Khasiat Kurma Untuk Wanita Hamil

 

Buah kurma juga boleh menambahkan kuantiti susu ibu. 

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Ibu Memakai Susuk

| Fathi Yusuf & Ros Izanuri | 

 

 

Kami menerima komen dari seorang pengunjung yang meminta penjelasan tentang kedudukan ibunya yang memakai susuk. Berikut adalah catatan beliau:
Daripada Insan Mengharap:  

"Salam. Saya memerlukan pendapat mamafarhah untuk menyelesaikan masalah saya ini.. 10 tahun dahulu, ibu bapa saya mengalami masalah rumahtangga disebabkan oleh kehadiran perempuan lain.Atas nasihat kawan, ibu saya memakai susuk untuk memikat suami yang didapati daripada seorang bomoh yang kononnya sebagai penyelesaian masalah tersebut tanpa pengetahuan ayah saya. Ibu saya jenis yang tidak terdedah dengan dunia luar dan kurang pengetahuan agamanya, maka dia tidak mengetahui memakai susuk salah dari segi Islam. 


Saya tidak mampu untuk menasihati ibu memandangkan pada waktu itu saya masih bersekolah rendah. Menurut bomoh itu susuk tersebut boleh hilang kuasanya  apabila umur mencapai 40 ke 50 lebih. Apakah hukumnya dalam kes ini dan apa komen mamafarhah? Bolehkah susuk akan hilang sendiri tanpa dibuang? Saya mohon pendapat mamafarhah memandangkan keadaan ibu saya yang tidak pernah bersolat walaupun usianya telah mencapai 40 tahun lebih. Saya bimbang andai susuk tersebut menjadi penyebab utama sebagai penghalang ibu untuk beribadat."


Ulasan kami adalah seperti berikut:

1. Terlebih dahulu kami mengucapkan tahniah dan syabas atas sifat prihatin saudari yang ingin melihat ibu dan ahli keluarga berada pada jalan Allah S.W.T. Moga Allah memberikan kekuatan dan istiqamah kepada saudari.

2. Pemakaian susuk adalah dilarang oleh Allah kerana ia merupakan satu amalan sihir iaitu meminta bantuan jin untuk mendapat sesuatu. Sihir ini boleh memesongkan aqidah dan boleh membawa kepada keluarnya agama jika pergantungan kepada makhluk jin itu mengatasi pergantungan kepada Allah.

3. Orang yang mengamalkan susuk akan mendapat keseronokan kecil yang sementara, tetapi akan mengalami penderitaan yang panjang dalam hidup di dunia, dan penyeksaan yang dahsyat di Akhirat nanti, jika dia tidak segera bertaubat dan meninggalkan amalan itu.

4. Sifat jin kafir (Syaitan) amat suka jika dapat menumpang pada jasad manusia. Sekali dia diberi ruang, dia tidak akan mudah keluar atau pergi begitu sahaja. Maka pada umumnya susuk itu tidak akan hilang sendiri, bahkan perlu dihilangkan melalui perubatan Islam. (Atau sekurang-kurangnya perlu disahkan bahawa ia telah hilang melalui rawatan perubatan Islam).

5. Berasaskan maklumat saudari, ibu saudari tidak pernah bersolat, maka perkara utama yang perlu dilakukan ialah untuk menimbulkan kesedaran beragama bagi mengukuhkan aqidahnya kepada Allah dan keyakinan kepada balasan Allah melalui Syurga dan Neraka selepas kematiannya.

6. Kemudian, perlu dibimbing agar dia mengamalkan rukun Islam yang asasi seperti solat, puasa dan lain-lain di samping mendekatkan dirinya dengan al-Quran.

7. Selepas itu, dedahkanlah kepadanya dengan ilmu-ilmu Islam termasuk dalam soal amalan sihir dan perubatan Islam. Ajaklah dirinya supaya kembali ke jalan Allah.

8. Usahakan agar dia dibawa menjalani rawatan perubatan Islam (seperti Darussyifa di bawah pimpinan Dr. Harun Din atau Darussalam di bawah pimpinan Ust Ismail Kamus) bagi membuang susuk yang ada pada dirinya.

9. Dorongkan diri ibu agar istiqamah pada jalan Allah.

10. Selain itu kami cadangkan juga agar saudari menggunakan pendekatan yang hikmah agar usaha ini dapat mencapai sasaran yang terbaik.


