Proteins are the building blocks of our body. Right from hair, skin, and nails to the DNA – all of these are comprised of protein. But the most noticeable part of our bodies, full of protein, are the muscles. Muscles contain a large amount of protein. So needless to say, if you want to build your muscles, you need to consume a lot of protein. At the beginning of the twentieth century, animal proteins were considered superior. This explains why poultry, beef and other animal proteins were always a part of the diet of a body builder. Of course, this put vegetarians at a disadvantage. But things have changed. Studies have since demonstrated that you can bulk up your muscles without animal meat. Whether you are an athlete or a bodybuilder, there are few things that you must know if you are a vegetarian, and are looking to boost your nutrition: Know what type of vegetarian you are Different types of vegetarians are classified based on what they eat: Vegans (No animal products of any kind are allowed). Lacto-vegetarians (If dairy is allowed). Pescatarians (If fish is allowed). Lacto-Ovo vegetarians (Dairy and eggs are allowed). It is important to know this, because each type of vegetarian has their own set of constraints, and need to structure their diet differently.

After years of canvassing against obesity and cholesterol, the FDA has programmed people to think of cholesterol as a dirty word, and something to run away from for the sake of your body’s health. But cholesterol being inherently negative is a misconception. The truth is that our body needs cholesterol in order to accomplish certain tasks. It’s important for you to understand that there are two types of cholesterol – good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. The goal should be to avoid bad cholesterol (Low-density Lipoprotein or LDL), and increase good cholesterol (High-density lipoprotein or HDL). What is good cholesterol? The good cholesterol, or HDL, carries fat from the heart to the liver, enabling the process of fat metabolism. This, in turn, helps the body reduce the chances of getting small fat globules stuck in the blood vessels. And in the long run, this aids in maintaining health, and reducing risk of heart attack and stroke. According to the American Heart Association, it is recommended to have your cholesterol levels checked right from the age of 20 onwards, to monitor the level of cholesterol and control it accordingly. The average level of cholesterol in your blood should be around 60 mg/dl.

As we appreciate our grandparents this National Grandparents Day, maybe we should take some time to appreciate certain aspects of the life they led in their prime. After all, isn’t it often said that the old ways are the best? And there’s probably a lot of truth in that when it comes to health in particular. Our grandparents, in many ways, lived healthier lives than we do. Diabetes, cancer, allergies, and a number of other ailments and conditions have become far more widespread, and dangerous, over the last several decades. Yes, there may be external factors responsible for this, but there’s no denying that personal health plays a major role. It’s notable that our grandparents seemed to lead healthier lives even though they lived on a diet that many would consider today to be ‘unhealthy’, rich as it was in meat, fat and carbs. Well, diet is indeed the key here. For our grandparents lived in an era before supermarkets, takeaways and processed foods cast such a long shadow over our plates. Farmer’s markets, and their own backyards, were their primary sources of food that was both organic and highly nutritious. So maybe it’s time to turn back the clock and go ‘retro’ in our food choices.

Frozen foods are often referred to as being unhealthy. But the truth is that there are various frozen food items that you can consume on a daily basis, without facing any adverse consequences for your health. In fact, the nutritional values of frozen items are at par with their fresh counterparts; as freezing foods prevent the growth of the bacteria or other microorganisms, and also ensures that the nutrients are retained in the food itself. So here are some tips to choose your favorite healthy frozen meals, which you can purchase and store for a prolonged period of time, and enjoy whenever you wish: Buying frozen poultry items Chicken items are purchased on a regular basis by most households. Most chicken items are stored in your freezer for a week or so. If you want to buy frozen poultry items, here’s what you need to keep in mind: Opt for the best brands that you can trust. The packaging of the frozen poultry items should be perfect, without any leakages or rips in the pack. The items must be clean and chilled. The vendor from whom you are buying the items must have poultry cases in the refrigerator to store the food items.

Honey may be colored golden, but what makes it worth its weight in gold are the innumerable health benefits one can derive from it. Honey can serve as an antibacterial remedy, as well as an antifungal remedy. It has immense nutritional and medicinal value that has yet to be utilized to its maximum potential. Raw honey, in particular, is exceptionally beneficial when it comes to dealing with a number of health issues. Given that honey is readily available in the kitchens of virtually every household, you certainly should not hesitate to make use of it in your quest for a healthier life. Read on to learn about seven great health benefits of honey: Allergy alleviation: When you were a kid, your mom probably gave you a spoonful of honey when you had a bad cough. It is a general belief that honey can soothe a sore throat caused by continuous coughing, by removing the allergy causing germs. It is believed that honey acts as a vaccine of sorts against allergic reactions; helping the body produce antibodies to fight against allergy causing bacteria. Repeated use of honey leads to these antibodies continuing to develop, resulting in a reduction in allergies and their symptoms.