Celebrities with Diabetes

Celebrities with Diabetes 

Celebrities with Diabetes:

Have you been recently diagnosed with Diabetes? Do you feel like it’s the end of the world? 

Most people go into a state of denial and think that ignoring the problem will make it “go away”. 

The truth is,pray as much as you want, but it won’t go away. What you can do however, is accept the situation, learn and understand the condition, so that with the help of your doctor, dietitian and diabetes educator you can be in better control of yourself and diabetes. 

Keep in mind that you are not alone in this battle, with India on the verge of becoming “the Diabetes capital of the World” there are more than 40 million diabetics in India alone. Diabetes is not restricted to the common man; even movie stars, sports stars, singers and other celebrities suffer from the disease and yet are still able to lead a glamorous lifestyle. 

Celebrities who are also diabetics:

•  Wasim Akram: The former Pakistani bowler also known as ‘the King of Swing” was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 30 and was at the peak of his career. Akram apparently could not believe that he could be a diabetic as he thought that only people over the age of 50 and leading a sedentary lifestyle could get it. Eventually, he learnt to follow a strict diet and exercise regimen that was tailor made for him along with daily insulin doses. To his credit he has about 250 wickets which he took after being diagnosed as a diabetic! 
• Kamal Hassan: Diabetes has not dampened the spirits of this versatile actor and father of actress Shruti Hassan. He tries to balance a hectic schedule and his Type 1 diabetes and even takes out time to encourage other diabetics to take charge of their lives. 
• Gaurav Kapur: The Channel V VJ, host of Big Switch 2 and actor was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the tender age of 22. Gaurav now practices yoga and jogs to keep fit, follows a strict diet and avoids alcohol to keep his sugars under control. 
• Elvis Presley: The King of ‘Rock and Roll’never publically admitted the fact that he was a diabetic and went on leading a high profile life. 
• Halle Berry: The Oscar winning Hollywood actress was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 23 when she collapsed on the sets of a TV show. The actress then went on to win numerous awards and even an Oscar in 2001. In 2007, she gave birth to a baby girl. “Diabetes turned out to be a gift," she says. "It gave me strength and toughness because I had to face reality, no matter how uncomfortable or painful it was." 
• Nick Jonas: India's most famous 'damad' (or Priyanka Chopra's husband) and singer of the boy band ‘The Jonas Brothers’ was diagnosed with diabetes at age 16. Diet, exercise and an insulin pump that delivers insulin throughout the day is what lets Nick lead as normal a life as possible. 
• Randy Jackson: The American Idol judge, singer and Grammy Award winning producer was obese, had a family history of diabetes and is an African-American(the 3 major risk factors for diabetes) when he was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. Randy has since then, managed to shed around 45kgs (100lbs)with regular exercise and diet. 
• Salma Hayek: The actress cum producer was diagnosed with gestational diabetes when she was 25 weeks pregnant with her first child. Though this type of diabetes usually goes away after pregnancy, these people have a high risk of developing diabetes later on in life. 
• Sonam Kapoor: The actress and fashionista was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at a very young age. Instead of sitting back, she decided to take control of her life. She started eating healthy and with regular exercise lost a ton of weight and is able to keep it under control.

So it’s not just you, even the rich and the famous can suffer from Diabetes. What you need to do is to take a leaf from their book and try your best to control diabetes so that you can lead as normal a life as possible.

At the end of the day-don’t let Diabetes control your life, try to control it!

Sweta Uchil

Online Indian Dietitian

Thank you all for your support and feedback.

By popular demand, we are NOW OFFERING ONLINE DIET CONSULTATIONS: Customized Indian Diet Plans

Indian Weight Loss Diet, Indian Diabetic Diets, Indian Diets for PCOS, Indian Low Carb Diets and many more diets at our brand new website: JOIN NOW
MY INDIAN DIETITIAN: www.myindiandietitian.com

No More Excuses-How to Exercise When the Weather is Bent on Being a Spoilsport

No More Excuses-How to Exercise When the Weather is Bent on Being a Spoilsport

Weather has for long been the standard excuse for those who want to escape exercising. Whether it’s the rain, the snow or the heat- there is an excuse for every season!

Exercising in Winter

After the long, hot summer months, the monsoon rains bring much needed relief from the heat. The rains, which are a welcome change, can spell the end for outdoor exercises for all health enthusiasts. The rains or even the snow also tend to bring to the table steaming teas along with hot ‘pakoras’.

So how does one take care of the diet and exercise during with all these hurdles?

