Home | Diets meal plans

11 Superfoods to Reduce Cholesterol Levels

11 Superfoods to Reduce Cholesterol Levels
The human body requires cholesterol to process hormones, Vitamin D, and digestion. But letting it accumulate in the body can lead to clogged arteries and health issues like heart attack. High blood pressure, diabetes, chest pain, or experiencing pain while walking are signs that show one’s cholesterol levels are too high. One way to maintain healthy cholesterol levels is to eat nutrient-rich food. Here are some superfoods for maintaining a healthy cholesterol level. Types of cholesterol There are mainly two types of cholesterol; LDL and HDL. LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is considered “bad” cholesterol since it clogs the blood vessels with plaque. The HDL (high-density lipoprotein), on the other hand, or the “good” cholesterol, helps carry and eliminate the LDL and regulate bodily functions. One way to ensure the bloodstream has lower levels of harmful LDL is to eat the right foods. Besides food, age can be another factor that can increase one’s cholesterol levels. With age, metabolism slows down, which can impact one’s processing of nutrients. Similarly, a family history of high blood cholesterol can also make one vulnerable to developing the condition. Superfoods to eat to lower cholesterol Oats Being one of the powerhouses of soluble fiber, oats are an excellent breakfast option for those with high cholesterol.

9 common foods that may worsen eye health

9 common foods that may worsen eye health
The eyes are vital sensory organs that are often considered to be the window to the world. Their health is deeply interconnected with heart and blood vessel health, as they have capillaries that provide oxygen and nutrients to the retina. Over time, with fatty deposits and unhealthy foods, these can become blocked, causing trouble with one’s vision. To maintain eye function and health, one must include healthy foods and avoid those that worsen eye health. Foods to avoid Bread Simple carbohydrates found in foods like bread, white rice, and pasta cause spikes in the glycemic index. Hyperglycemia has been linked to diabetic retinopathy and cataracts. It can also increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), one of the leading causes of vision loss among older people. Foods rich in simple carbohydrates may also increase the risk of high cholesterol and heart disease. This may further cause disturbances in one’s vision. Instead, it is advisable to opt for whole-grain alternatives. Processed meat Processed meats such as hot dogs, bacon, and deli meat are packed with high amounts of sodium. This can increase the risk of high blood pressure (hypertension) or cholesterol. Over time, it may result in: High blood pressure could cause damage to the retina, affecting one’s vision.

15 foods that may help relieve mucus buildup

15 foods that may help relieve mucus buildup
Mucus production is a healthy part of one’s respiratory system. This mucus lining in the mouth, nose, sinus, throat, and lungs is responsible for trapping dust, allergens, and viruses. However, during an infection or an allergy, phlegm or mucus can cause irritation and discomfort. People often use home remedies such as humidifiers, steam, and gargling to relieve mucus. To aid this process and alleviate symptoms, the following foods may also help: Ginger Ginger plays an important role in the cuisine of several cultures across the world. Due to its antihistamine content, ginger has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, often acting as a natural decongestant. It can help relieve mucus and reduce infections of the upper respiratory tract. For best results, try fresh ginger root. Boil it in some water to make ginger tea, or slice or grate it into smoothies or juices for an additional flavor and immunity boost. Cayenne pepper Cayenne pepper (and other spicy peppers) are a rich source of capsaicin. This can help reduce cough and mucus buildup in the body. To consume it, simply add one pinch of cayenne pepper to soup or broth. However, those experiencing acid reflux or other digestive ailments must avoid spicy foods as they may worsen inflammation.

13 common mistakes to avoid when purchasing a life insurance

13 common mistakes to avoid when purchasing a life insurance
When individuals set out to purchase life insurance, they make a significant financial decision that can profoundly impact their future and the well-being of their loved ones. However, the world of life insurance can be complex, and there are common mistakes that people should avoid while purchasing one. These mistakes can have significant financial implications in one’s life and impact the coverage and security provided to one’s loved ones. Failure to assess one’s needs One common mistake is not taking the time to thoroughly assess one’s financial needs. Before purchasing an insurance plan, one should consider factors such as outstanding debts, future goals, including education or housing expenses, and inflation to determine the appropriate coverage amount. Not comparing multiple providers Failing to explore options from different insurers can result in missed opportunities for better coverage or more favorable rates and tenure. Different insurers offer different rates and policy options, so individuals should invest the time to compare quotes to find the best value. Fixating solely on premium costs Zeroing in solely on the premium amount can be a shortsighted approach. While affordability is essential, it’s equally important to consider the overall value and coverage offered by the policy. A low premium may not provide adequate protection.

