Praveena RD – Praveena Kandala RD https://praveenakandalard.com Licensed Family Dietitian/ Expert at Indian & South Asian Diets Fri, 13 Aug 2021 21:33:22 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 A Dietitian Who Tried Every Diet https://praveenakandalard.com/a-dietitian-who-tried-every-diet/ https://praveenakandalard.com/a-dietitian-who-tried-every-diet/#respond Sat, 03 Apr 2021 15:10:30 +0000 https://praveenakandalard.com/?p=20459 My two cents on some of today’s most popular weight loss programs: I did them all so you don’t have to.  The good news – I lost weight on everyone I tried. The bad –  I inevitably gained every ounce back. I wanted to bust a few weight loss myths that are currently circulating around.

Myth 1 :Exercise is crucial for weight loss, and weight loss is mostly dependent on DIET

Research shows that exercising plays at best a minor role in weight loss. One major  study concluded active dieters compensate by eating a small amount more than normal just enough to nullify the effects of their workouts. While exercising may not help you shed pounds, it is key to keeping off the weight you have lost by dieting. It boosts metabolism which drops when weight comes off.

Myth 2: You’ll lose more weight on low-carb diet than on a low-fat one. Both diets yield the same results.

Myth 3: A calorie is a calorie. Sugar and other simple carbohydrates have insidious ways of packing on more weight than their calorie content suggests they should. Among other things, they cause a surge of blood sugar, provoking a concurrent surge in insulin, which spurs fat storage. They trick your body into thinking it hasn’t gotten enough food so you’re prone to over eating. Bottom line: Skip the processed carbs and go for whole foods.

Myth 4: Juice cleanses lead to fat weight loss. Yes because of severe calorie restriction, you will likely drop some pounds, but most of it is water and the weight comes back on as soon as you start eating real foods again.

The best way that worked for me is to examine the  way I have eaten and tweak that or if need be, hack away at it. I cut down bread, rice and pasta and included a a treat for the week. Substituting rice with cauliflower rice and veggies helped me to take numerous pounds off. Your list of suspects will no doubt differ. But if you find them and attack them you too could lose weight your way.  Surverys of members of the Weight Control registry show keeping the pounds off becomes more effortless over time as the habits required to maintain your weight become automatic. That strikes me as being pretty much the opposite of requiring willpower.

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10 WAYS TO BOOST YOUR IMMUNITY https://praveenakandalard.com/10-ways-to-boost-your-immunity/ https://praveenakandalard.com/10-ways-to-boost-your-immunity/#respond Sun, 28 Mar 2021 17:09:52 +0000 https://praveenakandalard.com/?p=20304 1.       YOGA:  Add  3 days of yoga to your weekly fitness routine. It can do more than increasing flexibility but it also increases immune function. 90 minutes spread out in a week is the right number.

2.       QUALITY SLEEP: Quality is the key. Just sleeping does not count but being undisturbed with no turning and tossing is  must. DEEP SLEEP.  Try avoiding heavy foods, caffeine and alcohol before bed can help getting deep sleep.

3.        Green tea: Green TEA contains a compound that can increase your number of regulatory T Cells. Adding squeeze of lemon you will get entire dose of antioxidant vitamin C.

4.       Vitamin D: vitamin D is important for immune function and reducing inflammation.  Expose the most skin possible to sunlight. If not atleast take a supplement

5.       Around Nature. Spending time among the trees activates natural killer cells which are party of immune system.

6.       Stop Smoking. Cigarette smoking or e-cigarettes lowers your immunity making you more prone to sickness.

7.       Massage: Massage relaxes you and research has shown that it increases your levels of white blood cells that can defend the body against disease

8.       Nosh your Fve a day: Eating 5 servings of veggies a day prevent 20% of illness compared to who ate only 2 servings a day

9.       Exercise: People who did regular aerobic exercise were less likely to develop a cold. Exercisers did not get sick if they do its only to a milder extent.

10.   Positive Emotions: The more you experience awe, wonder and amazement, the more they lowered levels of cytokines according to a study in journal emotion.

