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Dear Amitha P T, Thank you for the question

Polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) is endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, which leads to reproductive, hormonal and metabolic abnormalities. Follow a healthy balanced diet with low fat intake, good amount protein and fibre for ideal weight management.

Here are a few tips to help manage PCOD
- Eat regular meals with balanced diets including all food groups
- Low Glycaemic Index (GI) foods have proven to be effective when managing PCOD. Some of the Low GI include green leafy vegetables, carrots, green beans, apples, orange, pear, millets, lentils etc.
- Limit intake of deep fried and high fat foods.
- Engage in regular physical activity.

Sustainable weight management requires a holistic approach which involves lifestyle management which includes Dietary modification, Physical activity, hydration, and stress management. With any weight loss plan changes take time to reflect as your body requires sufficient time to adapt to the changes in order to show results.
An ideal weight loss meal plan should include calorie deficit diet with appropriate exercise regime followed under professional guidance.

However here are few objectives to be considered when planning to start with a weight loss program.
Count Your Daily Calories
• It is recommended to consume 500kcal less than your average, daily, current dietary intake of calories to target on 2-3kg weight loss per month (ideally 0.5kg per week).
• This target is a healthy& sustainable way of reducing and then maintaining the weight loss.
• The first step hence is “counting your daily calorie intakes”. Counting your daily calorie intake is proven to be effective when on a weight loss diet. You can use applications/apps freely available, that will help you count your calories to keep a track on your daily calorie intake and physical activity levels.
• These apps will also help you to track your hydration & sleep patterns which also impact your weight.
• Ideal body weight for an individual can be calculated using the Broca Index (BI) which is: Ideal Standard Weight (kg) = Ht (cm) – 100
• WHO has given different BMI (Body mass index) classifications to categorise adults into different weight categories. BMI is a simple index of weight-for-height. It can be considered as a 2nd level indicator of overall health.
It can be calculated using a simple formula of BMI = Weight (kg) / Height (m²)

Following is the WHO BMI Classification
18.5 to 24.9 - Normal
Less than 18.5 - Underweight
25 to 29 - Overweight
Above 30 – Obese

General Dietary Guidelines for weight loss that can be considered:

- Eat a healthy balanced including all the 5 food groups (cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables, milk & milk products).
-Try to include whole grains like wheat, millets and multigrain in your diet as they are a good source of fiber and other nutrients.
- Do not skip your meals. Have small quantity of meals at regular intervals.
- Choose healthy snacking options in between your meals and practice portion guidance.
- Fiber in your meals can potentiate satiety and help suppress excess hunger. Fruits and vegetables, whole grains, multigrain, millets etc., are good sources of fiber.
- Include healthy fats from nuts and seeds.
- Consume fresh, seasonal fruits as they contain many essential nutrients and are good sources of fiber.
-Limit intake of carbonated beverages and alcohol.
- Deep Fried foods to be restricted. Method of cooking like baking, grilling, boiling, steaming is preferable over deep frying with excess fat/ oil.
- Minimum of 8 glasses of water should be consumed to keep yourself hydrated.
- Have your last meal at least 2-3 hours before Bed time.
- Try to follow a good sleep regimen term of both quantity and quality.

Some Physical Activity Tips:
Engage in at least 30-45 minutes of physical activity of moderate intensity such as walking for at least five days a week.


Here are a few tips to manage healthy hair
- Protein deficiency can result in hair changes that include hair thinning and hair loss. Some of the sources of high protein include pulses, lentils, milk, paneer, soybean, eggs, lean meat, nuts & seeds etc. Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of protein foe females is 46g per day
- Inadequate intake of iron may also cause of hair loss, The richest sources of heme iron in the diet are lean meat and seafood and non-heme sources include nuts, beans, dark green leafy vegetables, and fortified grain, milk, whole grains, legumes and dry fruits etc.
Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of Iron for women is 29mg per day
- Zinc is a mineral that plays important roles in immune function, protein synthesis, cellular division. It’s necessary for hair follicle function and helps protect against hair follicle shrinkage. It also helps promote hair follicle recovery Plant products such as – whole grains, legumes such as chickpeas, groundnuts, lentils, Nuts & seeds like cashews, pumpkin seeds, almonds etc. Animal products such as- meat, seafoods (fish, prawns, crab, chicken, eggs, milk and milk products. Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of Zinc for women is 13.2 mg per day
- Omega -3 & omega-6 fatty acid may help promote hair growth by enhancing follicle proliferation Some of the most common sources of omega 6 are Fish, nuts and seeds such as walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, etc

For further assistance you can book a call for free dietitian consultation on our website. https://www.callr.live/aashirvaadexperts/Book-Appointment.
For a customised and personalised meal plan for specific conditions please contact your Health care professional or any registered dietician.
Hope we have answered your query.
Wishing you a great day ahead.

