Health

Nutritious High-Calorie Foods For a Healthy Weight Gain

Gaining weight can be just as challenging as losing weight. While exercise plays a significant role in weight gain, your diet also has a crucial impact. That is why it is important to incorporate high-calorie foods into your diet. High-calorie foods not only increase your calorie intake, but they also provide your body with the nutrients it needs for overall health. Dhanush Kumar lists the best foods for weight gain and health improvement.

1. Nuts

Nuts are a great snack option for those looking for weight gain. They are high in healthy fats, proteins, and calories. To get the best benefits of the nuts, try to eat unsalted, raw, or dry roasted nuts rather than sugar or oil-coated ones. They help to reduce inflammation and decrease the risk of blood clots that can lead to heart strokes.

2. Avocado

Avocados are one of the best foods for weight gain. They are an excellent source of healthy fats and fibre. They are also high in potassium and can help to reduce the risk of heart disease. Try to eat avocados in their natural form, like the sliced ones. Avocados support heart health and lower cholesterol. They also keep your eyes healthy.

3. Ghee

Ghee or clarified butter is the best food for those who are looking to increase their weight. It is high in calories and healthy saturated fats. Ghee can be used for cooking, and you can add them to dal, or use it as a dip for bread. Make sure that you look for pure, grass-fed ghee to get the best benefits. Ghee is also helpful in strengthening your immune system.

4. Nut butter

Nut butter is the best and most tasty way to add healthy fats and calories to your regular spread. They can be spread on toast, or you can mix them into smoothies and also as a baking ingredient. Some popular nut butters are peanut butter, almond butter, and cashew butter. Nut butter keeps the cholesterol in check and the fibre keeps you feeling full and energized.

5. Cheese

Cheese is one of the high-calorie foods and they are a great source of protein and calcium. Cheese can be added to sandwiches and crackers, or you can use them as a topping for other dishes as well. Cheese is high in Vitamins A, D, K, and Zinc and they contribute to bone health and ease inflammation.

6. Whole Milk

Whole milk is higher in calories and fat than skim milk and is a good choice for those looking to gain weight. Whole milk can be consumed on its own, and you can add it to smoothies or use it in cooking. Drinking whole milk can help increase calcium intake and other essential vitamins and minerals.

7. Almonds

Almonds are a popular snack in India, and they are high in healthy fats, proteins, and calories. Almonds can be consumed directly, used as a topping for oatmeal, or ground into almond butter. By consuming Almonds daily, your bones will get stronger, and your blood sugar control will get better. To get the best benefits, take unsalted, or raw almonds.

8. Red Meat

Red meat like pork, lamb, and goat are high in protein and fat. They are a very good option for weight gain. You can grill them, and bake them, or you can also add them to the soup and stews for added flavour and nutrition. But you must limit the intake of red meat for maximum health benefits.

Conclusion

There are a variety of high-calorie foods that can aid in weight gain when consumed as part of a balanced diet and make sure that you combine it with regular physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

February 26, 2023

Wedding Wellness with Luke Coutinho: Starting the Journey

Luke Coutinho, India’s leading Integrative Lifestyle Expert, believes that true wedding prep goes far beyond fitting into an outfit or chasing picture-perfect looks. For him, it’s about building strength, balance, and inner calm that lasts well beyond the wedding day. Here, he shares his holistic wellness guide for brides and grooms stepping into this new chapter. From a holistic health perspective, how early should brides and grooms start preparing their bodies for the wedding? I’ve always believed that wedding prep should start with the inside. If we’re talking about sustainable energy, balanced hormones, strong immunity, or calm emotional states it’s not a 15-day crash course. It’s a rhythm you build. Ideally, I encourage couples to begin six to 12 months in advance. That gives us space to work on the deeper layers like gut repair, sleep cycles, metabolic health, and emotional resilience. Even three months can make a real difference if done right. But more than timelines, I believe in intention. Whether you start 12 months or six weeks before, ask yourself: Am I just trying to look good for a day, or do I want to feel well through all the days that follow? How can couples set wellness goals that go beyond just looking good in wedding photos?It’s easy to get caught up in aesthetics wanting to fit into a certain outfit or chase a number on the scale. But real wellness is about how you feel your energy, your digestion, your mood, your ability to stay calm amidst the chaos. I always tell couples: Don’t make the goal about shrinking your body. Make it about strengthening your health, supporting your hormones, and building the emotional resilience to actually enjoy your wedding. When you feel good inside, it shows up outside on your skin, in your eyes, and

