Latest news with #ManishaYadav
NDTV
4 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
What Happens When You Eat Dessert Before Your Meal
There is no shame in admitting that we have all grown up hearing, "No sweets before dinner." From laddoos before lunch to slices of cake before a full meal, eating desserts before meals was often frowned upon by elders. But truthfully, who has not given in to temptation? In today's world of trending diets, cheat days, and constant sugar cravings, resisting a bite of ras malai or gulab jamun, especially during festivals, is no easy task. But is indulging your sweet tooth before a meal harmful? Experts in Ayurveda and nutrition weigh in on what it actually means for your digestive health. Also Read: 5 Reasons Peppermint Tea Is Your Answer To A Good Night's Sleep Should You Eat Dessert Before Meals? Yes. Contrary to what we have always been told, eating sweets before your main meal could benefit your digestion, according to Ayurvedic principles. Why Do Some Experts Recommend This? According to Ayurveda, the order in which you consume the six rasas—or tastes—plays a role in balancing your doshas and aiding digestion. It is said that sweets should ideally be eaten before the main course, not after. Yoga expert Manisha Yadav explains that Madhur rasa, or the sweet taste, is grounding and nourishing in nature. It gently activates the digestive fire without overwhelming it. In contrast, salty, spicy, or sour foods can stimulate digestion too quickly, which may lead to an imbalance. The sweet taste is particularly pacifying for vata and pitta doshas, which can become aggravated by spicy or excessively hot foods. Can Eating Sweets First Help Prevent Overeating? Absolutely. According to Ayurveda, consuming sweets at the beginning of a meal helps settle the vata and pitta doshas before introducing more stimulating flavours. In addition, the sweet taste provides a sense of satiety early on. As Manisha Yadav notes, this can help you feel fuller sooner and may reduce the tendency to overeat, making it easier to manage your weight. What Happens When You Eat Sweets After A Meal? Sweet foods are heavy by nature. If consumed at the end of a meal, they can be harder to digest. This can lead to issues such as bloating, gas, fermentation, and toxin formation. According to the expert, delayed digestion of sweets can interfere with nutrient absorption and gut health. How To Reduce Sugar Cravings After Meals Even if you understand the logic behind eating sweets first, sugar cravings after meals can be difficult to manage. Here are a few practical tips to gradually reset your habits and lifestyle: 1. Choose Healthier Alternatives Swap high-sugar desserts with better options like fresh fruits, yoghurt with honey, til chikki, or a small piece of dark chocolate. Nutritionist Neha Ranglani recommends these as effective swaps that still satisfy your sweet tooth without causing blood sugar spikes. 2. Focus on Balanced Meals Ensure that your meals contain a good mix of protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. A well-balanced plate helps stabilise blood sugar levels, reducing cravings later. 3. Stay Hydrated Sometimes, what feels like a sugar craving is actually thirst. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to reduce the chances of mistaking dehydration for hunger. 4. Distract Yourself If the urge for sweets hits, shift your focus. Neha Ranglani suggests activities like going for a walk, listening to music, or engaging in a creative hobby. Anything that takes your mind off food can help. 5. Increase Salt Intake - Mindfully According to nutritionist Pooja Makhija, sugar cravings can sometimes signal a lack of salt in the diet. When salt levels drop, the brain's reward centres activate, leading to intense cravings for sugary foods. Ensuring an adequate intake of natural salts may help reduce this cycle. Also Read: Why Cucumber Juice Should Be Your Summer Secret To Easy Weight Loss So, if your instincts tell you to reach for a small piece of dessert before your meal, it might not be the worst idea. As long as you understand your body's cues and follow a balanced approach, a sweet bite before your meal could even support your digestion rather than derail it. Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information. Advertisement About Nikita Nikhil Meet Nikita, a passionate soul with an insatiable love for two things in life: Bollywood and food! When she's not indulging in binge-watching sessions, Nikita can be found behind the lens capturing moments or expressing her creativity through painting. For the latest food news, health tips and recipes, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and YouTube. Tags: Dessert Craving Desserts Expert Advice Show full article Comments
