Digital Overdose Making Us Dispensable, Warns Yoga Expert
At a recent International Yoga Day webinar hosted by Hellomyyoga, yoga scholar Dr N Ganesh Rao jolted the audience with his plain-speak and clarity of thought. 'You're not evolving, your instruments are," he said, warning that in keeping up with the digital world, we're paying a huge price with our well-being—and our uniqueness.
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Time of India
19 minutes ago
- Time of India
Your samosa, jalebi now under govt scanner: New health warning boards to reveal what's inside
The jalebi may soon be served with a side of guilt, and your evening samosa might be accompanied by a health warning. The health ministry has directed all central institutions, including AIIMS Nagpur , to install 'oil and sugar boards' — posters that highlight the hidden fat and sugar content in commonly consumed Indian snacks. According to a report by The Times of India, this initiative marks the beginning of a broader awareness campaign, likened to tobacco warnings on cigarette packets. The aim is to gradually position junk food risks in public consciousness in a similar way. These boards are set to be displayed in cafeterias and public areas, especially in government institutions, serving as quiet yet firm nudges about the health risks in everyday items like samosas, jalebis, laddoos, pakoras, and vada pav. Officials at AIIMS Nagpur have confirmed receipt of the directive and say implementation is underway. 'This is the beginning of food labelling becoming as serious as cigarette warnings,' said Dr Amar Amale, president of the Cardiological Society of India's Nagpur chapter, in a quote to ToI. 'Sugar and trans fats are the new tobacco. People deserve to know what they're eating.' Live Events As per ToI, an internal note from the government has linked the move to India's growing obesity crisis. Projections suggest that by 2050, over 44.9 crore Indians could be overweight or obese , the second-highest in the world after the US. Currently, one in five urban adults is overweight, and rising childhood obesity due to poor diet and low physical activity has added to the concern. 'This is not about banning food,' senior diabetologist Dr Sunil Gupta told ToI. 'But if people knew that one gulab jamun might contain five teaspoons of sugar, they might think twice before going for seconds.' Doctors and public health experts see this as part of a larger fight against non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension — many of which are diet-related. The initiative also ties into Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Fit India' campaign and his push for a 10% reduction in national oil consumption. In Nagpur and other cities, the changes will be visible soon. Rather than imposing bans, the government is opting for bold, visual cues. Near every snack counter, a colourful reminder will quietly say it all: 'Eat wisely. Your future self will thank you.' Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Samosas, Jalebis Join Cigarettes On Health Alert List - Govt To Launch Food Warning Campaign
India's beloved street foods like samosas, jalebis, gulab jamuns, and vada pavs may soon share the spotlight with cigarettes, not in taste, but in health warnings. In a first-of-its-kind move, the Ministry of Health has ordered central government institutions, including AIIMS Nagpur, to install eye-catching "Oil and Sugar Boards" that expose the hidden fat and sugar content in everyday Indian snacks. These vivid, educational posters will soon be mandatory in cafeterias and common areas of public institutions, quietly but firmly reminding people of the dangers of excessive sugar and trans fat consumption. Think of it as the beginning of cigarette-style food labeling. The effort isn't to ban food, but to inform. A laddoo containing five teaspoons of sugar? A gulab jamun nearly the same? The government wants you to know, before you grab that second helping. 'Sugar and trans fats are the new tobacco,' says Amar Amale of the Cardiological Society of India. 'People deserve to know what they're putting into their bodies.' Obesity Crisis at the Doorstep India is staring down a major health crisis. Projections suggest over 44.9 crore Indians could be overweight or obese by 2050, placing the nation second only to the United States in the obesity index. With one in five urban adults already overweight and a surge in childhood obesity due to poor diets and inactivity, the situation is dire. These new visual nudges in Nagpur and beyond are part of the larger war on non-communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, all of which are increasingly tied to India's love affair with oily, sugary treats. Not a Ban, But a Wake-Up Call Government sources clarify that this isn't a crackdown on traditional food. The initiative is part of a broader public awareness movement that ties into Prime Minister Modi's 'Fit India' campaign, which promotes healthier food choices and encourages a 10% cut in oil consumption. These signboards are intended to be bold yet non-intrusive, nudging Indians toward wiser eating habits. Picture this: you're eyeing a crispy pakora or a sugary jalebi, and next to it, a sign gently says, 'Eat wisely. Your future self will thank you.' Because while traditions are sacred, your health is, too.