Published on: 21 August 2018
Last Updated on: 25 July 2024
It is an accepted fact that dark chocolates are healthy and nutritious. The availability of many brands and equal claims may sometimes make it very difficult for you to choose the right chocolate. Traditional farming practices and superior processing units make a huge difference to the quality of chocolates manufactured. As a result of the huge demand, many large manufacturers have relied on mass farming which has taken away the unique taste of dark chocolate. Here is how you can go about choosing the right chocolate to enjoy not just the taste, but also eat without health complications.
Difference Between Dark Chocolate And Chocolate
Chocolate is manufactured by mixing sugar and fat with cocoa; this is different from milk chocolate which has a lot of milk content in it, in the form of milk solids. Chocolate that is having more than 70% of cocoa content is regarded as dark chocolate. One of the biggest health advantages of eating dark chocolate chips is its powerful antioxidant qualities. There are studies which prove dark chocolate to have greater antioxidant qualities than some of the more famous sources of antioxidants, including blueberries.
Exceptional Health Benefits
The health benefits of chocolates need no introduction. In addition to the antioxidant quality, dark chocolate offers and answer brain functions in addition to reducing the risk of heart disease in individuals. This potent mix of awful antioxidants and natural ingredients makes chocolates a rich source of healthy intake. The best chocolates are often the ones that do not have too many ingredients to complicate the chocolate. For instance, the addition of two-minute preservatives to prolong the life of the chocolate on how to improve some quality of taste is likely to take away the health benefits.
Higher Cocoa Content
Dark chocolate that has higher cocoa content has direct, indirect benefits. For instance, the higher the concentration of cocoa the more is the power of antioxidants in the chocolate.
And higher cocoa concentration will also bring down the level of sugar in the chocolate which will result in a healthier product. When you opt for dark chocolate with higher cocoa content, it would always be a good idea to choose chocolates that do not have artificial flavors.
Organic Traditional Farming Practices
Specialist chocolate makers rely on cocoa and cacao that are formed through traditional farming practices that are organic. This ensures that the flavors untouched and undisturbed by chemicals or other factors. For instance, plants that grow in the shade have better flavor and taste then cocoa and cacao plants that grow in the sun. Forms that harvest very high volumes of cocoa and cacao typically rely on huge farms that are exposed to the sun.
When you choose any dark chocolate product to ensure that you avoid products that are listed as having ingredients trans fat as an ingredient. This is generally used by manufacturers to give the chocolates more shelf life. However, this takes away the health benefits.
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From the first time they smile to their first tooth, everything that happens to your baby should be documented as a milestone. Getting your baby off exclusive breastfeeding, and started on solids is a feat that you should get right at the first go.
The fact is solid food is not breast-milk. It has to contain all the elements that will make it nutritious, delicious and palatable for your baby. Another thing you need to know is if your baby is ready for it.
While doctors recommend that you feed your baby breast-milk for six months, some babies are ready to take solids sooner than that. So, how do you know when your baby is ready? There are some tell-tale signs that will give you an incline whether to start solid foods or not.
Some Signs your Baby is Ready
Good head and neck control
When the baby is able to sit up in a chair
They reach out for food
When they weigh twice their birth weight
Normally, when babies are not ready for solids, they do not have the ability to swallow. At this point, you see them push the baby cereal back with their tongues. When your baby is ready for solids, they gradually start to lose this tongue-thrusting reflex.
The moment you see these signs, you should know that your baby is ready for more than breast-milk.
How do you start?
One thing you need to remember is your baby’s health and nutrition are the priority. You can start out with iron-rich baby cereal. It is best you feed your baby the cereal with a baby spoon, rather than in a bottle.
No matter what, solid foods, or, cereal, should be fed after you breastfeed your baby. This way your baby still enjoys the goodies of breast-milk and at the same time, can get acquainted with solids.
You may be tempted to introduce veggies and other foods immediately after the first success. But, you need to wait and give these foods gradually. Sometimes your baby may be allergic to these new foods, and giving them all at once will not help you identify the allergen.
Another thing about giving your baby solid foods is you may need to serve it in small forms. There are a lot of great and nutritious recipes for your baby you can try. You may be itching to ask if you can give your baby fresh fruit juices.
Fruit juices are an absolute big no for babies. The reason is that they pose to be more harmful than good. Juices add extra calories and sugars without giving your baby the needed balanced nutrition.
In addition, drinking too much will cause diarrhea in babies, lead to tooth decay, and excess weight.
It’s That Simple
Breastfeeding your baby, although very beneficial, is tiring, especially if your baby nurses a lot at short intervals. If your baby is between 4-6 months, and 6 months to 1 year, giving solids is only meant to supplement breast-milk, not replace it.
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Eating Good Quality Foods For Diet
Vietnamese foods are among the best foods in the world. Besides in Vietnam, these foods are also popular in the UK. Vietnamese people professionally prepare these foods. However, you can enjoy these foods in the UK by visiting a reputable Vietnamese restaurant London offers. These foods are more beneficial than other meals. Here are the great reasons why you should include Vietnamese foods in your diet plan.
