Think Skipping Meals Is Good For You? Here's Something That Will Make You Reconsider

Skipping meals might seem harmless or even helpful, but it can disrupt your body in surprising ways. Here's what actually happens inside when you go without food.

In our busy lives, skipping meals may feel like a great shortcut to save some time and even shed a few kilos in the way of doing so, but is it as structured and helpful as intermittent fasting? The answer is no! While both of these methods involve going without food for a certain period of time, how they affect your body and how your body reacts to it is what really makes the difference.

What happens when you skip meals?

When you skip meals you are initiating a series of metabolic and hormonal adaptations that can place a significant physiological stress on the body, says Dr. CC Nair, internal medicine specialist, Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai.

Blood sugar drops: When there is a reduction in calorie intake, it causes glucose levels to decline as well and this impairs the glucose availability for brain function. This leads to symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, cognitive slowing and irritability. 

Short-term stress: Your body produces more cortisol (the stress hormone) and uses up stored sugar (glycogen) available in the liver.

Switching energy sources: If fasting continues to happen for a long period of time, the body starts breaking down fat (lipolysis) and muscle (proteolysis) to produce energy.

Muscle loss risk: Frequent or prolonged fasting can lead to muscle breakdown and slow down your metabolism. This ends up lowering your basic metabolic rate (BMR).

Hormone disruption: Skipping meals can also interfere with the insulin that is produced in the body (it also manages blood sugar) and leptin (which controls hunger), leading to hormonal imbalances.

Digestive issues: Irregular eating patterns can upset your gut’s natural rhythm because it wouldn’t know when to expect food and this ultimately leads to digestive problems.

Overeating: Last but not the least, you may end up eating more later in the day (this is also called compensatory hyperphagia) because you wouldn’t know when your body has had enough food that it needs. This can raise the risk of heart and metabolic diseases.

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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Gastric Obstruction – Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Your bowels are tasked with removing waste and toxins from your body, as well as absorbing salts, liquids, nutrients, indigestible vitamins. They do it to extract all possible nutrients that weren’t digested in the stomach and maintain the balance of electrolytes in your system.

When your bowels are not functioning well, they collect the waste and toxins they’re supposed to get rid of, resulting in various diseases and health issues. If left undiagnosed and untreated, obstructed bowels lead to kidney and liver-related health problems. In this article, you’ll learn all you need to know about bowel obstruction, symptoms that should serve as warning signals, and the natural home remedies needed to fix and prevent it.

What causes gastric obstructions? 

 

The reasons for obstructed bowels are plentiful, such as hernias, cysts, tumors, etc. Another reason is overeating foods that are harmful to our bodies, such as food rich in preservatives and other chemicals. These chemicals lead to a buildup of mucus in the guts, which releases toxins that can damage the body. Another cause is a buildup of fecal matter or foreign bodies in the lower intestine. Bezoars can also cause gastric obstructions.

 

Bezoars are a fibrous lump that forms in the stomach, and the most common type is formed of undigested pieces of food. They are mainly composed out of plant cellulose, most common in unripe fruit and persimmons. 

 

Men are in a higher risk group for contracting phytobezoars in their stomachs, with symptoms that include upper gastric pains, feeling full soon after beginning to eat, nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite and loss of weight. Symptoms only appear in 10-25% of the cases, making phytobezoars hard to diagnose, and can lead to gastric obstructions. 

 

What happens when your gastrointestinal system is obstructed?

When the small intestine is blocked, it will begin contracting in order to move its content beyond the obstruction, which can lead to frequent diarrhea. In later stages, it will become less effective, causing a buildup of water and electrolytes that can lead to dehydration. The obstruction will also create pressure on the intestinal walls, and if left untreated – will only get worse. This can lead to venous drainage obstruction, a rising of the diaphragm, and a suppression of the lungs’ function. 

