HEALTHY HOME COOKING.

Anyone can become adopt at preparing, COOKING AND STRONG FOOD and deciding on menus. One of the advantages of cooking at home is that the home cook can be sure not of the quality of his or her ingredients but can also choose to cook them in the healthiest ways. Home cooking is usually loss expensive and tastier, and it allows you to have control over what you eat. Home made meals are also usually more nourishing than their ready made equivalents.

Pre prepared meals are useful when time is short or when people unused to cooking have to fend for themselves carefully charge convenience foods are also better a option that unhealthy home cooking. Often, however, shoppers choose ready to eat meals which are high in fat and sugar and do hot provide enough essential nutrients. In any case, lace of time need not be a problem. There are many cookbooks with simple recipes for dishes that can be made in half an hour or less

COOKING ON A BUDGET:

For anyone on a budget, home cooking is less expensive option than ready to eat meals. Some of the cheapest food such as pulses, rice, pasta, potatoes and other vegetables are also among the most nutritious and filling, allowing you to create substantial meals at little cost.

COOKING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS:

Anyone who is keen cook will be much more aware of what is in food, which is important when choosing a diet that is both satisfying and healthy.

THE PLEASURES OF COOKING:

Cooking at home allows you to have complete control over what you eat and it can also fun. Eating is one of life’s necessities and also one of the great pleasures. Cooking should be fun and relaxing and it is also a good creative outlet. Not only is a home made soup delicious and nutritious. It is also easy to prepare and cheap. If large amounts are made in one go. Some can be frozen as ten following day. Home baked cakes are often healthier than shop-bought ones. Soups made with carrots, apples and tomatoes are cheap to make but very nourishing. Home making food is healthy and delicious.

LOOK AFTER YOUR DIET

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is an important part of maintaining good health, and can help you feel your best. It can be simple too. Just follow these tips.

DIETARY TIPS:

1.   Do not skip breakfast: ---A healthy breakfast at the right time can jump start your metabolism and eating small, healthy meals throughout the day (Rather than the standard three large meals) keep your energy up. Whole meal cereal, with fruit sliced over the top, is a tasty and nutritious breakfast e.g. stuffed parantha with curd/ Dalia/ nutriporridge/ cornflakes with milk.

2.   It’s not just what you eat, its how you eat---Healthy eating is about more than the food on your plate. It is also eating habits can be learned and it is important to slow down and think about food as nourishment rather than just some thing to gulp down in between house work as on the way to pick up kids.

3.   Listen to your body—ask yourself if you are really hungry, or have a glass of water to see id you are thirsty instead of hungry. During a meal, stop eating before you feel full. It actually takes a few minutes for your brain to tell your body that it has had enough food, so eat slowly.

4.   Fill up on colorful fruits and vegetables----fruits and vegetables are the foundation of a healthy diet.

5.   Eat more healthy carbohydrates and whole grains----choose healthy carbohydrates and fibre sources, especially whole grains, for long lasting energy. Which help to protect against coronary heart disease, certain cancers and diabetes.

6.   Enjoy healthy fats, avoid unhealthy fats----Good source of healthy fat are needed to nourish your brain, heart and cells, as well as your hair, skin and nails.

7.   Add calcium for strong bones---Calcium is one of the key nutrients that your body needs in order to stay strong and healthy. Diary products, vegetables and greens are good source of calcium.

8.   Limit sugar and salt---Sugar present in candy, cakes, desserts and large amount of hidden sugars present in bakery products, soups, pasta, sauce and fast food. Eating too much salt can cause high blood pressure and lead to other health problems.

9.   Think of water and exercise as food groups in your diet—always staying well hydrated will also help you make healthier food choices.

10. Try to avoid stress----A well nourished and fit body can be more resilient to stressful conditions. Many illnesses induce stress, which in turn induces eating disorders, addiction to alcohol and sub stand abuse.

BLOOD PRESSURE

                           

This is widely known as the ‘silent killer’, because its outward symptoms are so difficult to detect. It often comes in middle age, and likely to effect more men then premenopausal women because of hormonal differences. High blood pressure affects between 15 and 30 percent of the adult population of most Western Countries As people age, their hearts have to work harder as pump blood around the body. Hypertension occurs as a result of increased resistance to blood flow of the small blood vessels, which have high blood pressure as caused by the arterioles losing their ability to relax normally.

Drugs can be used to dilate them; however these may have side effects and they can also interfere with the body’s effective use of nutrients. Aside from medication, a change to a healthy well balanced diet which in low in one should take regularly. Some heavy drinkers and overweight people suffering from high blood pressure

Adults should have their blood pressure checked at least every five years. Anyone over 40 should be checked out every two years, especially if there is a family history of high blood pressure if you do not have a blood pressure problem, follow your doctor’s advice’ adopts the general dietary advice and tries to reduce your stress level.

TO HELP REDUCE BLOOD PRESSURE

v  Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

v  Oily fish

v  Eating at least five daily portions of fruit and vegetables (especially garlic and celery) also helps to lower blood pressure.

AVOID:

v  Salty foods and added salt.

v  Pickled foods

v  Excessive amount of alcohol

BLOOD PRESSURE MEASUREMENTS

When measuring blood pressure expressed in millimeters o f mercury-two reading are taken

One, the systolic, is the pressure other, the heart relapses

Systolic pressure is given first; a reading of 120/80 (an average reading for a fit young person) means a systolic pressure of 120 mm and a diastolic pressure of 80mm. A fit middle age person might have a reading of 135/90 between 140/90 and 160/110 indicates mild hypertension. Depending on an individual’s medical history, a blood pressure reading as low as 95/60 can still seen as healthy.