Food & Safety

14Sep, 2023

All about Natural Nutrition

1. Increase RAW fruits and vegetables
2. Mix any vegetables as salad, chew more than juice or grate because former destroys cellulose
3. Fruits to have atlesdt 40-69 minutes before other food
4. Grapes have highest level of removing toxins, fruits react differently to different bodies
5. Those fruits that cause gas in empty (because of more mucus in stomach or intestine) stomach limit that to less dose and have
6. Don’t mix fruits, have one after another after 1hr
7. Plant based more because water soluble, animal protein water insoluble, have animal foods limited
8. Heat treated less
9. Can combine fruits and vegetables in juice form because it is absorbed without digestion
10. Can start with juices for purification, greener the better, without pulp, start with small quantities, have empty stomach
11. Honey is directly absorbed and best to have for purification, even two tablespoons is enough to purify
12. Stop eating when pleasure drops, applicable to only natural foods

17Jun, 2020

Crash diets- A recent fad

Just two months left to a BIG occasion? Want to lose weight as soon as
possible? The best solution to achieve a quick weight loss is to go on a
“crash diet”. How about “Juice diet”, or maybe “Cabbage soup diet”? Oh
and how about the “GM diet”? Great ways to lose weight, right? NO!
This is the worst possible thing that you can do to your body. Crash diets
seem to be a great option due it’s drastic effects but in the long run they
cause more harm than good to the body. Such diets are programs that
assure rapid weight loss over a short period of time and are mostly done
without exercise. They mainly involve extreme food restrictions, thereby
creating large calorie deficits, and eventually leading to weight loss.
Losing weight, is basically just a math, wherein if your calories
consumed are lesser than calories burned, you will eventually lose the
weight. However, losing weight should not be the main priority, one
should also be mindful of the nutrients that they consume. Consumption
of a healthy nutritious diet is extremely crucial in order for one to stay
healthy and fit. One should aim at staying fit and not “thin”.

Anam kalsekar- Nutrition Coach

18May, 2020

Handling expressed human milk

Human milk continues as the best nutrition for all newborns, it reduces the death rate of children below 5 year as it contains all its nutritional and immunity factors, thereby, reducing the chances of infections and enabling the newborn to fight all types of infections. As per the World health organization (WHO) The newborn should have exclusive breastfeeding for six months followed by homemade complementary feeds continuing breastfeeding for two years or beyond.

It is very important to help mother to have a direct breastfeeding and in cases she will not be able to, she should be encouraged to express her milk by hand or an electrical pump.

When to express her milk?

In many cases mothers face difficulties after birth and milk supply could be reduced for many factors, such as (delay breastfeeding after birth, spacing of feeds, ineffective latch on of baby to the breast, babies with tongue tie, etc.…)

Mothers with preterm babies (baby born less than 37 weeks) will need full support and guidance to express her milk and maintain her supply.

This also applies to other cases where mothers are sick or have some complications after birth or if the mother is infected with some infectious disease, mother is on medication for any medical problem, mothers with breast problem such as engorgement.

Working mothers also need to learn about the expressing and handling breast milk

How to express human milk?

For the situations that it is temporary, a mother can learn how to express milk by using her hand, to learn more she can consult a lactation consultant to guide her.

For working mothers and mothers with preterm baby, it’s advisable to use an electrical pump to save time and energy and to be effective for longer use.

How to store expressed human milk?

It is recommended to store in a BPA-free glass or plastic containers
Label the bottles with date and time of the pumping. use refrigerated or frozen milk by the oldest date first.
Expressed human milk can be kept in room temperature, 77°F (25°C) for up to 4 hours or put in the refrigerator immediately.
It is normal for pumped milk to vary in color and thickness form mother to mother.
Stored milk separates into layers, Cream will rise to the top as the milk. Mix the milk before feeding.
(Refrigerators with two separate doors) You can store milk in the refrigerator (the cooled part,) for 3-5 days, and in the case of freezing milk (in the frozen part, ) for a period of 3-6 months.
(One-door refrigerators) You can keep milk in the refrigerator (the cooled part) for 3-5 days, and in the case of freezing milk (in the frozen part) for two weeks.
Thawed milk (inside the refrigerator) can remain refrigerated but should be used within 24 hours.
Thawed milk (in room temperature) can remain for up 1 or 2 hours.

