COCONUT WATER BENEFITS

Summer is on, and the dehydrating heat is too. So what do we do….grab a bottle of aerated drink or some sharbat, right? Well this time when you are out in the scorching sun try and get your hands on the nature’s most refreshing drink….. “The King Coconut”.

The coconut (which is actually a seed and not a nut as most of us think it is) contains a clear, juicy, sweet liquid which is sterile and composed of unique chemicals such as sugars, vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, enzymes, amino acids, cytokine, and phyto-hormones. In fact even the gel like meat/malai (kernel) in the young tender coconuts is very sweet and delicious and not to mention nutritious.

In Sanskrit the coconut palm is called “Kalp Vriksha” which means “tree which gives all that is necessary for life”. It’s a natural isotonic beverage with the same electrolyte balance as we have in our blood. It’s the fluid of life so to speak.

So, let us understand it’s nutritional and health benefiting properties.

ü  It is low in fat and calories.

ü  Contrary to popular belief it is not high in cholesterol. The fat from coconut is considered saturated but it is actually Lauric Acid which is a type of fat which is easily absorbed by the human body and can be used instantly as energy.

ü  Very natural and biologically pure, it is full of natural sugars, salts and vitamins.

ü  Vitamins ward off fatigue and it provides a wave of energy.

ü  More potassium less sodium and a lot lesser sugar content than any sports drink.

ü  Contains organic compounds to keep you cool and at proper temperature.

ü  It keeps you well rehydrated as isotonic in nature, and also a good drink to have post exercise.

ü  It raises our metabolism and promotes weight loss.

ü  It boosts our immune system, cleanses our digestive tract.

ü  Helps in good glycemic control.

ü  Fights viruses causing flu, herpes and Aids, and also balances ph reducing the risk of cancer.

ü  It is a good drink which can treat kidney and urethral stones.

ü  Boosts poor circulation as rich in potassium.

ü  In fact fresh coconut water has a small amount of Vitamin C, which is a water soluble anti-oxidant.

ü  Coconut water is also a very good source of B-complex vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pyridoxine, and folates. (These vitamins are essential as the body requires them from external sources to replenish). Thus, making them nutritious for pregnant females and people who are aiming for fat loss.

ü  Despite very small amounts, coconut water has much better composition of minerals like calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, and zinc than some fruits like oranges.

ü  Coconut water is composed of many naturally occurring bioactive enzymes which aid in digestion and metabolism.

ü  Coconut water also has significant anti-ageing and anti-thrombotic effects.

In the stores/malls canned coconut water is available; however, they have some added preservatives and not up to the mark in vitamins and enzyme levels.

Tender coconuts can be stored at room temperature for about 5-10 days. Once opened the water should be used soon otherwise it will turn sour and off flavoured in taste (ferment). Instead, store in refrigerator if not used immediately.

The best way to have coconut water:

• Drink coconut water without any additions.
• Chilled coconut water can be a refreshing drink.
• Fresh water can be made into a special drink by adding lemon slices, mint leaves etc.
• Gel like meat (kernel)/ malai in the young tender coconuts should be eaten as it is sweet, delicious and nutritious.

Coconut water is a universally appealing drink. There are no known reactions to it. Cherish it not only in diseased conditions but in health as well.

Healthy Woman's Day

“I am a busy mom”. You can say this in exasperation, sounding the tiredness of the late nights and early mornings spent caring for everyone around you. You can whisper it as your child sleeps or try to steal ten minutes from washing your dishes to read the newspaper. You can say this celebrating and proclaiming the overflowing love for your family. Anyway you want to say it, but the truth of the matter is that you will agree that you are a busy, busy mom.

Within your very hectic days are triumphs, challenges, life-changing events and so much more. No wonder it's hard to pay attention to what you eat or manage an exercise routine when your main form of exercise is running around your kids, rushing to get the train to work and shopping for grocerries. So you eat whatever, whenever - and over time, that can add up to major kilograms of fat. Yet there are actually simple solutions to busy women's diet woes.