Dear Sandeep singh, Thank you for the question

A healthy balanced diet must be consumed that contains all essential (macro and micro) nutrients in optimum quantities and in appropriate proportions to meet the daily requirements. It can be achieved by including all basic food groups (Cereals & pulses, vegetables and fruits, Milk & milk products, Nuts, oil and seeds) in right quantities. Dietary fibre is an essential component of balanced diet ensure adequate intake of fibre in your daily diet, to maintain hydration drink adequate amount of water.

As a general dietary guideline, for an apparently healthy individual/ female with no specific health or nutrition needs and/or metabolic condition it is recommended to consume 2000kcal/d and the Daily protein requirement for males is recommended as 54g

Here are few guidelines for healthy balanced diet that can be considered:
-Have a Diversified Balanced Diet that includes all the food groups in the right quantity which thereby provides you with all the essential macro and micro nutrients that your body requires daily for proper functioning.
- Try to incorporate the My plate Concept by dividing your plate into 4 quadrants, fill half of your plate with fruits and vegetables, the other two quadrants with cereals and protein. A small quantity of dairy intake is recommended.
-Begin your day with a well-balanced breakfast as it is an important meal of the day.
-Avoid skipping meals. Also, try to avoid fasting and feasting too often.
- Consume small frequent meals, with healthy snacking options.
-Consume minimum 5 servings of vegetables and 1 serving of fruit as they are rich in Fiber, essential minerals & Vitamins as well as they give you a feeling of satiety.
-Try to consume more of Whole grains, Millets and Multigrain foods as they are a good source of fiber.
-Limit intake of deep-fried foods. Method of cooking like baking, grilling, boiling, steaming is preferable over deep frying with excess fat/ oil.
-Have your last meal at least 2-3 hours before sleep time.
-Drink adequate amount of water (minimum 8 glasses) of water daily to keep yourself well hydrated
-Engage in at least 30-45 minutes brisk walk/physical activity of moderate intensity at least 5 days a week.
-Try and follow a good sleep regimen in terms of both quantity and Quality.

For a customised and personalised meal plan for specific conditions, please contact your Health care professional.

Hope we have answered your query.
Wishing you a great day ahead

Dear Tanu Garg, Thank you for the question

Food is an essential component of living healthy. Our body requires right proportion of micronutrients and macronutrients for growth and development. A healthy diet is very important for our energy, wellbeing, immunity, etc. One of the key aspects of living a happy healthy life amongst many others is to consume diversified balanced diet consumed in right proportions and in a mindful manner, regularly engage in physical activity and follow a good sleep regimen.
Healthy nutritious food and a diversified balanced diet according to your food choice and ethnicity can be consumed. It is always preferable to consume food that has been prepared hygienically.
Here are some of the healthy food options that can be considered for Breakfast:
• Rava Upma
• Idli
• Dosa
• Moong dal cheela
• Rava Idli
• Vegetable sandwich
• Poha
• Oats Cheela
• Methi Paratha
• Pesearattu
• Mix vegetable paratha
• Wheat chapathi +Omlette
• Paddu
• Multigrain Roti +sabji
• Millet dosa
Hope we have answered your query.
Wishing you a great day ahead

Dear Tanu Garg, Thank you for the question

A healthy balanced diet must be consumed that contains all essential (macro and micro) nutrients in optimum quantities and in appropriate proportions to meet the daily requirements. It can be achieved by including all basic food groups (Cereals & pulses, vegetables and fruits, Milk & milk products, Nuts, oil and seeds) in right quantities. Dietary fibre is an essential component of balanced diet ensure adequate intake of fibre in your daily diet, to maintain hydration drink adequate amount of water.

As a general dietary guideline, for an apparently healthy individual/ female with no specific health or nutrition needs and/or metabolic condition it is recommended to consume 2000kcal/d and the Daily protein requirement for females is recommended as 46g.