Health

Eating Right, Feeling Bright: How to Stay Healthy and Happy This Festive Season

As the festive season arrives, it’s easy to get swept up in the celebration and sometimes, overdo it. Between rich sweets, back-to-back parties, and emotional highs (and lows), maintaining your health both physical and emotional can become challenging. SINDURI VUPPALA speaks to two experts Dietician Vidhi Chawla, Founder of FISICO Diet & Aesthetic Clinic, and Rajvir Kohar, a seasoned Mental Health Clinician to bring you a guide on how to eat mindfully and feel emotionally balanced this season. “It’s okay not to feel festive. Honour your emotions.” – Mental Health Clinician Rajvir Kohar While cultural celebrations and holidays offer opportunities for connections and joy, they also come with increased expectations and responsibilities. Research indicates that mental health symptoms such as stress, anxiety, disrupted sleep, and emotional eating often rise during the festive season. Many individuals experience heightened stress around the holidays, primarily due to factors such as financial strain, time pressures, and family dynamics. Financial challenges can be particularly overwhelming, as people feel the burden of purchasing gifts, hosting gatherings, and keeping up with social expectations. For individuals already managing financial constraints, these demands can deepen feelings of inadequacy or guilt. Additionally, the festive season can bring emotional pain for those grieving the loss of a loved one. Others may experience a profound sense of loneliness, especially if they lack close family or social networks, making the celebratory atmosphere feel isolating rather than inclusive. Common mental health symptoms during this period include disturbed sleep, changes in appetite (either overeating or under-eating), increased irritability, fatigue, and social withdrawal. While these feelings are common, they often go unnoticed amidst societal expectations to “stay cheerful.” Despite these challenges, it is possible to approach the festive season with mindfulness and care. By adopting practical strategies, you can protect your mental health and still engage

Health

Managing Psychological Stress in Marriage in India

Marriage, while often seen as a sacred bond in India, is also a complex partnership that involves emotional investment, societal expectations, and continuous adaptation. In the Indian context, marriage isn’t just a union between two individuals it’s often a confluence of families, traditions, and social norms. While love and companionship are central, psychological stress can quietly build over time due to unmet expectations, communication gaps, external pressures, and the lack of personal space. Managing this stress effectively is crucial for a healthy and fulfilling marital life. Understanding the Sources of Stress Recognizing the Signs of Stress Psychological stress in marriage often doesn’t manifest dramatically. Instead, it appears in small, persistent ways: If left unaddressed, this stress can escalate into anxiety disorders, depression, or even marital breakdown. Strategies to Manage Marital Stress 1. Open, Non-Judgmental Communication The cornerstone of any successful marriage is healthy communication. Couples must learn to express themselves openly, without fear of being judged. Schedule “talk time” to share your thoughts, concerns, or even simple day-to-day feelings. Use “I feel” statements rather than blame-focused language to prevent defensiveness. 2. Set Realistic Expectations Bollywood and societal portrayals of “perfect marriages” create unrealistic standards. Accept that no marriage is without flaws. Understand each other’s limitations and strengths, and be willing to compromise without losing your core identity. 3. Establish Boundaries with Extended Family While respecting elders and family traditions is important, couples must create healthy boundaries. This includes making joint decisions independently, especially on matters like finances, parenting, or living arrangements. A united front reduces external interference and strengthens the couple’s bond. 4. Seek Professional Help Therapy is still stigmatized in parts of India, but counseling individuals or couples can be transformative. A trained therapist helps you identify patterns, improve communication, and resolve conflicts constructively. Many Indian metro cities and

Health

Why Soaking Rice Reduces Glucose: Science, Steps, and Stats

Rice is a staple food for millions across the globe, but it’s also often blamed for raising blood sugar levels—especially white rice due to its high glycemic index (GI). However, a simple, age-old practice can help: soaking rice before cooking. This traditional method doesn’t just make rice softer and faster to cook—it also offers a science-backed way to reduce its glucose content and make it healthier. Hashtag Magazines gives you a lowdown… The Science Behind Soaking Rice When you soak rice, several things happen: Supporting Research and Statistics A study published in Food Chemistry (2015) found: Another study from The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition noted: A 2022 clinical trial in India showed: How to Soak Rice to Lower Glucose Step-by-Step Method: Glycemic Index Reduction – Before & After Soaking Type of Rice GI (Unsoaked) GI (After Soaking) White rice 72 60–65 Brown rice 68 55–60 Basmati rice 58 45–50 Red rice 55 40–48 Additional Tips to Reduce Sugar Spike from Rice Why This Matters for Diabetics and Health-Conscious Eaters Blood sugar spikes can lead to fatigue, weight gain, insulin resistance, and long-term complications like diabetes or heart disease. Making simple changes like soaking rice helps: Conclusion Soaking rice is a simple, no-cost step with massive health benefits. Whether you’re managing diabetes, watching your weight, or just aiming for better gut health, soaking rice before cooking can significantly lower its glucose impact. It’s one of the best-kept secrets in Indian kitchens, now backed by science.