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Jun
15

Healthy foods are a good source of important nutrients, minerals, vitamins and essential fats for the body. Here is a list of some healthy foods you should eat and reasons why you should add them to your daily diet plan:

Healthy Eating

  1. Water is the universal and best tonic of the world. It helps to remove all the toxic materials and harmful products from the body and also prevents the body from dehydration. So water should be used in abundant amount. At least eight to ten glasses of plain, pure water should be used everyday.
  2. Fresh fruits and nuts have anti-oxidant as well as anti-aging properties. So, all kinds of seasonal fruits and nuts should be part of your daily diet.
  3. Green vegetables, grains and beans provide a very rich source of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients along with fiber. Vitamins are one of the very essential and important building blocks of the body. They keep your skin, hair and nails as well as bones and teeth healthy and strong.
  4. Fruit juices should make a very important part of a healthy diet. They can serve as very healthy starters of the day and keep us fresh the whole day. Fruits can also be used with yogurts and in milk shakes to provide very healthy drinks.
  5. Always eat food containing the correct amount of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Also vitamins, minerals and calcium should be given importance when choosing the right food for the meals.
  6. Red meat, fish, chicken, mutton, beef, beans, pulses, grains, Brussels sprouts, and green leafy vegetables are rich sources of iron and proteins. Red meat should be used at least once a week to provide the body with iron and proteins. However red meat should not be consumed in more quantity as it is a source of animal fat. Animal fats when taken in large quantity do more harm than good.
  7. Milk and all other dairy products are equally essential for everyone, especially children and people of old age. They include cheese, cream, butter and yogurt. All dairy products provide a rich source of calcium keeping bones and teeth strong. More absorption of calcium and phosphate make the bone forming cells more active, resulting in stronger bones and teeth. Calcium is also very important in preventing osteoporosis.
  8. Avoid lots of oily and fried foods in your diet. They can be a big source of many cardiac problems like heart attacks, stroke, hypertension and infarcts.
  9. Take frequent meals, but in small quantity because eating too much food at one time can be unhealthy. Large amounts of food eaten in one meal at one time are not only difficult to digest, but it also causes obesity and weight gain, especially in people who have the tendency. Big meals are also a cause of indigestion, heartburn and similar problems.
  10. Add fewer fats and more fibres to the diet. Too much fat can damage the cardiovascular system, blood vessels, nervous system, and mucosa of various organs as well as the stomach. On the other hand, more amounts of fibres in the diet regulate bowel habits leading a healthier life. Fibres help in the passage of food through the body and provide sufficient time to the body for proper functioning.
Jun
14

Nowadays it has become very difficult to please children with food of their taste. Keeping them busy in interesting activities has become a great task for mothers. The best way to make their time fun and learning is to take them to the kitchen and allow them for simple doings. It is often seen that children demand to prepare something in the kitchen and show great interest in handling cooking utensils. Kitchen utensil sets for kids are also available in the market and children, especially girls play and enjoy them.

Cooking with Children

Making children eat is also a challenge for mothers and at times is a great problem. But if they are given the opportunity to prepare something of their own, they can be asked to eat simultaneously. Here are a few tips for cooking with children.

