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Get Experts at Happy Tummy to answer your queries regarding Nutrition and other food-related topics.

In our continued efforts to stand for your happy tummy, top experts at Aashirvaad Atta with Multigrains will answer any question that's on your mind around digestion, health and everything in between.

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Nidhi Patidar

3 weeks ago

How to loose weight

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0

Happy Tummy Expert

3 weeks ago

Dear Nidhi Patidar, Thank you for the questionStarting the journey towards achieving ideal body weig

Dear Nidhi Patidar, Thank you for the question

Starting the journey towards achieving ideal body weight is a good initiative on leading a healthy lifestyle! Kudos to you on your initiative.

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

 

Please note that it is recommended for the target weight to be within normal BMI

 

General Dietary Guidelines for weight loss that can be considered:

  • Eat a well-balanced diet that includes all the 5 food groups (cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables, milk & milk products).
  • Do not skip your meals. Have small quantity of meals at regular intervals.
  • Choose healthy snacking options in between your meals.
  • Monitor your portion size.
  • Include protein in your diet. Some of the sources include pulses, lentils, milk, paneer, soybean, eggs, lean meat, nuts & seeds, etc. 
  • Fiber in your meals can potentiate the satiating property, suppress excess hunger and control food intake. All fruits and vegetables, whole grains, multigrains, millets, nuts & seeds etc., are a good source of fiber.
  • Try switching from saturated fats and trans fats to MUFA (mono-unsaturated fatty acids) & PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) as they are essential fatty acids and are good for your health.
  • Consume fresh, seasonal fruits as they contain many essential nutrients and are good sources of fiber.
  • Carbonated
  • and alcoholic beverages to be limited or preferably avoided.
  • 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 in terms 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.

 

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

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Ankush

3 weeks ago

I want improve digestion system also gain weight pls tell me how to improve

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Happy Tummy Expert

3 weeks ago

Dear Ankush, Thank you for the questionA healthy lifestyle management including a good balanced diet

Dear Ankush, 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 diet 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, 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: 30g per day for male

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

 

As per WHO BMI (Body Mass Index) classification, a person weighing less than 18.5 kg/m2 is considered underweight.

 

Please note it is recommended that the target body weight must be maintained within the normal BMI & ideal body weight range.



The causes of underweight or unintended weight loss can be due to genetics, inadequate food intake, stress, hormonal imbalance, malabsorption or other underlying health condition which may require medical assistance.



An ideal weight management program such as weight gain involves lifestyle management including dietary modification, regular physical activity, hydration and good sleep cycle. With any weight gain diet, changes take time to reflect as your body requires sufficient time to adapt to the changes in order to show results.

A high calorie and high protein diet is recommended for weight gain. High protein foods give a feeling of satiety, delay gastric emptying and help in maintain lean body or muscle mass . Daily protein requirement should ideally be followed as 0.8-1g per kg body weight. You can include non-vegetarian sources of protein such as chicken, eggs, fish, prawns etc and vegetarian sources Milk & milk products like paneer, Legumes, lentils, beans (chickpeas, kidney, mung, pinto etc.), peas (green, split, etc.), soybeans (and products made from soy: tofu, tempeh, etc.), peanuts, almonds, pistachios, cashews, walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, hemp seeds, squash and pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, sesame seeds, chia seeds as a part of your daily balanced diet

Here are few guidelines that can be considered for weight gain & general digestive health.

  • Having a Healthy 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. Include energy dense foods, keeping in mind the daily needs.
  • Do not skip your meals, have small frequent meals at regular intervals.
  • Eat a well-balanced diet including all groups.
  • Include a minimum of 5 serving 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.
  • Maintain a positive energy balance where the calorie intake should be more than the energy expenditure.
  • Include energy dense foods, keeping in mind the daily needs. Some of the energy dense   foods include Whole wheat, multigrain, millets, nuts, colocasia leaves, banana, raisins, pulses/lentils etc.
  • Three major meals a day with healthy nutritious snacks in between is preferred.
  • Try to increase the serving size and portion size gradually and systematically
  • Include healthy fats from nuts and seeds.
  • Include prebiotics such as banana, soyabean etc., good sources of probiotics like yogurt, buttermilk etc., to maintain a healthy gut.
  • 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 to maintain hydration
  • Indulging in physical activity can help in increasing the appetite and give a feeling of hunger.
  • 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

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Amrita Tiwari

3 weeks ago

I want to consult about my health and eyes
Actually my height is 5'4 and my weight is 52 kg.. and my eyes is sunkey eyes. So I mainly want to suggestions about my health and specially my sunkey eyes..how I can get better health

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Happy Tummy Expert

3 weeks ago

Dear Amrita Tiwari, Thank you for the question.Sunken eye (the deepened upper eyelid sulcus or skele

Dear Amrita Tiwari, Thank you for the question.

