While most people seem to be interested only in how to lose weight and drop extra kilos, there are others who want to put on a little bit of weight and gain some kilos. Unfortunately, most such people fall prey to unnecessary supplements and unhealthy junk food to put on weight, before checking out healthy natural foods for weight gain. If you want to gain weight, don’t rely on high-calorie junk foods that aren’t nutritious. Choose foods that are nutrient-dense and energy-dense whenever possible. We give you a list of natural foods that will help you gain weight – the healthy way.

Salmon

Take in two portions of salmon every day, this will ensure proper protein collection and help increase weight. 

Baked acorn squash

This seasonal vegetable is loaded with antioxidants and fiber, bake it with a touch of olive oil instead of the butter, this will make it more nutritious and healthy.

Peanut butter

Spread – soft, salty peanut butter on bread. It gives you approximately 192 calories plus it is extra high in protein.

Whole eggs

It is economical and loaded with protein, vitamins A,D, E and good cholesterol.

Granola

It is loaded with good-for-you nuts and oats. One bowl packs around 500 calories, which is healthy as well as yummy for breakfast.

Butter

Butter is linked with long term weight gain. Intake of butter should be in moderation, as regular consumption of butter is bad for your heart.

Bagels

Bagels are extra calorie dense and a good source of complex carbohydrates.

Tuna

The vital fatty acids in tuna contain a host of healthy fats, which not only aid in weight gain but also help in maintaining physical well-being.

Corn  bread

Corn bread is full of carbohydrates, and it is a  tasty partner to your favorite curries and and soups. One piece includes approximately 328 calories. 

Cheese

One serving of cheddar cheese packs a good 69 calories.

Cheese is concentrated milk, so it is high in protein and calcium, fat, cholesterol and cheese calories.

Fruit juice

A healthy and nutritious way to gain some pounds, sip 100-percent fruit juice that’s full of sugar and added nutrients. 

Pasta

Pasta is a calorie rich supply of cereal carbohydrates so it can serve as the base of a healthy and high calorie meal.

Shrimps 

The nutrients and necessary acid content present in shrimps seals up your body with healthy calories.

Whole wheat bread

You can eat healthy and pack on pounds at the same time by eating whole wheat bread which accounts for approximately 69 calories. 

Click here to read more

Article Courtesy: http://healthmeup.com/

Your liver is your body’s filtration system, since it filters out the harmful substances in your bloodstream. The second largest organ in your body after your skin, it is about the size of a football and sits to the right of your stomach. Everything you eat or drink, including medicine, goes through your liver. Read on to find out the functions of your liver and the foods that cleanse your liver.

Functions of the liver

A healthy liver is a fat-burning organ that performs the following functions:

• Detoxifies the blood to get rid of harmful substances like alcohol, drugs and other toxins.
• Stores vitamins and minerals.
• Produces bile, which is necessary to digest fats.
• Converts nutrients from food into blood components.
• Breaks down haemoglobin and destroys old red blood cells.
• Regulates hormones and blood sugar levels.
• Fights infections and removes bacteria from the blood.

Unfortunately, the modern lifestyle places a lot of stress on the liver. Junk food, fried food, alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, environmental pollution and medicines are just some of the problems that the liver has to deal with. A stressed and overworked liver can’t process toxins or fats efficiently, so it is important to eat foods that cleanse the liver.

Carrots

Carrots contain glutathione, which is a protein that detoxifies the liver. They are also high in plant-flavonoids and beta-carotene, which stimulate the liver and boost its function. 

Tomatoes

In addition to being rich in glutathione, tomatoes are also packed with lycopene, which helps protect against cancer.

Grapefruits

Apart from being another source of glutathione, grapefruits are rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants which stimulate the production of enzymes that detoxify the liver and prompt the liver to cleanse itself.

Beetroots

Like carrots, beetroots are rich in flavonoids and beta-carotene, which boost the overall functioning of your liver.

Garlic

Garlic is loaded with sulphur, which activates enzymes that flush out the toxins from your system. It is also rich in allicin and selenium, which are compounds that help your liver cleanse itself.

Spinach

Raw spinach is loaded with glutathione, and is also rich in plant chlorophylls that suck up the harmful metals, chemicals and pesticides in your bloodstream, thereby protecting your liver.

Lemons

Citrus fruits like lemons and limes are rich in Vitamin C, which stimulate the liver and also improve digestion, helping your body synthesise the toxic materials in your system.

Cabbage

Cabbage contains glucosinolates, which your body uses to make isothiocyanates (ITCs). These in turn stimulate the production of two enzymes which detoxify the liver.

