Monday, March 31, 2008

Benefits of Ridge Gourd

Ridge gourd is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, high in dietary fibre, vitamin C, riboflavin, zinc, thiamin, iron, magnesium and manganese. The nutritional value of gourd makes it suitable for maintaining optimum health, weight lose. It has excellent cooling properties.
Ridge gourd can be cut into slices and fired in batter like our chilli bajjies. A healthier option would be to make gravy out of it. Fry some onions, tomatoes, garlic with some salt and chilli powder. Add some cubed ridge gourd and let it cook on a simmering flame. Add half a cup of milk and let the gravy thicken. After removing from flame, season and serve hot.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Benefits of Bitter Gourd

Bitter gourd is the most uncommonly used vegetable around the world. The name itself speaks of its taste, which is bitter. Its nutrient content surpasses all other vegetables. Bitter gourd contains Vitamin A, B1, B2, and C. It also contains minerals like calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper and potassium. It purifies blood, enhances digestion, and stimulates the liver. It is an excellent natural source of insulin. The skin, seeds and the vegetable on the whole can be consumed in many forms. Diabetics are recommended to drink the juice of tender bitter gourds to keep their sugar levels in check. It can be stuffed with potato masala and shallow fried. You can even grill it. It can be cut into thin slices and fried like chips with salt and chilly powder. The skin can be washed, fried well and ground with coconut, green chilly and tamarind to make chutney. In whole, bitter gourd plays a vital role in keeping the sugar under control for a diabetic.

Friday, March 21, 2008

Nutritional Values of Egg

The eggs are having the high nutritional values to the body. The latest research suggests that eating whole eggs may actually result in significant improvement in one’s blood lipids (cholesterol) profile, even in persons whose cholesterol levels rise when eating cholesterol-rich food. Lutein, a carotenoid thought to help prevent age-related macular degeneration and cataracts, may be found in even higher amounts in eggs than in green vegetables. Eggs are a good source of low cost high quality proteins, providing 5.5 gm of protein in one egg for a caloric cost of only 68 calories. Another half benefit of eggs is their contribution to the diet as a source of choline. Choline is a key component of acetylcholine. A neuro-transmitter that carries messages from and to nerves, acetylcholine is the body’s primary chemical means of sending messages between nerves and muscles.