Sunken eye (the deepened upper eyelid sulcus or skeletonized eyes) is a cosmetic problem that usually results in an older and unnatural appearance. The causes of sunken eyes are usually associated with decreased orbital fatty tissue, massive weight loss, trauma, surgery, or anti-glaucoma eye drops.

We request you to kindly contact your healthcare professional for further assistance, diagnosis and management.

To improve your overall eye health you can consume a well-balanced diet including some of nutrients that are important in vision health vitamins and minerals with antioxidant functions (eg, vitamins C and E, carotenoids, zinc ) and compounds with anti-inflammatory properties (omega-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA], docosahexaenoic acid [DHA].

Some of the sources are-

Micronutrients like Vitamin A, E & C are found in Orange-yellow fruits and vegetables, dark green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits like berries, oranges, lemons, kiwi, nuts and seeds etc.

Zinc Found in meat, fish, poultry, whole grains, beans, lentils, nuts and seeds

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce inflammation. Some of the most common sources of omega 3 are Fish, nuts & seeds etc.

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

According to your mentioned Height & Weight your BMI is 19.7 Kg/m2 which is in the Normal Category as per BMI Classification.

 Please note it is recommended that the target body weight must be maintained within the normal BMI & ideal body weight range.

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

For general wellbeing, you can begin by consuming a balanced diet which provides all the nutrients in required amounts and proper proportions. It can easily be achieved through a blend of the four basic food groups. The quantities of foods needed to meet the nutrient requirements vary with age, gender, physiological status and physical activity. A balanced diet should provide around 50-60% of total calories from carbohydrates, preferably from complex carbohydrates, about 10-15% from proteins and 20-30% from both visible and invisible fat.

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.
  • Some of the good sources of protein include pulses, lentils, milk, paneer, soybean, eggs, lean meat, nuts & seeds, etc.  
  • 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.

Regular physical activity or exercise is necessary and beneficial for overall health as it not only helps in burning calories but also helps in improving muscular and cardiorespiratory fitness, maintain ideal body weight, prevent, and manage lifestyle disorders as well as improve digestive health. For specific exercise regimen to cater to specific fitness needs please contact a fitness expert.

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

 

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Rohit gaikwad

3 weeks ago

Diet plan for weight gain

Nutrition Food Lifestyle Others
0

Happy Tummy Expert

3 weeks ago

Dear Rohit, Thank you for the question.Consuming the right quantity and quality of protein is import

Dear Rohit, Thank you for the question.

Consuming the right quantity and quality of protein is important for weight gain, it is necessary to include good biological value protein as a part of your daily balanced diet which helps in maintaining your lean muscle mass increase your muscle weight and overall weight.

Weight gain is a journey which requires appropriate nutritional management along with stress management, ideal sleeping hours and physical activity to maintain a healthy weight, prevent loss of lean body mass, Muscle mass and avoid malnutrition.

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

As per WHO BMI (Body Mass Index) classification, a person weighing less than 18.5 kg/m2 is considered underweight.

 

Please note it is recommended that the target body weight must be maintained within the normal BMI & ideal body weight range.

The causes of underweight or unintended weight loss can be due to genetics, inadequate food intake, stress, hormonal imbalance, malabsorption or other underlying health condition which may require medical assistance.

An ideal weight management program such as weight gain involves lifestyle management including dietary modification, regular physical activity, hydration and good sleep cycle. With any weight gain diet, changes take time to reflect as your body requires sufficient time to adapt to the changes in order to show results.

A high calorie and high protein diet is recommended for weight gain. High protein foods give a feeling of satiety, delay gastric emptying and help in maintain lean body or muscle mass . Daily protein requirement should ideally be followed as 0.8-1g per kg body weight. You can include non-vegetarian sources of protein such as chicken, eggs, fish, prawns etc and vegetarian sources Milk & milk products like paneer, Legumes, lentils, beans (chickpeas, kidney, mung, pinto etc.), peas (green, split, etc.), soybeans (and products made from soy: tofu, tempeh, etc.), peanuts, almonds, pistachios, cashews, walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, hemp seeds, squash and pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, sesame seeds, chia seeds as a part of your daily balanced diet

Here are few guidelines that can be considered for weight gain

  • Having a Healthy 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. Include energy dense foods, keeping in mind the daily needs.
  • Maintain a positive energy balance where the calorie intake should be more than the energy expenditure.
  • Include energy dense foods, keeping in mind the daily needs. Some of the energy dense   foods include Whole wheat, multigrain millets, dairy products, nuts, colocasia leaves, banana, raisins, pulses/lentils etc.
  • Do not skip meals. Eat small frequent meals.
  • Three major meals a day with healthy nutritious snacks in between is preferred.
  • 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.
  • Try to increase the serving size and portion size gradually and systematically
  • Include healthy fats from nuts and seeds.
  • Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day to maintain hydration
  • 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.

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You need to be above 18 years to add a question or a comment.

Namrata

3 weeks ago

Pls tell me the diet plan for pregnecy
Suffering from dibeties and thyroid

Others
0

Happy Tummy Expert

3 weeks ago

Dear Namrata, Thank you for the questionIncreased blood sugar levels is termed as Diabetes mellitus

Dear Namrata, Thank you for the question

Increased blood sugar levels is termed as Diabetes mellitus which is a chronic metabolic disorder that prevents the body to utilise glucose completely or partially. It is characterised by raised glucose concentration in blood and alterations in carbohydrates, protein & fat metabolism. Various factors like genetics, sedentary lifestyle, acute stress etc., can cause diabetes. 

  • A fasting blood sugar level of <110 mg/dL is considered normal.
  • ≥110 to <126 mg/dL indicates you have impaired fasting glucose.
  • ≥126 mg/dL indicates you have diabetes.

Management of any type of diabetes requires diagnosis and further assistance

 For guidance on medications and specific health needs please contact a specialised health care professional such as a diabetologist for further assistance and management.

Here are a few tips to help manage Diabetes

  • It is recommended to have low GI (Glycaemic index) foods. Simple sugars should be restricted since they are easily absorbed and have high glycaemic index. Some of the Low GI foods include green leafy vegetables, green beans, apples, orange, pear, wheat, millets, pulses, lentils etc.
  • High protein intake helps to increase insulin production & promote satiety. Pulses, lentils, eggs, lean meat, paneer etc., are a good source of protein.
  • Combination of oils is preferrable. Include monounsaturated (MUFA) & Polyunsaturated (PUFA) containing oils like sunflower oil, ground nut oil, Gingelly oils.
  • Increase intake of whole grains and legumes and limiting the intake of saturated fats helps in improving insulin sensitivity and reduces the risk of diabetes independent of weight loss.

Thyroid disorders including hyper or hypothyroidism requires further diagnosis from specific medical experts. It is suggested to contact your health care professional for further assistance and management for thyroid disorders.

Here are few tips to manage Hypothyroidism 

  • Iodised salt, seafood (such as fish and prawns), grains and breads are common dietary sources of iodine. Include iodized salt in your diet and food preparation.
  • Try to limit the intake of Cruciferous vegetables like kale, turnips, cabbage, cauliflower etc., as they are known as goitrogens which can inhibit the synthesis of thyroid hormones.
  • Limit the intake of soy products as they contain Goitrogens. They may also be found in soy products like soy chunks, soy granules, tofu, etc.
  • Along with iodine, Selenium also helps in improving the thyroid functioning. Seafood, organ meats, cereals, poultry, red meat, and eggs are a good source of selenium. Include these foods in your daily balanced diet. 

Hyperthyroidism is a pathological disorder in which excess thyroid hormone is synthesised and secreted by the thyroid gland. It is characterised by normal or high thyroid radioactive iodine uptake (thyrotoxicosis with hyperthyroidism or true hyperthyroidism). It is usually associated with weight loss and underweight.

Here are a few tips to help manage Hyperthyroidism

  • limited intake of iodised salt is recommended.
  • Avoid consuming large amounts of soy and cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, turnips etc. Include them as a part of your daily balanced diet in limited amounts.

Maintain an ideal body weight as hyperthyroidism can lead to underweight.

 

During pregnancy there are many physical and physiological changes that occur due to which your body demands for more nutrients in order to function efficiently, lack of one or more nutrient can lead to macronutrient or micronutrient deficiency and malnourishment. The mother’s nutritional requirements should meet her own daily needs, provide enough nutrient for growing foetus, and furnish the energy for child birth and lactation.

It is recommended to consume 2000+kcal with 46g (in 1st Trimester) 55.5g (in 2nd trimester) and 68g (in the 3rd trimester) of protein per day and 1000mg of calcium per day

Some micronutrients are specially required in extra amounts during these physiological periods. Folic acid, taken throughout the pregnancy, reduces the risk of congenital malformations and increases the birth weight. Similarly, iodine intake ensures proper mental health of the growing fetus and infant. Calcium is also essential for optimum formation of bones and teeth.

Consume a diversified balanced diet including all food groups ensure good intake nutrients such as protein, calcium, iron, dietary fibre, Folate etc. Maintain hydration and good quality sleep regimen.

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 recommendable.
  • 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 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.
  • Maintain a positive energy balance where the calorie intake should be more than the energy expenditure.
  • Include energy dense foods, keeping in mind the daily needs. Some of the energy dense   foods include Whole wheat, multigrain millets, dairy products, nuts, colocasia leaves, banana, raisins, pulses/lentils etc.
  • Some of the good sources of protein include pulses, lentils, milk, paneer, soybean, eggs, lean meat, nuts & seeds, etc.  
  • Three major meals a day with healthy nutritious snacks in between is preferred.
  • 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.
  • Try to increase the serving size and portion size gradually and systematically
  • Include healthy fats from nuts and seeds.
  • 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
  • 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

Read More
0 Reply
You need to be above 18 years to add a question or a comment.
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