassium in the lemon work wonders for the immunity. Also, because it is consumed on an empty stomach, the absorption is better and so the body derives the complete benefit.

Weight loss aid: Touted as one of the best weight loss aids, hot lime water boosts metabolism and allows the body to burn fat, thereby, helping in weight control. Combined with other weight loss measures, it definitely can help you lose weight.

Glowing skin: The vitamin C in the lime is essential for collagen formation, thus helps in keeping your skin healthy and radiant. Also, hydration is one of the key skin care essentials, and drinking warm water in the morning flushes out toxins and keeps your skin glowing and clear.

Lively liver: The liver is the center of metabolism and drinking warm water in the morning helps keep the liver clean. The liver is active through the night and so drinking warm water in the morning helps restore its energy. This, in turn, boosts the flow of lymph and bile in the body.

Promotes healing: For those who have had injuries, vitamin C present in the lemon helps with the production of collagen and aid in wound healing. It improves connective tissue formation including cartilage and bones.

Mood enhancer: The smell of lemon juice is known to uplift your mood and so it is an interesting way to start your day. It also reduces anxiety and depression and can clear your mind of confusion.

pH balance: The ascorbic and citric acid in the lime are easily digested and the result is an alkaline environment. Body diseases occur when the body pH is acidic. By keeping the environment alkaline, lime reduces the overall chance of body illness.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Dr. Ashok Lathi
Dr. Ashok Lathi
MS - Allopathy, General Surgeon, 37 yrs, Pune
Dr. Anup Gaikwad
Dr. Anup Gaikwad
BHMS, Family Physician Homeopath, 8 yrs, Pune
Dr. Akshay Choudhari
Dr. Akshay Choudhari
MS/MD - Ayurveda, Ayurveda Infertility Specialist, 2 yrs, Pune
Dr. S K  Toke
Dr. S K Toke
DNB, Pulmonologist General Physician, 11 yrs, Pune
Dr. Ramesh Ranka
Dr. Ramesh Ranka
MS - Allopathy, Orthopaedics, 25 yrs, Pune
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