₦airaland Forum

Billions of people all over the world suffer from Hidden Hunger. For the sake of clarity, consider it as "hunger in stealth mode", just like in the video mission games. Research has proved that he lack of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, iodine and iron, is the main cause of “hidden hunger” and malnutrition in the world today.

See the Facts here - http://diet234.com/hidden-hunger/

All beers are not bad! There is one healthful beer that is certified for amazing health benefits, plus you can readily brew it at home - Ginger beer. There are a few information you should know before you indulge in it though.

How to Select and Store Ginger
Whenever possible, please make sure to choose fresh ginger over the dried form of the spice since it is not only superior in flavor but contains higher levels of gingerol as well as ginger’s active protease (it’s anti-inflammatory compound). Fresh ginger root is sold in the produce section of many local markets in Nigeria and amongst other countries in diaspora. When purchasing fresh ginger root, inspect it closely to see that it is firm, smooth and free of mold. Ginger is generally available in two forms, either young or mature. Mature ginger, the more widely available type, has a tough skin that requires peeling and is very available in the country (Nigeria) while young ginger, usually only available in Asian markets , does not need to be peeled (as I have come to know from World’s Healthiest Foods).

Even though dried herbs and spices like ginger powder are widely available in many supermarkets (e.g Shoprite), you may want to explore the local spice stores or markets in your area.

Tips for Preparing Ginger for Consumption
To remove the skin from fresh mature ginger, peel with a paring knife. The ginger can then be sliced, or minced. The taste that ginger imparts to a dish depends upon when it is added during the cooking process. Added at the beginning, it will lend a subtler flavor while added near the end, it will deliver a more pungent taste.

Now here’s how to make yourself a ginger beer to enjoy at home. This recipe was provided by an associate and friend – Adaobi Okonkwo of DobbysSignature (She’s a veteran chef with both national and international repute). Enjoy!

View it here - http://diet234.com/ginger-beer-health-benefits/

Before I go on about the facts surrounding infants and their complementary feeding. I would like to establish who an infant and what complementary feeding aims to achieve.

Who is an infant?

According to World Health Organization (WHO), a newborn infant, or neonate, is a child under 28 days of age. During these first 28 days of life, the child is at highest risk of dying. It is thus crucial that appropriate feeding and care are provided during this period, both to improve the child’s chances of survival and to lay the foundations for a healthy life.

"Appropriate feeding" above mainly emphasizes on proper breastfeeding of the child. We will take time to make a post on breastfeeding and why it is crucial. Stay tuned...

Here are few complementary feeding recipes we have adapted and formulated to give your child the required nutrient boost plus they are fast and easy to prepare - http://diet234.com/infant-complementary-feeding/

You can place order for a booklet of over 50 recipes to try out. Contact us.

Some might think, It costs more to eat right. But truth is, eating right can fit well within anyone’s budget. All that is required is little advance planning (consider this before you go to Shoprite or your local grocery stores). In this current economy, many of us are living on a budget and looking for ways to reduce food expenses while still enjoying tasty, nutritious meals. With the right tips and a little planning, it is possible to enjoy healthy cheap food. The more you focus on purchasing local, unprocessed food and preparing meals at home, the healthier and tastier your meals will be, the better you’ll feel, and the more money you’ll save.

Try some of these top strategies for eating right on a low budget. See here: http://diet234.com/eating-right-low-cash-flow/

@OCTAVO Awesome!, @dhamstar very true. They are that "essential" in daily meals.

Recently. there's much fuss about having enough fiber in your daily diet. Apparently, most people are not "very" familiar with what is regarded as "fiber". I was consulting with an elderly client the other day... and so I suggested to him "Sir, you will need to eat more fiber in other to cleanse your metabolic system of toxins in other words you need a detox diet"... and then I clearly observed his face move from "happy to finally get a solution" to "please where am I?"

What is fiber?

According to Harvard School of Public Health, fiber is a type of carbohydrate that the body can’t digest. Though most carbohydrates are broken down into sugar molecules, fiber cannot be broken down into sugar molecules, and instead it passes through the body undigested. Fiber helps regulate the body’s use of sugars, helping to keep hunger and blood sugar in check.

Children and adults need at least 20 to 30 grams of fiber per day for good health, but most Americans get only about 15 grams a day. This is greatly low compared to stipulations according to the WHO, adequate fruit and vegetable intake entails a consumption of at least 400g of fruits and vegetables per day. Great sources are whole fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and beans.