Hoe to Thaw Breast Milk?

You can use a container of warm water or lukewarm running water (tap running water).
Never thaw or heat breast milk in a microwave. Microwaving can destroy nutrients in breast milk and create hot spots, which can burn a baby’s mouth.
If you doubt that breast milk has a sour or strange smell, throw it away

How to clean and sanitize infant feeding items?

Wash all pumping and feeding equipment’s after each use with hot soapy water
Sterilize the parts in a sterilizer or submerge them in boiling water for 5-7 minutes, then dry them.

These are some helpful points that can help the mother handle her expressed milk and help her baby into her breastfeeding journey.

By Nisreen Nemer

Child birth educator, lactation specialist

11May, 2020

11 Ways to have a Zero-Waste Ramadan

We all know that Ramadan is to fast from food and drink, but do we also know that avoiding wasting time is a very important factor in having a productive Ramadan? Here are 11 ways to combat wasting our resources and time to achieve a Zero-Waste Ramadan.

1. Avoid wasting food during suhur/ iftar, In this part of the world where usually it is 15-16 hours of fast, means time for just 2 meals, don’t just over eat to make up for 3 meals.

2. Use left overs to the next day, since in Ramadan the quantity of eating is lesser we can always carry forward meals to the next day.

3. Break fast with dates and water, it boosts energy and hydrates your body and you can go for Maghrib immediately and then come to eat the meal.

4. Fast not only from food but from all evil deeds & your Nafs. Strive to better yourself & your family. Continue this jihad in nafs even after Ramadan.

5. Prioritize your Deen goals according to levels of Fard, Sunnah & Nafl. Achieve them, stick to them, even post Ramadan.

6. Avoid sleeping through-out the day and waking up near Zuhr Time.

7. Sleep Early and set alarm or alarms for Tahajjud.

8. Purify your wealth through Zakat. If you have a habit of giving your zakah in Ramadan then fulfill it as much as you can.

9. Keep your Fitra(food given just before eid salah) ready. You don’t need to rush last minute to buy items because the last 10 nights of Ramadan are going on.

10. Recycle your thoughts into pleasent ones. Declutter your mind from negative energy

11. Keep in touch with relations, friends, neighbours. Maintain silat-ur-rahim. Forgive past hurts & grudges.

12. Have an Eco- friendly Ramadan! Reduce waste, be productive, save water, resources and energy to the best of your abilities.

By Aysha Abrar

Aysha is a Homeschooling mom and is student of knowledge in Fiqh & Tafseer. She belie lives in less is more, and adopts a Minimalist and Holistic approach to her life. She is very socially inclined to be involved in community effort, an entrepreneur who seeks to run a start up to a level of social enterprise. She is also training as a breastfeeding counselor and Amani Child-Birth Educator and manages a support group for mothers online.