Tips for Cooking with Kids

  1. When taking children to the kitchen, make sure that no sharp or dangerous utensil or tool is in the reach of children. Be sure to read up on other kitchen safety tips.
  2. Keep the kitchen clean and decorate it in a way that it attracts children to stay and work there.
  3. If the height of the child is small, it is better to place a cloth on the floor and put all the required material on it. This will make handling easier for the child. You can also use a small stool if the child insists to work on the kitchen counter.
  4. Make the children clean the skin of vegetables as that is easy for them to deal with. Provide them with plastic knives instead of metal ones.
  5. Boiled vegetables and fruits are also simple for them to deal with. Make them cut the vegetables and fruits into small pieces so that they can eat them too.
  6. While doing all this, keep telling them about the names and colors of the vegetables. This could be a great learning process for them. Also make them aware about the importance and nutritional value of the vegetables and fruits.
  7. Beating eggs and folding cake mixtures can also be a fun activity for children.
  8. Making simple salads attract children and they find them delicious to eat.
  9. After preparing something with the help of your child, use colorful bowls and utensils to serve.
  10. Garnishing appeals and attracts children towards food. Try to use different colors while garnishing. Cutting strips of fruit’s skin and making designs with it helps in making the child focus attention towards the food.
  11. Another technique for making children to eat is by not forcing them to eat food they dislike. The friendlier you are with children, the more they would listen to you. Make them feel free and create a casual environment. This is the only way to make them eat loads of healthy food.
  12. Giving children a mixture of puree is also good. Fruit purees have great taste and nutritional value for children. Similarly, soups are also good for children since they contain high nutritional value.
  13. Try to avoid giving oily food to children as it may cause trouble in their stomach.
  14. Try to use vegetable oil in making meals for children as vegetable oil is better than other fats and is also good for health.
  15. Make sure your child has adequate intake of dairy products everyday since it is essential for their growth.
  16. Last but not the least; hygiene is very important while dealing with food as care is better than cure. Teach your child the importance of cleanliness as you teach them to cook food.

Allowing your kid to go and work in the kitchen not only boosts their self esteem, but it is also a good way to spend time with the family. Fathers can also help in the kitchen to spend some quality time and it works great for bonding. Kids will also feel more useful if they help out and contribute something to the family by cooking.

Cooking is also a good way to incorporate creativity and imagination in your child. Kids like to try out new things and if they have something to work on, they will get ideas to express themselves. Working with you in the kitchen will also allow your kid to understand the importance of team work and will teach them how to plan things out.

In: Cooking/ Posted by admin
Jun
12

From children to teenagers to elderly, cheese is liked by all. Cheese can be taken in several forms, it can be used for making sandwiches, used for topping pizzas, used in making pastas, baked in the oven with vegetables and meat or can simply be taken as it is. Special cheese cakes are prepared for cheese lovers and cheese can be added in any recipe by those who demand it.

Cheese

Cheese being a dairy product, has great nutritional value. It is needed for maintaining good health and strength. It is rich in carbohydrates, proteins and calcium. It is an essential source of nutrients for proper growth of children too. Another advantage of taking cheese regularly is that it keeps the hair healthy and shiny. Here are a few suggestions for storing cheese.

Tips for Storing Cheese

  1. Make sure the cheese you buy is of good quality. Normally some companies produce cheese that can not be used for a longer period of time. Additionally, buy cheese which is freshly prepared and has a fresh look.
  2. Do not buy large pieces of cheese for storing. It is better to cut them into slices before storing.
  3. When packing cheese for storing, do not use plastic wrapping. This would not let the cheese breathe and would dry the cheese.
  4. Greasing the cheese and brushing it with some oil, preferably olive oil would keep it fresh.
  5. If you find the cheese getting dry afterwards, change its covering and grease some vegetable oil. It is useful for increasing its resistance.
  6. In any case, change the cheese covering after every few days.
  7. Storing cheese for a short duration is even better than storing a larger quantity of cheese at a time. Keep buying and keep storing is even better than buying and storing for a long duration.
  8. Never keep the cheese outside; always store it in a refrigerator.
  9. Foil coating is the best while storing cheese.
  10. Nowadays cream cheese is also available in the market. It is normally contained in a glass jar. Keeping those jars in the refrigerator keeps them usable for a longer period of time.
  11. It is also very important that when the cheese is packed for storing, it should not be done very tightly; otherwise cheese has the ability of absorbing the taste of its wrapping.
  12. Whenever the stored cheese is opened for use, try to change its cover with a new one and pack it appropriately.
  13. Do not contaminate cheese with any other food during its storage period.
  14. Keep checking the stored cheese after every few days so if you see that any mold is building up due to the storage, clean it immediately and wrap the cheese again.
  15. It is better to clean the container of stored cheese after every few days. It helps in refreshing the cheese and the container.