Let's view quick facts about fiber here: www.diet234.com/fiber-feeding-facts/

There's this quote I find myself constantly quoting to clients. It says...

"What you eat in private, you wear in public." ~ Anonymous

I believe it's very clearly stated the purpose of minding what you eat, regardless of if your nutritionist, dietitian or doctor is watching you.

Healthy eating can never be over-emphasized in developed and underdeveloped countries, whether it be in cases of over-eating which leads to obesity or under-eating which leads to excessive weight loss and wasting amongst other ill-health conditions.

Well, we have been able to come up with this very concise and easily accessible healthy eating guidelines to help in your healthy eating, fitness and wellness journey.

So, get involved in practice with the following healthy eating guidelines - http://diet234.com/healthy-eating-guidelines/

There's this quote I find myself constantly quoting to clients. It says...

"What you eat in private, you wear in public." ~ Anonymous

I believe it's very clearly stated the purpose of minding what you eat, regardless of if your nutritionist, dietitian or doctor is watching you.

Healthy eating can never be over-emphasized in developed and underdeveloped countries, whether it be in cases of over-eating which leads to obesity or under-eating which leads to excessive weight loss and wasting amongst other ill-health conditions.

Well, we have been able to come up with this very concise and easily accessible healthy eating guidelines to help in your healthy eating, fitness and wellness journey.

So, get involved in practice with the following healthy eating guidelines - http://diet234.com/healthy-eating-guidelines/

Recently. there's much fuss about having enough fiber in your daily diet. Apparently, most people are not "very" familiar with what is regarded as "fiber". I was consulting with an elderly client the other day... and so I suggested to him "Sir, you will need to eat more fiber in other to cleanse your metabolic system of toxins in other words you need a detox diet"... and then I clearly observed his face move from "happy to finally get a solution" to "please where am I?"

What is fiber?

According to Harvard School of Public Health, fiber is a type of carbohydrate that the body can’t digest. Though most carbohydrates are broken down into sugar molecules, fiber cannot be broken down into sugar molecules, and instead it passes through the body undigested. Fiber helps regulate the body’s use of sugars, helping to keep hunger and blood sugar in check.

Children and adults need at least 20 to 30 grams of fiber per day for good health, but most Americans get only about 15 grams a day. This is greatly low compared to stipulations according to the WHO, adequate fruit and vegetable intake entails a consumption of at least 400g of fruits and vegetables per day. Great sources are whole fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and beans.

Let's view quick facts about fiber here: www.diet234.com/fiber-feeding-facts/

One may be wondering….
What is all the spice about?

Well, the FDA (Food and Drug Agency) defines spice as “aromatic vegetable substances, in the whole, broken, or ground form, whose significant function in food is seasoning rather than nutrition”. In other words make eating pleasurable, exciting to the organoleptic senses.

Why do we need to spice up our food?

The old saying, “Variety is the spice of life” is equally applicable to your diet. Life certainly becomes more interesting when there is variety in your meals, with foods that carry the delicate flavors and aromas of different herbs and spices.
Any cook will tell you that the secret to great food is great flavor, which usually results from using spices in correct portions and combinations. Below are commonly used spices available around the world.

There will be a post on traditional food spices, subscribe to our newsletter on http://diet234.com to get updates.

But what is the spice all about?
Find out here - http://diet234.com/variety-spice-life/

@vfactor, awesome!

@vfactor - That's well said. please like and follow us www.diet234.com

"It sure is World Diabetes Day today. Though, this is well acknowledged worldwide, a lot more people are shockingly unaware of the knowledge on Diabetes as a medical condition having a constellation of signs and symptoms of degenerative health".

Diabetes is almost the most popular medical condition prevalent amongst both the rich and the poor, maybe much more amongst the rich, no wonder some people nicknamed it "The Rich Man's Sickness".

But I wouldn't be stressing on statistical facts and figures, because that's not going to get us to "the doing" and I mean lifestyle changes. Come on, let's give this thought together. If one is to make a change in any "embedded" habits, that one will have to banish all fears, so why do we want to know the number that died last night and also all the forecast(ed) diabetes death rate. We are here to deliver [http:///Diet234WorldDiabetesDay2014]healthful remedies[/http:///Diet234WorldDiabetesDay2014] that have recorded success in some way.

Read about these remedies: http://diet234.com/world-diabetes-day-2014/

"It sure is World Diabetes Day today. Though, this is well acknowledged worldwide, a lot more people are shockingly unaware of the knowledge on Diabetes as a medical condition having a constellation of signs and symptoms of degenerative health".

