Are you thinking of starting the ketogenic diet? It can be a good decision because a keto diet has proved to be more effective for weight loss than other diet plans. A keto diet is a high-fat, low-carb diet that is designed for helping dieters shed those extra pounds. Having said that, it can easily go wrong if you are reckless and uninformed. You need to avoid some common keto diet mistakes that most beginners tend to make. Here are a few of them: Fast changes Lowering your carbohydrate intake and upping your fat intake too fast can be disastrous. For instance, if you had been eating a lot of carbohydrates every day and now, suddenly, switch to a keto diet by restricting your carbohydrate intake drastically, the body may not be able to cope with the change. You need to first reduce your carbohydrate consumption before starting this diet program so that your body is used to low-carb meals and does not react when your carbohydrate intake is limited even further. Dehydration Many keto diet followers often forget to drink enough water because they are too focused on what they are eating. A keto diet can cause dehydration if you are not cautious; when your carbohydrate intake is diminished, it can upset the electrolyte and fluid balance in your body.

Kids tend to feel hungry every now and then, but that does not mean you should let them eat what they want. Most kids fancy chips and cookies that may be delicious and mouth-watering, but far from being nutritious. Packaged snacks contain added sugars, refined flour, and artificial ingredients that are neither wholesome nor beneficial for growing kids. It is better to prepare snacks for them at home using quality ingredients. Here are some snacks that are healthy and easy to be made at home. Yogurt This can be a go-to snack for everyone at home, especially for young children, because it is an excellent source of proteins and calcium, both of which are needed for growth and bone development. Yogurt is a rich source of probiotics, and can aid digestion. It is best to choose the full-fat plain yogurt instead of the ones containing added sugars, or prepare it at home and sweeten it with fruits or honey. Cottage cheese This makes it to the list of healthy and easy snacks for kids. Cottage cheese is rich in calcium, selenium, and vitamin B12 that helps in bone growth and brain development. Making snack items with cottage cheese is simple, and you can use fresh or dried fruits as toppings or spread them on toast.

Are cholesterol woes giving you sleepless nights? In that case, you must make changes to your diet, adding some superfoods to your meals. High cholesterol builds up on artery walls, restricting normal blood flow to the brain, heart, and other vital organs. Not all of these superfoods work the same way. Some are fiber-rich that bind cholesterol and eliminate it from the body, some contain sterols to prevent cholesterol absorption, while some offer polyunsaturated fats that lower low-density lipoproteins (LDL) directly. Here are a few superfoods that help lower bad cholesterol: Oats Oats are rich in fiber and are a breakfast favorite. You can add strawberries or bananas to your bowl of oats every morning to get more fiber and flavor. Barley Barley, along with other whole grains, can reduce the risk of heart disease because of its high soluble fiber content. Beans Beans are fiber-rich and wholesome, and keep your stomach full for hours. You can choose from a variety of beans, such as like black-eyed peas, kidney beans, lentils, etc. Nuts Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, cashews, pistachios, peanuts, pecans, and walnuts, among others, are excellent sources of unsaturated fats. They keep your cholesterol levels in check and contain fiber that prevents cholesterol absorption in the bloodstream.

Diabetes is commonly called the silent killer, and is often diagnosed accidentally. A rise in blood sugar levels damages blood vessels and attacks various organs of the body. Choosing healthy snacks can be a challenge if you are living with diabetes, and it’s extremely important to consider nutrient-dense snacks, including lots of protein and fiber to regulate blood sugar levels and promote good health. Here are some smart and healthy snack ideas that can help you manage the condition and also enhance overall health: Sweet potato toast Even though you have to stay away from sugary, refined bread, you can still enjoy delicious toasts made from sweet potato. This simple yet tasty snack can be prepared by toasting sweet potato slices till they’re crisp. You can top these toasted slices with avocado, almond butter, mustard, or other healthy toppings that you like. W hole grain crackers Wheat, quinoa, oats, and rye give you a diabetic-friendly snack that is tasty. These whole grains lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels and aid in promoting good health. You can dress these crackers with hung curd or eat them with cottage cheese to make it tastier and nutritious. Sliced apples with peanut butter This pair is a highly nutritious one, packing loads of health and energy for people with diabetes.

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness that can lead to an imbalance of thoughts, emotions, and behavior. It’s a disorder that is characterized by experiences and thoughts that are unrealistic, accompanied by disorganized behavior. The condition severely affects the individual’s involvement in daily activities and can lead to loss of concentration and memory. Considering the vital role food plays in our lives, it’s important to pay close attention to what you eat and how it affects your mind over a course of time. Some forms of physical suffering have mental causes, and some mental health ailments are caused due to physical issues caused by the wrong diet or lack of nutrition. Diet plays an important role in managing schizophrenia. Make sure to consume the right foods regularly and keep monitoring your mental health to see if you experience any improvement. Here are some common foods to avoid for schizophrenia patients: Processed foods To gain optimum mental health, your diet needs to have significant proportions of a variety of nutrients. However, modern-day processed foods are loaded with gluten, unhealthy fats, and preservatives that not only harm your physical health, but also your mental well-being. Consuming these types of foods regularly contributes to mental health issues, such as schizophrenia and depression.