Article Courtesy: http://healthmeup.com/

Image Courtesy: http://realfoodforlife.com/

Here are some favourite healing foods that can promote health and support natural weight loss.

1. Broth

Broth can be made easily by cooking chopped organic vegetables in water, until they are super soft. (Bonus points if your vegetables are also local!) Leave six hours or overnight. Then drain the liquid, heat it up, and voila! Your soup broth is ready to drink. Add sea salt and pepper for taste if you want.

You can eat the cooked vegetables seasoned with fresh herbs. (You can also add fish, meat or grains to your broth depending on your preferences.) This can be very healing for your body, since it’s easy to digest, and also hydrating.

2. Extra virgin coconut oil

Many health experts agree that coconut oil is as close to a superfood that you can get. High in lauric acid (found naturally in breast milk), extra virgin coconut oil is anti-aging, moisturising, and healing. It’s the only oil that you should ever cook with since it stays stable when heated to high temperatures.

3. Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is produced through the fermentation of fresh apple cider. It’s a rich source of minerals (particularly potassium), vitamins, enzymes and amino acids. Apple cider vinegar is a potent and versatile healing substance and can be applied topically or diluted and taken internally.

Always choose good quality apple cider vinegar made from organically grown apples and aged in wooden barrels. It should be pungent and when held up to the light, you should be able to see a cobweb like formation, called the “mother” suspended in the liquid. It’s evidence of the vinegar’s naturalness.

4. Cinnamon

It may be hard to believe that something that tastes so delicious is also so good for your body. Eating cinnamon has the ability to regulate your blood sugars, which is an important part of the weight loss process. Generously sprinkle cinnamon on your cereal or add it to your smoothies for a flavour injection.

5. Lemons

Lemons are naturally detoxifying and have an alkalising effect on your body. This makes them an ideal weight loss food. Each day upon waking, drink a glass of water with a squeeze of fresh lemon. For a delicious, yet healthy taste, squeeze fresh lemon juice onto your food just before serving.

Click Here To Read More 

Article Courtesy: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/

Brain health is a chief concern these days and diet is a major factor that affects it. The brain, like other vital organs, requires the right amount of nutrition to function properly. A combination of physical fitness, a brain-healthy diet, and social interaction can effectively boost brain health.

The attributes of a brain-healthy diet are that it should promote good blood flow to the brain, should be low in fat and cholesterol and should reduce the risk of hypertension, heart disease and diabetes.

Consume more wild/oily fish and grass-fed meat

Research suggests that eating oily fish may protect you from developing dementia. A study found that in brain cells exposed to high levels of alcohol, a fish oil compound was hepful in protecting against inflammation and neuronal cell death. Oily fish are a source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid that is used by the brain to make myelin, which is the insulation on the wiring between brain cells.

Grass-fed meats are an excellent source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which helps protect the brain and nerve tissue.

Consume dark-skinned fruits and vegetables
Pigments are indicators of polyphenols or antioxidants. Berries help maintain cognitive functioning. According to a study published in the Annals of Neurology, women who consumed about two cups of strawberries or one cup of blueberries per week experienced less cognitive decline as they got older than women who did not consume these berries.

Some foods may lower inflammation and the risk of brain disease. Almonds, pecans and walnuts are a good source of Vitamin E, which works as an antioxidant. Also try to eat kale, spinach, brussels sprouts, broccoli, beetroot, corn and eggplant.

Maintain a healthy body weight
This is necessary to maintain overall physical and mental health. Eat in moderation and make healthy food choices. Research suggests that middle-aged adults who are obese are twice as likely to develop dementia later in life.

Lower your intake of high-fat and high-cholesterol foods

Research shows that a high consumption of saturated fat and cholesterol blocks the arteries and increases your chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease. However, HDL (good cholesterol) may help protect your brain cells. Consume mono- and polyunsaturated fats, such as olive oil. Grill or bake your food instead of frying it.

Click here to read more

Article Courtesy: http://healthmeup.com/

Nowadays, it has become a common practice even in Indian households for people to eat their food with cutlery, either spoons or knives and forks, depending on the dish. It is thought to be more modern, hygienic and convenient, however most people don’t realise that there is a rationale behind eating food with your hands.