Moga Allah merahmati usaha saudari itu.


- Artikel iluvislam.com

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wanita selepas melahirkan anak akan menjadi gemuk?

Soalan:

Kenapa wanita selepas melahirkan anak akan menjadi gemuk?

Jawapan:

Ada beberapa sebab mengapa wanita selepas melahirkan anak menjadi gemuk. Wanita semasa hamil akan meningkat berat badan secara semula jadi. Ini adalah kerana semasa hamil terjadinya perubahan hormon yang menyebabkan badan mengumpul lemak dan air. Lemak yang dikumpulkan ini akan digunakan untuk membuat susu ibu selepas melahirkan anak. Salah satu sebab mengapa wanita menjadi gemuk selepas melahirkan anak ialah kerana tidak menyusukan anak dengan susu ibu. Jika wanita tidak menyusu, lemak yang disimpan semasa hamil tidak akan digunakan untuk membuat susu dan akan terus terkumpul di dalam badan. Sebab kedua ialah mungkin wanita selepas melahirkan anak tidak mengamalkan pemakanan yang seimbang dan tidak meningkatkan aktiviti fizikalnya.

Petikan daripada: Soalan Lazim, Masalah Berat Badan
Portal MyHealth, Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia

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TIMUN RENDAHKAN TEKANAN DARAH

 

Timun bukanlah sejenis sayuran asing bagi rakyat Negara ini. Daripada menjadi hirisan untuk sajian sandwich, acar, rojak, pasembor sehinggalah dimakan mentah begitu sahaja, timun sudah begitu sebati dalam sajian semua lapisan masyarakat Malaysia.

Tidak terhad kepada menu untuk mengisi perut, uniknya timun sejak berkurun lamanya juga menjadi bahan kosmetik moden dan tradisional untuk penjagaan kesihatan.Selain terkenal dengan bahan yang boleh diaplikasikan secara mentah untuk memulihkan keletihan mata, timun juga sumber yang baik untuk mendapatkan kulit yang sihat dan cantik.

Namun, apakah khasiat dan nutrisi sebenar timun? Adakah penggunaannya hanya baik sebagai bahan kosmetik tradisional?

Berasal dari kawasan Banjaran Himalaya di India, aktiviti perdagangan membawa timunatau nama saintifiknya CUCUMIS SATIVUS ke seluruh pelosok dunia sehingga menjadi sebahagian daripada makanan budaya di Greece, Itali, Mesir, Asia, Afrika dan Amerika Syarikat (AS).

Tanaman yang menjalar dan daunya melilit pada junjung ini menghasilkan buah yang berwarna hijau keputihan sepanjang 10 hingga 20 sentimeter. Buah yang berbiji banyak ini mengandung, 0.65 peratus protein, 0.1 peratus lemak dan sebanyak 2.2 peratus karbohidrat.

Timun juga mengandungi kalsium, zat besi, magnesium, fosforus, vitamin A, Vitamin B2 dan C. Secara nutrisinya, timun mengandungi garam semula jadi, enzim dan pati vitamin untuk menguatkan pertumbuhan dan memperbaiki sel.

Walaupun timun biasanya diambil secara mentah atau bahan tambahyan dalam menu lain, tetapi ramai yang tidak mengetahui cara terbaik untuk makan timun adalah dengan menjadikannya sebagai jus. Menurut Dr. Albert Jessent, pakar pemakanan dari New York, jus timun sememangnya bukanlah antara minuman jus yang popular berbanding buah atau sayuran lain.

“Timun biasa diambil mentah atau dimasak. Tetapi ramai yang tidak mengetahui khasiat terbaik yang terkandung dalam timun dapat diambil sepenuhnya melalui jus. Kebanyakan nutrient timun terletak pada kulitnya. Oleh itu anda tidak seharusnya membuang kulit timun semasa mengisarnya menjadi jus,” katanya.

Sememangnya tidak dapat disangkal nutrisi yang ada pada timun membolehkan ia tersenarai sebagai antara bahan popular untuk produk kosmetik. Baik untuk kulit kering, kulit terbakar sinar matahari, kesihatan rambut dan kesihatan kuku. Walaubagaimanapun, salah satu jagoan timun yang mungkin tidak diketahui ramai adalah kemampuannya bertindak merendahkan tekanan darah anda.

