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Weight-loss series: Natural healers; Superfoods

Now a days superfoods are quite a buzz in the food industry.You must have noticed numerous powders and pills.I am a big advocate of natural ones which are right there sitting in everybody's kitchen cabinets.These are all those ancient things that our grandparents used to eat and they were fitter than us ,we sadly rely on the pre-packaged market stuff..
Here is what my friend Shumaila has to share with us, her grandma's secret superfoods

MORINGA
Our grandparents used to eat a veggie called DRUMSTICK/ sajna ki phalli. Moringa is nothing but the powdered form of drumstick leaves.
Health benefit: contains high amount of vit C,calcium,potassium and protein.Best for arthritis,hormonal imbalances and fatigue.
How to consume: Eat drumstick vegetable or powder the leaves and drink 1tsp in a glass of water.

TURMERIC
Health benefit: Turmeric contains a chemical called CURCUMIN which has analgesic (pain relief), anti-inflammatory,anti-cancer,immune booster,liver detoxifier properties.
How to consume: 1 tsp turmeric add in warm milk ,add 1/2 tsp fat(coconut oil/olive oil) because fat increases absorption of curcumin.Always use turmeric cooked 5-10 min in milk or simply cook turmeric in water for 15-20 min and make a paste and refrigerate and later add in smoothies or milk.Cooking turmeric enhances 50% curcumin bioavailability.
Caution:Diabetics and hypertensives do not overdose.

CINNAMON
Health benefit: High source of anti-oxidant.It can lower blood glucose level very efficiently, fights against infections.Cinnamon tea is very effective to curb sugar cravings and improves insulin-glucose balance in blood.Best remedy if you have a sweet tooth and crave sugar and if you have insulin resistance.
How to consume: Make tea with cinnamon stick and drink 1-2 cups /day or add powder in your oatmeals/bakings/tea.

ALOE VERA
Health benefits: Anti-oxidant vitamins A,C,E,B12,folic acid.Abundant in minerals calcium,magnesium,manganese,selenium,potassium,zinc.Anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy properties,digestive enzymes/laxative properties.Aloe vera also has anti-diabetic properties.It is said to improve the absorption of nutrients from the gut by 80% !
How to consume: Topically used for sunburns,skin irritations,dryness of skin or hair.Drink blended with smoothies or fresh squeezed citrus(orange/grapefruit).
It is available in packaged form online and in markets but best to invest once in a plant for unlimited supply later.Scoop out the gel and refrigerate to use.

HEALTHY FATS
It sounds strange but healthy fats are vital for fitness
Health benefit: Keep muscles and tendons healthy, packed with essential amino acids
Extra virgin coconut oil is best to use for cooking.
Extra virgin olive oil is best for salad dressings because it enhances the vegetable mineral absorption in the gut.
How to consume:
Desi ghee 1-2 tsp/day
Olive oil 1 tbsp in salads
Coconut oil 1-2 tbsp for cooking
Even with high lipid profile it is better to consume desi ghee rather than butter/margarine.

VEGETABLES
Vegetables like spinach,beetroot,turnip,radish with their leaves are rich in iron and vitamins.Must take one portion of it per day in form of soup/salads/cooked/smoothies
My grandma used to make a soup using these vegetables and it worked for mild anemia.

These natural superfoods are a gift of nature.It is right there in our kitchens.We just need to reach out for them 🌝

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