Haleem – A Pakistani Favourite

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Haleem is a favourite dish for many Pakistanis, especially on festive occasions.

Cooked with a variety of ingredients such as wheat, barley, lentils,  and your choice of meat, haleem is not only delicious, but it is also a nutrient powerhouse:

Rich in protein. Thanks to the presence of protein rich lentils, haleem is the perfect post-work out snack, as it helps rebuild muscle and tissue. Loaded with carbohydrates (when rice is added to it), haleem aids in replenishing depleted energy levels, helping you stay sharp and focused, making it a wholesome and healthy mid-day meal.

Packed with dietary fibre. Barley and wheat – essential ingredients of haleem – contain substantial amounts of dietary fibre which promotes digestion, and maintains a healthy intestinal lining. Since consuming fibre keeps you feeling full for longer, it is a good food to add to diet plans for weight loss.

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Why Camel Milk Is Good For You

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For centuries, camel milk has been used for medicinal purposes in certain parts of the world, including the Middle East, due to the fact that it has low levels of saturated fat and high levels of essential nutrients. No wonder then, camel milk is gaining popularity the world over as well as in Pakistan, especially among people who are lactose-intolerant since camel milk is easily digestible when compared to regular milk.

Camel milk provides the following health benefits:

• Boosts your immune system and fights disease. This is due to the presence of protein and organic antibodies that improve immune system function, fight off infections and counter autoimmune disorders. Camel milk also contains organic compounds which are beneficial for the neurological system; they can help lessen or reverse symptoms caused by diseases such as autism among children.

The Alternative Perks Of Pomegranates

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It’s pomegranate season again and making this news ever better is the fact that these fantastic fruits are just as wonderful when applied on your ‘outside’ as they are healthily delectable for your insides.

Health enthusiasts have long had a love affair – and rightly so according to recent research – with pomegranates, gulping down the vitamin rich juice whenever the chance arises. However, most people throw away the peel and seeds, which is a pity as pomegranate powder (made by drying and grinding them) provides myriad health benefits.

Yoghurt – Your Heat Wave Essential

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With the Met Office forecasting yet another heat wave – temperatures are expected to soar to 42 degree Celsius until October 21 in Karachi – health officials have issued a warning to people to take precautions to prevent heatstroke. These include using sunscreen, covering their heads and staying hydrated.

Given that recent research has highlighted a host of health benefits found in yoghurt, it is recommended that you have a helping of this ‘cool’ super food every day to stave off heat-related problems.

Nutritionists recommend substituting caffeine and carbonated energy drinks with a yoghurt smoothie to start the day. Or, if you are one of those people whose appetite is reduced in the hot weather, opt for a bowl of yoghurt – with the seasonal fruit of your choice to add flavour and nutrition – for an energy-packed lunch.

Beef Liver: A Bakra Eid Essential

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The ancient Egyptians and Greeks believed that beef liver – a must-have for many people on the first day of Bakra Eid – had ‘magical’ healing properties. They were clearly on to something, because beef liver, in addition to being a treat for your taste buds, contains a host of nutrients that provide several health benefits.

Promotes growth and healing. Beef liver should be a grocery list essential if you have children between the ages of seven and 15; it is loaded with protein, essential for healthy muscular growth and for healing wounds. Furthermore, the presence of iron prevents anaemia, which can result in palpitations, chronic fatigue and dizziness.

Ensures a healthy nervous system. Vitamin B found in beef liver helps prevent neural disorders – such as Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia – caused by nerve degeneration, as well as delaying the onset of age-related cognitive decline.

Should You Go On The Lemonade Diet?

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Several celebrities, ranging from Beyonce to Jared Leto, have been on the Lemonade Diet which is also called the ‘Master Cleanse’ in order to lose substantial amounts
of weight.

The Diet, as its name suggests, entails restricting your food intake to lemonade (made from lemon juice, water, organic maple syrup and cayenne pepper) in addition to lots of water (with a pinch of sea salt) and herbal teas (including chickweed, dandelion root and flaxseed) for a period of up to
10 days.

While nutritionists recommend the Diet to a few of their patients (after several checkups), they are careful to warn them that they should not make it a permanent lifestyle choice. Furthermore, they are quick to point out that people should only go on the diet for a maximum of three to four days, rather than the recommended 10.

The Lemonade Diet offers a host of health benefits which include:

1. Weight loss. Since it is a liquid diet, your weight loss will be immediate, mainly because your carbohydrate and sugar intake will be next to none. This is what makes the Diet ideal for people looking to lose a few pounds quickly. However, the Lemonade Diet is not believed to deliver any substantial results for obese people, since it is not an efficient way of burning calories
   or getting rid of stubborn fat.

Nihari – A Pakistani Favourite During The Monsoon

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Nihari is, without a doubt, a favourite dish for Pakistanis, especially during the monsoon and winter months. A slow-cooked curry made with beef      leg-shank (bong), and lots of spices, nihari is believed to have originated in Old Delhi in the late 18th century during the Mughal rule.

Surprisingly, despite popular belief, nihari actually has a lot of health benefits due to the ingredients that are used to make and garnish it.

Red meat is an excellent source of protein and minerals such as B vitamins, iron, phosphorus, selenium and zinc, all of which are required by the body in order to build and maintain muscles and bones, repair tissues, boost immunity and improve blood circulation.

Watercress Wonders

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Last month, research at William Paterson University in New Jersey ranked 41 powerhouse fruits and vegetables based on their nutritional composition. Guess the name of the vegetable that topped the list? No, it wasn’t kale or carrots which were hailed super foods recently –  it was watercress. 

Here are five reasons why you should make watercress part of your diet: 

Brain, circulation and skin. Watercress is an excellent source of vitamin K, which limits neuronal damage in the brain, and is believed to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. The vitamin also performs the vital function of blood clotting and consequently prevents haemorrhaging. Recent research suggests that vitamin K helps improve insulin resistance and protects the cells that line blood vessels. It also helps keep your skin smooth and wrinkle-free.

Ghee – Desi And Healthy!

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No traditional Pakistani recipe is ever quite complete without ghee. Although until a few years ago, it was believed that ghee causes a host of health problems, recent research studies have concluded that saturated fats such as good old desi ghee can help you stay healthy and strong.

Fermenting For Better Health

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Gone are the days when the women of the house spent hours preparing spices, sauces and dairy products at home. As increasing numbers join the workforce, convenience takes top priority when it comes to anything on their to-do lists.

You may wonder what is the drawback in stocking your kitchen with processed foods (for example, pre-packaged yoghurt instead of one that has been fermented overnight at home or bought from the doodhwala) when it saves so much time. The answer is the elimination of naturally ‘fermented’ foods from our diets, due to which we lose out on the ‘healthy bacteria’ present in them.