Diabetes is almost the most popular medical condition prevalent amongst both the rich and the poor, maybe much more amongst the rich, no wonder some people nicknamed it "The Rich Man's Sickness".

But I wouldn't be stressing on statistical facts and figures, because that's not going to get us to "the doing" and I mean lifestyle changes. Come on, let's give this thought together. If one is to make a change in any "embedded" habits, that one will have to banish all fears, so why do we want to know the number that died last night and also all the forecast(ed) diabetes death rate. We are here to deliver healthful remedies that have recorded success in some way.

Read about these remedies: http://diet234.com/world-diabetes-day-2014/

But really, Is sugar a sweet deal?

Sugar has been categorized as a tempting but hazardous ingredient, indulged in by the undisciplined and avoided by the virtuous. Diabetes, obesity and increased health problems have been attributed to increased consumption of sugar.

The basic fact is that sugar is a HEALTHY PART of a diet. Carbohydrates, including sugar, are the preferred sources of the body’s fuel for brain power, muscle energy and every natural process that goes on in every functioning cell.

Sugar is more than “that sweet food”, it is an essential food ingredient. As nature’s preferred sweetener, sugar is present not only in nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables, but is also a key component in foods as diverse as whole grain breads and cereals, yogurts and tomato sauces.

See more here: http://diet234.com/sugar-sweet-deal/

That true to some extent. Although, exercise and sweat needs to be followed up with "informed" adequate nutrition.
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Visit http://diet234.com Thanks as you drop your comment(s).

The way most people consume chocolates, especially the female folks, one might begin to wonder…
Is This The Chocolate Challenge?

Well, to whom it may concern; Sugary, chocolate-flavored foods become a problem when they crowd out more nutritious foods—for example, if a chocolate bar replaces fruit in your lunch bag—or when you can’t control your chocolate urge. Much of the chocolate we consume is found in confectionery and baked products that are laden with fat, too. Please, for your information,

White chocolate isn’t chocolate. Even if it contains cocoa butter (the fat extracted from cocoa beans), it has no chocolate liquor (dark brown paste), made by processing cocoa beans. Usually white chocolate is sugar, cocoa butter, milk, solids, lecithin, and vanilla.

Please Melt Away These Myths about Chocolate

Myth 1: Chocolate causes acne. That misconception has captured the attention of teenagers and the female population for years. However, hormonal changes during adolescence are the usual causes of acne, not chocolate. Read more about acne here

Myth 2: Chocolate has a lot of caffeine. While it’s true that chocolate does supply caffeine, the amount is quite small. An 8-ounce carton of chocolate milk contains about 5 milligrams of caffeine, compared with 3 milligrams in 5 ounces of decaffeinated coffee. In contrast, 5 ounces of regular-brew coffee contain 115 milligrams of caffeine.

Myth 3: Some people are “chocoholics.” Not true— although some people do have a stronger preference for chocolate than others, perhaps because of its taste, aroma, and texture. While popping chocolate candies may become a high-calorie habit with a pleasurable sensation, eating chocolate itself can’t become truly addictive. Research is exploring any potential role of chocolate to brain neurotransmitters that regulate serotonin and dopamine, often referred to as “feel good” hormones. This goes further to explain chocolate as an aphrodisiac (a food, drink, or other thing that stimulates sexual desire.) and it is no wonder it is given a lot during valentine (well, ladies and gents hold your horses till next year!)

Chocolate’s high fat content and high calories means it should be used in moderation. Consume chocolate in addition to a healthier food — such as a dip for apples, cucumbers etc. — rather than as the main ingredient. Or, simply save chocolate for special occasions (for example a “Thank God It’s Saturday” hangout with friends).

View our excitingly tasty Chocolate Treats for the “Nigerian Workaholic” here : http://diet234.com/chocolate-treats/

If there is one flavoring that everyone seems to love, it’s chocolate. Personally, I don’t joke with the “Chocolate Devotion” ice cream plus waffles each time I go to unwind at the nearest Cold Stone Creamery. This is what it looks like - http://diet234.com/chocolate/

Chocolate is rich and sweet, with a distinctive taste that cannot be duplicated, it is no wonder it’s the universal favorite when it comes to flavor. I’m guessing, it is perhaps the most popular sweet flavoring worldwide.