 

The obstruction itself will aid in the bacterial buildup, in particular, E-Coli, Klebsiella, and Enterococcus Faecalis. The bacteria colonies will grow very quickly, increasing the chances of gangrene and intestinal punctures. 

 

Patients lose their ability to pass feces and gasses along the intestine, causing swelling and increasing stomach pains. The large intestine will expand due to the buildup of bacterium, liquids, feces and gasses.

Which symptoms can indicate an obstruction? 

 

Symptoms can be evidence of obstruction caused be stomach cramping or phytobezoars. Once you notice these symptoms, it is recommended that you pay a visit to your family doctor, to evaluate the nature of the obstruction. Not all symptoms may appear, but they will appear in these general groups: 

 

Constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, lethargy and swelling. 

 

Headaches, memory loss, blurred vision. 

 

Burning sensation in the upper digestive system. 

 

Weight gain, lack of energy and indigestion. 

 

Ulcers in the stomach and Duodenum, ulcerative colitis and stomach inflammation. 

 

Urinary tract infections and inflammation of the kidneys. 

 

Constant colds, allergies, joint pains and chronic diseases.

Treatments: 

 

The most basic treatment is hooking the patient up to an IV, which can only be performed by a doctor. In some cases, the obstructions can be relieved by using a nasogastric tube, and in severe cases, an operation will be required. An enema may help in some cases, but if performed incorrectly – can lead to internal bleeding. 

 

 The simplest, natural treatment for intestinal obstruction is eating 1-3 tablespoons of flax seeds, combined with 100-15ml of Kefir (a type of fermented milk drink) for three days. Flax seeds help the body dispose of fecal matter, mucus and parasites. Additionally, flax seeds can help prevent several forms of cancer, heart diseases, diabetes, and even help lower cholesterol levels. Kefir contains many probiotic bacteria, enzymes, vitamin B12 and proteins, all of which are good for your body. Kefir also helps in restoring the gastric biome and is lactose-free. 

 

To clear your intestines from obstructions, add kefir and flax seeds to your breakfast in this manner: 

 

1st week: 100ml of kefir and one tablespoon of flax seeds 

 

2nd week: 100ml of kefir and two tablespoons of flax seeds 

 

3rd week: 150ml of kefir and three tablespoons of flax seeds 

 

Additionally, drink at least two liters of water every day.

Prevention: 

 

The best way to unblock a phytobezoar obstruction is by eating food that is high in protein and low in fiber. Once the blockage is gone, follow these dietary tips to heal and prevent reoccurrences. 

 

Beverages: It is advised that you keep your body well hydrated. Drink fruit-shakes, water, and sports drinks that are rich in electrolytes. Avoid high-fat dairy. 

 

Dairy: Stick to low-fat or fat-free products. 

 

Grains and bread: Fiber from whole grain tends to slow down the digestive process. Focus on plain white bread, pasta, and regular grain. 

 

Fruits and vegetables: Boiled or canned fruits and vegetables are the way to go. Avoid eating the skin. Watermelon, melons, and bananas can be consumed fresh. Avoid high-fiber fruits and vegetables. 

 

Meat and meat substitutes: Protein is essential to the healing process. Stick to skinless chicken or turkey meat. Other kinds of lean meat, such as fish, eggs and tofu are also good. 

 

Other: Avoid fried foods and use as little butter as possible. Boiled or steamed foods are the most recommended. Minimize the use of seasoning and fatty sauces and dressings.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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Hand trick, plate trick and more: Ways to avoid overeating

Eating your favorite food in large portions and then regretting later is a situation you have all been through. Though portion control becomes very essential for mindful eating, you seldom make the right choice while filling your plate. Here are some tricks you can follow the next time you eat, in order to avoid overeating:

Plate trick
This trick will involve your plates, spoons and forks. Before getting to the trick, think of red color. What was the first thing that came to your mind? Stop, red light, danger, something like this for sure? It basically means when you see red color, your brain automatically signals yourself to ‘stop’. Now eating from red plate will do the same thing. You need not replace all the plates in your kitchen. Just using red cutlery when you eat junk or unhealthy food, in order to keep your proportion size small.

