Another not-so-common concept within the Indian community is that of "juicing." Let me assure you, my husband and I had no idea until we saw others doing it and until we watched a few documentaries. A documentary (available on Netflix) I recommend is "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead." Juicing is basically an easy way for you to get all the nutritional value of fruits and veggies in one go. This means you don't have to sit there and eat a bunch of fruits and veggies, just drink them! Most people are okay with having fruit smoothies so why not a fruit and veggie smoothie? Try adding a few veggies and see how it goes. It was a little on the heavy and bitter side when we started but now we actually crave it.
Here's my Masters of Public Health training coming out: Many chronic diseases are preventable because chronic diseases are rooted in basic negative health behaviors like eating an unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, and the more obvious behaviors of smoking and drinking alcohol. Some people are more prone to these diseases due to their genetic make-up. A recent study published in The Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that South Asians are the most insulin-resistant ethnic group in the U.S (and these are people without diabetes!). As we know, insulin resistance can lead to diabetes and also coronary heart disease.
What does all of this mean? Basically, engaging in a healthy lifestyle can do wonders for your body and keep these painful ailments out of your life. Increased intake of fruits and vegetables has been able to reduce risk of such chronic diseases. A critical review published in the European Journal of Nutrition found that a high intake of fruits and vegetables does reduce risk of chronic diseases. Unfortunately,many people are not aware of this basic knowledge and many do not have access to fresh fruits and vegetables. 'Food deserts' exist all over the U.S. where people do not have a car to get to a supermarket or even have a supermarket that sells fresh produce, with the highest concentration in the South East. If you don't fall into this category of living near or in food deserts, you are truly blessed.
I hope I didn't bore you in this post but I genuinely believe it is important for everyone to know these basic facts and it is more important to act on these facts! I'll end with this, if you have access to fruits and vegetables, consider yourself super lucky. Take advantage and actually go out there and eat/drink your fruits and veggies!
Here's my Masters of Public Health training coming out: Many chronic diseases are preventable because chronic diseases are rooted in basic negative health behaviors like eating an unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, and the more obvious behaviors of smoking and drinking alcohol. Some people are more prone to these diseases due to their genetic make-up. A recent study published in The Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that South Asians are the most insulin-resistant ethnic group in the U.S (and these are people without diabetes!). As we know, insulin resistance can lead to diabetes and also coronary heart disease.
What does all of this mean? Basically, engaging in a healthy lifestyle can do wonders for your body and keep these painful ailments out of your life. Increased intake of fruits and vegetables has been able to reduce risk of such chronic diseases. A critical review published in the European Journal of Nutrition found that a high intake of fruits and vegetables does reduce risk of chronic diseases. Unfortunately,many people are not aware of this basic knowledge and many do not have access to fresh fruits and vegetables. 'Food deserts' exist all over the U.S. where people do not have a car to get to a supermarket or even have a supermarket that sells fresh produce, with the highest concentration in the South East. If you don't fall into this category of living near or in food deserts, you are truly blessed.
I hope I didn't bore you in this post but I genuinely believe it is important for everyone to know these basic facts and it is more important to act on these facts! I'll end with this, if you have access to fruits and vegetables, consider yourself super lucky. Take advantage and actually go out there and eat/drink your fruits and veggies!
My Morning Blend:
Handful of Kale
Handful of Parsley
1 cubed slice of Pineapple
4 slices of Apple
1/2 Banana
1 cup of Soy Milk
Sprinkle of Chia Seeds
*You don't need a fancy juicer (although I'm sure it would be nice)- I use our baby blender (one like the Magic Bullet) =)
Handful of Kale
Handful of Parsley
1 cubed slice of Pineapple
4 slices of Apple
1/2 Banana
1 cup of Soy Milk
Sprinkle of Chia Seeds
*You don't need a fancy juicer (although I'm sure it would be nice)- I use our baby blender (one like the Magic Bullet) =)