"Liquids in your Diet"

dietmag.org

Alright so lets get one thing straight right away. I am the last person to recommend any kind of so called fad diets. None of that weird cabbage soup diet, or eating just carrots for a week thing for me, and not for you either my sweethearts. Truthfully, although these highly exclusive (usually they exclude food of most kinds!) can lead to weight loss, the effects are not very long-lasting (ie you bounce back to your size 10 or worse, to a size 12 within weeks of going back to normal eating) and they can often be downright bad for your health. So this is not a piece on liquid diets. This is about ensuring that you are getting the right liquids in your diet. The kind that lead to higher caloric burning and not a wider waist.

So first things first. Know your liquids. Number one on the no-no list is always the aerated coke, pepsi, seven-up, fanta, Miranda nonsense which is loaded with sugary sweetness that does absolutely nothing good for your body! Even if you do switch the diet variety of these drinks, go easy and remember just because they contain fewer calories does not mean they are good for you. Another dangerously innocent looking liquid is the milkshake also known as the smoothie. Trust me, these guys are almost also filled with full-fat milk, whipped cream, sugar, ice-cream, not to mention the chocolate sauce! One of these is enough to finish your calorie requirement for the entire day. Approach with caution and have them once in a while as a special treat!

Other devils in disguise would include any “fresh juice” drink which contains added sugar (always ask the waiter and ask for 100% pure fruit juice and read all labels carefully) and cocktails (alcoholic more so than non-alcoholic) which taste great but usually contain way too much sugar syrup in them. Where are the heroes in this story of villainous liquids?
Here are some guaranteed good guys to get your fill of:


- Water: not only is it great for your skin and digestive system, it also works to improve your metabolism. Drinking 2 glasses before you eat also fills your stomach ensuring that you keep your meals lighter.

- Green tea: filled with free radical fighting antioxidants which protect your body against disease, this stuff also revs up your metabolic rate allowing you to burn calories faster – yay :)

- Vegetable juices: tomato juice not only contains about half the calories of a glass of orange juice, it also fills you up so that you can eat a light meal followed by it.

"Eating Out: Do it Right"

graphics8.nytimes.com

So you’ve been on the most awesome diet for the last two weeks. Combined with the balanced, mini-meals you have been dutifully feeding yourself, you have also on the most kick-ass workout regime. You tummy is flatter, thighs are workin it, you butt is fitting into those jeans just right, and your arms are looking to-die-for. All in all, life is good.


And then it happens. The phone rings and you hear those words which you’ve been avoiding all month long…"lets go out for dinner tonight!” And in the next five minutes you can literally visualize all those hours of blood, sweat, and tears going straight down……to your hips!

But don’t worry, there’s always hope girls and boys. I am here to give you some simple tips on eating out so that you can enjoy your meals in peace, without worrying about putting on any extra pounds and ensuring that you still have a fantastic social life!

Pre-Dinner Preps: Alright so this might sound a little strange, but trust me, it’s the answer to eating a sensible dinner out. Eat before you eat. Confused? Basically, you need to eat a little something before you head out to dinner. Think about it, most of the time, dinners out tend to be late. And between your lunch and maybe coffee break, your stomach has been empty.The result? You end up so ravenous by the time you get to the restaurant; you are ready to eat a horse. And so you end up overordering, and yup, that means overeating. An easy way to avoid this is to have a small bowl of salad, vegetables, or even some grilled chicken before you go out and you are all set.

Grill it, bake it,steam it, sauté it: Open up almost any menu and you are hit with choices, choices and more choices. Vegetarian, seafood, red meat and white, its all there. So how do you know what to pick? The key is to choose the dish which has been prepared in the healthiest method. So choose from grilled, baked, steamed, or even sautéed dishes and you are golden girls and boys. If you are watching the weighing scales and want to be safe, avoid the fried stuff entirely if possible.

Skip the sweet stuff: Finally, the meal is over and you are a rockstar who has had an amazing grilled fish with a side of sautéed mushrooms. Just right to fill you up after your pre-meal salad. So don’t spoil it all by ordering the gooey chocolate brownie with vanilla ice-cream and whipped cream! Be smart, skip the dessert and order some green tea instead.

"The Goods on Green Tea"

topnews.in

So how many of us don’t quite feel completely human (or at least not ready to have a sane conversation with anyone) until we have had that daily morning fix? That oh-so- familiar whiff of chai floating around the house, or maybe if you lived down south, it was the strong smell of a good cup of coffee, just the right stuff to get your day off to a kick start! Or is it?? Guess what guys, there’s a new kid on the block of morning/afternoon/break time beverages…and its called Green tea.

The last decade has seen researchers discover benefit after benefit of green tea, with particular emphasis on its potential to fight cancer and heart disease. It has also been linked with the ability to lower cholesterol, aid in weight loss and possibly preventing diabetes and stroke. Its biggest claim to fame is the fact that it is filled with powerful antioxidants, that help the body build resistance and fight off all kinds of harmful infections and disease. Sounds like its worth a try right?


Having been a regular drinker of green tea for the last five years, I could definitely claim to be a convert to the stuff. It does, however, have a different flavor, a little bitter depending on the kind of green tea you are drinking, which could take some getting used to. Most importantly though, ever since I began to drink it, I have seen an improvement in my digestion (particularly if you drink a cup after your lunch and dinner) as well as general feeling of calm and balance in my body in general. Maybe its psychological, but hey, maybe not! Generally I would not suggest mixing it with either sugar or milk, rather I would say, just add hot water to the leaves or dip the tea bag in a cup and leave it to brew for about 5 minutes. Then just sip and enjoy your cuppa :)

You can buy Twinings Green Teabags in two flavors (Lemon or Mint) from your neighbourhood store for Rs 110/pack.