“Jika anda ingin menjauhi tekanan darah tinggi dekatilah timun dabn jangan lupa cuba ambil dalam bentuk jus bukannya mentah atau dimasak,” ujar Jessent. Katanya, terdapat kajian yang diklakukan baru-baru ini yang menunjukan kandungan potassium, magnesium dan fiber boleh merendahkan tekanan darah.

Kombinasi bahan sihat ini berdasarkan kajian, mengurangkan tekanan darah sistolik responden kepada lima manakala tekanan darah diastolik kepada 3.5
Mungkin ada yang bertanya apa kaitannya kombinasi nutrisi diet ini dengan timun? Timun mengandungi kombinasi potassium, magnesium dan fiber yang tinngi. Kandungan vitamin C, yang bersifat antioksida menambahkan lagi peranan timun dalam merendahkan tekanan darah.

Resipi Jus Timun

• Rendamkan timun sayur dalam besen dan pastikan isi air hingga timun tenggelam.
• Masukan garam ke dalam air rendaman timun. Jika anda menggunakan garam laut, masukan 5 sudu besar garam dan jika anda menggunakan garam bukit masukkan 2 sudu besar garam.
• Rendam timun sehingga 30 minit - 45 minit. Tetapi terdapat satu kaedah lain bagi memendekkan tempoh masa rendaman iaitu dengan memasukan sekilo ais ke dalam rendaman. Dengan kaedah rendaman ais, masa rendaman boleh dipendekan ke 15 minit sahaja.

  

• Setelah cukup tempoh rendaman, basuh timun di bawah air mengalir hingga bersih
• Potong bahagian atas timun dan pusing arah lawan jan bagi mengeluarkan getah timun. Jangan lupa potong pada bahagian bawah timun juga.
• Timun dibelah 4 bahagian dan buang biji/empulur timun (biji timun bersifat sejuk dan boleh memangkinkan masalah asma, batuk dan sebagainya. Pastikan anda tidak membuang kulit timun kerana bahagian kulit sangat tinggi nilai mineralnya
• Kisar timun bersama sejumlah air untuk dijadikan jus. Campurkan sedikit garam dan gula perang untuk menyedapkan jus timun anda
• Tapis dengan penapis kain atau sebagainya untuk dapat Jus Timun yang halus dan selesa untuk diminum. 

Perhatian: Bagi memastikan anda mendapat nutrisi yang baik dari Jus Timun, sebaik-baiknya anda terus minum jus tersebut tanpa menyimpan ke dalam peti sejuk.

Sumber: harmoni.kuskom.net

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CARA HIDUP SIHAT…

 

Kunci untuk kehidupan yang sihat adalah mengamalkan cara hidup sihat:

-Makan Secara Sihat

-Lakukan Aktiviti Fizikal
-Tidak Merokok
-Belajar Menangani Stress

 

Faedah cara hidup sihat:

• Meningkatkan status kesihatan anda
• Mengurangkan risiko anda mendapat pelbagai penyakit seperti diabetes, serangan jantung, strok (angin ahmar)dan tekanan darah tinggi
• Membuat anda kelihatan dan berasa lebih baik
• Membolehkan anda memiliki stamina dan keupayaan yang lebih untuk menikmati kehidupan

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MAKANAN PILIHAN part2

Sumber : Kelab Doktor Muda

Had dan kurangkan makanan bergoreng dan berlemak...

• Kurangkan kekerapan pengambilan makanan bergoreng
• Pilihlah makanan yang rendah lemak
• Ambil kuih yang berminyak dalam kuantiti yang sedikit
• Buang kulit dan lemak daripada ayam atau daging sebelum makan
• Pilihlah makanan yang rendah kandungan lemak tepu dan kolestrol

Pilih makanan dan minuman yang kurang gula...

• Hadkan pengambilan makanan manis dan bergula
• Kurangkan miuman yang manis da berkarbonat
• Gunakan panel maklumat pemakanan untuk membuat perbandingan jumlah gula didalam sesuatu produk
• Berhati2 dengan pemanis tiru

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MAKANAN PILIHAN part1

Sumber: Kelab Doktor Muda.

Makan buah dan sayur pada setiap waktu makan....