Here are some tips to help you continue your weight loss journey:

Exercise:

• Outsmart the rains/snow/heat and join a gym/aerobics/yoga/dance class. Since these are conducted indoors, the rains are highly unlikely to hamper your fitness plans!
• Invest in some exercise machines like the treadmill/elliptical/exer-cycle and burn those calories without having to leave your home (make sure to exercise otherwise you’ll end up using them to dry your wet clothes)!
• If joining a gym/exercise class or buying exercise equipment isn’t too friendly on your pocket-then pick up some exercise DVD’s or surf the internet for exercises that you can do at home.
• Keep yourself active-take the stairs whenever possible, jog inside the house, do simple home exercises.

Doing this will keep your metabolism from slowing down.

Diet:

• Avoid binging on fried foods (pakoras, chips, namkeens, samosas,etc) as far as possible. Moderation is the key word here.
• Snack on the grilled buttas/makkai/corn that seem to pop up everywhere with the rains. Nothing smells better than corn being roasted over hot coals on a rainy day, besides the fiber makes it an excellent healthy snack.
• Eat light meals and keep yourself hydrated by drinking loads of water.
• Healthy Snack Options:  Khaman dhoklas, Sweet Potato Baked Fries, Kale Chips,

Precautions: A word of caution as the monsoons also brings with it the dangers of waterborne diseases like cholera, jaundice, typhoid and diarrhea.

Here are some tips to avoid falling sick this monsoon:

• Drink only boiled/ bottled water. Carry a bottle of water from home to avoid drinking water from unsafe sources.
• All vegetables and fruits should be washed well in clean water especially those that are consumed raw. Avoid eating salads and cut fruits, juices,golas and chaats from the street vendors.
• Eat home cooked meals as far as possible. If it isn’t feasible at all times, then opt for cooked meals like roti/chawal with sabzi/dal. Avoid sandwiches, raitas, salads, which can contain raw vegetables.
• With these simple precautions you can prevent yourself from falling sick which will end up as another excuse for not exercising.

Just keep in mind that Summer/Autumn/Winter/Monsoon/Spring season is no excuse for NOT exercising.

Thank you all for your support and feedback.

By popular demand, we are NOW OFFERING ONLINE DIET CONSULTATIONS: Customized Indian Diet Plans

Indian Weight Loss Diet, Indian Diabetic Diets, Indian Diets for PCOS, Indian Low Carb Diets and many more diets at our brand new website: JOIN NOW
MY INDIAN DIETITIAN: www.myindiandietitian.com

Diet and Precautions during the Monsoons

Diet and Precautions during the Monsoons:

After the long, hot summer months, the monsoon rains bring much needed relief from the heat. The rains, which are a welcome change, can spell the end for outdoor exercises for all health enthusiasts. The rains also tend to bring to the table steaming teas along with hot ‘pakoras’.

Fried Foods

So how does one take care of the diet during with all these hurdles?

Diet:

• Avoid binging on fried foods (pakoras, chips, namkeens, samosas,etc) as far as possible. Moderation is the key word here.
• Snack on the grilled buttas/makkai/corn that seem to pop up everywhere with the rains. Nothing smells better than corn being roasted over hot coals on a rainy day, besides the fiber makes it an excellent healthy snack.
• Eat light meals and keep yourself hydrated by drinking loads of water.

Precautions: A word of caution as the monsoons also brings with it the dangers of waterborne diseases like cholera, jaundice, typhoid and diarrhea.

Here are some tips to avoid falling sick this monsoon:

• Drink only boiled/ bottled water. Carry a bottle of water from home to avoid drinking water from unsafe sources.
• All vegetables and fruits should be washed well in clean water especially those that are consumed raw. Avoid eating salads and cut fruits, juices,golas and chaats from the street vendors.
• Eat home cooked meals as far as possible. If it isn’t feasible at all times, then opt for cooked meals like roti/chawal with sabzi/dal. Avoid sandwiches, raitas, salads, which can contain raw vegetables.
• With these simple precautions you can prevent yourself from falling sick which will end up as another excuse for not exercising.

Here are some tips to help you continue your weight loss journey:

Exercise:

• Outsmart the rains and join a gym/aerobics/yoga/dance class. Since these are conducted indoors, the rains are highly unlikely to hamper your fitness plans!
• Invest in some exercise machines like the treadmill/elliptical/exer-cycle and burn those calories without having to leave your home (make sure to exercise otherwise you’ll end up using them to dry your wet clothes)!
• If joining a gym/exercise class or buying exercise equipment isn’t too friendly on your pocket-then pick up some exercise DVD’s or surf the internet for exercises that you can do at home.
• Keep yourself active-take the stairs whenever possible, jog inside the house, do simple home exercises.