Health Benefits of Cheese

Cheese provides a number of health benefits due to the high nutrient content. It is an extremely high source of calcium which is good for both teeth and bones. Cheese also has a very low content of lactose, so it does not harm the teeth.

Cheese is also a rich source of Vitamin B, which is essential for growing children and women. It helps in strengthening the bones and cartilages and helps in the proper absorption and distribution of calcium in the body. Vitamin B is also good for maintaining essential body functions and protection against diseases like Beri beri.

The presence of other important nutrients like zinc, phosphorous, Vitamin A and riboflavin in cheese help build strong bones and prevent osteoporosis. Cheese also contains proteins and fats along with vitamins and minerals which are good for better metabolism. The presence of proteins and fats helps in weight gain also in skinny people.

Cheese also contains Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Sphingolipids which help prevent cancer. Other nutrients present in cheese enhance blood formation, strengthen the liver and facilitate the absorption of nutrients in the body.

Jun
11

Green vegetables provide almost all the essential nutrients to the body. They contain not only the vital nutrients, but also the minor components like magnesium, calcium, iron and many trace elements along with fibre. Some of the important health benefits of adding green vegetables to your diet are mentioned below:

Leafy Green Vegetables

  1. These days brain damage is becoming an increasing problem all over the world. Green vegetables are a rich source of substances that improve the nervous system of the body. Hence, people of all ages should eat lots of vegetables to prevent themselves from memory losses and problems of forgetfulness. Vegetables contain nutrients that not only improve memory, but also prevent attention deficit disorders. These problems are especially evident in young children who are school going and need to concentrate on their work. So, vegetables should be added in daily diets of growing children as they are good for their bodies and minds.
  2. Green vegetables contain high quantity of calcium and various vitamins. This helps to make bones strong and help in the better development of the body. Calcium provides a good framework to the body, preventing many diseases of teeth and gums. It prevents from denture misalignments, plaques, rotten teeth and similar problems. Growing children especially need vegetables in large amount to provide them with good quantity of calcium for their better growth and development and strong bones and teeth.
  3. These days people are facing a lot of anxiety and joints related disorders. Vegetables containing magnesium prevent many such disorders like depression, attention deficit disorders, muscle cramps, asthma, etc. They also help in improving joint conditions when a person is getting old. They also prevent many age related diseases like arthritis, osteoporosis, softening of bones, easy fractures, etc.
  4. Vegetables also contain good quantity as well as good quality of proteins known as “vegetable protein”. This is different from amino acids present in animal proteins. Proteins are the building blocks of muscles. They provide bulk and strength to the muscular system. Proteins are equally important for children and adults. This group of vegetables is especially important for vegans. People who take all their nutrients from vegetables are usually worried about their protein intake. They think that they should take protein bars and protein shakes to fulfil the protein needs of their body, but in reality this is not true. Vegetables like beans, peas, carrots, celery, and spinach have a high content of proteins in them.
  5. Green leafy vegetables are equally important for good vision and eye health. They help maintain vision health and play a major role in preventing major damage to the eye. They also protect the eye from the harmful effects of blue and ultraviolet radiations which can cause macular degeneration.
  6. Green vegetables help in the regulation of body temperature. They promote good metabolic rate of the body.
  7. Vegetables are also rich sources of many vitamins and minerals. These vitamins provide the body a better immune system and a healthy heart. This helps to prevent high cholesterol levels in the blood, and hence prevent heart attacks and strokes.
  8. Green leafy vegetables also have a high fibre content, which helps to promote wave like contractions in the intestines to help the food to move. Fibre in the intestines absorbs water, making the stools softer and bulkier, easing the passage of waste. This helps to prevent constipation and other digestive tract disorders such as colon cancer. Fibre is also very important in treating irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulosis.

All kinds of vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables have many health related benefits. So, fresh, cooked, fried and boiled vegetables should be added in daily diet regimens.

Jun
10

Grilled food adds a unique taste to eating. Normally, food is prepared in gravy or mixture form, or is either fried but when it is grilled, it is considered to be a fairly good effort. The color taken by the outer surface of the food after grilling usually makes everyone demand for it. For those who like eating for pleasure, adding grilled food items in their food menu would surely fulfill their need.