• Makan sekurang-kurangnyer 1/2 cawan sayur pada setiap waktu makan
• Makan sekurang-kurangnyer satu jenis buah pada setiap waktu makan
• Pelbagaikan jenis buah dan sayur
• Pilih hidangan yang mengandungi buah dan sayur Contoh : nasi kerabu, nasi ulam, puding buah, rojak buah/sayur, pecal)
• Jadikan buah sebagai snek
• Makanlah ulam dan salad bersama hidangan anda

Makan bijirin penuh, kekacang dan biji-bijian....

• Makan sarapan berasaskan bijirin pehug seperti oat, jagung dan capati
• Pilih roti, roti pita, bijirin sarapan pagi dan biskut yang berasaskan bijirin penuh.
• Cuba gantikan arau campurkan nasi putih dengan nasi beras perang
• Makan makanan seperti tauhu, tempe dan kacang panggang beberapa kali seminggu
• Makan kekacang atau biji-bijian beberapa kali seminggu Contoh : biji selasih dalam minuman atau kuih yang ditabur bijan

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Eczema???

Sumber : BabyCenter Malaysia

 

What is eczema?

Eczema is a condition affecting the skin. Most doctors use the terms dermatitis and eczema to describe the same thing. There are different types of eczema, depending on the root causes of the problem. They all have one thing in common: they result in dry, itchy, red and cracked skin, which can become sore and bleeding through scratching. The areas most affected are the hands, face, elbows and knees. Atopic eczema often runs in families. Atopic conditions, which include eczema and asthma are on the increase but no-one is completely sure why.
Eczema may also be triggered by an irritation of the skin caused by chemicals, such as the detergents in washing powders and fabric softeners. This is called contact eczema. A child with atopic eczema could develop contact eczema as well so the two types of eczema do sometimes occur together. When this happens, try changing your detergent because it may ease the condition.

It is also possible to have allergic contact eczema. This is usually a reaction to a specific substance such as the nickel in jewellery. However, the allergic reaction may spread to affect other areas of skin.

Eczema can be extremely distressing in babies and young children because they find it very difficult not to scratch, which can lead to infections.

What is the treatment for eczema?

The treatment of eczema depends on how serious it is. If your baby has a mild case of contact eczema, you may simply be advised to use a short course of a low-strength steroid cream.

Atopic eczema is dealt with in two ways. It is known that dryness of the skin makes it worse and so preventing flare-ups by moisturising the skin is crucial. There are a huge variety of moisturisers or emollients available and you may have to try several to find the one that suits your child best. These are available as creams, ointments, lotions and bath additives. You may have to use large quantities on a regular basis and your doctor may consider issuing repeat prescriptions once you know which one works best.

Secondly, some doctors will recommend that babies with atopic eczema use steroid creams from time to time. It is vital that these are used sparingly to avoid the risk of side-effects, especially in young children. Eczema may also be complicated by skin infections (often caused by scratching until the skin is broken) and so antibiotic creams are being used increasingly. Oral antihistamines are sometimes used to combat itchiness. The ones normally available for young children often cause drowsiness and so will tend to be used at night. You should seek your doctor's advice before giving young children anti-histamines.

Homoeopathy can sometimes be very helpful in treating eczema and in some countries, like the UK, it is even available through the National Health Service. However, it is important that you find a well-qualified homoeopath.

How can I help?

There are other self-help measures you can try:

• It is thought that exposure to some foods can aggravate eczema. Reactions to individual foods can obviously be helped by avoiding that food, but you should not change your child's diet drastically without talking to your doctor.

• Doctors will usually only advise getting rid of a pet in severe cases but pets can be restricted to one part of the house or an outside run.

• House dust mites are thought to trigger some cases of eczema. You can reduce the amount of dust moving around your house by using a damp cloth rather than a dry duster for cleaning, and in extreme cases, you may want to change from carpets to hard flooring. Frequent washing of bedding at high temperature is thought to help, and there are a number of specialist products on the market such as vacuum cleaners, filters and sprays.

• Breastfeeding exclusively for at least four months helps to protect against eczema and other allergies. Some babies and children who develop eczema may be allergic to cow's milk but it's important to talk to your doctor before removing cow's milk (or cow's milk formula) from your baby's diet.

• Cotton or cotton mix clothing may help, whereas woollen and synthetic fibres may make it worse.

• Overheating can make eczema more severe, so you should keep bedding and clothing light and layered, in order that the temperature can be easily adjusted.