Doing this will keep your metabolism from slowing down.

Healthy Snack Options:

Khaman dhoklas,

Sweet Potato Baked Fries,

Kale Chips,

Just keep in mind that the monsoon season is no excuse for NOT exercising.

Thank you all for your support and feedback.

By popular demand, we are NOW OFFERING ONLINE DIET CONSULTATIONS: Customized Indian Diet Plans

Indian Weight Loss Diet, Indian Diabetic Diets, Indian Diets for PCOS, Indian Low Carb Diets and many more diets at our brand new website: JOIN NOW
MY INDIAN DIETITIAN: www.myindiandietitian.com

How to Choose the Right Indian Diet Plan for Healthy Weight Loss

Have you made your New Year’s resolution to lose weight and are looking for the right Indian Diet plan for healthy weight loss? Then here is the checklist of what you should look for before signing up for it.

Desi Diet Plans

1. Do they plan Indian Diet Plans for Healthy weight loss? This is most important especially if you are living outside India. If you sign up without finding this out you will be stuck with a fantastic diet plan or package but which is of no use for you since the foods are all Western! Let’s face it-we may live abroad, love the Western lifestyle and the amenities that is offered there, but at the end of the day, we still want to eat our ‘desi khaana”. Akhir dil hain Hindustani!!
2. Is there a real dietitian or are you expected to interact with a computer? No really-think about it!! Why pay for a computer generated diet chart?
3. Check the credentials of the person: With every Tom,Dick and Harry giving out diet advice these days, you need to be careful about who you sign up with. Look for a qualified dietitian who has worked at least a couple of years in a hospital. Most dietitians who have worked in a hospital know the dangers of crash dieting and are vary about prescribing the same to clients.
4. Do they recommend fad diets? Some websites push fad diets (fruit diet, juice diet, GM diet,Cabbage diet ) to show immediate results. But remember-these results don’t last. Not only that, there is a danger of nutritional deficiencies and severe hair loss after sometime. Do you really want that? Or would do you want something that helps you keep the weight off forever? It’s your choice-but it’s your body that will pay for what you choose!
5. Are the Indian Diets planned for you or are they chosen from previously printed plans? Diets need to be planned, not printed off the internet. It’s like going to the doctor and getting a check-up and by google. Would you really do that? You want something that is specific to you-one size does not fit all in the case of diets!! So don’t be fooled by websites who take money to dole out pre-planned diet charts.
6. Will the weight loss Indian diet be planned according to your eating habits? Again what’s the point of eating something which you are not used to eating? For example-if you are a South Indian and the diet planned is a typically North Indian diet. It’s just not right for you.
7. Will there be follow-ups? You need to have your diet reviewed basically to see how you are doing on it and if any changes are required.

If this is exactly what you want, then do get in touch with me to schedule an appointment as the first step to a new, healthy, YOU!!

To know more about Sweta Uchil Purohit : CLICK HERE: Online Indian DIETITIAN Sweta Uchil

 Click to go to choose the right Indian Diet Plan for Healthy weight loss: Online Diet Consultation Packages

Thank you all for your support and feedback.

By popular demand, we are NOW OFFERING ONLINE DIET CONSULTATIONS: Customized Indian Diet Plans

Indian Weight Loss Diet, Indian Diabetic Diets, Indian Diets for PCOS, Indian Low Carb Diets and many more diets at our brand new website: JOIN NOW
MY INDIAN DIETITIAN: www.myindiandietitian.com

Rice Vermicelli Tawa Pulav (Gluten Free)

Rice Vermicelli Tawa Pulav (Gluten Free)

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, triticale and in some cases oats. Gluten is commonly blamed for gut symptoms experienced by people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, recent research suggests that the carbohydrate component in wheat, rye and barley is more likely to be the cause of the problem (part of a group of foods known as FODMAPS.A gluten-free diet allows bowel healing and symptom improvement in people with coeliac disease.

Tawa vermicelli pulav is a recipe using the rice noodles found in the Asian section of the grocery store and the pav bhaji masala. I prefer using rice vermicelli instead of the more commonly used  wheat vermicelli. It’s a tasty and unique dish to take in the lunch box too. The pav bhaji masala gives a very different flavour to the dish.