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Taking almonds and whey protein 30 minutes before meal reduces blood sugar spike, says study
While it's normal for blood sugar to rise after eating, consistently high levels after meals can lead to various health problems, even in individuals without diabetes. Prolonged high levels of blood sugar can damage blood vessels, wearing them out, posing a significant risk to heart health. It can even worsen existing diabetes and make it harder to control and end up damaging the kidneys, eyes and nerves. That's why Dr Anoop Misra, chairman, Fortis C-DOC Hospital for Diabetes and Allied Sciences, has got down to planning a pre-meal pattern of consuming macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and fats) that may indeed tame post-meal blood sugar spikes. 'This is especially important for Indians, since their postprandial glucose levels are high and need additional therapies, especially dietary measures,' says Dr Misra, who has laid out his findings in a scientific review of global research. A larger pre-meal load of carbohydrates leads to a faster and more pronounced rise in blood sugar after eating. Conversely, consuming protein, fat, and fibre before the main meal can slow down digestion and accelerate absorption, leading to a more gradual blood sugar release. Whey protein (25 – 55 g), taken 30 minutes before a high-carb meal significantly reduces post-meal glucose levels. It stimulates insulin secretion, slows gastric emptying, increases GLP-1 and GIP hormones, both of which regulate post-meal blood sugar by stimulating the release of the sugar-regulating hormone insulin. Olive oil or almond consumption 30 minutes before meals delays gastric emptying and flattens the glucose peak. In people with Type 2 diabetes, olive oil delayed peak glucose elevations from 75 to 140 minutes, significantly lowering glucose spikes. We found that 20 g almonds (rich in protein and monounsaturated fatty acid) before meals brought down post-meal two-hour glucose by 25.8 mg/dL, HbA1c (average blood sugar counts of three months) by 0.4%, and improved insulin sensitivity. About 30 per cent of participants returned to normal blood sugar range after three months. They also reported a reduction in weight, cholesterol and improved insulin sensitivity. There was no risk of hypoglycemia (below normal levels of blood sugar) even in prediabetes. We unanimously concluded that eating almonds daily provides significant benefits for heart health, weight management, blood sugar control and the gut microbiome. The findings from studies in India were particularly notable, indicating that almonds may have especially beneficial effects for people in India with prediabetes, who are more likely to develop diabetes than other racial groups. Almonds are natural, delicious and nutrient-dense, providing protein, healthy fats, fibre and important vitamins and minerals. Plus, they are shelf-stable, portable; and fit into healthy and diverse diets. We made our subjects have fibre and vegetables first. Eating vegetables (rich in fibre) 10 – 30 minutes before carbs improves glycemic control. Studies showed 11 – 49 per cent drop in postprandial glucose. A 500 g vegetable pre-load lowered HbA1c by 1.1 per cent over 2.5 years. I suggest big portions of vegetables, preferably okra, jackfruit, methi (fenugreek), karela (bitter gourd), all known to decrease blood sugar. You can have them after proteins which can decrease blood sugar further. I suggest two large portions of salad with two teaspoons of flaxseed (raw) as preload for those who are not taking protein or almonds. This is a very practical preload. Your salad should have plenty of tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, salad leaves and small portions of radish. If you have carbohydrates at the end, your stomach is already full. So you will automatically limit the portion of rice yourself. Another way to eat rice is to have it with more protein, be it rajma or dal. Rotate three oils — olive, mustard and canola. Avoid ghee, dalda, coconut and palm oils.