• Keep your child's nails short to help prevent skin irritation from scratching. You can also buy cotton mittens to help babies who scratch at night.

Will the use of steroids harm my baby?

Many parents have heard about side effects from overuse of steroids, and are reluctant to use them, particularly on babies and young children. "Steroids are very safe if used appropriately," advises Collette Hoare from the UK’s National Eczema Society. "Their main side effect is thinning of the skin, but there is no evidence that this is permanent. It is very important to use the correct strength, depending on the severity of the eczema, so steroids should always be used under the supervision of your paediatrician."

When using steroid cream, keep usage to a minimum by only using on the affected areas, and remember always to use plenty of emollient cream. Whilst some steroids can be bought over the counter, it is recommended that when treating babies and young children, you always seek the advice of your doctor.

 

Reviewed October 2008

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What to eat during pregnancy?

Watch what you eat during pregnancy. There should be balance, moderation and variety.

By BRIGITTE ROZARIO

If you are pregnant and decide to do a search on the Web on what to eat and what not to eat, you will find a lot of articles. Some of these articles may even contradict each other. Who should you listen to and what can you eat?

For starters, when in doubt, ask your gynaecologist. He or she would be the best person to answer all your questions. Don't be afraid to ask even if you think it's a silly question. If your gynae is reluctant to answer properly, find another gynae who is.
If you can't wait for the next visit to ask all your questions, then read on.

 

Medical & Scientific Affairs Manager at Danone Dumex Malaysia, Tan Ee Ping, a nutritionist by training, helps answer some questions on the matter.

Tan: 'Start leading a healthy life three months before you're actually pregnant.'

 

 

Is it okay to only start watching what you eat when you find out you are pregnant?
There is a common thought that once the doctor says 'Congratulations! You're pregnant', you start changing everything – your lifestyle, eating and sleeping habits. The truth is once you and your partner decide to start a family you have to start changing your lifestyle and eating habits because you wouldn't know when you would get pregnant.
A general rule is to start leading a healthy life and eating healthily three months before you're actually pregnant. Three months is how long it takes to store up the nutrients in your body.

What can you eat when pregnant?
Basically a lot of people are very worried if they can eat this or that. The general rule is that you can eat almost anything that you have been eating but of course you need to eliminate alcohol and stop smoking.

You just have to keep in mind these three things: Balance, moderation and variety.

So, you can eat all the healthy food in balance, in moderation (that means don't eat only fruits and vegetables if your doctor asks you to eat more of these) and have a variety (this means don't eat oranges and no other fruit just because it is high in Vitamin C).

Eat different types of food because different foods will give you different nutrients. There is no one food or fruit that can give you everything. So you should have a variety in your diet.
You should look at a picture of the food pyramid – at the base there's the carbohydrates and on top of that are the fruits and vegetables, then the protein, followed by milk and dairy, and finally the fats and oils. You should follow the food pyramid and as long as there is balance you are fine.

We also encourage people not to take food that is very white in colour. Instead of white bread, take wholemeal bread. Instead of white rice, take brown rice.

Go towards the natural foods which are not so polished and not so processed.

We have heard that mothers should have quality food in the first half of the pregnancy and quantity in the second half. Is this true?
You should have quality and quantity in your diet throughout the pregnancy. The point is not to eat more but to eat the nutrients that you need.

It is not about how many plates of rice you should eat but how many nutrients you should consume and whether there is a balance and whether you are getting everything.

So, quality and quantity should go hand in hand throughout the pregnancy.

How important is folic acid?
Usually, folic acid is something that the doctors will prescribe. You can also get it from milk and vegetables but if your doctor gives you the folic acid supplement you should really take that.
Deficiency in folic acid can cause severe damage to the baby's central nervous system. That's when they can get spina bifida or neural tube defects. In severe cases the baby can be paralysed and suffer from incontinence when they are born.

Folic acid is very important. It helps you make new cells for your body and your baby's body. It also helps you to make red blood cells. You lose a lot of blood during delivery so it's very important to take folic acid.

If you are planning to get pregnant, you should already start taking folic acid.

There is the initial and critical stage during pregnancy where the baby's internal organs are developing. From Week 2 to Week 8, the heart and central nervous system are actively developing. If during that time you do not get enough of the nutrients that you need, you can never reverse it later by taking a lot of the nutrients after that period has passed. It's too late. They call it a critical window of development.