Rice Vermicelli Tawa Pulav

Ingredients for Rice Vermicelli Tawa Pulav:

• Rice vermicelli: 500g
• Mixed vegetables: 1 cup chopped (green beans, carrots, peas, capsicum, etc)
• Onion: 1 medium(thinly sliced)
• Cashew nuts: 10 nos.
• Ginger garlic paste: 2tsp
• Tomato: 2 big , finely chopped
• Green chilies: 1 slit lengthwise (optional)
• Pav bhaji masala: 3 tsp
• Kashmiri red chili powder: 1/2-1 tsp (as per heat tolerance)
• Turmeric powder: 1/4 tsp
• Jeera: 1tsp
• Cinnamon: 1″ stick
• Cardamom: 2nos.
• Coriander: 3 tbsp( finely chopped) for garnish
• Lemon juice: 2 tsp
• Oil/ Butter/Ghee: 1 tbsp
• Salt: to taste

Method:

• Heat oil/butter in a kadai and add the cumin/jeera, cinnamon, cardamom, cashews ,slit chili(optional)
• Then add the turmeric powder, sliced onions and the ginger garlic paste. Saute till the onions start turning brown.
• Add, the mixed vegetables and stir fry till the vegetables are almost cooked.
• In the meanwhile, boil some water with a tsp of oil in a saucepan. Once it boils switch off,add the rice noodles/vermicelli(broken into smaller pieces) and let it sit for 2 minutes and then drain and keep aside.
• Add the chopped tomatoes ,salt and saute until the tomato turn soft and mushy then add the pav bhaji masala, chili powder.
• Saute until the oil is released from the masala paste.
• Add the rice noodles/vermicelli and mix well to coat every strand of the vermicelli with the masala.
• Squeeze some lime juice, mix well and garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
• Serve the Rice vermicelli tawa pulav with raita or as is.

Thank you all for your support and feedback.

By popular demand, we are NOW OFFERING ONLINE DIET CONSULTATIONS: Customized Indian Diet Plans

Indian Weight Loss Diet, Indian Diabetic Diets, Indian Diets for PCOS, Indian Low Carb Diets and many more diets at our brand new website: JOIN NOW
MY INDIAN DIETITIAN: www.myindiandietitian.com

Mangalorean Fish Curry (Bangude Ghassi)

Mangalorean Fish Curry (Bangude Ghassi)

Fish is a high-protein food that provides a range of health benefits. Fatty fish are an excellent dietary source of omega 3. The fish that are rich in Omega 3’s are mackerel, salmon, sardines, prawns and oysters. Omega-3 fatty acids are a vital component of the diet as they can minimize inflammation and keep the body healthy.

Here is a simple and easy Mangalorean fish curry recipe:

Ingredients:

• Mackerel/ or any fish: 4-5 (cut into 4 pieces)
• Onion: 1 small (half to be used when grinding paste, half to be chopped and added to the gravy)
• Coconut: 1/2 cup  grated (fresh)
• Coriander seeds: 1 tsp
• Cumin seeds (jeera): 1/4 tsp
• Methi seeds(fenugreek seeds): 1/4 tsp
• Peppercorns:4-5
• Dry Bedagi chilies(or any long dry red chilies): 3
• Short red dry chilies: 3
• Green chili: 1-2 slit lengthwise
• Turmeric: 1/2 tsp
• Garlic: 12-3 cloves
• Tamarind paste: 1/2- 3/4  tsp
• Salt: to taste

Method:

1. Marinate the fish in a bit of salt and turmeric.
2. Lightly roast and grind the red chilies, coriander seeds, cumins seeds, peppercorns, and grind to a paste along with the grated coconut, garlic and half the onion.
3. Heat a pot, add the ground spice paste, chopped onion, green chilies, and a cup of water and cook the onion, and green chili.
4. Add a little more water if needed, to reach a thick consistency. Add in the fish and cook till done. Add the tamarind paste and more salt, if needed.
5. Do not stir the pot with a ladle, but gently swirl the pot to move the contents around.
6. Switch off after 5 minutes. Serve hot with parboiled rice.

Thank you all for your support and feedback.

By popular demand, we are NOW OFFERING ONLINE DIET CONSULTATIONS: Customized Indian Diet Plans

Indian Weight Loss Diet, Indian Diabetic Diets, Indian Diets for PCOS, Indian Low Carb Diets and many more diets at our brand new website: JOIN NOW
MY INDIAN DIETITIAN: www.myindiandietitian.com

How to Choose the Right Indian Diet Plan for Healthy Weight Loss?

Have you made your New Year's resolution to lose weight and are looking for the right Indian Diet plan for healthy weight loss? Then here is the checklist of what you should look for before signing up for it.