1)       Relationship with food- Most of the time busy women don’t have a good relationship with food. With all the effort you take to develop good eating habits in your kids, you yourself do not follow an ideal eating rule.

a)       Skipping Breakfast- You get up early to make sure your kids have a nourishing breakfast, but while they're eating, you're making their lunches or getting ready for work, so you don't have breakfast yourself. This is almost the story of each and every mom. Have an actual breakfast.  Eating a high-protein and carbohydrate rich breakfast helps you have a continued source of energy till your lunch time. While making your children's lunches, whip up a sandwich or a roti roll with leftover vegetables for yourself - to eat on the spot. A cereal and a fruit is all you need to take on some days. Keep prepared fruit/ dry fruit shakes in the fridge or take them to your office for breakfast on the go.

b)       Small frequent meals- The “breakfast skipping” start to the day will always catch up with you. You're so hungry; you will down a high calorie wada pav/ burger which are the only snacks available at work, with a big mug of strong tea or coffee at the canteen. Pack up some healthy back up. Pack a slice of low-fat cheese, a fruit such as an apple or a banana, whole-grain biscuits, khakhras or sugar-free low-fat yogurt or a handful of peanuts/ walnuts or almonds.

c)       Bites and licks- It’s sampling time if you have not had your evening snack. You're so hungry while making dinner, you're sampling everything, and that doesn't in the least stop you from loading up your plate when the dinner ready. The answer to this is as simple as it sounds- when you want to then commit to eating. To discourage sampling, make it a rule to put your food on a plate and pull up a chair to eat it.

d)       Trash bin- Have you ever noticed how you finish up your kid’s leftover meals, how you nibble from his plate while you feed him or how you try and empty the vessels so that no food is left over. Well you may not realize this but every small bite counts. Always eat only as much as your body asks for. Avoid eating to clear the vessels. You are not a trash bin. Eat only as much to nourish your body. Avoid feeding your kids when you are on an empty stomach or eat your meal too along with them.

e)       Late nights- It’s late in the night and you have just cleared your kitchen and now you have a little time to yourself. So what do you do? You dish out some ice cream or grab the cookie box or spread butter on toast, then curl up on the sofa and watch TV. Turning off the television not only frees you. It is observed that doing desk work or chatting on the phone burned more calories than TV watching. In case you have to then go in for a cup of skim milk, fruit or curd.

2)       Exercise/ Activity time: The kids are either in front of the computer or you send them out to play while you work on your laptop or are again busy in the kitchen. Send everyone to the park/compound including you. Take a walk, or ride a bike; give yourself a “me” time too. If you are at work make it a point to walk it up to the nearest bus stop or train station. This will help you burn some calories. This is also not the right time to indulge in the roadside junk. Make it a point to have a small healthy snack with your tea so as to avoid the temptation of grabbing a bag of chips to eat in the bus.

3)       Beauty sleep- Don't eat – sleep. Missing sleep puts you into a state of chronic fatigue, making you more likely to eat (usually spicy and sweet foods) to keep up your energy. Sleep deprivation makes your body hormones haywire, altering the production of the hormones that regulate hunger and satiety - and making you crave even more high-calorie foods. Prioritize and cut out some activities if you must, just do whatever it takes to get the required amount of sleep. A good sleep keeps your skin and hair healthy too, so no wonder you call it beauty sleep.

4)       Perfect Woman Syndrome- Most of the times we Indian women get caught up in “The Perfect Mom/ Woman Syndrome”. We try so hard and do so much to be the best mom, wife, daughter in law possible. And even after all our tireless efforts we feel like we need to be “better”. As a woman we often tend to take pride in our selfless nurturing of others, but we also tend to lack the ability to nurture and show compassion toward our self. Remember, you can take care of your family better only when you can take care of yourself. Focus on your positive qualities and give a pat on your back for achieving all you have.

5)       Forget the guilt- We are so busy taking care of others, we forget and even feel guilty about taking care of our ‘whole self’. Try and get a balance in life. Don’t forget the value of healthy eating and exercise. When you protect your own health, you have more stamina to keep up with your busy life and provide the best to your family and yourself both physically and emotionally. Pamper yourself to an hour of spa or just have a time out of being a mom for a change and visit your friend.

6)       Make yourself a priority- Be it just relaxing, eating, exercising or socializing, it’s important to make time for you. After all, only when you’re physically and mentally healthy can you give your best to your family. Your children also learn from you so, be that perfect example for them.

7)       Enjoy all the roles- Whether it is married life, being a mom or even work, enjoy each and every role you play in life. Life can be simple, don’t complicate it.

As busy women we have so many roles to fill. We strive for perfection as a mother, spouse, sister, daughter, friend and a professional. Take a step back and think about how to appreciate and celebrate all our roles, or at the least, how to nurture ourselves as busy women.

HAPPY WOMAN’S DAY- Not only today but everyday because every day is your day.