That's why we encourage people to start taking folic acid even before they are pregnant.

If you have not been taking folic acid, then you should immediately see the doctor once you suspect you are pregnant and if the doctor detects that you are indeed pregnant, he or she will prescribe the supplements needed.

How about calcium and iron?
Calcium and iron can be obtained from milk and green leafy vegetables like spinach. Iron is important to make blood. Calcium is also important but it's especially important during the second and third trimesters. The first trimester is when the baby's body is being formed. The second trimester is the building period – whatever is formed is now built. The third trimester is the storage period.

So, if the baby is born premature hopefully he or she would have enough nutrients by then. Especially during this storage period, the baby consumes a lot of calcium to make their bones and teeth. If the mother is not consuming enough calcium then the baby will get the calcium from the mother's bones. This might affect the mother later in life when she's old as it might be one of the reasons why she develops osteoporosis.

Should you have small and frequent meals?
Small and frequent meals are recommended for pregnant women as well as everyone else, too. We should all be taking small but frequent meals. Pregnant women should have three meals and two healthy snacks in between.

For pregnant women who experience a lot of morning sickness, it is even more important for them to eat. They shouldn't think that they cannot eat because they are throwing up so much. If they don't eat their body isn't getting additional nutrients.
Even if you throw up, continue taking small meals. It's good to snack in between meals otherwise you won't get all the nutrients you need if you're throwing up a lot.

Is there a cut-off time when you should stop eating to allow time for the food to digest? Is it okay to snack after dinner?
We encourage people to end their last meal for the day at least four hours before they go to bed. So, if you go to bed at 11pm, you should stop eating at 7pm.

For pregnant women, if after dinner they feel uneasy and they are vomiting, then it's good to take something, a healthy snack, before they go to bed.

Should you give in to cravings?
A lot of times your diet can change quite a bit. You could begin craving food that you have not been enjoying or even food that you used to hate.

So, a lot of times pregnant women are advised to go easy. You can take these foods but take them in moderation.
If you realise that you suddenly like durian, don't go all out to eat a lot of durian. You can take durian but in moderation.

How much should you eat if you're having twins or triplets?
Usually if you're carrying twins, triplets or more, the babies are born earlier and they are smaller. In these cases, we suggest you follow the doctor's advice because the doctor will scan and check and detect any abnormalities. So, you really have to follow the doctor's advice on how much to eat.

How much of weight should you gain? Should you be worried if you've gained too much weight?
Don't be overwhelmed if you were a normal weight mother before pregnancy and now at Month 8 you have already gained 16kg; don't diet from Month 8 to Month 9. You can still continue to eat as you have been doing. As long as the doctor tells you that everything is normal, you shouldn't worry.

Any time during your pregnancy is not a good time for you to go on a diet, even if you are obese. Some people are very worried that they won't be able to lose the excess weight after delivery. You should not go on a diet. You should be more worried if the food you eat is nutritious or not.

Some books say one glass of red wine and one cup of coffee a day is okay. Is this correct?
Alcohol is a strict no-no. Caffeine is fine up to 200mg – that is about two cups a day. That covers all caffeine, not just coffee. So, if you've taken two cups of coffee don't go and have a glass of teh tarik (tea) and a carbonated drink, as well. Green tea also has caffeine so watch how many cups you take.

Caffeine may retard the growth of the baby and in some cases it may lead to an early delivery. So, don't try to go beyond two cups of caffeinated drinks. If you can go without caffeine, then good.
It's also better to make your own coffee than to take the 3-in-1 coffee which is high in sugar. When you make your own coffee, you can control how much sugar you add.

How about herbal teas and remedies?
A lot of gynaecologists advise pregnant women to be very cautious with herbal teas and remedies. If you're not careful, some of these herbal remedies may lead to heavy bleeding. Especially avoid dong quai as it has been known to cause bleeding.

Chinese herbal remedies are not encouraged because the data on them is still not proven at this stage.

What can you take if you're not taking coffee, tea and carbonated drinks?
Fruit juices, plain water and milk. These are more healthy alternatives to the caffeinated drinks.

In fact, with regards to fruit juices we don't encourage pregnant women to take the carton drinks that can be bought in the supermarket. We encourage them to make fresh juices because of the high sugar content.

But even these you have to take in moderation because of the sugar content. You can't just decide to have three glasses of watermelon juice today. It is a very unhealthy way of consuming a healthy drink.