Vedic wisdom
Eating with food one’s hands is an ancient practice, one that dates all the way back to the time of the Vedas. The actions involved in eating have been derived from mudras (hand positions) that are the basis for yoga, meditation and classical Indian dance. According to the Vedas, the digits on our fingers and toes represent the five elements. It is believed that these five elements work on the food, cleansing it of any negative vibes and preparing it for us to eat. These are the representations of the elements:
• Thumb: Fire
• Index finger: Air
• Middle finger: Heaven
• Ring finger: Earth
• Little finger: Water

The benefits of eating with your hands
Touch: Unlike when you eat with a spoon or fork, your fingers come in contact with your food before you put it in your mouth. Your nerve endings in your fingers sense the temperature and texture of the food, thereby preparing your brain for what you are going to be eating and triggering the release of the appropriate digestive juices and enzymes. Additionally, you will never burn your mouth when you are eating with your hands, since your fingers will be able to sense if the food is too hot to eat. When you eat with a spoon or fork, the food goes directly from the plate to your mouth, so you may not realise if it is too hot.

Bacteria: Our body is thought to have a certain kind of bacteria that has protects us from the harmful bacteria in the environment. This bacteria resides in places like our hands, mouth, throat, intestine, gut and the rest of our digestive system. When we eat with our hands, this pattern of bacteria is maintained and we are protected from harmful bacteria. Of course, it is important for you to wash your hands before and after you eat, to ensure that they remain clean and hygienic.

Attention and satisfaction: When you eat with cutlery, it is a more mechanical process than when you eat with your hands. When you eat with your hands, you have to actually pay attention to what you eat. Not only do you experience the food more and enjoy it better, you are also more aware of what you are eating and how much. Mindless eating is one of the biggest causes of weight gain, whereby eating carefully is a much healthier option.

Article Courtesy: http://healthmeup.com/

*Image courtesy: Shutterstock

You already know that tea can improve your skin and help keep you fit and trim, but did you know that it also does amazing things for your health?

Tea has been around for millennia. Through that time, the Chinese have drunk it for everything from hangover prevention to weight control and common cold reduction. Now, modern scientific research has given us a much better insight into how tea improves health and to what benefit.

True tea, or that from the Camellia sinensis plant, includes white, green, oolong, black and pu-erh. All of them contain antioxidants, catechins, and polyphenols, which positively impact our bodies.

Let’s dive into what the research shows.

1. Lowered cholesterol

Media-favorite green tea was found to help lower cholesterol, both total serum cholesterol and LDL, according to a meta-study published June 2011 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Most sources suggest five cups per day will provide results, but multiple studies have shown that higher consumption leads to the biggest drop in cholesterol.

Tea is thought to work by inhibiting the absorption of cholesterol from the large intestine. Among the Chinese, pu-erh tea is the most renowned in its ability to lower cholesterol, though only minimal clinical research has investigated this traditional belief.

2. Blindness prevention

Since tea contains high levels of antioxidants, it is not surprising that studies have found them in eye tissue. In fact, drinking tea can help to prevent the blindness caused by cataracts (the clouding of the lens inside the eye), said a 2001 study.

3. Reduced cortisol levels

Cortisol is the stress hormone that contributes to belly fat and makes your skin age quicker. One recent study suggested four cups of tea per day may make your cortisol levels spike less.

If you’re looking to have cortisol levels drop back down to normal faster after a stressful event, a 2006 study suggested daily consumption of tea for six weeks will do just that (as compared to placebo).

Both studies found that tea consumption may reduce the impact of cortisol, thus slowing the aging process and preventing the widening of your mid-section.

4. Anti-inflammatory

Active compounds in tea can help to lower levels of inflammation and inflammatory reactions. According to Dr. Mark Hyman, inflammation is connected to almost every modern ailment, including arthritis, metabolic syndrome, and depression. Inflammation can also cause you to retain water and look puffy, so a few cups of tea can help you look and feel thinner.

Want a healthier heart? A 2007 study indicated the lower inflammation levels resulting from green tea consumption may help to protect against cardiovascular disease.

5. Increased memory, focus & concentration

Extensive research has shown that the combination of caffeine and L-Theanine, a naturally-occurring amino acid found in tea, improves reaction time and memory, while increasing focus and concentration (think of monks meditating).

Go for a cup of tea — perhaps white tea — before a meeting when you need to be sharp, or drink it during a test for increased concentration and focus.

6. Anti-allergen

With spring coming up, now is time to start searching for your favorite tea. Why? A 2007 Japanese study found that the tea polyphenol, EGCG, may be helpful for reducing pollen allergies. Tea may also reduce allergic response through quercetin, a flavonol naturally-occurring in tea, which is known to mitigate histamine response.

Yes, you can add locally produced honey to your tea to double-up the anti-allergy power.

Read more here

Article Courtesy: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/