Here are few guidelines for healthy balanced diet that can be considered:
-Have a Diversified Balanced Diet that includes all the food groups in the right quantity which thereby provides you with all the essential macro and micro nutrients that your body requires daily for proper functioning.
- Try to incorporate the My plate Concept by dividing your plate into 4 quadrants, fill half of your plate with fruits and vegetables, the other two quadrants with cereals and protein. A small quantity of dairy intake is recommended.
-Begin your day with a well-balanced breakfast as it is an important meal of the day.
-Avoid skipping meals. Also, try to avoid fasting and feasting too often.
- Consume small frequent meals, with healthy snacking options.
-Consume minimum 5 servings of vegetables and 1 serving of fruit as they are rich in Fiber, essential minerals & Vitamins as well as they give you a feeling of satiety.
-Try to consume more of Whole grains, Millets and Multigrain foods as they are a good source of fiber.
-Limit intake of deep-fried foods. Method of cooking like baking, grilling, boiling, steaming is preferable over deep frying with excess fat/ oil.
-Have your last meal at least 2-3 hours before sleep time.
-Drink adequate amount of water (minimum 8 glasses) of water daily to keep yourself well hydrated
-Engage in at least 30-45 minutes brisk walk/physical activity of moderate intensity at least 5 days a week.
-Try and follow a good sleep regimen in terms of both quantity and Quality.

For a customised and personalised meal plan for specific conditions, please contact your Health care professional.

Hope we have answered your query.
Wishing you a great day ahead

Dear D. YAMINI DVS ANAND, Thank you for the question

A healthy lifestyle management including a good balanced diet, adequate hydration, regular physical activity and hygiene & stress management is key to maintain a good digestive health. It is also important to ensure adequate fiber intake which is essential for a healthy gut and overall digestive health.
Gut microbiota includes a diverse community of bacteria in human gut, they carry out various functions that influences our overall health. The functions include, nutrient metabolism, natural defense against infections and regulation of immune system.
For managing a healthy gut it is important to consume a diversified balanced duet at regular intervals, maintain hydration and include dietary fibre in your daily diet. It is also important to engage in regular physical activity and include prebiotic and probiotics in your daily diet Prebiotics are food components that confer benefits to the host by selectively stimulating the growth of beneficial gut microbiota whereas Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that incur positive effects on human health. They are present in the human gut and are also taken through food products such as yogurt, fermented foods, dietary supplements etc.
Prebiotics naturally exist in different foods including, asparagus, garlic, chicory, onion, honey, banana, barley, tomato, rye, soybean, human’s and cow’s milk, peas, beans, etc.
The common sources of probiotics are yogurt, cultured buttermilk and cheese. The other foods that are produced by bacterial fermentation are, tempeh, sauerkraut, sour dough, bread etc. Look for food products labelled ‘Probiotic’, ‘Probiotic food’, ‘Contains Probiotics’, ‘with Probiotics’ etc.
Daily RDA for fiber as per NIN, ICMR is: 25g per day for females & 30g per day for male
Here are a few guidelines for general digestive health.
- Do not skip your meals, have small frequent meals at regular intervals.
- Eat a well-balanced diet including all groups.
- Include good amount of fiber in your daily balanced, some of the god sources of fiber include whole grain, multigrain, millets, fruits and vegetables, nuts etc.
- Include a minimum of 5 of vegetables and 1 serving of fruit in a day as they are good sources of fiber and essential nutrients such as vitamin A, Vitamin B, iron, zinc etc.
- Include prebiotics such as banana, soyabean, garlic etc., good sources of probiotics like yogurt, buttermilk etc., to maintain a healthy gut.
- Avoid large, heavy meals, and practice portion guidance.
- Deep fried foods to be restricted. Method of cooking like baking, grilling, boiling, steaming is preferable over deep frying with excess fat/ oil.
- Try to limit the foods like caffeine, spices, raw onions etc.
- Food should be eaten slowly and chewed well as fast eating provokes gastric feeding reflex.
- Avoid lying down immediately after your meal consumption
- Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day
- Have a gap of minimum 2-3 hours between bedtime and your last meal
- Engage in physical activity for a minimum of 30 minutes for at least 5 days a week
- Try to follow a good sleep regimen in terms of both quantity and quality.

For a customised and personalised meal plan for specific conditions, please contact your Health care professional.
Hope we have answered your query.
Wishing you a great day ahead