Is it okay to take artificial sweeteners?
Artificial sweeteners are not encouraged for anybody, actually. You can take normal sugar, blackstrap molasses or brown sugar. These are healthier choices; just remember to limit your intake.
Artificial sweeteners contain chemicals that may sometimes lead to headaches. So it is not encouraged unless the person is diabetic and has to take an alternative to sugar.

What should you not eat?
You have to stop eating raw food – sushi, sashimi and others – as it may contain some bacteria and can cause food poisoning. If you really are craving Japanese food, go for smoked salmon or grilled fish.

No raw fish, shell fish (oysters, raw prawns, raw crabs) – these are some of the foods we say you really cannot eat! Cooked shellfish is okay but again don't take too much as it could be high in cholesterol or certain proteins.

 

Unpasteurised milk or dairy products is another real no-no. This includes blue cheese. Do not eat unwashed fruits and vegetables. No raw eggs or half-boiled eggs either. Better to have fried or hard-boiled eggs.

The risk for all of these is food poisoning because there could be some bacteria in these foods when they are not cooked or half cooked or not washed properly.

Are there any fish to avoid?
We encourage pregnant women to eat deep sea fishes that are high in Omega 3 and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) like tuna, mackerel, herring and sardine. If you're taking tuna and sardine, it's better to go for the fresh fish rather than the canned version. You are encouraged to take three servings a week.

There isn't any fish that we say they really cannot eat.
There has been some controversy about deep sea fishes which are said to be high in mercury content. However, until now this is not conclusive. Doctors still encourage everyone to take deep sea fishes.

Is it okay to take preserved fruits for nausea?
Don't have preserved fruits as they are high in sodium and sugar.

Is it okay to take spicy food?
There is some data to suggest that spicy food can induce delivery but this is still not conclusive.

There is also data that suggests certain ingredients in spicy food helps digestion. So, spicy food is okay to take but what are you cooking it with? If you're adding a lot of coconut milk then it's not healthy. So, watch what you have it with or how it is prepared, as well.

Any additional advice for pregnant women?
If they are worried about anything, they should consult the doctor and find out what they can and cannot do. After delivery you should continue eating healthy food because this is when you are healing your wounds. It's a time when you have to heal after losing a lot of blood. If you are breastfeeding you should continue living a healthy lifestyle and eating well. Nutrients from what you eat gets transferred to the breastmilk. So, do be very careful of what you eat when you're breastfeeding.

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EWG's Cancer Prevention Tips

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

While genetics might have role in determining our risk for cancer, the way we live our lives and the environment we live in might now have an even bigger role. 

And the best news is there are WAYS that we could take to help us prevent cancer. 

After all, prevention is definitely better than cure. 

So take some time and read this great article by EWG on Cancer Prevention Tips:

Tip 13: EWG's Cancer Prevention Tips

According to a new report from the President's Cancer Panel, environmental toxins play a significant and under-recognized role in cancer, causing "grievous harm" to untold numbers of people. Our groundbreaking research into umbilical cord blood has found that children are being born pre-polluted with nearly 300 industrial chemicals, pesticides and contaminants, many of which have been found to cause cancer in lab studies or in people.

Four of every 10 Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes, and two of every 10 will die from it. Beyond talking to your doctor about lifestyle changes that are known to make a difference -- stopping smoking, reducing drinking, losing weight, exercising and eating right -- there are things you can do to reduce your risk.

Here are some simple ways you can reduce your exposure to potentially cancer-causing chemicals:

1. Filter your tap water. Common carcinogens in tap water include arsenic, chromium, and chemical byproducts that form when water is disinfected. A simple carbon tap-mounted filter or pitcher can help reduce the levels of some of these contaminants. If your water is polluted with arsenic or chromium, a reverse osmosis filter will help.Learn about your tap water and home water filters at EWG's National Tap Water Database.

2. Seal outdoor wooden decks and play sets. Those built before 2005 are likely coated with an arsenic pesticide that can stick to hands and clothing. Learn more from EWG.

3. Cut down on stain- and grease-proofing chemicals. "Fluorochemicals" related to Teflon and Scotchgard are used in stain repellants on carpets and couches and in greaseproof coatings for packaged and fast foods. To avoid them, avoid greasy packaged foods and say no to optional stain treatments in the home. Download EWG's Guide to PFCs.

