Are Dried Figs Healthy for Weight Loss

Figs can be eaten either fresh or dry and has a sweet taste and variety of health benefits that it provides. Though in India fresh Figs are not easily available but can be found in the form of dry fruits popularly known as Anjeer. The high amount of calcium, iron and potassium present in it along with the high amount of fiber and low fat makes it a healthy food to include in your diet which can be eaten alone or mixed in yogurt, salad and toppings on cereals and oatmeal.

Figs are  nutritious but do they help in weight loss ? Should one eat figs regularly if you are trying to lose weight. Lately figs are fast becoming popular with nutritionists that are recommending it as a part of weight loss diets. Let us help you understand why it might not be the healthiest weight loss food option.

Lets start with understanding the calorie and nutrition content of figs. Figs are rich in Vitamins A, B1 and B2, manganese and potassium, magnesium, copper, iron, and phosphorus. The high levels of potassium and low sodium helps people with hypertension. High calcium levels present in figs promote bone health. High mucilage content in figs, helps to heal and protect sore throats. Figs also contain beta-carotene as well as benzaldehyde (anti-cancer compound), flavonoids and a digestive enzyme called ficin.

Dried figs provide higher amount of calories than fresh figs and around 100gms provide 220 calories approx. Though it is recommended to be eaten in moderations but its sweet taste and pulp makes it addictive making you eat more than actually required. Other than the calories figs are sweet and have a medium glycemic index of 61 and a glycemic load of 16 which is high.

The high glycemic load (GL) of figs makes the blood sugar levels rise as dried figs quickly release high level of sugar in the body which may not be helpful for people on weight loss and people suffering from type 2 diabetes. The high amount of fiber and high glycemic load makes the body feel satisfied. The GL provides energy and makes you feel fuller longer making you crave less food. This might make you miss out on a balanced diet which is essential to regulate the metabolism in the body.

Besides it high glycemic load figs have other benefits also. The high fiber content improves digestion and benefits people with constipation. The fiber helps in throwing away the toxins out of the body. They have anti-inflammatory properties and anti-oxidants present in them fights diseases and cancer in the body. They help regulate blood sugar levels and reduces cholesterol in the body.

Foods that are sweet and provide quick energy should be eaten early in the day so that the energy released by them can be burnt in the day itself. Also figs are recommended to people who have iron deficiency. Every diet especially available online is very generic and might not be applicable to you. You need a diet plan that is customized to your lifestyle, eating habits and medical conditions. Its important to get professional consultancy from a qualified fitness expert before you start any diet plan.

Lose Weight and Stop Snoring

Snoring is a result of blockage or obstruction of breathing. It is not as big a problem as it may seem but can be irritating at times when you want to sleep and the person next to you is snoring. Snoring is a sign telling us that there is a problem in breathing while one sleeps and take action in curbing the problem before it becomes big and chronic.

Some people have a problem that they can not breathe during sleep due to snoring. This is called Apnea. Body takes immense pressure on the body, unable to take in oxygen properly. Hypertension, hyperactivity and heart problems are more common in people who snore. People who snore probably don’t get good quality sleep due to breaks during sleep because of
breathing. For people with greater difficulty in snoring can cause problems to the brain due to lack of oxygen going to it.

Sleep researchers in Israel examined more than 2,000 sleep apnea patients, for example, they found that 54 percent were positional, meaning they snored only when asleep on their backs and the rest were non positional.

Other studies shows weight plays a major role. According to the National Sleep Foundation, in people who are overweight, slimming down is generally the best way to cure sleep apnea and end snoring for good. People who were overweight saw reduction in snoring when they lost weight.

Due to increasing obesity rates snoring is picking up with kids too which is not a healthy sign. If you snore at night then try sleeping on your side and not your back, it may help. If that is not of any help to you then reduce your weight maybe you get away with the problem and sleep tight.

With the help of some breathing exercises and reducing alcohol and smoking snoring can be curbed. Sleeping on the side can help in reduction of snoring. Most importantly a healthy diet and some exercise plays a great role in maintaining a balance in the body.

Stress Management with Food

Studies have correlated strong connection between food and stress. As we get busy and stressed, we tend to make poor nutritional choices which puts your body under further stress. Stress increases cellular activity and reduces the effectiveness of the digestive system leading to nutritional deficiencies and therefore a diet of nutrient dense foods needs to be followed.

So, a balanced diet is not only essential for maintaining overall good health, but can also affect your capacity to cope up stress. The key nutrients for combating stress are those that aid the adrenal glands, such as Read more

Are Frooti drinkers fat and unhealthy?

Have you seen the new frooti ad? (watch below) It is full on unhealthy looking people. Most of them are really out of shape. Is Frooti trying to imply that its drinkers get unhealthy like that? Mango is healthy, but mango flavoured drinks like these are loaded with sugar, and we all know that Sugar Makes you Fat. If you keep drinking sugar loaded drinks consistently, you will promote fat storage in your body, and become unhealthy.

Indians are a higher risk of diabetes and hypertension- India is projected to be the diabetes capital of the world by 2050. Obesity is also on the rise in India. Indians already lead such sedentary lives, that its important for us to ensure we stay healthy and fit.

If the video doesn’t work, view it here- YouTube Frooti New Ad. On a side note, we think its an interesting ad film

Are you Indian? Careful about diabetes and hypertension

Research over the last several years has shown that Indian bodies and genetics are different from their western counterparts. Not in a good way- Indians suffer from abdominal obesity compared to people in the west, whose bodies are uniformly obese. As a result of this, Indians are at a higher risk of diabetes and hypertension.

There are currently 41 million diabetic people in India and this number is expected to rise by 170 per cent in the next 20 years. Even today, India has the largest population of diabetics in the world. By 2050, India is projected to be diabetes capital of the world. Today, one in every three Indians has high blood pressure, which is expected to shoot by 60 per cent in the next 20 years.

Not much can be done about the genetic risk of Indians, but a lot can be done to take measures about reducing your risk. First, get yourself tested for blood sugar and hypertension. Then, watch your diet and exercise. The Indian diet is very high on carbohydrates. Watch the type of carbohydrates that you put into your body- some carbohydrates promote fat storage. You don’t have to cut out fat from your diet. Just eat the healthy fat. Here are snacks that are delicious and healthy- Almonds keep you fit, Yoghurt reduces fat, Apple fights cancer, Guavas build immunity- read for their health benefits.

Need to lose weight. Call Fitho or email us at fitness@fitho.in. We provide effective diet and workout plans that are customized to your needs.

If you have not exercised in a while, then this is your chance to start- start with a walk, and graduate to a jog. There are innumerable benefits of running. Read these tips to start running. The classic pushup exercise, builds muscle and burns fat.

You’re never to old to get in shape! If you need to lose weight, get on a healthy weight loss plan, with a balanced diet and an effective exercise routine.