Month: May 2023

Dieting Vs Fasting, Leave your 5 Insane Things

Dieting
Grapes

Definition & Focus: Fasting and Dieting

  • Fasting involves abstaining from food or calorie consumption for a specific period, usually ranging from a few hours to several days. The primary focus is on when to eat and when to refrain from eating.
  • Dieting typically refers to a long-term approach to managing one’s food choices and overall calorie intake. It involves making conscious decisions about the types and amounts of food consumed, with the aim of achieving specific health goals or weight loss.

Purpose :

  • Fasting involves voluntarily abstaining from food and, in some cases, beverages for a specific period of time. It is often practiced for religious, spiritual, or health reasons.
  • Dieting refers to the practice of consciously selecting and regulating one’s food choices and portion sizes to achieve specific goals such as weight loss, improved health, or managing certain medical conditions.

Time Restriction:

  • Fasting incorporates time-restricted eating patterns, such as intermittent fasting, where there are specific periods of eating and fasting. This may involve daily fasting windows (e.g., 16 hours of fasting and an 8-hour eating window) or alternate-day fasting.
  • Dieting does not necessarily restrict the timing of meals. It focuses more on the types and quantities of food consumed, often involving calorie counting, portion control, and following specific dietary plans or guidelines.

Food Restriction:

  • During fasting, food intake is completely restricted or significantly reduced for a specific period. Fasting periods may involve abstaining from all food and beverages (water fasting) or allowing limited calorie intake (e.g., in intermittent fasting).
  • Dieting usually involves modifying food choices and portion sizes while still allowing regular meals and snacks. It focuses on creating a caloric deficit by consuming fewer calories than the body needs to maintain its current weight.

Calorie Restriction:

  • During fasting, calorie intake is restricted or eliminated entirely for a certain period. The main objective is to create a calorie deficit by limiting food intake during the fasting periods.
  • Dieting may involve calorie restriction, but it can also emphasize other aspects such as macronutrient composition (e.g., low-carb, high-protein) or specific food groups to limit or prioritize.

Health Effects:

  • Fasting has been associated with various health benefits, such as improved insulin sensitivity, weight loss, cellular repair processes, and potential longevity benefits. However, fasting for extended periods or without proper guidance may have risks and is not suitable for everyone, particularly those with certain medical conditions.
  • The effects of dieting vary depending on the specific approach and goals. It can lead to weight loss, improved nutrition, better management of chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes), or overall health improvements. However, restrictive or extreme dieting can potentially lead to nutrient deficiencies, muscle loss, slowed metabolism, or negative psychological effects.

It’s important to note that fasting and dieting can have different impacts on individuals, and their suitability depends on factors like personal goals, health conditions, and lifestyle preferences. It’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your eating habits or embarking on any restrictive eating plans.

9 Proven Health Benefits of Eating Dates (khajoor)


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Palm Tree – Dates

Phoenix dactylifera, the botanical name for the date palm, is a flowering plant species in the palm family Arecaceae cultivated for its edible sweet fruit called dates. The date tree is widely cultivated in many tropical and subtropical areas across the globe, such as the Middle East, northern Africa, and South Asia. Do you know what happens even if you eat one date a day? Your body gains many proven health benefits. Many studies reveal that there are fewer heart and cancer-related health problems if you include dates in your diet. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, and Iraq are the major date-producing and exporting countries in the world.

Health Benefits

  1. Dates have the highest levels of minerals and vitamins, which are essential for a healthy life.
  2. Because of its natural sweetness, it can be used as an alternative to white sugar. Date powder is something you can mix with biscuits and any other food item for sweetness. It is a boon for diabetic patients.
  3. Dates are high in fibre, so it will be helpful to improve digestive functions and avoid constipation problems. It has a low glycemic index (GI), which means it regulates blood sugar levels.
  4. Dates are rich in antioxidants like flavonoids, carotenoids, and phenolic acids. Studies say that these have the potential to prevent diabetes, cancer, and heart-related risks.
  5. Another study revealed that dates may promote easy natural labor for pregnant women if they consume dates in the last weeks of pregnancy.
  6. You can consume it as a snack, include it in your breakfast, or mix it with dry fruits and eat it whenever you want. We can treat it as a versatile food item.
  7. Eat dates daily, which helps you reduce inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin; they are not good for neural health and improve brain function. It may also help strengthen your cognitive power.
  8. Dates promote bone health, as they are highly rich in micronutrients such as selenium, manganese, magnesium, and copper. Also, dates are rich in vitamins C and D, which help maintain skin elasticity and make you look younger.
  9. Dates are extremely rich in iron, which helps you grow your hair and reduces hair fall. It helps you supply nutrients to your scalp and develop strong hair.