7 debit card mistakes to avoid

7 debit card mistakes to avoid
A debit card is among the most preferred payment modes. It is more convenient to carry than cash and easier to use. Besides, debit cards do not add to the mounting credit card bills one has to sift through each month. It helps take money from the bank account and pay for the purchase without adding to the loan amount. However, to manage money wisely, there are certain mistakes to avoid when using debit cards. Repetitive ATM usage There are times when using cash is necessary. People are forced to go to the ATM in such cases. Sure, rushing to the ATM is a quick and easy fix, but people should not forget the charges being levied with every withdrawal. When using an ATM, the person’s bank as well as the ATM’s bank charges a fee, which can quickly add up if someone uses this facility frequently. A solution is to go to the bank instead of the ATM during such times. Withdrawing from the bank means no extra fees will be deducted from one’s account. Forgetting to check the balance When purchasing with a debit card, chances are the transaction will not reflect on the app or account activity immediately.

7 online reputation management errors small businesses must avoid

7 online reputation management errors small businesses must avoid
Online platforms have helped businesses reach more customers, but now, businesses have to build and maintain their presence in both offline and online worlds. The reputation of a company among the general public largely contributes to its sales and growth in the long run. So, online reputation management has become an important measure, especially for small businesses trying to establish an online presence. Before embarking on this path, here are mistakes small businesses should avoid: 1. Absence on social media platforms Social media platforms have emerged as powerful tools for businesses, helping them actively engage with their audiences and promote their products and services. These days, when one comes across a brand’s name for the first time, they usually check the company’s social media profile before deciding if they should engage with the brand. So, if a business does not have a social media profile, it can seem unreliable to potential consumers or deter them. Businesses do not need to have a presence on all social media platforms. Instead, they should focus on 3–4 platforms that are popular among the businesses’ target audiences. Being active on these platforms means posting regularly and creating innovative campaigns that can strike a chord with the target group.

Must
Reads.

6 mistakes to avoid while booking a hotel

Various online platforms have made booking accommodations a breeze. Whether you are traveling within the country or abroad, you need to make sure that you have chosen the right place to say and made the bookings correctly, so there’s no issue when checking in. However, certain common mistakes people tend to make when booking hotels can put a hitch in their trip. Here’s a list of six such booking mistakes that you should avoid: Not clarifying the different elements of the rate Many a time when making a booking, people just see the room rate. They forget to check out other additional components of the room rate. For example, many forget to find out about taxes. If you are booking online, there are resort fees that you may not see immediately and forget to check about. The resort fee is an amount charged for certain amenities at the property and is mostly not part of the basic room rate. You may realize the extra amount to be paid only when you arrive at the hotel, and at that time, it is too late to cancel your booking without paying a hefty fee. Therefore, it is best to gather all information before you make the booking. This way you will not end up being in a sorry state spending more than budgeted for the trip. Choosing non-refundable rates to book the room This could be another big blunder. Non-refundable rates usually are lower rates than the normal rates, that’s why these are so attractive. Sometimes, the non-refundable tag are prominently displayed but at times it can be mentioned in tiny fonts somewhere below that is easy to miss. Unfortunately, situations can change anytime and what was once a confirmed trip, you may need to cancel the booking eventually. There could be an emergency at the home, or office, or you may need to change the dates, etc.

7 things to avoid doing when staying in a hotel

Staying in a luxurious hotel can be exciting. You can enjoy several amenities, personalized services, and complimentary benefits. But you should be cautious. Experts and travel enthusiasts have devised several dos and don’ts to follow when in a hotel to avoid confusion and make the trip more memorable. Special focus should be on the don’ts as these can risk your safety in a new place. Here are seven things to avoid doing in hotels: Opening the door instantly Many instantly reach out for the doorknob on hearing the doorbell or a knock. This is a big mistake. While it is okay to assume that the person on the other side would be a housekeeping staff or an F&B person, it is best never to take a chance. This is especially applicable if you are in another country, traveling for the first time to a place, or staying at the location as a first-time guest. Verify the visitor’s identity before opening the door. You can do so by looking through the peephole or glancing outside through an adjacent window. Letting strangers inside can be costly if they turn out to be someone with the wrong intent. Packing the hotel’s bathrobes in your suitcase This is nothing short of stealing; you could be in big trouble if caught. Besides the legal hassles, pilfering the hotel’s properties speaks poorly about your manners. Taking a small bottle of shampoo, conditioner, or body lotion may be okay because these usually end up in the trash. But not bathrobes for sure. Similarly, do not just pick other linen pieces, small electronic items, or any artwork from the room. Hotels conduct a thorough inspection after you leave and could impose legal charges if the offense is serious. Using throw pillows In luxury hotels, you may see throw pillows lying on sofas, chairs, and other sitting areas.

