Month: October 2016

Now is an ideal time for you to consider whether there are any changes you could make which would improve your health.

Today there is good evidence that despite the availability of a wide range of nutritious food, faulty eating is contributing to many common preventable illnesses and deaths.

Overeating, and not a lack of food, is the major diet problem.

Good health depends on sensible eating, regular exercise and plenty of relaxation and sleep.

The Australian Nutrition Foundation says the best way for children to learn healthy eating habits is from good examples at home and at school.

But “healthy” should not be equated with “boring”.

The foundation says enjoyable food can also be healthy food and children need to learn about choosing food for health and pleasure at an early age. Eating for health and pleasure then becomes a habit.

Food provides the building blocks for our bodies. Children need lots of healthy foods because they are growing quickly.

Food is also linked with emotional growth and development. Eating habits are disturbed when children are worried and anxious. Children who are poorly nourished are likely to become tired and cranky. Life is more difficult for these children at home and at school.

Check your eating habits against the following dietary guidelines to see if there are any changes you could be making to improve your eating habits.

1. Choose a nutritious diet

This involves including a wide variety from the following five groups; breads and cereals (especially wholegrain); vegetables and fruits; lean meat, fish, poultry, dried beans or peas and nuts; cheese or yogurt; small amounts of butter or table margarine.

2. Control your weight

The best way to avoid obesity, a most common nutrition problem, is to prevent it. It is best avoided and treated by a combination of a balanced diet low in sugar, fat and alcohol, and regular exercise.

3. Avoid eating too much fat

High fat diets increase the risk of heart disease, overweight and certain types of cancer.

4. Avoid eating too much sugar

Sugar, including brown and raw sugars, glucose and honey, contributes little in the way of nutritional value. Excesses can contribute to dental disease and overweight. The current average intake is 35 teaspoons per person per day – 70 percent of this occurs in processed foods.

5. Eat more breads and cereals (preferably wholegrain) and vegetables and fruits

These foods are rich in dietary fiber which will prevent constipation and may help prevent other chronic diseases of the large intestine.

6. Limit alcohol consumption

Excesses can contribute to weight problems and vitamin and mineral deficiencies, as well as to liver damage.

7. Use less salt

High intakes of sodium (salt is sodium chloride) have been linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure. Limit salt in cooking and at the table, and also limit those foods to which large amounts of salt have been added, such as corned meats, pickles, take away foods, cheese, meat sauces and many snack foods.

8. Promote breastfeeding

Breast milk provides the best nutritional start in baby’s life and also helps protect the baby against infections.

9. Try a variety of easily prepared dishes

Stir-fried vegetables and meat, chicken or fish, served with rice, or one-dish meals of a casserole with meat or chicken dishes prepared with potato and vegetable pieces with some tomato and herbs for extra flavor.

Sources:

1. http://www.broowaha.com/articles/27165/eat-and-be-merry-and-keep-kids-both-healthy-and-happy
2. http://www.groundreport.com/balanced-diet-best-intake-vitamins/

Futons are getting trendy, despite diverse originality-Japan. But if you’re skeptical like others about the sleeping system and concerned for your bedding, there’s a lot of just that. Walk into a bedding store and you will see yourself selling yourself to the sleazy marketing skills of luxurious beds and pillows. Did you know that, there’s better sleep and comfort in a simple floor mattress?

Japanese bed has centuries of history proving its benefits through the living example of Japanese. The fresh, young, and all active Japan locals are a proof of how sleeping on a simple traditional futon keeps them healthy. Locals even claim on staying headache and backache free because futon mattresses. But is any of futon health benefit backed up by scientific proof? Is the firmness dis-comfortable?

Precisely, there’s limited amount of factual data that supports these claims, however there’s a plethora of medical and scientific studies revolving around the same concern. There are many studies that support sleeping on a firm mattress for correcting the posture and the alignment of joints. For a better understanding futon beds, let’s discuss few important aspects and how it feels to sleep on one.

How is a Traditional Japanese Bed? Is it Comfortable?

Traditional Japanese futon bed is made of 100% cotton and has a standard thickness. Elsewhere, futons are known to be firm but according to futons, such firmness is the best type for getting a good night sleep. Traditional futons are different from the mixed western version-the western-traditional fusion has variety of fillings for adding extra comfort. Since comfort of a mattress is subjective, therefore the overall satisfaction of a mattress varies from person to person.

Nevertheless, for those who are used to sleeping on a futon, they need nothing more. But for the ones transitioning from regular beds to futons, they should know that there are many options to adjust the comfort level of a futon. Authentic futons are custom made as well, you can choose the measurement and thickness, while a Tatami mat is to add more cushioning to the bed.

Tatami Mat- Traditionally, Japan’s love affair with sleeping on floor starts from a mat made of rice or compressed wood chips. Tatami mats have a covering made of soft rush with edges made of cloth. They may be not convenient for western floors but are popular in Japan. Sometimes, futon mattresses are laid out directly on the floor, and when tatami mat’s are added-futons get another layer of cushioning.

Health Benefits of Japanese Bed

As discussed above, the major claim of futon health benefits are the locals. They have been sleeping on them since all their lives and are more energetic and healthy than any other nationality. Let’s discuss a study based on elderly Japanese people who have grown up sleeping on these futon beds.

• A case study of hip bone fracture was carried out on Japanese elderly people- It was concluded that hip fracture amongst these people was nil.
• Sleeping on a Japanese futon bed than western regular bed helps keeping them fit and healthy.

Another important aspect for health benefits of Japanese futon beds is the cleanliness. Futon bed contains and accumulates less dust mites and allergens as compared to a western bed. Authentic futons are filled with 100% cotton which keeps it lightweight and allows maximum circulation of air, thus preventing moisture to trap in. The sweat of human body converts into moisture and traps inside beds, hosting molds.

The skin shed from human bodies converts into dust. Regular beds cannot be washed and moved easily, whereas Japanese futons are light and can be washed and moved. The care routine of futons including, airing it in the sun and beating it with wooden bat, is a another important factor in maintaining the top-notch hygiene of Japanese bed.

Moreover, the study of shikibuton (Futon) cover revealed its effectiveness for a Japanese bed. After the experiment of weighing dust from futon bed with and without futon covers, a significant difference was seen in the level of dust accumulated inside the beds. Shikibuton cover is very important and useful in avoiding mite allergens. Futons are even the best choice for people sensitive to dust allergies.