1. Do they plan Indian Diet Plans for Healthy weight loss? This is most important especially if you are living outside India. If you sign up without finding this out you will be stuck with a fantastic diet plan or package but which is of no use for you since the foods are all Western! Let's face it-we may live abroad, love the Western lifestyle and the amenities that is offered there, but at the end of the day, we still want to eat our 'desi khaana". Akhir dil hain Hindustani!! 
2. Is there a real dietitian or are you expected to interact with a computer? No really-think about it!! Why pay for a computer generated diet chart?
3. Check the credentials of the person: With every Tom,Dick and Harry giving out diet advice these days, you need to be careful about who you sign up with. Look for a qualified dietitian who has worked at least a couple of years in a hospital. Most dietitians who have worked in a hospital know the dangers of crash dieting and are vary about prescribing the same to clients.
4. Do they recommend fad diets? Some websites push fad diets (fruit diet, juice diet, GM diet,Cabbage diet ) to show immediate results. But remember-these results don't last. Not only that, there is a danger of nutritional deficiencies and severe hair loss after sometime. Do you really want that? Or would do you want something that helps you keep the weight off forever? It's your choice-but it's your body that will pay for what you choose!
5. Are the Indian Diets planned for you or are they chosen from previously printed plans? Diets need to be planned, not printed off the internet. It's like going to the doctor and getting a check-up and by google. Would you really do that? You want something that is specific to you-one size does not fit all in the case of diets!! So don't be fooled by websites who take money to dole out pre-planned diet charts.
6. Will the weight loss Indian diet be planned according to your eating habits? Again what's the point of eating something which you are not used to eating? For example-if you are a South Indian and the diet planned is a typically North Indian diet. It's just not right for you. 
7. Will there be follow-ups? You need to have your diet reviewed basically to see how you are doing on it and if any changes are required.

If this is exactly what you want, then do get intouch with me to schedule an appointment as the first step to a new, heathy, YOU!!

 Click to go to choose the right Indian Diet Plan for Healthy weight loss: My Indian Dietitian

It's Time to Spring Clean........Your Diet!!!

Spring is in the air and that means it’s time to clean up…your diet!! That’s right,it’s high time you took charge of your health and got it back on the right track by making little changes in the way you eat and of course by being more active. To know more check out my article published in an Australian Magazine called Indus Age:

 It’s Time to Spring Clean…. your diet!!!

Pump Up Your Iron Consumption!

My article on iron published in the Times of India's Indiatimes website:
Have you been feeling tired, fatigued, weak, dizzy or breathless too easily of late? It could be possible that you are not getting enough iron in your diet! Read more at: 
Pump Up Your Iron Consumption!

Spicy Curry Leaf Chicken Fry (Kerala style)

Spicy Curry Leaf Chicken Fry (Kerala Style)

This is a dry chicken dish which requires LOTS of CURRY LEAVES!! You can even make it with drumettes/ chicken wings.
Ingredients:

• Chicken- 500 gms (cut into small pieces)

• Red chilli powder- 3-4tsp

• Coriander powder-4 tsp

• Turmeric-1/2 tsp

• Salt-to taste

Boil the chicken in the above ingredients adding a little water. Let the water evaporate. Keep the pieces aside.

Ingredients for the fry:

• Mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp
• Onion- 1 medium (mince)
• Garlic-4-5 cloves (finely chopped)
• Green chillies-3-4nos. slit
• Red chilli powder: 2-3 tsp (depending on your spice level)
• Coriander Powder: 3tsp
• Pepper powder: 1/2 tsp
• Cumin Powder: 1/2 tsp
• Lemon juice-1 tbsp
• Curry leaves-20-25 nos.
• Oil- 1 tbsp
• Salt to taste

Method:

1. Heat the  oil ,add mustard seeds. 
2. When it pops and half the curry leaves, then add the onion,garlic and chillies and fry till translucent.
3. Add all the powders and salt. Mix well.
4. Add the chicken and mix till the masala coats all the pieces. Switch off.
5. Check the salt. 
6. Add the rest of the curry leaves on top (lots), mix.
7. Add lemon juice/tamarind water. Mix, cover and keep.

Serve the Spicy Curry Leaf Chicken hot as an appetizer or with plain rice and dal.

7 Foods Good for Summer

With hot days and rainy nights, check what’s on your plate. And there is a place for leftover rice too! 

Published in Citizen Matters on 24th May 2013: 7 right foods for the Summer!

How to keep your family fit and healthy

Citizen Matters: Published 29th Jan 2013
How to keep your family fit and healthy