It improves digestion:
Rice is very easy to digest. These foods also include other digestible foods such as noodles, fish and chicken meat. A bowl of fresh herbs accompanies every Vietnamese meal. These herbs are essential in the metabolism of food as they relieve indigestion, headache and nausea.
Helps in weight loss:
These foods have a low content of calories and fat. Vietnamese meals consist of a large portion of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. What you eat profoundly influences your body weight. Are you eating healthily?
Regulates blood sugar:
Vietnamese foods are naturally gluten-free. Most of these foods are noodles, rice flour, and rice paupers instead of wheat. People with diabetes are advised to consume foods with less sugar. Vietnamese foods are the best in regulating blood sugar as the ingredients are low in sugar content.
It strengthens your hair:
Most Vietnamese food ingredients are rich in iron and Vitamin C. These nutrients speed up the growth of hair. Iron is also an essential element to strengthen hair.
It boosts your immune system and fights fatigue:
Each bowl of Vietnamese food consists of loads of minerals and vitamins that help enhance your immune system. They include Vitamin C, B6, B3, magnesium, folate, and iron. In each meal, there is a bowl of vegetable salad containing biotin, copper, zinc, potassium, magnesium, vitamins B3, B6, and biotin. These are essential minerals that fight against fatigue.
Keeps you young and beautiful:
Stay young naturally by eating healthy foods. Vietnamese foods contain minerals needed by your body to stay young and beautiful. In every Vietnamese meal, there are herbs, spices and vegetables rich in Vitamin A and E. Research have proved that Vitamin A aids in the healing of scars and scrapes and eliminating wrinkles hence leaving you with smooth skin. Vitamin E is also an essential mineral as it fights free radicals that enhance the ageing process.
Enhances fertility in both men and women:
First, there is little fat used in preparing Vietnamese foods. Secondly, most of the red and green vegetables used in Vietnamese foods contain Vitamin C and E that are essential in boosting sperm count. Broccoli, pumpkin, and squash have B6 and B12 that help in maintaining a healthy reproductive system.
Keeps you strong:
Rice is the Vietnamese staple food. You will realize that every bowl of Vietnamese food contains rice, noodles, and vegetables. These are great as a source of energy for your body.
These are significant health benefits of Vietnamese foods. It is advisable that you take these foods regularly for maximum benefits. You can find these foods in one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in the UK.
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Is Indian food healthy? – Of course, they are. There are plenty of Indian dishes that are rich in nutrients, spices, and whole foods.
Although there are innumerable gastronomic options, there are many healthier options. In fact, some food recipes are based on Ayurveda, which is Ancient India’s system of medicine.
In this article, you will learn about the nutritional benefits of Indian food and the balanced dietary profile of Indian food. Also, you will learn about the health benefits of Indian food and healthy Indian cooking techniques.
Moreover, you will also learn about common myths about Indian food. Hence, to learn more, read on to the end of the article.
Is Indian Food Healthy?
Indian cuisine has a variety of food options consisting of both healthy and unhealthy options. Here, this article aims to consider only healthy Indian food.
Generally, in Indian food, you will find a blend of diverse flavors and healthy food traditions. In fact, apart from satisfying your taste buds, Indian food will improve your health.
One of the most notable aspects of Indian food is that you will find a rich array of ingredients. Traditionally, the Indian diet uses a variety of whole grains, fruits, legumes, and vegetables.
Interestingly, each of them contributes significantly to health benefits. Whole grains like whole wheat, brown rice, and millet play a significant part in Indian meals.
Apart from that, Indian food items are rich in antioxidants. This is because they have many spices that are full of antioxidants. For example, antioxidants in cloves and ginger contain anti-inflammatory properties. Apart from that, cardamom also contains antioxidants.
Basically, antioxidants are molecules that prevent oxidation damage in your body cells. Moreover, it also reduces when damage is done. Hence, Indians mostly follow a diet that is high in antioxidants. As a result, there are fewer risks of diseases like heart disease and cancer.
Balanced Dietary Profile Of Indian Food
Here is a balanced dietary profile of Indian food that you need to know about:
Food ItemsBalanced Dietary ProfileFruits and VegetablesGenerally, an everyday Indian diet includes 400 grams of vegetables and 100 grams of fruits.Cereals and PulsesEach day, a balanced diet consists of 250 grams of cereals.DiaryA balanced Indian diet consists of 200-250 ml of milk and milk products daily.ProteinIndian food contains 85 grams of protein in the form of eggs, animal protein, and pulses daily.Nuts and Seeds35 grams of nuts and seeds daily also fall under a balanced diet.
To ensure a balanced diet, you must cook your food well and make sure that the food is soft and less salty and spicy. Although Indian food has a lot of spices, the healthy options contain multiple healthy spices in the right amount.
Moreover, when consuming meat, milk, poultry, or any animal protein, make sure they are moderate in number. Furthermore, when you have a balanced diet, you must drink plenty of water and take fewer beverages.