NDTV
28-04-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Should You Eat Fruits For Breakfast? Experts Explain The Right Way
Summer is officially here, and local markets are buzzing with juicy mangoes, litchis, berries, and watermelons. Wherever you turn, there is a burst of colours, making it hard not to pick up a basket. With the temperatures soaring, fruits seem like the perfect choice. They are light, refreshing, and naturally sweet. No wonder, when you are hot, hungry, or slightly dehydrated, fruits feel like the smartest option. But is having fruit for breakfast really the best thing to do? Many people believe that starting the day with a bowl of fruits is a healthy breakfast option, but is that truly the case? Let us find out what experts think about fruits for breakfast and your health. Also Read: Should You Eat Fruits Before Or After A Meal? Should You Eat Fruits For Breakfast? Not really. Drawing from Ayurveda diet tips, yoga instructor Manisha Yadav explains that it is not only about what you eat, but also when you eat it. Anything that helps your Jatharagni, or digestive fire, is considered good food. To explain further, between 6:00 am and 10:00 am is known as Kapha Kaal, where the body tends to be cold and heavy. This is the phase when your digestion is still warming up. Eating cold foods like fruits during this time can weaken the digestive fire, which may disrupt digestion. You could experience bloating, sudden sugar spikes, energy crashes, or even fatigue. What happens next? You may end up feeling hungry soon after. What Is The Best Time To Eat Fruits Then? According to Yadav, the best time to enjoy fruits is between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm. Adding to this, consultant nutritionist Rupali Datta explains, "Fruits are the best snacks in between meals, it is low in calories and high in minerals like sodium and potassium. It helps you battle those voracious hunger pangs." However, it is advised to maintain a gap of at least 30 minutes between eating fruits and your main meals. For diabetic patients, experts suggest maintaining a gap of two hours after a meal and one hour before a meal. Another great time to have fruits is before or after a workout session. Eating fruits before a workout provides an instant energy boost and replenishes energy after exercising. Datta further says, "If you are into exercising, it is best to have a banana or a mango before or after your workout. It manages to infuse the required amount of energy and also works as an electrolyte." What Should You Have For Breakfast Instead? Instead, stick to warm and hearty breakfast choices that can support your digestive fire, says instructor Yadav. If you are hunting for quick breakfast recipes that are simple and tasty too, here are some delicious ideas: 1. Aloo Poha This poha recipe is ready in just five minutes. Chop some onions and potatoes, rinse the poha well, and prepare a flavourful tempering of sautéed onions, potatoes, mustard seeds, curry leaves, and everyday spices. Mix everything and serve hot. 2. Uggani This South Indian-style puffed rice upma is a brilliant breakfast idea. Begin by rinsing puffed rice thoroughly. Sauté onions, tomatoes, gram dal, and peanuts to create a rich base. Toss the puffed rice into the pan and finish with a fresh squeeze of lemon juice. 3. Besan Cheela For a quick yet filling breakfast, whisk a smooth batter of besan, a bit of sooji, water, salt, chopped onions, garlic, and tomatoes. Pour onto a heated pan and cook until soft and golden. These savoury pancakes are light and perfect for a busy morning! 4. Masala Anda Bhurji If basic scrambled eggs are too plain, give it a spicy twist with masala anda bhurji. Sauté eggs with onions, tomatoes, green chillies, and a mix of spices. Serve it with bread or chapati for a wholesome breakfast. 5. Liquid Chilli Garlic Paratha Not a fan of kneading dough early morning? Make a quick liquid chilli garlic paratha batter! Prepare a spiced batter, pour it straight onto the pan, and spread into the shape of a paratha. A fuss-free way to enjoy parathas without the extra effort! Also Read: 5 Low-Sugar Fruits You Can Consume Daily For A Healthy Summer So go ahead and enjoy fruits for breakfast – but at the right time – to make the most out of their goodness! Advertisement Comments About Nikita Nikhil Meet Nikita, a passionate soul with an insatiable love for two things in life: Bollywood and food! When she's not indulging in binge-watching sessions, Nikita can be found behind the lens capturing moments or expressing her creativity through painting. For the latest food news, health tips and recipes, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and YouTube. Tags: Fruits Fruits For Breakfast Expert Advice Show full article Comments