Grilled food can also be used as an alternative to barbeque food. Grilling in this way is much easier because it only requires some good utensils and sense of cooking. The taste of smoke absorbed by the grilled food makes it even tastier.
Tips to Grill Food
Useful tips for Grilling Foods

  1. To get good results of grilling, always go for buying a good quality griller. It would cost you once but benefit you always.
  2. Non stick utensils are considered the best for this purpose. It makes cooking easy and rewards in a perfect way.
  3. Greasing the griller utensils with oil in the beginning is a very important step. It makes the whole process go in the right direction.
  4. It is considered helpful if the food to be grilled is being marinated for a sufficient amount of time before grilling. By doing this, the food absorbs all tastes and the cooking process starts right away when it is marinated.
  5. While putting something on the grill, make sure it has some water absorbed in it or just pour a few drops of liquid or oil to avoid drying and burning.
  6. If the food is cut in small pieces, skewers can also be used. Grease them, skew the pieces over and put them on the grill.
  7. Make sure that nothing is overcooked and keep turning the sides of the pieces that are placed on the grill.
  8. The heat under the griller must be kept at a medium level. An over-heated grill would burn the food and slow heat would make the food soggy.
  9. When pre-heating the grill, make sure the lid is properly closed.
  10. The scrapers must be used appropriately and according to the need.
  11. Make sure that the air is properly exhausted from the room where the food is being cooked otherwise it would disturb breathing. If you don’t have a proper exhaust system, prefer grilling in the open instead.
  12. Try to avoid re-cooking the grilled food as it spoils its taste.
  13. Grilling the food just before serving keeps its taste and look, fresh.
  14. Always make sure that the required cooking time is given so that it cooks completely from inside.
  15. Adding salt to season the food really helps in getting a good taste. It is helpful for all sorts of food.
  16. When grilling meat items, try to marinate them for longer time and cook them more than the vegetables. This is because they take more time in getting cooked. On the other hand, if you find some vegetables which take more time in cooking, boil them for a few minutes before grilling. It would result in quick and easy grilling.
  17. Make sure that once the food is grilled, it is placed in a clean platter and not mixed with any left-over marinade or an unclean platter which had raw meat, chicken or fish.
  18. If you regularly use an outdoor grill, make sure it is clean and has no meat charring.

Use these grilling tips and learn to make the perfect burger, steak or chicken. Outdoor grilling can be a lot of fun, especially in the summers as it gives you the option to enjoy quality time with family and friends, enjoying good food at the same time. Master your grilling technique with some practice and you won’t need to worry at all.

In: Cooking/ Posted by admin
Jun
08

Herbs and spices are used in fairly small quantities in making food. Due to this reason, people tend to store herbs and spices for a longer period of time. The basic concern regarding herbs and spices is to retain their taste and freshness. Special care and methods are used for this purpose. At times herbs and spices are stored differently because of the slight difference in their nature.

Tips to store herbs and spices

What are herbs and spices?

Distinguishing them at the most basic level gives us the information that herbs are generally the original plants and their leaves whereas spices are the dried seeds or fruits being used.