Health Benefits Of Common Indian Ingredients
The following are the health benefits of common Indian food ingredients:
1. Spices
Since ancient times, India is known as the land of spices. Even today, India is the biggest exporter of spices in the world. Moreover, Indian food contains a variety of spices.
Here are some spices and their benefits:
Turmeric: It contains curcumin. This item has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Cumin Seeds: They help in the digestion process and boost the immune system of your body.
Coriander Seeds: These help you to regulate your blood sugar levels.
Cardamom: It helps you to lower blood pressure levels.
Cinnamon: This spice can reduce heart risks.
2. Vegetables, Pulses, And Lentils
Indian foods contain vegetables in food items. These vegetables provide vitamins inside your body. Also, vegetables lower cholesterol and improve vision. Moreover, many pulses contain vitamins A, B, C, and E. Apart from that, they also contain minerals like iron, potassium, and zinc.
On the other hand, lentils and vegetables also promote heart health. This is because they have less saturated fat and high fiber.
3. Whole Grains And High Fiber Foods
Healthy Indian food items contain whole grains like wheat flour and brown rice. These items provide fiber, carbohydrates, and protein.
On the other hand, chickpeas, and other fruits and vegetables help you in the digestion process. Thereby, you can maintain a healthy weight and ensure there are no risks of chronic diseases.
Indian Cooking Techniques And Their Impact On Health
Generally, Indian cooking techniques preserve nutrients in the food items (vegetables, seafood, and meat). On the other hand, there are tempering methods and slow-cooking techniques, with the help of which you can ensure you get all the nutrients in your body.
Here are some of the major Indian healthy cooking techniques that you must know about:
1. Steaming
This is one of the healthiest cooking methods, where you ensure all nutrients in the food stay. Here, you cook the food with minimum water and little to no oil. In this case, you preserve all the vitamins and minerals in vegetables, fish, and meat.
2. Tadka
In this technique, you have to heat spices quickly in a little oil. Then, you have to add them to the main dish. Thereby, you add flavor without increasing the fat content in the food.
3. Dum Cooking
Dum is a slow-cooking method. Basically, you have to seal food in a pot-shaped cooker and add a small amount of liquid. Hence, you can allow flavors to develop inside the food. As a result, there is no need for excessive oil in the food.
4. Grilling
As you might already know, grilling is a simple way to cook vegetables and meat. Meanwhile, with this process, you can retain all the nutrients in the food. Also, you can add a nice-looking character to the food.
5. Pressure Cooking
In this way, you can cook food quickly with a low amount of water. As a result, you preserve most of the nutrients in the food item. Apart from that, this process also helps you to reduce your cooking time.
Why Is Indian Food One of the Healthiest Cuisines in the World?
Indian food is one of the healthiest cuisines in the world. This is because of good reasons. One of the major reasons is that it relies heavily on lentils, whole grains, vegetables, and diverse spices with low health benefits and saturated fats.
As a result, these food items are rich in nutrients and are dense with fibers when prepared with traditional techniques.
The following are some of the major reasons why Indian food items are healthy:
Stable ingredients in Indian food are high in fiber.
Due to India being a large and diverse country, a wide variety of vegetables are available. As a result, all the essential vitamins and minerals are available through food.
Moreover, a variety of spices available in India come with potential health benefits.
Traditional Indian food items use less amount of oil in cooking. Also, they focus mostly on healthy fats like ghee (moderate amount, of course).
Lentils are common in Indian cuisine and offer a complete profile of amino acids.
Many Indian foods feature fermented items like yogurt, which improve your gut health.
The Vegetarian Advantage of Indian Cuisine
India has an extensive variety of dishes full of flavors and delicacies. However, most consist primarily of lentils, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.
This provides a nutritious, high-fiber, and well-rounded diet for vegetarians. Apart from that, these food items are full of diverse vitamins and many protein sources.
There is a vast array of vegetarian dishes in Indian cuisine. Moreover, due to the high range of species, it enhances the taste and offers potential benefits.
Common Myths About Indian Food Being Unhealthy
Here are some myths about Indian food that you will find common (however, they are just myths):
“Indian food is unhealthy and fatty”: This is a common misconception in the West because most Indian restaurants in Western Countries add a lot of oil and ghee to food items. However, this is not the case in Indian households.
“Indian foods are spicy”: When people think of spices, they align it with the word hot. Actually, India produces a lot of healthy spices. By adding those spices to food, you can make your food healthy.
“Indian desserts are too sweet”: Again, this is a myth as desserts differ with changing regions. Some regions in India create homemade desserts which are actually healthy.
Try Indian Food Now
Is Indian food healthy? – Now you know the answer to this question. You can see that there are multiple myths about Indian food, and they multiply with misinformation on social media.
India is the land of Yoga and Ayurveda. Hence, multiple healthy food options are available if you cook with the right ingredients.
Do you have more information about healthy Indian foods? Please share your opinions in the comments section below.
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