The ketogenic diet is something that has been buzzing on the lifestyle community for the past recent years. Achieving a means to burst the weight loss process with a simple diet is definitely a headliner, after all.

When I first heard about this diet, I gave it a sudden decline. It was too strict and rigid for me at first. A drastic drop on carbohydrate is too much for me. Aside from that, it has specific policies when it comes to liquid intakes. Continue reading

You would have probably seen juicing been promoted by celebrities, nutritionists and media people alike and must be wondering to yourself, whether it’s actually good for you or just another fad diet plan. True, juicing is fast becoming a popular method of weight loss; but, before we delve into the truth about juicing and know its weight loss benefits, we must understand what exactly do we mean by juicing. Continue reading

Moms on the go are always looking for quick ways to boost energy—either for themselves or for their kids. While most people automatically turn to coffee or energy drinks, there are healthier, more natural options. Some vitamins are actually known for their ability to support the body’s natural production of energy. Vitamin B, for instance, is considered by many to be “the energy vitamin.” But there are multiple B vitamins, just as there are several other natural compounds that boost energy. Continue reading

Time is moving at such an odd pace this year – like I’m in a different time stream or something. It’s only a couple of weeks ago, smog got cleared and we could breathe in the fresh air. Sun was all bright and fantastic yesterday and today it’s been overcast again with the lack of sunlight making every hour of the day feel the same, creating sort of a lethargy that’s just so opposed to work and activity.

I am about to make another cup of coffee before I leave for my regular facial appointment with Kaya Skin Clinic. When it comes to skincare services, I feel Kaya is the best. If you ask me the reason why, I would rather tell you guys in some other detailed post as for I am getting super late for all the work and appointments.

Been drinking a lot of coffee and tea lately – caffeine and work always go together! Not complaining – just confessing – have managed to overbook myself this month and even with the insane amount of time I’ve been putting in lately, feel like I am falling behind on deadlines. Thanks to coffee and Zenith nutrition caffeine supplements, I’m hoping to catch up with my obligations by the end of the week, preferably without losing any clients! Continue reading

We all want to look fit. But sometimes, we are not ready to put all the effort needed for looking fit. The problem gets even worse when you need to go on a romantic holiday in a day or two, you are going for a date this weekend, or you just want to look fabulous. Well, good news. We have several diets that will help you get right back on track. Continue reading

You know how your beloved cup of Joe lifts your spirit, but do you also know how your daily cup of coffee can help improve your hair, skin, and more? If you’re still unaware of the amazing health benefits of coffee and how coffee can help you look good, the write up is for you. Continue reading

A healthy diet comprises of varieties of food that gives nutrients to our body to keep it healthy, feel good and propel the body’s energy. Healthy diet includes enough nutrients that contain proteins, carbohydrates, fats, water, vitamins and minerals. Continue reading

Thought I was a sucker for tea and coffee.

But thanks to Golden milk – I’m a convert! Continue reading

My raw food obsession began when I was in college. The food cooked in my hostel mess was pathetic. Luckily, we had a fruit shop at our campus. First, I replaced my breakfast of inedible ‘paranthas’ with a refreshing glass of mango shake. On those hot summer days, it gave me that much needed satisfaction and energy.

My rosy cheeks that had turn pale from that unsavory hostel food, started blushing again. Gradually, I replaced my diner too with bananas and a glass of milk. Very soon I was glowing with full health. I started spending more time in library, reading books about fitness, health and beauty. I discovered, how wonderful raw food diet can be for weight loss and health.

I turned vegan. Not only did I stopped eating eggs, drinking milk and banished all dairy from my diet but also stopped eating all cooked food. My diet comprised of only fruits and a little bit of salads. First, I lost all curves, then my skin became sallow and dull. My hair started shedding and my cheeks became hollow.

The debate between raw vs cooked food is still hot. While many raw food enthusiasts especially Tonya Zavasty, author of “Your Right to Be Beautiful: Miracle of Raw Foods” have achieved wonders with 100 % raw food diet, many like me have met with undesired outcomes. This brings me to this post, to enlighten all beauty freaks with the importance of right food and nutrition in realizing their dream for fabulous skin and shiny hair.

I am neither for cooked foods, nor for going totally raw. When it comes to beauty, middle path is the best. No doubt, cooking kills certain essential enzymes, vitamins and minerals in some foods, but cooking also kills many harmful bacteria, chemicals etc. present in fruits and vegetables today. Also, cooking sometimes softens the food making it more palatable and digestible.

So here are some tips on which foods should be cooked and which are better eaten raw.

Never Deep Fry Your Foods:

Deep frying foods releases free radicals that are notorious for causing all sorts of damage. From causing pre- mature wrinkles to diseases like cancer and heart attack, free radicals are extremely dangerous to our overall health & wellbeing.

Always Cook Your Spinach, Carrot and Other Greens:

Spinach, carrots, mushrooms, cabbage, and all bell peppers contain antioxidants like cartenoids, ferulic acid, etc. which are best delivered and better absorbed by the body when cooked. Ferulic acid is a well known anti-ageing and skin lightening nutrient.

Savor Your Tomatoes in Ketchup and Puree:

Tomatoes are the richest source of Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant and a natural sunscreen. Studies have shown that 30 minutes of cooking tomatoes on low heat increases lycopene content by 35%. Great reason to relish your ketch up all the more!

With Nuts & Fruits Take the Raw Route:

Nuts contain many essential fatty acids that are great for skin and hair. However, on heating or cooking, these turn into bad cholesterol which is dangerous for the body. Similarly, fruits contain many essential vitamins especially vitamin C, which gets destroyed in cooking.

Garlic & Onion, Abstain from Heating Them:

Garlic and onion are best eaten raw. They contain many powerful compounds like Allicin, Sulphur, Zinc and Calcium that have amazing health & beauty benefits. They also contain selenium, which helps in the absorption of Vitamin E in the body. Cooking destroys many of these essential compounds.

Last but not the least, always chew your food well, savoring each morsel as you eat. Natural beauty begins from making right choices. Eat the right foods and experience the magic of health and beauty permeating all the areas of your life. Blissful eating!!

PS: The article was originally published on Aug 7, 2013 and here’s the latest update on the topic:

“British Journal of Nutrition published a study, which found participants who followed a strict raw food diet had normal levels of vitamin A and high levels of antioxidant beta-carotene (found in dark green and yellow fruits and vegetables) but relatively low levels of the antioxidant lycopene (red pigment found in tomatoes and red bell peppers, among others). This brings to the conclusion that not all vegetables eaten raw are healthier and nor all cooked or processed foods is unhealthy.”

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