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Coconut Wild blueberry smoothie bowl https://praveenakandalard.com/coconut-wild-blueberry-smoothie-bowl/ https://praveenakandalard.com/coconut-wild-blueberry-smoothie-bowl/#respond Sun, 28 Mar 2021 17:07:47 +0000 https://praveenakandalard.com/?p=20302
1 T unsweetened coconut toasted

½ C unsweetened coconut or  almond or cashew milk

1 tsp chia seeds

1 scoop whey protein powder ( grass fed and sweetened with stevia)

1 pkt stevia

2 Tbsp  coconut flour

1 C frozen wild blueberries

½ C ice

1 tsp lemon juice and 1/8-1/4 tsp ground ginger

Directions:

Place coconut flakes on a aluminum foil in toaster oven for   3 minutes so it does not burn

Add remaining ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth

Transfer to a bowl  and top with toasted coconut

Nutrient Analysis per serving: Caloreis:300, Total Fat:8g

Saturated fat: 5g,

Sodim: 220mg

Total carbohydrate: 31gm

Dietary fiber:14g

Sugars:11g

Protein:27g

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What are adaptogens- do they really have health benefits https://praveenakandalard.com/what-are-adaptogens-do-they-really-have-health-benefits/ https://praveenakandalard.com/what-are-adaptogens-do-they-really-have-health-benefits/#respond Sun, 28 Mar 2021 17:01:38 +0000 https://praveenakandalard.com/?p=20300 Adaptogens are said to boost the body’s natural ability to handle stress by adapting to meet its needs.  Seventy plants bring balance to the body,  just like  a thermostat controls temperature; they turn up your energy when you’re fatigued and help you relax as well as  when you’re restless.

The word was coined in 1940 but adaptogens are used for centuries in ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine.

Widely marketed adaptogens include Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, Holy basil, Ginseng, Maca, Reishi Cordyceps mushrooms.

Scientists aren’t sure-how exactly adaptogens work yet but compounds in these plants thought to increase or decrease different cellular responses to bring the body into balance.

Adaptogens could say/ impact how much of fight or flight hormone cortisol is released helping to reduce stress. 

They could urge cells to produce more neuropeptide Y which plays a big role in regulating mood and appetite and helping the body adapt to physical stressors like exercise

The evidence for most widely used adaptogens in suggestive but far from decisive because of lack of research and a lack of funding for such research.

Treat these like any other new medical intervention with hope, respect and caution.

Bottom Line: Adaptogens may help ease stress inside and out as part of an overall healthy life style.

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Breakfast Bowls https://praveenakandalard.com/breakfast-bowls/ https://praveenakandalard.com/breakfast-bowls/#respond Sun, 28 Mar 2021 16:38:35 +0000 https://praveenakandalard.com/?p=20295 Breakfast bowls are not only reserved for oatmeal and cold cereal but any foods are served in a bowl.  Breakfast Bowls were even offered at an event as high profile as the royal wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

It a growing trend, healthful bowls  are ranked fourth out of 10 overall restaurant trends for 2020. They are even served at Dunkin Donuts, Taco bell  and other food companies are following the trend.

Why are they so popular because they are attractive to look at and enticing to eat. These  gorgeously hued bowls of food can be filled with colorful fresh fruits, interesting nuts, seeds, eggs and other delicious options

Breakfast bowls are a perfect grab and go meals. BB can be prepped in advance, eaten throughout the week. These quick and easy breakfasts also travel well in reseal able containers.

Nutrition advantages include 1) Increased fiber. A jump start on fiber goals for the day most of them include whole grains, nuts and seeds.

Greater variety at breakfast: include seasonal produce, leftover ingredients. The increase in variety potentially can increase consumers micronutrient, antioxidant and phytochemical consumption

High fruit and vegetable intake. They present a good opportunity to maximize consumption of both fruits and vegetables.

Disadvantages

Large portions If you do not watch and you can end up with 750 or more calories in bowls.

Nutrient omissions: Blending 4 servings of fruit with juice will leave the individual short on protein and heart healthy fats. Most people forget about the balance and include only one food group

Extra added sugars: Clients are tempted to add more table spoons of honey thinking it’s healthy and to satisfy the craving  for sweet

High Saturated fat, bacon, sausage bowl with eggs sound delicious to them but they can be excessive with saturated fat and sodium

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