History

According to my research, this love for chocolate can be traced through the centuries. Some ancient cultures often referred to it as a “food of the gods” for its exquisite taste and appeal, “gift from the gods” for its medicinal properties, if you check around, you’ll find that quality chocolate is still a pricy food item as was in the early Americas in pre-Columbian times. In my childhood days, my mom used to portion the quantity of Toblerone I and my brothers were allowed to take out of the refrigerator. We used to cherish the chocolate like it was some kind of “Holy Sacrament”.

Below is a classic picture of the one my dad comes home with on return from his Trans-European business travels, back in the days.

Learn more about chocolate here: http://diet234.com/chocolate/

I had rather take unsweetened food to a bitter one. Most people, unlike me have a sweet tooth. But it all boils down to the fact that you cannot enjoy bitter foods unless you acquire the taste. The bitter kola is bitter while the kola nut, when chewed are somewhat bitter, but leave a pleasant sweet aftertaste. And they both have lots of benefits!

The kola nut comes from the kola tree, an evergreen that thrives in tropical Africa. Kola nuts are small, round or oval-shaped and comes in a wide range of colours- from brownish-white and light green to pink and dark purple. They look like large chestnuts and smell a bit like nutmeg.

Bitter kola or Garcinia kola is a tropical flowering plant found in western and central Africa and it produces brown, nut-like seeds. It contains dimeric flavonoid, which is believed to have many healing benefits and has been used for medicinal purposes in the African culture for centuries.

See the health benefits of these amazing tropical nuts here: http://diet234.com/bitter-kola-kola-nut/

Has your colicky baby turned into “cry cry” baby?

This condition is so named “Colicky” from its being seated in or near the colon. It is a situation that has maddened mothers and their husbands since the beginning of child bearing.

You know what I mean, don’t you?: As if on some kind of autopilot, your newborn baby starts crying nearly every day at the same time for what seems like hours. But, this is no “baby prank” you should just overlook, as the colicky baby shows the following signs:

See the signs and tested home remedies at: http://diet234.com/help-your-colicky-baby/

I was called to deliver a presentation to a group of women professionals and the topic picked was “women and aging”, and I thought to myself, women! We never want to age. We still want to wear that size 8/10 top or pants even when we clock 70. Looking and feeling younger than one’s age is no crime really, but it takes a lot of self conscious effort. You can look and feel beautiful by watching what you eat. It just takes a lot of determination and making up your mind, what do I want to look like when I turn 60?

You need to start your day off right. Eat breakfast!

Breakfast is an important meal and having a good breakfast just helps to give you the right start to your day. You can treat yourself to a cup of cereal with milk or a piece of toast with peanut butter, or grab a piece of fruit, if you are in a hurry to get to work. It all boils down to the fact that you need breakfast. When you skip breakfast, then go for brunch, your body has done a long stretch without the glucose it needs to keep it going. Skipping breakfast particularly, gives me headache!

There's more here: http://diet234.com/women-aging/

The bitter leaf plant is packed with so many health benefits. According to the tribes in Nigeria, It is known as Elewuro amongst the Yorubas, it is called Shuwaka by the Hausas and it is used in preparing the famous Onugbu soup by the Igbo people.

Apart from its culinary delicacy, bitter leaf is well known for its healing potency. It has a characteristic bitter taste. It reminds people that life is not always sweet; it takes to taste bitterness before you can achieve sweetness.

Here are some of the health benefits of Bitter leaf juice extract (Vernonia amygdalin) enjoy the read:
http://diet234.com/bitter-leaf-health-benefits/

Thank you @Lesgupnigeria and @radiant3 yes indeed! You can find more functional foods and benefits at http://diet234.com. Feel free to follow our social handles too. Thank you.

The "Pineapple Express", a yummy start to the week! Try this recipe - http://diet234.com/taste-pineapple-express/

Spiny on the outside, sweet on the inside, pineapples are one fantastic fruit. The fruit is made of many individual berries that fuse together expressly around a central core. Each pineapple scale is an individual berry / flowerets that grows and weaves together to form the beautiful golden fruit we call a pineapple.

The bromeliad family of plants very rarely produce edible fruit – with the exception of pineapple, that is. The pineapple is the only available edible bromeliad today!
Pineapples nutritional / health benefits are as fascinating as their anatomy (physical structure). For all its sweetness, one cup of pineapple chunks contains only 82 calories. So mind your consumption portions.