Tips for storing Herbs & Spices

  1. Always store the herbs and spices in air tight containers. This will keep them safe from moisture and dirt.
  2. Keep the containers in a dark and dry place. Always avoid contact with light and fluids.
  3. Do not store larger quantities in the same container. Divide them in several portions. This technique would help in retaining a consistent flavor.
  4. The best way to store herbs and spices is by putting them in a glass or metal container and sealing them properly.
  5. Herbs and spices can also be stored in woolen cloth bags. However again it must be noted that they should be in small quantities and in a dry place to avoid any contact with moisture.
  6. It is also suggested not to open the containers again and again rather put the required quantity to be used on daily basis in small jars.
  7. Do not store every spice or herb in the refrigerator. Although it is considered a good technique but always check a small quantity for its resistance in the refrigerator first.
  8. While storing any herb or spice, do not wash it before storing. Wash if required, at the time of using.
  9. If a fresh herb is needed to be stored for a week’s time, put the stem of the herb in a small jar with little water. This would keep the herb fresh until it is ready for use.
  10. It is preferred to store the spices and herbs in their whole form and grind them when they are required to be used.
  11. Cloves and rice are also used in the storage of some particular spices or herbs. Some cloves can be used or some rice can be spread all over the stored material.
  12. Drying spices and herbs before storing is also a good exercise. Some spices are dried and grounded before storing.
  13. Most herbs and spices when stored properly will retain their flavor for 6 months to up to a year.
  14. Whole spices stored properly can be used for up to 3 to 5 years in most cases.
  15. Never store dry herbs near humid sources like sinks, coffee makers, counter tops where you work with fluids etc. Also, store them away away from heat sources, such as stoves, microwaves, kettles etc.
  16. Herbs are often used for the treatment of different ailments. In such cases, mixture of herbs is formed. But special care must be taken while storing them. It would be appropriate to ask the experts about the expiry details of such mixtures and should be stored accordingly.

Use these tips for storing herbs and spices to get full advantage of their flavour.

Jun
08

Coffee and caffeine are invariably linked. Just how bad is caffeine.. or coffee?

Today the use of coffee as a daily table beverage is widespread throughout the world and is probably the most widely consumed of all hot beverages. Broadly speaking it seems to have met a natural necessity or at least to have fulfilled a natural desire on the part of many millions of people.

The actual food value of coffee as brewed from the roasted and ground seed is practically nil. Dieticians would classify coffee as an auxiliary substance used mainly as a flavouring agent to food. And coffee is better known for its aroma and flavour and as a stimulant.

Caffeine

The characteristics flavour and aroma of coffee stem from small quantities of aromatic and volatile products which are released by roasting, an operation which many coffee lovers prefer to perform themselves. The stimulating effect of coffee is mainly due to the presence of caffeine, a substance that does not affect the odour and flavour of coffee.

Caffeine is an alkaloid substance which acts on the nervous system. A moderate amount of caffeine produces a mild exhilaration, a feeling of buoyancy and well being. Acting through the nervous system it increases the pulse rate, lightens the sense of fatigue and makes possible sustained or prolonged muscular exertion.

Acting on the brain centres, caffeine eliminates the feeling of tiredness and exhaustion. It stimulates the imagination, increases mental activity and quickness perception. Many people have discovered that drinking coffee makes it possible for them to carry on sustained intellectual work without any depressive after effect. There are however a great many individual differences in caffeine tolerance and in the quickness of response to caffeine. For some people an excessive dose of caffeine can bring on nervous excitation, trembling and insomnia.

Caffeine can also affect the heart. It tends to increase the rate and strength of the heartbeat by direct stimulation of the heart muscles. Excessive intake of caffeine however will cause palpitations and irregularity of the heartbeat.

Another effect that caffeine brings is that of a digestive stimulant and diuretic. The length of time for food to pass through the digestive system speeds up when coffee is taken. Coffee tends to stimulate the stomach to slightly increase the secretion of hydrochloric acid and to increase intestinal peristalsis.

Studies have shown that coffee taken in moderation is without harmful effects. It therefore becomes in part a question of quantity. Just what constitutes moderation depends on the individual, the strength of the coffee consumed and on its method of preparation. Careful studies have brought out the interesting fact that with coffee as with other types of food, there are personal or individual tolerances. A small percentage of the population responds unfavourably to caffeine stimulation and a still smaller percentage cannot use coffee without unfavourabe results, although they may be able to drink tea which also contains caffeine.

For those who are unable to tolerate caffeine there is decaffeinated coffee in which coffee beans are broken up by steam introducing chloroform or some other solvent and then eliminating this liquid by heating and roasting. After roasting, the coffee retains the same taste as ordinary coffee which has not been treated, but without having any of its stimulating properties.

Coffee whether it is percolated, infused, boiled or dripped will not make any difference in its caffeine content. But even after all that is said and done, lovers of coffee will agree that it is not the amount of caffeine present but the inherent soothing character of coffee that makes this brew so special and appealing.

In: General/ Posted by admin
Jun
07

Deep frying food is a very common cooking technique. Spice loving people have more inclination towards eating deep fried food as food that is deep fried is generally marinated with spices. In preparing fast food, deep frying is often done.

Deep frying is also considered harmful for health due to the high absorption of oils during the frying process. Apart from this, special care is required while deep frying food. One must be very careful not to accidentally touch the oil because it can cause burns to the skin.

Deep Fry Cooking

Tips for Deep Frying

  1. The quality of the frying pan must be taken care of. A low standard surface of the pan adds harmful impurities to the oil during the heating process.
  2. The oil that is to be used for frying must be clean, fresh and of an excellent quality. Low quality oils are extremely harmful for health.
  3. Mustard oil and olive oil are often recommended for frying due to their high nutritional value.
  4. While buying oil for frying, demand for the one that is less absorbent.
  5. When adding food to the wok of heated oil, carefully slide the pieces to avoid splattering.
  6. During deep frying, keep a constant check on the heat. It must be at a medium level and should not burn the oil. As the oil starts burning quickly, be very reactive while deep frying. As soon as the oil reaches a higher temperature, slow down the heat.
  7. Do not use the same oil again and again for frying. Use less at a time and replace with new oil for next time. However, you can reuse the oil more than once, but make sure it has not gone bad.
  8. Preheat the oil before deep frying. If the oil is not heated properly before, it would make the food soggy, oily and less crispy.
  9. While frying something recently taken out from the refrigerator, remember to thaw and bring its temperature to normal before frying.
  10. Do not leave the frying pan unattended as it might create problems. Keep turning the pieces to avoid burning.
  11. Never over fill the pan as it would not allow the food to cook properly and there might be a danger of spilling.
  12. Give more frying time to non vegetarian food as it requires more time to cook.
  13. Sprinkling flour on the food before frying makes it crispier.
  14. During frying, put a pinch of salt to the oil. Salt also helps in making the food crispier and tastier.
  15. Always try to cut the food into small pieces for frying as it reduces the cooking time.
  16. After frying, put the fried pieces on a piece of absorbent paper so that it would absorb all the extra oil. Then move it to your serving dish. This would help maintain its crispiness and save your serving dish to be oil free.
  17. Be very careful if the food is required to be washed before frying. Dry it completely before frying. This is for your own safety.
  18. If you are using an electric deep fryer, make sure you keep all crumbs out of the fryer. If you are in a habit of regularly using the fryer, make sure you clean it often and keep it spotless. Remember to cover the fryer properly when not in use.

Do take care of all the above mentioned points while deep frying. You can also check out other cooking techniques on our blog.

In: Cooking/ Posted by admin
Jun
05

Chocolate

Chocolate comes from a bean-like fruit known as cocoa bean. These beans provide one of the best anti-oxidant sources in the world that is, the cocoa powder. Researches have shown that chocolate and its products protect the human body from many harmful effects of cholesterol, lipids and fats. They also protect from heart related problems, strokes, hypertension and other cardiac attacks. Some health tips related to chocolates and its products are explained below:

  1. Raw cocoa has the highest antioxidant value of all the natural foods in the world. It has three times the antioxidants found in green tea. Antioxidants help the body to flush out all the harmful matters and toxins. This makes the body younger and healthier.
  2. Chocolate has almost all forms of minerals and vitamins essential for the human body. It has sulphur that provides health and beauty to nails, hair and skin. Nails become stronger and less brittle. Hair grows longer and stronger and the skin gains its natural glow.
  3. Chocolates also contain a large amount of calcium, important for strong bones and teeth; magnesium, which is good for heart related problems, low cholesterol in blood and vitamins that keep body healthy in many ways. So, cocoa provides human body with the most important minerals, nutrients and even trace elements.
  4. Chocolate has a low fat content which does not impact your cholesterol levels. There are 3 kinds of fats present in chocolate which include Oleic Acid, Stearic Acid and Palmitic Acid, Olic Acid being a healthy monounsaturated fat and the later two being saturated fats. Out of these, Stearic Acid is shown to have a neutral effect on cholesterol and Palmitic Acid raises cholesterol and the risk of heart disease.
  5. Dark chocolate used in liquid forms e.g with water, milk or juices, helps to prevent obesity and also controls weight gain problems. So, it is advised to eat a bar of chocolate or a glass of melted chocolate at least before one meal daily to have an appropriate control of your weight.
  6. Chocolates are available in many different forms and types. There are chocolates containing peanuts, walnuts, cashews and ground nuts. This helps in the regulation of body temperatures and maintains the correct values of fats in the blood.
  7. Chocolates containing fruits like strawberries, oranges, cherries and peaches help to give benefits of not only chocolate, but also the respective fruits. This makes it good for the body in many ways. It not only provides calcium benefits of chocolates, but also extra benefits of minerals and vitamins present in these fruits.
  8. Candy bars containing chocolate and milk are healthy for children and young people. Kids usually avoid taking the required quantity of milk daily, but almost every child loves eating chocolate bars. This can help to provide them all the benefits of milk and cream. So, children should not be refrained from taking chocolate in their diet. However excess of everything is wrong and taking extra sweets and candies can be harmful for their young teeth. Otherwise chocolate is a rich source of calcium and magnesium which only has healthy impact on the growing mind of young children.

The above eight points provide valuable information about various benefits of eating chocolates. So, the common concept that chocolates are harmful or useless should be ignored as it is the richest source of many nutrients needed essentially by the body.

Chocolate – The gift from the gods

In: General/ Posted by admin
Jun
04

A high fibre diet can be extremely helpful in many ways. First of all it’s important to know what fibres actually are. Fibres are those parts of the food which take more time to pass through the gastrointestinal system and delays the time of evacuation from the body. Dietary fibre is found in plant sources like fruits, vegetables, cereals, grains, beans, nuts and pulses. Some important points related to the beneficial effects of fibres are given below:

  • A high fibre diet can prove to be very helpful in controlling weight gains and reducing obesity. Fibre generally takes longer time to chew, so the person feels more satisfied by eating less amounts of food. In this way it slows down the speed of eating and also enables slow passage through the body.
  • Another important and useful property of fibres is that they also swell up when they enter the stomach. In this way they stay in the body for a longer period of time, making the person feel satiated for long and not willing to eat between meals. Eating between meals is a major source of weight gains and obesity in over weight people.
  • High Fibre Foods

  • Fibres are slow to digest and pass slowly from the stomach to the intestines. Normally when food enters the intestine, glucose is released which is controlled by the production of high amounts of insulin in the body. When food enters the intestine slowly, it keeps the glucose and insulin values within moderate ranges. Ultimately, this helps to protect the body from the harmful impaired glucose levels and hence prevents a major disease like diabetes mellitus.
  • By regulating the bowel system of the body, diseases of colon like irritable bowel syndrome can be avoided to a greater extent. Many cancers of rectal area and colon can also be prevented by taking a high fibre diet.
  • There are mainly two types of fibres present in foods. Food rich in soluble fibres are fruits, vegetables, nuts, oats, barley and pulses. These fibres prevent high cholesterol levels and fats in the blood, thus preventing body from strokes, hypertension and heart problems. They also regulate the blood glucose level.
  • Foods rich in insoluble fibres are whole grain, cereals, bread and whole meal flour. These insoluble fibres increase the bulk of stool and also make it soft to pass through the body. This factor helps in the easy passage of food through the body preventing constipation, ulcers and various types of cancers of the colon.
  • Lack of fibres in the diet can cause many diseases like haemorrhoids, rectal prolepses, fissures, obesity as well as chronic appendicitis. Good quantity of fibre prevents heart diseases, cancer and hence increase health and life expectancy of the individuals.

    Since a high fibre diet has many benefits for the human body, it should definitely be included in our daily diet chart. Soluble as well as insoluble fibres should be consumed for the proper regulation of the digestive system.

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