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Ways of eating idlis

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 During my trip down South, I had the opportunity to watch common people enjoy traditional southern foods. Idlis are one such popular food items that can be consumed anytime of the day. They can be had during breakfast, lunch, or dinner or anytime in between.  Idlis are traditionally South Indian delicacies. They are rice and lentil cakes that are steamed. They are usually salty but in Mauritius, you will find sweet varities as well in small shops and restaurants there.  Idlis are healthy food items and are a good source of carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats. They have minerals and vitamins and have the goodness of fermented foods too. They are served with sambhar (curry made of dal) and chutney (coconut, tomato or the like). Some also savour them with yoghurt, ghee (clarified butter) or spice mix (podi).  Idli pizza A modern twist to idli dish has been as idli masala (idlis usually small-sized covered with spices), idli fry (idlis usually small-sized that are...
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If you don't like beet root, you MUST READ THIS!

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Beet root is a nutritious root vegetable with a lot of phytonutrients and consequent health benefits.  Beet root is rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It has nitrates that improves blood flow and circulation and lessens blood pressure.  100 g of beet root has 43 calories. Protein is 1.6 g, carbohydrates 9.6 g and fats 0.2 g. The fiber content is 2.8 g in 100 g. Sugar is just 6.8 g.  It has plenty of micronutrients. It is rich in iron, vitamin C and B6. Additionally, it has folate, potassium, manganese, magnesium and copper. 87% of beet root is water.  Moreover, it has inorganic nitrates, betanin, and vulgaxanthin.  Beet root lowers blood pressure and risk of heart diseases. It improves stamina and exercise performance. It increases iron content and hemoglobin formation.  Thus, beet root is a healthy food option. You can have it raw or cooked or as a smoothie or juice.  But there are many who do not like the taste of beet root. Please read on to kno...
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Do carbonated drinks trigger hiccups? Why?

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Carbonated drinks are soft drinks that have pressurized carbon dioxide oxide in them. Examples include coca cola, pepsi, merinda, sida, 7 up, limca etc.  When we talk a gulp of and swallow the drink, the carbon dioxide in it is released and distends the stomach. Moreover, with hurried gulping down of the drink, we also swallow air in the process. This adds to the distension.  This gastric distension causes irritation of the diaphragm muscles and nerves that cause hiccups.  Causes of stomach pain in giardiasis   The hiccups are temporary and subside soon after. 
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Giardiasis: reason for stomach ache

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Giardiasis is an infectious gut condition caused by Giardia lamblia. This parasite reaches the gut via infected food and water. It attaches to the gut lining and proliferates to produce disease in the patient.  Symptoms   Giardiasis causes nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, gas, bloating, loose motions, weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite. It interferes with nutrients absorption and if untreated can gradually cause weight loss.  Stools are pale in color, greasy and foul smelling. Loose motions are either recurrent or persistent. Heartburns are common.  Read here: Obesity in children in India  Reason for stomach ache in giardiasis  1. The pathogens invade the gut lining and cause inflammation .  2. There are muscle cramps due to the inflammatory response  3. Gas formation leads to stomach ache 4. There is absorptive disorder. Bile salts are not absorbed and there is imbalance of acid formation. Hyperacidity is common and this too causes tummy pain....
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Goyaves de Chine or Chinese guavas!

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Have you ever tasted Goyaves de Chine or Chinese guavas? They are small fruits that resemble guavas but are miniature in size.  Goyaves de Chine or Chinese guavas  These small-sized fruits are found in ample in Mauritius in the month of April. They ripen in that month and are a traditional delicacy sold in the streets.  The color of these fruits range from green to red to yellow. The green fruits are not yet ripe and are a bit firmish. The red ones are softer and have a sour taste while the yellow ones are larger in size with a sweet taste.  Chinese guavas or  Goyaves de Chine  These fruits get softer and rot faster. Therefore consume them on the same day you purchase them. Also, this is the reason that vendors pluck them up early from the trees when they are still red.  These fruits are also called cherry guavas or strawberry guavas or lemon guava. It is native in Brazil and also grows in Hawaii.  The skin or peel of the fruit is quite thin and i...
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The best dosas (rice and lentils pancakes)

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 Dosas are a food delicacy of South India. Made of rice and lentils, it is a staple food in Southern states of India. It is available and served in all restaurants there.  Dosas   Dosas are pancakes made of rice and lentils that are wet grinded and fermented for few hours. They are served with sambhar (tamarind and lentils curry) and coconut chutney or sauce.  It is a food delicacy of South India. It has carbohydrates, proteins and fats in it. There are minerals and vitamins. Moreover, it has the benefits of fermented foods.  Dosas are available in almost all the restaurants in south india. It is also available in restaurants of urban areas and metro cities of India and in some other countries as well.  While in Bangalore and Karnataka, the availability is at all times, in Tamilnadu and kerala, there are specific hours of the day when they are served in restaurants.  The best dosas  I have traveled a bit and tasted these pancakes there. If you ask...
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Obesity rising in young women and children in India!

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 Obesity has reached an alarming proportion in India. Young women and children are specifically affected. There are a large number of overweight and obese women and children in urban areas of India. Moreover, rural areas also have significant number of these overweight individuals including men.  Obesity in India  Obesity is rising in India. The proportion of people affected by it is soaring. Urban areas have the maximum number of such individuals. But rural areas are not spared of it.  Obesity has become an epidemic and a growing health concern. All ages are affected but young women and children seem to have more of this problem.  My informal survey has revealed that around 80% of women, 60% of children, and 50-55% of men suffer from overweight or obesity in India. The affluent are affected more. But those from the poorer strata if society also show it in significant numbers.  Girls and women in India are sacrificial goats  Causes of obesity  The...
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