Eat to a slimmer you.
Simply knowing when to eat and what to eat can help you hit your weight target. Research shows that a big breakfast eater has greater satiety than a huge dinner eater. Split most of your calories for the daytime rather than stocking it up for the late meal. Eat at a slower pace with at least 15 chews for each mouthful of food. Fruits and vegetables have higher water and fiber contents, which provide have appetite-controlled properties. Papaya and strawberry are a great snack during craving. And you can serve lettuce and spinach with your main meals for better appetite control! |
Omega-3 fortified foods for health?
Research shows omega-3 fats help keeping heart, joints and brain healthy. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for omega-3 fats in the UK is 450mg for adults and 200mg for children. Recognizing the health benefits of omega-3, a lot of foods are now fortified with this healthy fat. But, are they sufficient to supply the need? To reach the recommended daily amounts, an adult needs to eat 5 omega-3 enriched eggs daily! A 6-ounce salmon has 100 times higher omega-3 content compared with fortified yoghurt. So, go get the salmon or tuna instead! |
Water for Beauty.
70% of our body is made up of water. Water is necessary for metabolic activities and regulating the moisture content in skin. With aging, the skin’s water binding ability is significantly reduced. For hydration from within, try Hyaluronic Acid, a skin nutrient that locks up to 6,000 times its weight to retain moisture, smoothen wrinkles, and stimulate repair of damaged skin. |
Minimize sunlight exposure.
Overexposure to harmful UV rays can cause up to 20% more collagen loss in skin. Always ensure you have sun protection and stay out of the sun from 11am to 3pm, when the rays are the most intense. According to Environmental Working Group in UK, there are currently no sunscreens that meet their safety levels. Common sunscreen contains Vitamin A (retinol/ retinyl palmitate) which may increase the risk of cancer or disrupt hormonal balance. Choose sunscreen without these harmful chemicals. For added protection, wear a hat and cover up. |
Take 5 from the computer.
Computers have become necessities in our daily lives. It’s important to maintain good eye habits and good posture, as long term repeated usage can lead to repetitive strain injury. Ideally, the computer screen should be 18-30 inches away from you. Take short, frequent breaks of at least 30 seconds after every 20 minutes of computer use to rest your muscles and eyes. Bilberry is naturally rich in anthocyanins that alleviate fatigue and guard your eyes against the glaring damage. |
Choose whole grain breads.
Choose wholegrain breads over white breads. White bread is made from white flour is refined to remove the bran and germ, which carry the most nutrients and fiber. Look out for food labels that list the first ingredient as whole wheat, whole meal, or whole corn. If you can, choose whole grain breads with intact grains, seeds, oats or nuts. These will help regulate blood sugar level and maximize the benefits of carbohydrates. |
Simple foods for a healthy liver.
A poorly functioning liver leads to fatigue, weakness, abdominal pain and loss of appetite. The easiest way to protect your liver is to eat right! Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage contain glucosinolates which help the liver produce enzymes for detoxification. Green leafy vegetables and fruits contain antioxidants that protect the liver from free radical damage. Garlic contains Allicin, which helps rinse out heavy metals such as mercury and lead from the liver. Add these foods into your daily diet to keep your liver healthy! |
Joint food.
Foods high in antioxidants such as fruits and vegetables can help to fight off free radicals which may damage our joints. Omega-3 fatty acids have natural anti-inflammation properties to reduce swelling and stiffness. For extra cartilage help, take supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin to build up cartilage, improve joint lubrication and to inhibit enzymes from further cartilage breakdown. Joint Sensei is a quad-action formula with glucosamine, chondroitin, cat’s claw and Ajuga extracts specially formulated for joint health and improved flexibility. |
Laugh to better health!
The easiest and simplest way to boost your immunity is to laugh out loud. Laughing helps to decrease stress hormones and increases immune cells and strengthens your internal defence system to resist colds better. Having a positive attitude, and a sense of humor helps you relax and feel more upbeat. |
Hand foot mouth disease (HFMD).
HFMD is caused by a viral infection. Children aged 2 weeks to 5 years old are most susceptible to the disease. It can transmit via direct contact through saliva, nasal discharge and feces. Boosting your child’s immunity can help reduce the chances of contracting HFMD. Therefore, parents should ensure their child eats a balanced diet with more vegetables and fruit for the vitamins, minerals and antioxidant-rich content. For picky eaters, try CHAKARI Fruits or CHAKARI Vegetables. Each sachet of the delicious fine powder is equivalent to 20 cherries or 3 cups of broccoli! |
Bigger may not be better during pregnancy.
Weight gain during pregnancy varies among women. If you are underweight (BMI <18.5), you should gain 12.5-18kg. If your weight is normal (BMI 18.5-25), the recommended weight gain is 11.5-16kg. For overweight mother (BMI 25.1-29.9), weight gain should between 7-11.5kg. For those who are obese, weight gain is should be <7kg. Avoid sudden and excess weight gain as these are associated with adverse health effects: pregnancy induced hypertension, gestational diabetes, large baby who may become obese, and complications during delivery. |
Cervical cancer leads to 100 death cases per year in Singapore!
There are 200 diagnosed cases yearly. Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), early sexual contact, multiple sexual partners, smoking, weakened immune system and taking oral contraceptives expose females to higher risk. You may have no signs or symptoms of cervical cancer until it has progressed to an advanced stage. If you are sexually active, do a pap smear every three years for early detection. Load up your body with raspberries as the ellagic acid in these berries is clinically proven to possibly kill off HPV and inhibit cancer growth. |
Healthy diet for healthy hair.
Nuts supply zinc that promotes stronger hair and stimulate healthy hair growth. Don’t forget the greens, they are loaded with Vitamin A to relieve itching or dryness of scalp and Vitamin C which may retard hair loss. Whole grains supply the silicon which prevents brittle hairs. Vitamin Bs from meat and mushrooms help delay the onset of gray hair. Keep your diet low in unhealthy fats, as excess fats consumption leads to oily hair. Beauty starts within, begins with a healthy natural diet for your nutrients need! |
Moisturize dry scalp.
We put in a lot of efforts to make sure that our skin is well-moisturized and tend to forget the layer of skins underneath the hair. If we have dry skin, most likely will have a dry scalp too. Dry skin is the most common cause of itchy and flaking scalp. Scalp oil moisturizes scalp better than the cream or lotion as it stays longer on the scalp. Jojoba oil is most commonly used. Others include almond, flax seed, or olive oil. Apply the scalp oil on wet hair, it prevents oil getting into hair. Choose shampoo with citrus oil, tea tree oil or chamomile oil as they rinse out oil treatment effectively. |
Sensitive teeth? Pick the right brush for pain-free brushing
For those with sensitive teeth and bleeding gum, brushing and cleaning interdental spaces can create pain and discomfort. Tooth sensitivity occurs as a result of receding gum and exposed dentin. Many factors lead to sensitivity. Brushing too hard, over time, can damage enamel and cause recession of gum. The build-up of plaque, may cause gum disease, leading to bleeding gum and sensitivity. Pick a soft brush with fine bristles to reduce abrasive on tooth structure and to cleanse the gum line better. A toothbrush with compact brush head allows you to brush hard-to-reach areas, like back teeth, which can be easily missed while brushing with normal-sized brush head. |
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