4. Stay safe in the sun. More than one million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year. To protect your skin from the sun's cancer-causing ultraviolet (UV) radiation, seek shade, wear protective clothing and use a safe and effective sunscreen from EWG's sunscreen database.

5. Cut down on fatty meat and high-fat dairy products. Long-lasting cancer-causing pollutants like dioxins and PCBs accumulate in the food chain and concentrate in animal fat.

6. Eat EWG's Clean 15. Many pesticides have been linked to cancer. Eating from EWG's Clean 15 list of the least contaminated fruits and vegetables will help cut your pesticide exposures. (And for EWG's Dirty Dozen, buy organic.) Learn more at EWG's Shopper's Guide to Pesticides.

7. Cut your exposures to BPA. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic estrogen found in some hard plastic water bottles, canned infant formula, and canned foods. Some of these chemicals cause cancer in lab studies. To avoid them, eat fewer canned foods, breast feed your baby or use powdered formula, and choose water bottles free of BPA. Get EWG's tips to avoid it.

8. Avoid carcinogens in cosmetics. Use EWG's Skin Deep cosmetic database to find products free of chemicals known or suspected to cause cancer. When you're shopping, don't buy products that list ingredients with "PEG" or "-eth" in their name (chemicals often tainted with contaminants linked to cancer).

9. Read the warnings. Some products list warnings of cancer risks -- read the label before you buy. Californians will see a "Proposition 65" warning label on products that contain chemicals the state has identified as cancer-causing.

Source: www.ewg.org

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Top 10 Fitness Tips and Tricks

 Sumber daripada thenest.com

 
Get in shape (and stay that way) with these fitness tricks and tips for losing weight from our experts.
 
Tip 1: Set exercise goals you can meet -- otherwise, you'll stop working out all together. Try to work out on two weekdays and one weekend day for 30 minutes to start -- if you can only do 20, that's okay too. The point is to get moving and keep moving.
 
Tip 2: Get on the same page when it comes to how and when your workouts will happen. Men need to realize women can't always keep up with their intensity levels -- a guy shouldn't push his wife beyond her ability. What feels like a good workout to one of you might be too much or too little for the other. The same goes for healthy eating. The identical meal may not be acceptable to both of you.
 
Tip 3: Men lose weight faster then women due to the fact that they have more muscle mass and can burn 30 to 40 percent more calories during the same workout. It's not realistic to see the same results in the same time period. Know that going into it.
 
Tip 4: Want some bonus bites? Try a handful of homemade snack mix: almonds, chocolate-covered soy nuts, dried cranberries, and yogurt chips.
 
Tip 5: Experiment with fresh herbs: rosemary, sage, thyme, mint, dill. Not only do they add flavor to your meals, they also add many nutrients.
 
Tip 6: . Head outside. Going to the gym day after day can start to feel routine, and the last thing you want is to dread your workouts. Instead, get some fresh air with a walk, run or bike ride.
 
Tip 7: Set your screen saver to go on every half hour and use that as your cue to stretch or do some light moves in the office (desk triceps dips, wall push-ups). Or just to get up and walk around the room.
 
Tip 8: The world is your gym. Rake leaves, prune bushes, and pick up trash in the yard. Another trick: Stand up while on the phone -- you can even try doing squats or leg lifts.
 
Tip 9: Not a morning person? We hear ya. The best time to exercise is when your energy is highest. People give up when they try to force themselves to work out at a time their body refuses to accommodate. Don't sign up for a 6 a.m. Pilates class if you know you'll never make it. Morning, noon, and night are all great times to exercise.
 
Tip 10: Grocery shop together at least once a week. On each trip, pick one or two new healthful foods to try. This way, you can spend time together and plan meals as a duo.

Check out our Activity Calculator and see how many calories you're burning
Get more tips for losing weight from the experts at The Nest


[Nestperts] Tom Holland, a triathlete, a trainer, and the creator of Tom Holland's Fitness Video Series; Cynthia Sass, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, a personal trainer, and coauthor of Your Diet is Driving Me Crazy: When Food Conflicts Get in the Way of Your Love Life; Lisa Sasson, a registered dietitian and clinical assistant professor at New York University; Joan Salge Blake, a nutrition professor at Boston University; Lona Sandon, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association and assistant professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; and Hope Warshaw, author of What to Eat When You're Eating Out

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