Quick-fix guide about fitness, health, food, drinks, exercising and much more!

Our quick-fix guide to everything you ever wanted to know about fitness, health, food, drinks, exercising and much more!

APRICOTS: Often overlooked in favor of apples, oranges and other fruit, apricots are actually one of the healthiest fruits you can eat for several reasons. For one, they are extremely low in calories – three apricots are only 50 calories! Also, these small fruits are an excellent source of vitamins A, C, E, potassium, iron and a great source of beta-carotene and are rich in antioxidants, like lycopene. Dried apricots have a higher concentration of nutrients but tend to have more carbohydrates as well.
BERRIES: Loaded with fibre, berries are powerful antioxidants and have been proven to eliminate free radicals in the body molecules that can damage cells and organs. Strawberries are a powerful source of vitamin C; blueberries have 20 types of anthocyanin (an antioxidant) and one cup of blackberries, raspberries and boysenberries have one third the daily amount of fibre you should ingest. Get your fill every day!
CARROTS: These crunchy vegetables have several benefits. From improved vision, cancer prevention and reducing the risk of heart disease to being a powerful source of giving you glowing skin inside – no reason that they are called power food. When consumed regularly, carrots also promote healthy teeth and gums, prevent strokes, flush out toxins from the liver because they are loaded with vitamin A and reduce cholesterol levels.
DUMBBELLS: Have you ever put away a pretty halter dress because you have been conscious of your arms? Try working out with dumbbells. The main benefit of using dumbbells in your workout routine is that apart from exercising the main muscles, dumbbell exercises will also work on the various stabilising muscles. Compare this with machines at the gym where only the main targeted muscles are exercised. All in all, dumbbell exercising is an invigorating workout experience which, in time, will give you fabulous shapely arms.
EGGS: Eggs are very useful in preventing breast cancer. A study showed that women who consumed at least six eggs per week lowered their risk of breast cancer by 44 per cent. Eggs promote healthy hair and nails because of their high sulphur content and a wide array of vitamins and minerals. So scrambled, poached or boiled make sure to include eggs in your diet in some form!
FIGS: This magic fruit might be tiny but it is full of nutritional value. Figs contain vitamins A, B1, B2, calcium, iron, phosphorus, manganese, sodium and potassium. It works wonders for those who experience weakness, constipation, indigestion, piles, diabetes, coughs, bronchitis and asthma. It also helps one gain weight after an illness. Regular consumption of figs reduces cholesterol levels and prevents coronary heart disease as well!
GRAPEFRUIT: Grapefruit, experts say, works wonders as a short-term dieting option. All you need to do is eat half a grapefruit or drink half a glass of grapefruit juice with every meal. Besides adding a glow to your skin and hair, it helps you reduce weight as well. If you have a party to attend and need to fit into a slinky dress, the miraculous grapefruit can help you shed almost 10 pounds in a fortnight!
HUMMUS: There’s a huge difference between readymade packaged hummus and the homemade version. The latter can be made with skimmed yogurt, thus reducing the overall fat and calorie intake. The Glycemic Index (GI) of fresh hummus is around 12, which means it keeps you full and satiated for many hours. Hummus is also a brilliant choice if you’re on a protein rich diet and if you’re a vegetarian as leguminous chickpeas provide complex carbohydrates and protein.
IRON: Energy! We want it and we need it. Where do we get it from? By consuming iron rich foods in our diet! The main function of iron is to help carry oxygen from the lungs to other muscles and organs. The green leafy vegetables that we often avoid at the dinner table are actually great sources of iron. Foods such as spinach, beans, lentils, chick peas, soybeans and lean meat will provide you with a healthy dose of iron. Do not forget to consume foods rich in vitamin C such as broccoli, oranges, Brussels sprouts and papaya which also help in the absorption of iron.
JUICE MASTER: This diet suggests the use of fresh fruits and raw vegetables to create power-packed, vitamin-loaded healthy juices. It’s a great tasting meal substitute and eliminates chances of over-indulgence. The main feature of this diet is to provide you with the required nutrients your body needs. These juices can be blended and made in the comfort of your own home, so there’s no excuse to not try it. The diet helps you lose around seven pounds in seven days if followed religiously. So juice it up for a healthier you!
KALE: Fat-free and low in calorie content, this green vegetable is also a great source of vitamin K which reduces the probability of Alzheimer’s disease. It is a great detoxifying food as it is high in both sulphur and fibre, thereby enabling the liver to be healthy.
LENTILS: This staple food in the South Asian diet is a great source of protein. Lentils are low in calories, contain no fat, are a great source of energy because of their high complex carbohydrate content and even help regulate digestive disorders. Studies have shown that consuming lentils regularly reduce risk of heart disease. Since lentils also have soluble fibre traps, they slow down digestion and stabilise blood sugar levels.
MASSAGE: We have all been treating ourselves to the joys of a massage every now and then. The question that arises is how often you should consider getting a massage. A weekly massage may seem to be extravagant, but new research suggests that it can have major health benefits. Relaxation caused by massages can trigger changes internally giving us better mental health amidst a hectic lifestyle. It aids our body’s constant effort to maintain optimum health levels.