Top 9 foods for healthy lungs
Diets & Meal Plans

Top 9 foods for healthy lungs

Life isn’t fun when one can’t breathe properly. Years of unhealthy lifestyle habits and other factors can seriously affect the functions of the lungs, resulting in asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, and other respiratory diseases that decrease quality of life. Fortunately, one can manage these diseases and even prevent them altogether by incorporating certain foods into their meal plans. Here are some foods that can boost lung health: Beetroots When it comes to the health of the vital organ, beetroot and even its leaves are among the best foods anyone can have. That’s mainly because both beetroot and beet greens are rich in nitrates, which help relax blood vessels, reduce blood pressure, and optimize oxygen uptake. Beet greens are full of nutrients essential to lung functions, such as vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and carotenoid antioxidants. To benefit from beets, add them to salads or make beet juice. Turmeric This yellow spice has been used for centuries to treat various ailments. Curcumin, the main component in turmeric, is behind all the health benefits. Its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial characteristics can make turmeric extremely useful for improving lung function and aiding in conditions such as asthma, COPD, and pulmonary fibrosis.
4 nutritious food sources for maintaining flawless skin
Diets & Meal Plans

4 nutritious food sources for maintaining flawless skin

While everyone would love to have flawless skin, it’s inevitable that skin deterioration will be the next phase with advancing age. The body can only keep producing so many healthy cells to replenish dead skin, even with the best of lifestyle choices and habits. However, studies are conclusive of the fact that paying attention to daily nutrition and making healthy changes in nutritional regime can help maintain skin health, prevent diseases, and even improve their long-term outlook. Foods rich in omega-3s  For several reasons, omega-3 fatty acids are one of the most potent nutrients the body can absorb, playing a crucial role in skincare. In fact, studies have shown that a deficiency can result in common problems like dry skin and acne. Including more naturally sourced omega-3s can lower skin inflammation and prevent acne and redness of the skin. Seafood is an excellent source of natural omega-3 fatty acids. Fatty fish like salmon, herring, and mackerel, among others, also contain vitamin E, zinc, and proteins for skin tissue repair. Vitamin E is known to work as an antioxidant and prevents oxidative damage to the skin cells. Protein helps maintain skin texture and quality, while zinc also lowers inflammation and regulates the production of skin cells.
6 key health benefits of probiotics
Diets & Meal Plans

6 key health benefits of probiotics

Probiotics constitute a significant component of a healthy nutritional regime. Hundreds of brands sell probiotics in the market, and several blogs and websites exist exclusively to count probiotics’ never-ending benefits. But do we understand the actual mechanism through which probiotics work? For that, we need to be clear about the definition of probiotics. We need to know what and how they function. Read this article to learn the definition and some key benefits of probiotics: What are probiotics? Your body contains within itself both good and bad bacteria. Probiotics are the good bacteria. When an infection affects your body, the number of harmful bacteria exceeds the number of beneficial bacteria in your body. To destroy these harmful bacteria and restore the balance in your body, you need to get good bacteria from external sources. These external sources include probiotic supplements or fermented foods. Some typical probiotic foods are probiotic yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, tempeh, and many more, while supplements include refrigerated capsules, shelf-stable capsules, liquid beverages, and powders. Key benefits of probiotics Probiotics are good bacteria and have several benefits, and several scientific studies back these benefits. Here is a list of the 6 most popular probiotics benefits you should know of:
7 nutritious snacks that kids will enjoy
Diets & Meal Plans

7 nutritious snacks that kids will enjoy

Feeling hungry frequently is normal for kids since they are growing. However, eating processed foods with added sugars and refined flour is unhealthy and expensive. Besides, you need to ensure that your child receives adequate energy and nutrition to support their physical and mental development. Snack time is one opportunity where you can slip additional nutrients into your child’s meal regime. Here are seven healthy kid snacks you can make without any hassles: Rainbow fruit skewers It is not unknown how vital fruits are for our daily nutrition intake. They are a rich source of essential vitamins and minerals and should be eaten in plenty. If you wish to get your child to develop a habit of eating fruits, these rainbow skewers can be a fun way to do that. They are so colorful and tasty that even your child would like to help you in the preparation. Get a couple of wooden skewers and stuff each of them with fruits. You can use  raspberries,  strawberries,  segments of tangerine,  cubes of peeled mangoes, and  pieces of peeled pineapples. You can also add  peeled kiwi chunks,  red or green grapes, and  blueberries.  After that, arrange them in such a way that they appear vibrant like a rainbow.
Benefits of probiotic yogurts and popular brands
Diets & Meal Plans

Benefits of probiotic yogurts and popular brands

Bacteria are commonly perceived as harmful organisms to be avoided at all costs. However, very few know that many of them play a vital role in maintaining our gut health. Probiotics are good bacteria that our gut craves to eliminate the harmful bacteria from our body. Even though several sources of probiotics are available, like fermented foods and supplements, there is no tastier way to include good bacteria in meals than yogurts, as discussed below: What are the key probiotic benefits for the body? Your body, specifically your gut, is composed of trillions of microbes called the gut microbiome. When you eat or drink something, your gut microbiome balance is affected, which comprises both good bacteria and harmful bacteria. When an infection attacks your body, the number of harmful bacteria exceeds the number of good bacteria in your guts. To destroy these bad guys, your body requires good bacteria from external sources. When probiotics from external sources like supplements or fermented foods enter your body, they attack the harmful bacteria to restore the equilibrium of your gut microbiome, making your colon strong and helping your body to fight off infections. Some of the typical disease symptoms that probiotics help in managing include diarrhea, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, and lactose intolerance.
6 strategies to get kids to eat better
Diets & Meal Plans

6 strategies to get kids to eat better

Making kids adopt healthy eating habits can be a challenge. You have to ensure the food is not only nutritious but also tasty enough not to be left aside on the plate. But then, most parents run out of ideas over time and eventually become frustrated. So, how do you get your kid to choose the right foods and stay healthy? Here are a few tested strategies to get kids to eat better: Give them the freedom to choose Nobody likes to be compelled to do something, especially high-spirited toddlers and older children constantly trying to assert their autonomy. And the kitchen is not an exception to this principle. Choosing between celery with peanut butter and apple slices may not hold much significance for you; you may think both are healthy and pick either for your child on any given day. However, leaving it to your little one to decide will give them a sense of autonomy, which they seek so much. They may even agree to try new healthy dishes if they feel it is their choice. Let them prepare their plates Allowing children to prepare their own plates is another way of letting them feel their autonomy. It will, in turn, make them enthusiastic about trying new dishes.
7 delicious and nutritional snacks for kids
Diets & Meal Plans

7 delicious and nutritional snacks for kids

Feeling frequent bouts of hunger is not unusual for kids. In fact, it’s quite normal for children in their developing years to feel hungry frequently. However, extreme hunger can lead children to reach out for processed foods, most of which are filled with artificial ingredients, added sugars, and refined flour. These foods have empty calories and no nutritional value. Here are some nutrition-rich kid snacks you can make for your kid without any hassles: Celery with peanut butter and raisins Also known as “ants on a log,” celery with raisins and peanut butter can prove to be a fun way to make your child have a vegetable. Chop a twig of celery into three or four pieces. Take some peanut butter and spread it evenly inside the hollow part of the celery. After that, put some raisins on the peanut butter. The three foods combined in this recipe can offer an excellent balance of nutrients like protein, fat, and carbs. However, ensure that the peanut butter you use is not loaded with added sugars or vegetable oils. Nuts Nuts are notable for their high-fiber content, along with healthy fats and antioxidants. To support your child’s growth, it is essential to provide them with sufficient dietary fats.