7 easy ways to accessorize any outfit

Accessories tend to not only enhance your attire but also make you appear vibrant. Be it a casual chic look or an utter formal attire, adding some flash and bling just infuses life into your overall appearance. However, your accessories can perform their assigned role correctly only if perfectly styled. Here are some easy techniques and tips you can apply to up your fashion game and bring the best out of your outfit: Do not pile up on accessories at a time Most people commit the mistake of donning all the available accessories at once with an outfit. It must be noted that as far as accessories are concerned, less is always more. The purpose of using accessories is to highlight your outfit. However, if you adorn your outfit with several accessories like a watch, scarf, jewelry, sunglasses, hat, etc., all at once, none of them will stand out, making your outfit look cluttered and even awful. Highlight neutral clothes with bold accessories While neutral-colored clothes can look dull and understated, they are also the most perfect ones to be used as a field for experiments. If your wardrobe is filled with neutral colors like olive, navy, beige, white, or black, now is the time to boost them by pairing them up with some bold-colored accessories. Here are a few methods to do that: Pair a navy or black dress with a thin hot pink or red belt. Highlight your dull olive or khaki clothes using a flashy yellow or orange scarf. Add some hue to your colorless white blouse by pairing it with big drop earrings or a multicolored statement necklace. Don’t be too matchy While it could be tempting to pair up the blue polka dots of your dress with some matching blue shoes, a blue necklace, and blue earrings, it would make the outfit too predictable, boring, and even childish.

8 must-have accessories for men

Accessories tend to constitute a crucial part of outfits. They are those magical wands that have the power to infuse life into the dullest of clothes. However, they can be equally intimidating if one is unaware of the basic rules of accessorizing and invests in the wrong pieces. So, here is a list of men’s accessories that never go out of style and, therefore, are a must-have in one’s wardrobe. Sunglasses When it comes to accessories, nothing comes close to a pair of sunglasses. They are practical, flattering, and the perfect solution for hiding the shadows under your eyes. Not to forget, they play a vital role in protecting your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Besides that, they are here to stay for a long time unless broken due to a mishap. Make sure you keep the style classic and subtle with tortoiseshell or black frames and dark green, black, or brown lenses. Wallets While paying for your necessities is now as simple as swiping a card or transferring through a smartphone, the charm of billfold wallets doesn’t seem to subside. And why not? They are practical, strong, yet flexible enough to accommodate their contents effortlessly, and, most importantly, they are durable too. They come in various prints, colors, and designs to suit every personality. One can also get them customized with initials or personal charms. Stainless steel watches These are the practical, no-nonsense cousins of the gold watches with a long lifespan. Besides that, they are extremely versatile. A classy watch can instantly amp up any outfit – be it a formal suit or a casual T-shirt and jeans. One can never go wrong with this men’s accessory. Durable belts Belts are not merely for holding your trousers in place; they also add to your overall look.

Our
Blog.

5 styling ideas for women over 60

5 styling ideas for women over 60

Age is a number when setting a true style statement. Regardless of anyone’s perception, just because you are reaching the 60s doesn’t imply to stop working on your appearance and renounce your desires to look fabulous. Fashion is not just merely about trends; it is about how you express yourself through clothes as the myths of age must not limit your expression. So, here are a few best styling ideas for women over 60: Embrace your age One of the most typical fashion mistakes people make is choosing outfits that are supposed to make them appear younger than their actual age. The problem with such a choice is that you are paradoxically accentuating your age when you try to look younger by wearing an outfit that will be more appropriate for youngsters. For example, if you don high heels, short skirts, or flashy fashions that might be more appropriate for a person half your age, you are indirectly making yourself appear “older.” Instead, you can opt for clothes that are specially tailored for women your age. Sporting “age-appropriate” dresses will conceal your age and make others appreciate your other features like glowing skin or your build. And consequently, you will appear much younger than your actual age.
Read More
5 tips to prevent and manage ulcerative colitis

5 tips to prevent and manage ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a long-term inflammatory disease that triggers inflammation and ulcers in the digestive system. It impacts the colon and rectum’s innermost lining. The symptoms are typically produced over a period rather than unexpectedly. According to the latest studies, about 1 million people have ulcerative colitis, and if left untreated, it can be crippling and cause life-threatening conditions. So, here are 5 tips to prevent and manage ulcerative colitis: Get on with the treatment plan immediately Even though there is no concrete cure for ulcerative colitis, proper treatment can help ease the symptoms and signs of the condition and eventually provide long-term remission. If a patient feels that their bowel habits are consistently changing or if they experience any of the following symptoms and signs, they should immediately consult a doctor: Blood in stool Ongoing diarrhea that is not getting cured by any other types of treatments An unknown fever going on for more than a day or two Abdominal pain Diarrhea that wakes up the patient from sleep The treatments prescribed by the doctor will typically include a combination of oral therapy or surgery. As far as oral treatments are concerned, the doctor may prescribe any of the following types of therapies, depending on the patient’s existing condition:
Read More