See pineapple health benefits here: http://diet234.com/taste-pineapple-express/

I meant eba - that kind made with hot water, to get a semisolid paste.

Haahaha "cardboard"??..wow! Well, you can crush them in a blender and use to thicken eba (fried cassava flour or garri meal) or added to your daily consumption of cereals, in order to still savor what nutrients it has to give. Pls follow us on social media to get more tips on functional foods.

https://www.facebook.com/Diet234
https://twitter.com/Diet_234
https://www.instagram.com/Diet234

Yea, honestly, I think so too. But at some point, you'll get to acquire the taste. Especially, now you know its essence. Try it.

The history of wine is traced to thousands of years back, it was used on so many occasions in bible times. More importantly, it has been linked with amazing health benefits.

Here are four core benefits of wine to our health: http://diet234.com/gift-of-wine/

Enjoy reading!

It’s a tasty treat

Walnuts not only taste great, but are a rich source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and an excellent source of those hard to find omega-3 fatty acids. Like most nuts, they can easily be added to your everyday meal either as a snack, chopped and added to your favorite salad or vegetable dish, or used as a fruit or dessert.

A very nutritious nut

There can be a slight bitterness in the skin, but the nutritional benefits of walnuts cannot be overemphasized especially when consumed in whole form, including the skin. Approximately 90% of the phenols in walnuts are found in the skin, including key phenolic acids, tannins, and flavonoids.
Walnuts, being an excellent source of anti-inflammatory, omega-3 essential fatty acids, in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) has repeatedly been shown to help improve a wide variety of cardiovascular functions, including blood pressure. In a particular research study, adults have shown significant increase in their blood levels of ALA with as few as 4 walnuts per day.

Continue to more health benefits: http://diet234.com/walnuts-why-not/

The myth…

One would have thought that sweet potatoes can never be beneficial for someone living with diabetes because of the prefix ‘sweet’. A misconception many people think a fact. It might surprise you that the reverse is the case.

The sweet benefits…

What’s fascinating about sweet potatoes is their ability to actually improve blood sugar regulation. Apart from the fact that sweet potatoes contain a valuable amount of dietary fiber (about 3 grams per medium sweet potato), boiling or steaming it can bring the glycemic index (GI) rating to approximately 50 which makes sweet potato a reasonable food choice for a diabetic. Recent research have also shown that extracts from sweet potatoes can significantly increase blood levels of adiponectin in persons with type 2 diabetes. Adiponectin is a protein hormone produced by our fat cells (adipocytes), and it serves as an important modifier of insulin metabolism. Persons with poorly-regulated insulin metabolism and insulin insensitivity tend to have lower levels of adiponectin, and persons with healthier insulin metabolism tend to have higher levels. So, people with diabetes do have an ally in sweet potatoes. But the theme is always moderation, as with all foods as far as diabetes is concerned.

There’s even more…: http://diet234.com/sweet-benefits-sweet-potatoes/

Hypertension, also referred to as high blood pressure, is a condition in which the arteries have persistently elevated blood pressure. Every time the human heart beats, it pumps blood to the whole body through the arteries. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing up against the blood vessel walls. The higher the pressure the harder the heart has to pump, bringing tension upon the heart.

The normal level for blood pressure is below 120/80, where 120 represents the systolic measurement (peak pressure in the arteries) and 80 represents the diastolic measurement (minimum pressure in the arteries). Blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is called prehypertension (to denote increased risk of hypertension), and a blood pressure of 140/90 or above is considered hypertension.

Modest changes in diet and lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of heart diseases.
For instance, Omega 3 fatty acids found in fish and fish oil, aids a healthy heart condition.

To better prevent and/or manage hypertension, view dietary tips: http://diet234.com/hypertension/

Hypertension, also referred to as high blood pressure, is a condition in which the arteries have persistently elevated blood pressure. Every time the human heart beats, it pumps blood to the whole body through the arteries. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing up against the blood vessel walls. The higher the pressure the harder the heart has to pump, bringing tension upon the heart.

The normal level for blood pressure is below 120/80, where 120 represents the systolic measurement (peak pressure in the arteries) and 80 represents the diastolic measurement (minimum pressure in the arteries). Blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is called prehypertension (to denote increased risk of hypertension), and a blood pressure of 140/90 or above is considered hypertension.

Modest changes in diet and lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of heart diseases.
For instance, Omega 3 fatty acids found in fish and fish oil, aids a healthy heart condition.

View our healthy dietary tips: http:///diet234HBP