Substituting Unhealthy Ingredients

Some of our favourite recipes  include ingredients that are on the calorie-heavy side, but you can substitute some of them with healthier options. If a recipe calls for mayonnaise, choose a low-fat / low-calorie version. If you are preparing a dish that centres on meat, have several vegetables dishes to go with it. When preparing a cream-based soup, use potatoes as a thickening agent. For baked items, substitute some of the sugar with vanilla or cinnamon.  

Diet Destroyers...

1. Energy bars - they may look healthy, but they may be laden with calories and sugars. Look for high-fibre, low calorie versions.
2. Salads - you eat a lots of fruits or vegetables, but what's in the dressing? Ask for a low-fat dressings, and stay away form cream-based ones.
3. Multi-grain foods - yes, they may be what the doctor ordered, but check the nutritional facts. The item may also contain lots of refined grains, sometimes making up the bulk of the product. Instead, opt for 100% whole-grain products.

The mighty mushroom!

According to researchers at the University of Illinois, US, mushrooms have a high content of dietary fibre content  
was found to be higher in the maitake and shiitake varieties. Said to help reduce cholesterol levels, shiitake mushrooms have also been traditionally used to prevent heart disease. The shiitake mushrooms is also being studied today for its purported benefits in boosting the immune systems. If proven, this will make it an additional therapeutic option for those with weakened immune systems.  

Exercise To Beat The Cold!

A study conducted on 1,002 adults in the USA and published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine shows that people who lead active lifestyles are less likely to catch a cold. Scientist followed the subjects (aged 18-85) for a total of 12 weeks and found that those who exercised five times or more per week had a 50% lower risk of suffering from cold symptoms than their less active counterparts. Also, those who did have colds were likely to have milder symptoms.

Get Rid Of That Back Pain

If you suffer from constant back pain, you could be one of the 60% of people who carry heavy backpacks or sit in the same position for long periods. Take a short walk or stand up and stretch out those limbs every 15 minutes or so. And quit smoking! Nicotine in cigarettes thickens the walls of blood vessels and reduced blood flow to the lower back, besides delaying the healing process of an existing back injury.  

Dengue: Spot The Symptoms

The first symptoms of dengue are headache, fever, joint pain, chill, rashes, swollen lymph and pain behind the eyes. After these symptoms subside (2-4 days later), a rash will appear over the entire body though, generally, not on the face. Notice that the fever and rash do not occur at the same time. If you or your loved one had a high fever (about 40*C) which suddenly subsided (accompanied by sweating) and comes back several days later, check with your doctor if it is dengue.

Get Rid Of Those Pesky Germs

Did you know that the toilet bowl could be cleaner than a kitchen sink? Bust those germs these handy tips:
1. Wash sinks once a day with a solution of bleach and water.
2. Air-dry toothpaste between use - don't cap / cover the tube immediately after use.
3. Keep toothbrushes away from the toilets as droplets of bacterial and virus are sprayed into the air with each           flush.
4. Keep your TV remote control dry and away form moisture.