Water trick

An old trick which still holds its relevance is the water trick. All you need to do for this one is gulp down a glass of water before having your meal. The water will partially fill your stomach and will help you eat less than usual. It will not only keep you full for long but will also help you eat in control.

Tight pants trick

Believe it or not your clothes play a big role in determining whether you’ll eat more or less. If you wear tight clothing you will automatically eat less, while loose clothes will eat you more than usual. If you want to eat less, make sure you wear a tight denim or pants, which will prevent you from overeating.

Hand trick

A rather fun thing to do, just cup your hand together in order to start this trick. Now place your food in your cupped hands. Your protein rich foods, such as eggs, lentils and beans should roughly be equal to the size of your palm. Your carbs, such as grains, breads and potatoes should be enough to fill your cupped hands. The vegetables you eat should be equal to your fist, while your butter intake should imitate your thumb.

This super fun way of controlled eating will help you eat just the right proportion size, according to your body requirements.

Veggie trick
If you complete your whole meal and still fill hungry, then it is the best option to opt for veggies. Avoid chapattis or breads and take a serving of the vegetable instead. This will help you in avoiding carbs and fill you up with minerals and nutrients. 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
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How to Identify and Deal With Overeating Triggers

Overeating is a problem that affects millions of people around the world, and can inevitably lead to obesity and all the terrible effects that come with it. That's why, in order to protect your health, it's important to understand what causes you to overeat. Below, we've listed some of the most common eating triggers that you should avoid:

1. Boredom Overeating triggers and tips
Many people start thinking about food the minute they stop focusing on other tasks, such as work or doing chores. This is especially true if you browse the internet or watch TV very often, since the overwhelming amount of food advertisements we see can wreak havoc on our self-control and leave us with lots of powerful cravings. If you find yourself thinking about food when you're bored, try having a large glass of water or take up a creative hobby, such as painting, knitting, or writing short stories.

2. Trigger Emotions
A trigger emotion may be either positive or negative, but it invariably sets off a period of overeating. Some people may begin to eat compulsively when feeling depressed, while others may find themselves opening the fridge when they're feeling excited or overjoyed. To manage trigger emotions, you'll first need to identify which particular emotion is causing your overeating, and then take steps to develop strategies to deal with that emotion without eating.

3. Sweet Trigger Foods Trigger foods are specific kinds of food that are known to make people lose all self-control when eating them. Many trigger foods are often packed with sugar, which has not only been found to be harmful to our health but is a fairly addictive substance too. This is because sugar activates the part of the brain responsible for the body's reward system. However, this sense of achievement will wear off fairly quickly but can leave you feeling terrible for far longer. Here's how you can beat your sugar addiction easily.

4. Salty Trigger Foods
Like sweet foods, salty trigger foods can be just as overwhelming, particularly if they contain a great deal of fat as well, such as potato chips, French fries or salted pretzels. This is because they work on the same part of the brain as sugar does, and can cause overeating to occur at any time, regardless of where you are or how you are feeling.

5. Trigger Environments
A trigger environment is a particular location (or situation) that can cause habitual overeating. For example, many people who usually eat in moderation, go crazy at a buffet and eat until they can't eat anymore. Another example would be people who can't enter a movie theater without buying a huge bucket of salty popcorn. The best way of dealing with trigger environments is to avoid going there in the first place, however, if this is not possible, then you will have to explore new strategies to prevent yourself from overeating.

6. Stress
When you get stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol, which is part of your 'fight or flight' defense mechanism that makes you temporarily faster and stronger when you perceive danger (your body perceives stress as danger). However, since you are not actually in any physical danger, the cortisol in your body may begin to accumulate, which can cause you to eat as if you've just run away from a tiger or have vanquished your foes! Keep your stress levels in check and such compulsive overeating may become a thing of the past.