12Apr, 2020

“Health is not valued till sickness comes” – Thomas fuller⁣

This is a time when we should all be strengthening our immune system as part of our preventative measures against the spread of COVID-19. ⁣
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This is because the major role of the immune system is to protect your body from outside invadors such as bacteria, viruses etc as well as toxins. As a whole, the immune system also has a role to play in protecting against disease, fighting infections and cancer cells. ⁣
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We all have an obligation towards our body and our health and we should not wait for the worst to happen before we take effective measures. ⁣
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Whilst I encourage immune enhancing supplements, I would also like to add a few other ways to naturally improve your immunity. ⁣
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– Increase your intake of vegetables to 5-7 a day and 2-3 fruits a day. The more variety of fruits and vegetables you have the higher the fibre you consume the more good bacteria is formed. Fibre acts as a prebiotic and prebiotics help with the formation of good bacteria and good bacteria fights off bad bacteria and improves the immune system 💪🏼 Most of us don’t even meet half of that requirement and no potatoes are not a vegetable 😀 ⁣
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– Avoid sugar, refined – packaged foods, colourings, vegetable oils. All these impact our good bacteria and suppress the immune system. ⁣
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– Enjoy the sun when it’s out! Research has shown that the sun activates key immune cells and boosts your immunity 🌞⁣
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– Get some rest and sleep at night!Sleep actually improves the immune system. Infact a lack of sleep has been shown to lower our immune system increasing our susceptibility to infections. Shorter sleep durations have also been associated with an increase in catching the common cold!⁣
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– If there is one thing that seriously affects the immune system it’s Stress. Ongoing stress especially makes us more susceptible to illness and disease this is due to the cortisol continuously being produced by the body. Cortisol overtime suppresses the immune system. ⁣
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– Several studies suggest that regular physical activity is associated with decreased mortality and incidence rates for influenza and pneumonia. Exercising regularly also leads to a healthy immune system.⁣
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– My all time favourite antibiotic, antimicrobial, antiviral, immune ehancing is good old raw fresh garlic. Add it daily to your salads, dips, soups, pasta etc ⁣
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– Turmeric is also a great immune enhancer. It also works effectively at reducing any viral replication. ⁣
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– Pre and probiotic rich foods including sauerkraut, kefir, leeks, onions , oats, manuka honey, banana and fibre foods in general. We have more bacterial cells in our body than human cells and infact a huge part of your immune system lies in your gut. This makes good bacteria ie probiotics essential for your overall immune health. ⁣
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Antiviral and Immune enhancing herbal ⁣
teas ⁣
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🍃Echinacea ⁣
🍃Thyme⁣
🍃Ginger⁣
🍃Lemon balm ⁣
🍃Star anise ⁣
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Herbal teas may not be as “potent” in there strength as herbal supplements but you will still get the benefits and are a much better alternative to black tea. ⁣
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*Please make sure you buy organic where possible due to the high pesticide content found in all teas. ⁣
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Immune enhancing foods:⁣
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🍋Citrus fruits ⁣
🍓 Berries ⁣
🍠 Sweet potatoes ⁣
🌶 Red peppers/Capsicum⁣
🥦 Brocolli ⁣
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Remember to put trust in god first and then trust your body’s ability to heal itself provided that you give it the right tools to work with. ⁣
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⁣-Nour Abulughod

2Feb, 2019

Are Fortified and Enriched Foods Healthy?

More than two-thirds of Americans don’t eat fruits or vegetables at least twice a day, and most don’t meet the recommended dietary guidelines.

Worldwide, more than 2 billion people have micronutrient deficiencies because they aren’t getting enough essential vitamins and minerals each day. Many Americans also aren’t meeting the requirement for vitamins and minerals, especially children.

Fortified and enriched foods were introduced in the 1930s and 1940s. They were intended to help boost vitamin and mineral intake with foods that adults and children were already eating, like grains and milk.

What’s a fortified or enriched food?

Fortified foods are those that have nutrients added to them that don’t naturally occur in the food. These foods are meant to improve nutrition and add health benefits. For example, milk is often fortified with vitamin D, and calcium may be added to fruit juices.

An enriched food means that nutrients that were lost during processing are added back in. Many refined grains are enriched. Wheat flour, for example, may have folic acid, riboflavin, and iron added back in after processing. This is intended to restore its original vitamin levels.

Are fortified and enriched foods healthy?

Historically, fortifying foods has been widely successful in the United States. Common diseases that are caused by nutrient deficiencies, like rickets and pellagra, have been virtually eliminated.

Even though fortification has increased vitamin and mineral consumption in the United States, there haven’t been studies on nutrients other than folic acid that show that fortified foods are improving our health. There are also concerns that fortified and enriched foods may be causing people to get harmful amounts of certain vitamins and minerals.

Fortified and enriched foods can be a part of a healthy, nutrient-rich diet. But whether or not they’re beneficial depends on age and a few other factors.

Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/fortified-and-enriched-foods#1

28Jan, 2019

Parents stopped from packing unhealthy foods under school lunchbox ban

Source: https://www.thenational.ae/uae/parents-stopped-from-packing-unhealthy-foods-under-school-lunchbox-ban-1.816898

Doughnuts, fries, soft drinks and processed meats are only some of the items parents can no longer send in school lunches

The Ministry of Education has served up a lunchbox ban on junk foods and fizzy drinks in a new bid to promote a healthier lifestyle for children.

Parents are being prohibited from packing “unhealthy” food items such as processed meats, chocolate bars and spreads, peanuts and even chewing gum for pupils studying at government schools in the country under a new order issued by the authority.

School principals are being urged to strictly enforce the canteen charter, while parents are being encouraged to pack healthier food.

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A circular outlining the junk food ban has been sent to Ministry of Education schools.

“Children getting unhealthy lunches is a problem,” said Aisha Alsiri, acting Director of Health and Physical Fitness at the Ministry of Education.

“It is not acceptable for children to bring these food items to school

“These sugary products and unhealthy food items were already not being sold at school, but this is aimed at parents.

“We have a leaflet that we sent to the parents to educate them regarding healthy foods.

“We already have the canteen project for five years now and we don’t provide any unhealthy food in the canteen.

“Now, we have announced the items that children are not allowed to bring from their homes.

“We are encouraging them to eat healthy food at school and at home. We want to teach them hot to build a healthy lifestyle.”

Chocolates, crisps, soft drinks and chewing gum have been banned from school canteens in Dubai since 2011.

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UAE looks at ban on fast food outlets near schools

UAE steps up efforts to ban unhealthy food in schools

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The warning to parents comes as a fresh measure to tackle childhood obesity, which is a growing concern nationwide.

The National has previously reported that about one in three children in the UAE is either obese or overweight.

Dr Mohamed Embabi, a specialist paediatrician at Bareen International Hospital in Mohamed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi said the move is a “step forward” but believes and parents and schools can still do more to improve the health of children.

He said that while parents are concerned when their child gains weight they are often not fully aware of the health risks associated with a poor diet.

Dr Embabi said cafeterias and shops near schools also need to be monitored to ensure children don’t purchase unhealthy food.

“It is a good step forward. There is a need to train and educate parents, and create an awareness campaign for them.

“In some schools, we still find a poor quality buffet. I see parents coming and saying no one cares at the school.”

Dr Embabi said that parents complain that when they give children healthy food, the lunch box comes back uneaten.

“Parents say ‘If we don’t give them, then the child will find noodles and fried chicken in the cafeteria.’

“Many young children come and they have vomiting and diarrhoea after eating unhealthy food. This is because the child uses the pocket money to go and buy unhealthy food,” Dr Embabi said.

He advised parents who give packed lunch to avoid giving the child pocket money, to cut the risk of them buying unhealthy food from other sources.

The doctor warned parents that eating unhealthy food is detrimental to a child’s development.

“Junk food doesn’t have vitamins, protein, minerals that growing children need.”

He said that parents give such food as they “find it easy.”

“Children like it because it is spicy and appetising. But its harmful in the long term for their brain development.

“The child needs something to help their vision and brain development and such food items will not give them energy. They should not be eating this on a daily basis.

“Children need proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins as well as essential amino acids for brain and vision development.

“Otherwise the child will get anaemia, food-related diseases, nutritional deficiencies, rickets, vitamin deficiencies and vision problems.”

His suggestions for lunch include a boiled egg, cheese, dairy products, food containing protein like cereals, yogurt, fruits, vegetables, milk products, chicken and homemade burgers.

In April 2018, The Dubai Health Authority announced a plan in which private schools had to ensure they were encouraging pupils to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables per day, while physical education classes would need to last a minimum of 150 minutes per week.

16Nov, 2017

Think before you eat! Mindful eating.

We all eat food. Eating food all across the world is considered as the most crucial part of the day. In few cultures eating food is actually worship.
Eating is a natural response to the need of our body i.e. to satisfy our hunger. We eat so that our body and mind gets nourished. We feed our body good food so that we can live well and think good.
But however due to our fast paced lifestyle, our work deadlines and abundance of food around us eating food is becoming mindless, fast and sometimes narrowing down to calorie counting.
No! this is not what we are supposed to be doing when it comes to eating. Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine once said “Let food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food.”
Such a profound statement with such deep meaning, isn’t it? But how do we make our food our medicine.
I believe the key to it is “MINDFUL EATING”. Mindful eating is nothing but our ancestral method followed by our grandparents and the earlier generations. It is eating with an intention to nourish ourselves and eating with all our senses actively concentrating on what is in our plate. Experiencing what is in your plate, indulging in the aroma without judging.
It is to think what you are eating, how much you are eating and why you are eating. Mindfulness in eating goes a long way in making you food conscious and also helps you to stop your unwanted cravings.
A few tips that can help you practise and master this art are –
• Create the correct atmosphere for eating. Sit down, relax, make a silent prayer thanking god for the blessing of food.
• Eat together, this is our ancient practise. Revive it. Remember the good old saying “A family that eats together, lives together”.
• Keep all distractions away. Make your eating time a no laptop, no TV ,no mobile phone time. Talk with each other.
• Lay your food in a plate. Taking one thing at a time, little by little. Enjoy the flavour, indulge in the aroma. Look at the food, this has two benefits one that it stimulates your senses and as a result your mouth, stomach start producing the needed juices for digestion. These juices help keep problems of indigestion and acidity at bay and secondly you get conscious of how much you are eating.
• Chewing the food well. A study shows that a person who chews the food well ends up eating adequate.
• Eat on time. Our body has a biological clock within. It needs it nourishment time to time. It helps set our internal hunger cycle on track and thus there are less cravings.
• Strike a balance with all the food groups include little of everything i.e carbohydrates, proteins, fruits and veggies.
• Keep your food simple and local. Cook what is seasonally available.
Would like to conclude with a famous quote “To eat is a necessity but to eat intelligently is an art”.

Dr.Shamaila Khan, a graduate from Mumbai. She is passionate about healthy eating habits and also holds a diploma in Diet and Nutrition.

13Sep, 2017

5 Ways To Make Healthy Choices When Shopping For Your Kids

Source: Huffingtonpost

FOOD PRESENTED BY TIP TOP THE ONE MIXED GRAINS

Easy tips for parents. Paul Ewart

Good nutrition isn’t entirely down to what you do at home — it would be fair to argue it actually starts at the supermarket. Smart shopping is the foundation for healthy meals, after all. If you don’t have the right ingredients in your kitchen then you can’t create nutritional dishes or healthy sandwiches for the kids’ lunchboxes.

However, while we always set out on the trip to the supermarket with the best of healthy intentions, knowing what to buy and what not to buy can be a confusing task. And even more so when you’re shopping for children.

But staying on track doesn’t necessarily mean your shopping list has to be all kale, quinoa and gluten-free. In fact, you should be including breads and cereals! Here are five tips for healthier food shopping for little ones, even if you have them in tow!

1. Always Read The Labels

According to those in the know, a top tip is to head straight for the ingredients list.

“Read the nutrient panel and — more importantly — the ingredients,” Accredited Practising Dietitian and founder of Nourishing Bubs, Olivia Bates said.

“Something with sugar in the first three ingredients is not a healthy choice, ever!” Bates said.

“One of the biggest issues when it comes to kids snacks and products is parents being fooled by the ‘organic’ tag. Parents assume because it’s organic, it must be healthy. Not true.”

If you’re stumped then try to find healthier swaps. For example, swap processed spreadable peanut butter for an 100 per cent natural alternative or try a whole grain bread option.

2. Don’t Assume That All Breads And Cereals Are Bad

While certain foodie fads would have us believe that bread is bad, it has been a staple in the diets of humankind since Biblical times. With fibre and other important vitamins and minerals, bread is a nutrient packed lunch staple — you just need to choose the right kind.

“When it comes to breads and cereals, always opt for whole grain options where possible as they are much higher in fibre,” Alex Parker and Anna Debenham, Accredited Practising Dietitians at The Biting Truth said.

“Whole grains contain B vitamins that will provide children with energy to play and learn. Being high in fibre, they are also more nutritious and satisfying than their refined counterparts.”

When it comes to cereals, keep a close eye on the ingredients list. Parker and Debenham advised that checking the sugar content per 100 grams is important.

“Pay careful attention for sugar when shopping for your children,” Parker said. “A good rule of thumb is to look for less than 15-grams of sugar per 100-grams and keep an eye out for the low-GI symbol on packs.”

3. Use Fresh Fruit To Stave Off Hunger Pangs While Shopping

We all know from experience how dangerous shopping on an empty stomach is. An empty belly overrides the brain — and the same applies to your kids.

“Encourage your child to choose their favourite fruit or vegetable to snack on throughout the shop,” nutrition and health coach at hernourished.com, Krissy Ropih said.

“Some grocery stores provide free fruit for children at the door. If not, just ask at your local store or bring a choice from home.”

If they’re not hungry when you shop, there’s (slightly) less chance of the little ones trying to persuade you to add some ice-cream to the cart!

4. Always Choose The Least Processed Foods

We all know that fresh is best. Opting for fresh products means more nutrients and less preservatives, additives and sugars. A good option is to choose real foods like fruits, vegetables, breads and nuts. If you’re stuck, think of the types of food your grandmother would have bought.

“How many processing steps has it been through to get from the field to the supermarket?” holistic nutritionist and founder of Holistic health by Lisa Moane, Lisa Moane said.

If you’re stuck for sandwich fillings for the kid’s lunch boxes, reach for the foods without any product packaging at all: fresh fruits and vegetables. “Make sure to buy a rainbow of colours,” comments Moane. “These reflect the vitamin, mineral and phytonutrient contents.”

A list can keep you on track — especially if you base it on a meal plan for the week. Focus your week’s menus on wholesome, nutritious ingredients such as fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, lean meats and poultry, fresh fish, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.

5. Avoid Buying Junk Food To Use As A Reward

Junk food is high in saturated fat, sugar and salt, and is a significant contributor to weight gain — which can put children at higher risk of heart disease and type two diabetes.

Using junk food as a reward or treat can lead to long term unhealthy eating habits — so hold back when you’re in the supermarket and the little ones are pestering you for their favourite lollies or a bag of chips. At best, it’s a short term solution for keeping them well-behaved during the weekly shop.

“It starts kids on a path to emotional eating,” Tanya Funcan, co-founder of healthy snack, Funch.com.au said. “They’ll love (junk foods) as they’re loaded with sugar and salt that their taste buds will then crave. Parents can easily fall into the trap of offering these sorts of food as a treat, whether it be to distract them from pain or to reward them.”

For another way to get added goodness into your supermarket trolley, try a loaf of Tip Top® The One® Mixed Grains. Two slices of Tip Top® The One® Mixed Grainscontributes 35 percent of the 48 grams Whole Grain Daily Target Intake — and the grains are chosen by kids, for kids!

31May, 2017

Search Your Sunnah Remedy

Prophetic Remedies are always the first option for us to look into natural sources of healing. We often end up getting worried and confused over the various types of healing through food, when and how to eat them as there are a few food that should not be eaten together. Yes, this is true! We should be aware of what type of fruits or vegetables should be eaten to treat or to maintain our bodies because they carry healing properties for specific conditions too. Prophetic remedies have been the source of non toxic, no side effects form of nutritional treatments for many conditions since the ages. Search here for your symptom and get an immediate result for your remedy with a supporting authentic hadith. Its Fantastic! http://themuslimahnetwork.com/sunnah-remedies/sunnah-remedies-table/

Category Archives: Food & Safety