7. Addiction
If you have been previously addicted to drugs, alcohol or any other kind of addictive substance, then you may be using food as a coping mechanism. However, substituting one harmful addiction with another (yes, unhealthy food can be a very serious addiction) is a slippery slope, so we'd recommend opting for a more positive coping strategy instead.

8. Being Deprived

If you feel that you are being deprived of something, this may make your chances of overeating far more likely. You might be on a strict diet and have a huge craving for hamburgers, however, it may be something that isn't food-related at all, such as being deprived of sexual contact or free time to focus on your hobbies. Don't try to fill up the gaps in your life with food, and focus on more positive coping strategies instead.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement 

6 Ways to Feel Better After Overeating

Whenever there is a party or a festival, when we meet our friends and relatives, a big feast is spread out and invariably in such social circumstances, seeing so many goodies, we all tend to over eat, as we keep talking, so we forget the quantity. When we tend to overeat, it does cause indigestion, bloating, heartburn and at times nausea. But there are ways to overcome the same.

According to the USDA dietary guidelines, the recommended daily amount of calories is about 2,000 for women and about 2,600 for men – referring to individuals of both sexes who lead moderately active lifestyles. Exceeding these boundaries occasionally is not a reason for concern, according to dietitians. 

 1. Don’t Stress Too Much
Some of us have a tendency to feel very guilty and beat ourselves up after eating a larger-than-usual meal. If it’s a rare occurrence, it won’t cause you to gain weight or any other long term consequences. Associating guilt with food, however, may lead to unhealthy eating patterns over time. Instead of stressing over what cannot be undone, plan what you’re going to do to better your feeling in the days that follow.

2. Don’t Lie Down
A big meal often makes us feel tired and sleepy. It’s best if you try and resist the urge to take a nap. Lying down makes it more likely that you experience acid reflux, as it puts pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is the muscle responsible for preventing stomach acids from going back up. Moreover, even doing a small task while standing upright, like doing the dishes, may help burn some calories.

3. Stay Hydrated – But Be Cautious! 
What causes the feeling of being bloated after a big meal is the intake of sodium. Drinking water may help flush out some of the excess salt from the food you consumed, but remember – small sips are the keywords. Limit yourself to about 8 ounces (one cup) of water after a meal, and drink it slowly and moderately. Continue to sip throughout the day. If you chug a large amount of liquids, it can expand your stomach even further and give you a stomachache.

4. Avoid Fizzy Drinks
When drinking carbonated drinks, you swallow gas, which can fill up the digestive system. Your system is already strained with the burden of the meal, so until that excess gas is released, it will only worsen the ‘heaviness’ that you’re feeling. In 2017, researchers found that sugar-sweetened drinks decrease fat oxidation, and thus, the body stores more fat, especially if you drink them with or right after high-protein meals.  

5. Take a Walk​
It may not help you feel less bloated and full, but walking can help the stomach empty more quickly, according to studies. A walk that is at least 10 minutes long can aid digestion, as well as balance blood sugar. When blood sugar spikes, which is likely to happen after a rich meal, a hormone called insulin is released. Insulin removes excess sugar from the bloodstream in two ways – it can either be burned as fuel or stored as fat. Balancing the blood sugar by walking can help you avoid storing a lot of extra fat.

6. Plan Next Meal
Once we've eaten in excess, without fretting, one can easily plan the next meal, which is light, but at the same time healthy. You can even make just one dish, which has carbs, proteins, vitamins, fibers. Such a meal is vegetarian biryani ( you can see the recipe in my recipe blog), vegetable pulao or vegetable kichdi/ pongal. As you can incorporate a lot of veges, dals, nuts, best is to have a raita, i.e., a dish made with curd to which you can add cucumber / tomatoes / onion or all combined finely chopped and seasoned to taste, makes a complete meal.
for such healthy recipes, feel free to view my recipe blog

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement