Bitter gourd or Bitter melon(Momordica charantia)

Bitter gourd or Bitter melon

(Momordica charantia)

(Balsam pear; Karela;Hagalkai;Kaippakka; Karle;Kalara; Pavakkai; Kakara kayi)

India is known for its multiculturalism. The cuisine is also different in all Indian states.  In Bengali cuisine , the meal starts from a bitter food like boiled or fried bitter gourd or neem leaves or drumstick flowers followed by a vegetable,then dal ,then fish,  mutton and ends up with a sweet note like chutney and dessert. Neem leaves and drumstick flowers are seasonal but bitter gourd is available almost most of the  year so it is served daily. "It's a SuperFood."

Nutritional value: (small variety) (per 100 gms)

Moisture (83.2g) Fat (1g) Calcium (23 mg) 

Has low sodium(2.4mg) and cholesterol. 

Good amount of thiamin(0.07mg), riboflavin(0.06mg), pantothenic acid, dietary fiber(1.7gm), vitamin A,C(96mg),folates,B6,iron(2mg) , phosphorus(38mg), zinc(0.39 mg), potassium(171 mg), manganese(0.08mg).

It is a poor source of magnesium (17 mg)

According to the exchange lists in dietary calculations bitter gourd is a low carbohydrate vegetable providing 7 gms of carbohydrate, 2 gms protein and 32 calories and comes under the category of "other vegetables" and the serving amount is 150 gms. 

Good for health:

Bitter gourd helps in overall health care. 

In Gheranda Samhita, bitter gourd is prescribed in a yogic menu for a yogic practitioner.

Bitter gourd is recommended in Constipation. 

Bitter gourd is considered to be useful in intestinal worm infestations.

Remedy for Piles.

In chronic gastritis, bitter gourd is found useful. 

Bitter gourd is helpful for people suffering from Bile stones.

Very good for people with Diabetes. Juice of the fruit and the leaves is recommended in some cases. Karela bark juice is prescribed in Unani medicine. 

It was found that bitter gourd was effective in lowering blood sugar. The result was reported in the Indian journal of medical research (vol.90.1989).It contains a chemical which acts like insulin. 

People suffering from Rheumatism can have bitter gourd.

Bitter gourd is a good source in prevention of Dietary deficiency anaemia .

Low in calories promotes  weight loss. 

Bitter gourd is allowed in Respiratory disorders and asthma.

It maintains a healthy liver and bladder.

It builds immunity. 

It lowers bad cholesterol. It was found that bitter gourds have a preventive value against lipid peroxidation by hydrogen radicals. Results were published in Fitoterapia (1991)

It prevents cancer. 

It energies naturally. 

It purifies blood.

It is anti-aging. 

It has healing qualities. 

It cures hangovers. 

It is great for eye health. 

It prevents skin problems like rosacea,eczema, acne and deep skin infections. 

Bitter gourd prevents hair problems,  treats dandruff and split ends, treats dry and itchy scalp, treats hair loss, treats rough and tangled hair, treats gray hair and oily hair and makes the hair shiny.

Bitter gourd is allowed for pain sufferers of the neck and lower back.

Eating Bitter gourd 

It should be cooked as a vegetable with seeds. The vegetable should be covered while cooking to avoid the loss of nutrients. Mostly it is soaked in salt water to reduce the bitterness. When young, it may be sliced and preserved after drying for use in the off-season. The fruit is also pickled.

Avoid bitter gourd 

It is better to avoid bitter gourds in  a bland low residue diet. The bland low residue diet is prescribed to patients suffering from Gastrointestinal disorders such as gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, diarrhoea, chronic dysentery, ulcerative colitis and diverticulosis, irritable bowel syndrome. 

It can create Side effects which :

Causes headache 

Causes gastrointestinal problems like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.

Can cause stomach ulcers.

It might be toxic to children 

Pregnant women should not consume it as it can bring about menstruation and abortion. 

People with Glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency may develop "Favism " after eating its seeds.

It can dangerously lower blood sugar levels. 

It can also interact with some chemotherapy medicines as well as Paclitaxel and vinblastine medicines. 

Mango tree is beneficial too"Aam ke aam guthliyon ke daam "

MANGO 

This word only reminds of a big ripe mango,  just sink your teeth into the flesh and indulge into the juiciness of the delicacy. It's really the best dessert fruit. Just think of summer and the mango. But why only the fruit ?

The huge tree with It's branches open wide to give relief from the scorching heat and give shade to everyone in need .

The whole tree is beneficial for health. According to Ayurveda,  the bark, leaves, shoots, roots , flowers, the unripe fruit, and the ripe fruit are very healthy. 

 Just consult an Ayurveda professional before trying on yourself. 

Mango has its significance in Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Purana .

During religious occasions,  the bunch of leaves or the pallava is placed on the pot .The leaves symbolise life.

Bark is burnt in Havana to purify the air, the wood is used to burn pyres. The wood is used to make durable furniture.

The whole tree is anti viral, anti parasitic, antiseptic, antitussive,antiasthmatics, expectorant,cardiotonic,contraceptive,  aphrodisiac, hypotensive, laxative,beneficial to digestion. 

Mango Leaves 

• Treats diabetes (contains tannins and anthocyanin)

• Treat high uric acid or gout

• Treats unhealthy gums and teeth (mouthwash)

• Refresh the body and relieves restlessness 

• As a fertility drugs 

• Reduce the risk of hypertension 

• Overcomes nervousness 

• Treats gallstones and kidney stones 

• Cures respiratory ailments 

• Cures dysentery 

• Relieves ear pain 

• Heal burns

• Prevent hiccups 

• Strengthen the stomach 

• Good source of vitamins 

• Rich in antioxidants 

• Treating vascular apathies and retinopathy 

Research has been done on young leaves, the effect has been observed in gastrointestinal disorders such as infection due to E.coli, Salmonella typhi NCTC 74, Salmonella typhi 62, Vibrio cholerae 1023 , Salmonella sanei NK 4010.

Mango young leaf shoots 

• Improves taste 

• Useful in anorexia 

• Absorbent, astringent, bowel binding, useful in irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhoea 

• Balance kapha and pitta doshas

 Tender leaves in the form of a powder are believed to be effective against diabetes. 

The local application of the ashes of the leaves is considered to be useful against burns and scalds.

Mango bark

• Absorbent,  bowel binding, useful in IBS, diarrhoea, bleeding from the intestine,  uterus, lungs or piles,for leucorrhoea,skin diseases, inflammation of the throat and nose.

• It is a good tonic. The dose of the liquid extract is 5 to 10 drops.

The bark contains tannin.

Mango root

• Absorbent 

• Bowel binding ,useful in irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhoea 

• Balance kapha and pitta doshas 

Mango flower 

• Detoxify blood. 

• Relieves cold

• Improves taste, appetiser, useful in anorexia. 

• Absorbent, bowel binding, useful in IBS and diarrhoea. 

• Indicated in diarrhoea, dysentery, urinary tract disorders, diabetes.

Dried  Flowers of the mango are prescribed for chronic dysentery and inflammation of the urinary bladder.

Unripe mangoes 

Contains gallic acid in it which imparts a sour taste to the food .

It contains cellulose,  potassium hydroxide, mallic, citric and tartaric acids. 

• Improves taste, useful in anorexia 

• Vitiates vata doshas 

• Increases Pitta doshas 

• May cause blood disorders such as nasal bleeding or heavy periods. 

• Acts as cardiac tonic,  congenial for heart. 

• Improve skin tone and complexion 

• Useful in throat disorders 

• Improve muscle tissues, blood tissues, strengthen immunity. 

Excessive consumption of sour mango fruit causes weak digestion, strength, recurrent chronic fever,vitamin disorders, bleeding disorders, constipation, bloating, eye disorders. 

To counter the side effects ginger water is advised or cumin seeds with sochal salt is advised 

Dry mango powder is useful in constipation. 

Mango seeds 

Indicated vomiting, diarrhoea, burning sensation in chest. 

Mango seed kernel is useful in diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome and relieves burning sensation in the chest.

The mango seed has been described as a valuable remedy for roundworms.

Mango oil

Useful in oral disorders,oral ulcers and bad breath. It has a good smell. Pacifies kapha and vata doshas. 

During excessive external bleeding ,injury and wound, bark, flowers, leaves, seed kernel dry powders are applied externally.  Due to the astringent properties they stop bleeding and heal wounds quickly. 

Mango trees are precious. Due to globalisation,  the big trees are cut down so that the rising human population can accommodate, but we can try to plant it in the garden or road side so that the future generations can benefit from it.

The very special "Aam" fruit , Mango, "The king of fruits"..

The term fruit derives its name from 'fructua' means to enjoy. The edible envelope contains the seeds of a plant or a tree. 

Mango (Mangifera indica) is the best loved and choicest fruits of India and occupies a prominent place among the fruits of the world. It is a tropical fruit available during the hot season. It has been cultivated in India for more than 4000 years and it is believed to have originated from the foothills of Himalayas. 

The fruit is a large drupe in varied shape ,size, colour and flavour. 

The shape is normally round,oval or oblong and the size ranges from small ones to giant ones. 

The skin of the fruit may be thin or thick, leathery, green, yellow or red or a fanciful combination of these colours. The flesh may be whitish, yellow or orange. 

The pulp of some may be fibrous throughout while may be absent or very little in others. The flesh may be firm , soft or juicy or subacid or sweet and richly sweet smelling. 

The fruit contains a solitary seed (stone) ovoid ,oblique enclosed in a hard compressed endocarp. 

About 1000 types of mangoes are grown all over India,  each having its own peculiar smell, taste, flavour and consistency of pulp. The famous and the commercial varieties are Alphanso, Malda, Chousa, Dussehri, Pairi,Neelam, Malgova, Safeda, Banganpalli, Totapuri, Neelam and Langda.

Mango has a rich luscious aromatic flavour and a delicious taste in which sweetness and acidity are delicately blended. This makes the mango fruit one of the most highly prized dessert fruits of the tropics. 

It is the National fruit of India. 

It is commonly eaten in large quantities and provides a good source of calories during the season. It has a subtle astringent taste.

 A whole fruit supplies about 50 to 100 kcal, mainly derived from fructose. These are more than in fruits like oranges and papaya which range from 30 to 40 kcal and slightly less than in the bananas (80 to 150 kcal ) . It supplies about 25 mg vitamin C . Mango contains beta carotene,  a precursor of vitamin A. Carotenoids in mango total 12.5 g per 100 g fresh pulp;about 60% is present as beta carotene, which is higher than in any other fruit. 

A question might arise that how can nutritionists state the exact nutritive value of a particular food? Carotene is estimated by extraction of the total pigments with alcohol and partitioning it with petroleum ether after saponification. The other pigments were removed by treatment with calcium carbonate and the yellow colour was measured as carotene. 

The mango fruit, like most fruits, has low values of protein( 0.6 ) and fats (0.4), 0.4 minerals, 0.7 g fibre, 16.9 carbohydrates, 14 mg calcium, 16 mg phosphorus, 1.3 mg iron per 100 gms.

Nicotinic acid (a vitamin of the B group ) is fairly high in Alphonso mango and vitamin C is high in the Langra mango variety. 

Mango is a good source of copper. (0.11mg/ 100 gms) and fluoride (1.3 ppm/100gms) 

The fruit is considered to be a laxative and to have diuretic properties. 

It is prescribed for increasing the weight particularly in children who are underweight. In the case of infants and very young children who cannot eat and digest leafy vegetables 50 to 100 grams of mangoes can be given. 

The powder of the skin of the unripe fruit is given in dysentery or other disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. It is also given as a cure for excessive menstrual bleeding. 

For skin diseases,  the application of liquid oozing out on cutting the stalk of the fruit, mixed with lime juice is recommended. 

The gum of the tree is also used for skin diseases. 

The local application of the gum resin mixed with lime juice is particularly effective against scabies. 

 The beta carotene of mango acts as an antioxidant by neutralising harmful elements that could damage skin. It acts as an arsenal for eczema.

In view of the demonstration of the protective effect of antioxidants in prevention of cancer and Ischaemic Heart disease special attention needs to be given to mangoes. 

In the Unani system of medicine, the mango fruit is believed to have strong antispasmodic, weight increasing and antipyretic properties. 

Useful in treating disorders of vata doshas imbalance such as neuralgia, paralysis, neuropathy, constipation, bloating, etc.

Nourishing and calming.

Does not increase Pitta.

Improves sperm and semen quantity and quality. 

Improves strength and immunity.

Improves skin quality.

Indicated in excessive thirst and tiredness 

Squeezed mango juice is laxative. 

 Can even be applied over hair to improve shine and strength. 

Adequate intake of Vitamin A not only prevents cancer of the epithelial cells or skin cancer but also reverse it. 

Sweet mango with milk is aphrodisiac. 

Fleshy fruits like mango can be given to patients suffering from ulcerative colitis, irritable colon syndrome, tropical sprue,viral hepatitis, chronic pancreatitis, jaundice, type 1 and 2 nephritis, surgical operation, severe injury. As it is gluten free it can be given in celiac disease. It can be given to children suffering from the first or second stage of cirrhosis of the liver.

The vegetarians obtain the required amount of carotene which is easily supplied by 100 g of mango. 

Among the poor in India, the ingestion of carotene rich mango in season builds up liver stores and helps tide over the deficiency during the rest of the year. The cheaper varieties of mangoes,  which frequently grow wild in villages are the best source of carotenoids but are regrettably becoming scarce. Planting mango trees in scarcity areas will make the most positive long term contribution to alleviating blindness due to vitamin A deficiency. 

The deficiency of vitamin A is common among children of the poor in the country and is a public health problem leading to blindness. As an effective approach to prevent vitamin A deficiency among the children in rural areas daily consumption of mangoes is recommended in the season. A proper and an effective education of the mother in the use of carotene rich foods is essential to fight the deficiency. The advice given to the mothers should be practical and should emphasise the use of carotene rich foods locally available in different seasons and readily acceptable. 

Excessive ingestion of carotene containing mangoes may produce carotenemia. In hypothyroidism and diabetes, carotene is not converted to vitamin A and carotenemia may develop. 

Excess intake may cause indigestion and diarrhoea. 

Some people with a sensitive gastrointestinal tract can react violently to this and should therefore learn from experience the quantity of mango that they can tolerate. 

Mango juice is Not good for the heart in excess amounts. 

Some children are very fond of eating unripe mangoes.  This may aggravate any preexisting inflammation of the throat and the tonsils.

Raw mangoes should be avoided by asthmatics. 

An average mango contains more calories and is usually best avoided in diabetes.  Fibre rich fruits with low glycemic index such as guava, amla, papaya, pomegranate and apple are preferable than fruits such as banana, mango ,custard apple, sapota.

Mangoes have to be avoided by diabetics .If the sugar is controlled, a few pieces of the fruit may be allowed twice a week instead of the regular quota of fruit. 

 Mango is best enjoyed as a dessert fruit. It can be enjoyed as a mango drink,  smoothie, shakes, aamras,aam ki kadhi, salsa,and salad.

Enjoy the summers in India with a glass of chilled mango shake . 

White sugar , oh no!!

It's not the only cause of ill health or diabetes

My granny had about a hundred cousins! ! It's not so surprising. At those times ,about a  century  ago, parents had more than half a dozen children, they further had their families which resulted in so many cousins and siblings. But the amazing fact is that the healthier individuals among them had their average age of eighty-five. I can recall, when I was a child, there were occasional get together and people used to enjoy the meals. Some of them ate about a dozen sweets in a few minutes. They didn't suffer from hypertension, diabetes or these trendy diseases. Both of my grandparents had a natural death due to old age and most of  their siblings are healthy otherwise. Few of them inherited diabetes or hypertension from their parents. But the rest were healthy till they lived.

The reason for their good  health was that they didn't know much about the technology and ate everything that was available at those times. But unfortunately, the availability was lesser than in recent years. They had sugar , fried foods , snacks and savoury but it was not available in the market. Nothing was processed or refined so the snacks and all had to be prepared at home. With so many mouths to feed the portion lessened. Now we have more money than them and fewer people to feed and we can have the big portion for ourselves. We can blame the normal sugar or wheat or rice for our bad health and can indulge in chips , diet foods , ice cream, packets ready to cook and eat. 

So ,is sugar the main culprit or something else?

Does consumption of sugar in tea or coffee lead to high blood sugar levels? 

Not exactly. We consume "hidden sugar " through many food items. But eating sugar doesn't lead to diabetes or high blood sugar.

So what is Diabetes ?

Diabetes or Diabetes Mellitus means diabetes =flow through; mel =honey is a chronic metabolic disorder with a strong hereditary basis associated with high blood sugar and usually with a passage of sugar in the urine.

Classification of Diabetes -

Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus  (IDDM)

Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus  (NIDDM)

Malnutrition related Diabetes Mellitus  (MRDM)

Fibrocalculous Diabetes Mellitus  (FCDM)

Protein Deficient Diabetes Mellitus  (PDDM)

Impaired Glucose Tolerance  (IGT)

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus  (GDM)

The meal should be planned according to the type of diabetes and the herbs and supplements should be taken under the supervision of medical professionals.

Healthy, natural food along with physical activity is best advised. The information on the food packaging is important so it is better to check the labels while shopping.

FRIENDS AT HOME :DRINK HEALTHY

Relatives or friends at home, opt for some health drink instead of soft drinks or cold drinks or bottled juices. They all are laced with sugar , maybe preservatives or acids , etc.

WHAT I DO? (You can give a try)

A simple task. 

Take an empty glass bottle with narrow mouth  (plastic bottle if glass bottle is not available). Wash and dry it in sun. Fill it to the top with crystalline sugar. Squeeze lemon juice  (about 1 kgs of fresh lemon for 1 litre of glass bottle )and pour into  the sugar filled bottle. It's fun to watch the lemon juice finding its way through the sugar crystals . When you pour the juice in, the sugar will settle down to about two third of the height of the bottle . Put the cap tightly and keep it in the sun for two to three days. Shake it twice or thrice a day to dissolve the sugar. After three days , store it in a cool dry place.  It will last for more than a year.

Make a nice refreshing drink by adding  two tablespoons of the lemon squash to a glass of chilled water or cold water. You can also add jaljeera powder or black salt or mint leaves for added flavoured drink.

Because of the high percentage of sugar , no chemical preservative is needed. Safe for kids as well. Lower in calories than the usual soft drinks. No acids or gasses present.

Some simple rules to follow… For you and your child..

It's not very difficult. Just decide

What to feed your child. Just the normal food cooked for the family. The child is a part of the family, why make something special for him. The food should be according to the requirements of the child. Strong flavours and very spicy foods should be avoided. The food should be nutritious. It should be equally  nutritious for the mother and father as well. We all love to munch wafers , chips , enjoy  cold drinks or soft drinks or fruit juice , eat processed ,packaged ,ready to eat but just check that at least the child eats three nutrient rich foods a day. It's not sufficient but nowadays most of us don't even consume three healthy nutrients. If the child eats all the nutrients you are the fortunate mother. The healthy foods which a child as well as you require are whole wheat breads , pulses , dairy and dairy products, green vegetables, yellow or orange vegetables, fresh fruits , nuts , egg or low fat non vegetarian products.

The meal is ready. Where would you and your child eat it? The whole family should eat together without television, mobile phone or any other distraction. It affects the concentration of the child and it affects your weight. The child should be seated on a proper chair or a high chair so that he can eat the food , feel the food ,play with food so that he can enjoy the food. If you can't leave your favourite tv shows , just plate the food in the kitchen according to the requirements  and do not take second helping of the tasty food. When we watch tv or films or the computer we are distracted from the foodstuffs and we don't know how much quantity we have eaten.

Now the most important point is when should you feed the child? As an infant the feeding patterns are different but as the child grows , the meal timing should be fixed according to the family routine. Three major meals , the breakfast, lunch and dinner and two snacks time , midmorning and evening snacks  are suitable for you and the child.  Do not skip breakfast as it is the most important meal. Do not give anything except water between the mealtimes. Children cannot differentiate between hunger and thirst. So providing anything else instead of water will suppress hunger at the meal.

The 3 W's, what ,where and when has to be followed for a healthy child and a healthy you. If we all follow this What Where When I am sure everyone will be fit and healthy. 

ARE THE PRESCHOOLERS GETTING ENOUGH NUTRIENTS ?

In modern India , we have improved. We have improved in food imports and exports , food packaging, food marketing, food supplements and we have improved as a consumer. The packaging is so attractive that we can't resist buying those things. The amazing facts are our generation alpha is the most smarter generation. They watch kids channels, they know each and every advertisement, they shop in the shopping malls and they can fill the carts with all their stuff. Parents are amused. If they don't buy those things , the child will show his best tantrums to annoy the parents .

Earlier the children used to suffer from Protein Energy Malnutrition because there was not enough to eat. Nowadays the children suffer from the same problem because they have surplus products to eat. There is a lack of proper food but a surplus quantity of  readymade foods.

The problem is same as post independence, not only PROTEIN ENERGY MALNUTRITION but MALNUTRITION of vitamin B ,vitamin A ,vitamin C, vitamin D,iron , calcium, minerals.

Malnutrition comprises both undernutrition or overnutrition.

Effect of malnutrition on our Defence Mechanisms

Children mostly suffer from colds and coughs. Antibody formation is low in deficiencies of protein , pyridoxine, pantothenic acid and multiple factors associated with a grossly inadequate diet.

Deficiencies of vitamin A , ascorbic acid , pyridoxine, folic acid , thiamine and riboflavin reduce the activity of phagocytes( cells that protect the body by ingesting bacteria, foreign particles, dead cells).

Changes in the normal intestinal flora induced by diet can influence susceptibility to some intestinal pathogens.

Lysozymes which can destroy pathogenic microorganisms are excreted in tears and sweat. It can reduce vitamin A deficiency. Pantothenic acid deficiency reduces the content of properdin (euglobulin).

Effect of infection on nutritional status

When a child is sick , there is loss of appetite and dislike and even intolerance to  food. Fever increases the basal metabolic rate and the total calorie requirement. A common faulty habit is to avoid milk or dal and  to feed starchy food. Gross underfeeding leads to protein calorie malnutrition in children.

Infections lead to negative nitrogen balance due to increased  nitrogen excretion in the urine. Negative nitrogen balance occurs in common colds, fever, tuberculosis, rheumatoid arthritis, pneumonia, measles, chicken pox , etc. Tonsillitis, staphylococcal abscesses also increase urinary nitrogen. Absorption of protein is affected in diarrhoeal disease. Frequent infection results in continuous protein deficiency.

Blood levels of vitamin A are reduced in several infections. Diarrhoea interfere with the absorption of vitamin B.

Diarrhoeal disease interferes in the absorption of dietary minerals and causes losses of sodium, potassium chloride, calcium and phosphate from the body.

Absorption of fat is also decreased in intestinal infections which provoke diarrhoea.

Reduction of blood glucose levels has been reported in many infections.

Frequent occurrence of infectious disease affects adversely the growth rate of children

The behaviour and learning pattern is also affected due to malnutrition.

Food cannot be substituted for supplements, pills and shakes. Follow a healthy eating pattern with your child to inculcate the habit of healthy eating and to avoid overnutrition and undernutrition. The child should realise the pros and cons of all the foods. They will definitely understand after all they are generation alpha.

HOW TO FEED GENERATION ALPHA KIDS :Eating skills

The children born nowadays are generation alpha. They are born with many capabilities. They are more skill developed than their grandparents. Some basic skills like eating skills have developed too. They just need proper guidance and proper equipment to nurture the skills.

The babies are born with sucking skill. The food must be sucked into the mouth and swallowed without chewing. Therefore the food is in liquid form as milk. This skill is in the first four or five months of life.

As the baby gets older , the problem arises , when they attempt to drink themselves , but sucks in more air. This causes choking or even vomiting. If the baby is more hungry, it will gulp the liquid and suck air. To solve the problem,in 4 or 5 months, sipper cups can be introduced. This training cup with holes allows the liquid to come through a little at a time.

If the cup has two handles , the 6 month old baby will grasp each handle with one hand. If it has only one handle , the baby will grasp the handle with one hand and use the other hand to support the cup. The baby carries the cup to the mouth and will suck on the rim of the cup , tilt it and try to get the liquid from it. By 18 to 20 months most babies drink with very little spilling.

At 6 months, the baby plays with a spoon by sucking , banging and throwing it. He can be shown how to carry it to the mouth and how to turn it slightly to get the food from the spoon into the mouth. By 18 months babies can feed themselves with little spilling.

Babies chew or try to bite on anything they can hold in order to ease the pain caused by teething. It is a natural behaviour that takes place even before the teeth cut through the gums. The baby should be allowed to hold a piece of apple , toast , papaya , or any crunchy food most of the time. The caregiver should watch closely and if the baby takes a large bite , it can be quickly removed from the mouth before the baby chokes on it.

Babies do not know exactly how to go about chewing; they may spit , hold food in the mouth or chew only with the front teeth. After a while they learn to use gums and tongue and a few teeth to mash the food. It is a messy period and parents need lots of patience. If the baby had a lot of trouble chewing, a soft diet is preferable for a while. Swallowing liquids is a natural reaction but swallowing solids must be learned.

By 18 months , the baby begins to use a fork. Few babies can use their forks efficiently before they are 3 years old. Shortly before the age of 2 , the toddler can use a knife to spread butter or jam on bread and to cut soft foods. By 5 years they learn the use of knives. By the second birthday, the baby is ready to use a glass in place of a cup. At first the baby will hold the glass with both hands. Before the age of 5 , the hands become larger and stronger, the child will gradually shift to the use of one hand.

Babies differ in their readiness to learn the skills of self feeding. Therefore it is impossible to give exact ages at which any one baby can be expected to use the different eating utensils.

Self feeding skills are difficult skills. Because of this, only the groundwork can be laid from the beginning. If this basis is good , the tasks will become habits.

For learning self feeding skills, two important points have to be considered. First, the babies are easily distracted so they should have their meals in a quiet place without any distraction like television or mobile phones. Second, it is easier to learn eating skills if the utensils are suited to a baby's strength. If they are exactly like adult utensils, only smaller, the baby can learn the right way to use them from the start.

Generation alpha are smart, only a little help and support will help them to be a smart , happy individual.

Diarrhoea : especially Infantile diarrhoea : PREVENT IT.

 

Diarrhoea is a condition in which loose or watery stools are passed frequently. 

It occurs frequently in a large majority of weaned infants in developing countries. The infecting organisms are of non pathogenic type.

It may be dangerous. Infants are easily dehydrated as they lack the ability to express their feelings. 

See a doctor right away.

Children dehydrate easily.

 Do not rehydrate the child with fruit juice or water.

 Oral rehydration solution is perfect for them. Add a teaspoon of sugar and a pinch of salt to a litre of clean water. But do not make a mistake by adding more salt. Do not overload the baby with salt. WHO has recommended oral rehydration therapy. Commercial preparation is also available which can be used for the treatment. The osmolarity is 330 mmol/l. It contains glucose 111 mmol/l (20g/l) , sodium 90 mmol /l (sodium chloride 3.5g/l) , potassium 20 mmol/l (potassium chloride 1.5 g/l) , chloride 80 mmol/l , bicarbonate 30 mmol/l (sodium bicarbonate 2.5g/l)

Sufficient fluids are given to ensure 125 -400 ml urine (according to age) every six hours. It is advisable to give extra water rather than adding water to the solution.

If clean water is not available, two handfuls of rice powder with one teaspoon of salt cooked in one litre of water is equally good as ORS. This solution is nothing but Indian rice kanji.

Continue breastfeeding the child. 

Avoid any other  milk for a day.

Slowly introduce a bland diet. Start with a BRAT diet. These binding foods are suggested as the first to try after an episode of  diarrhoea. BRAT diet is Banana, Rice,Applesauce,Toast. Bananas are easily digested and contain high levels of potassium which help replace the electrolytes lost in the excessive elimination of fluids. Rice is high in complex carbohydrates and tends to be bland and easily digestible. Applesauce and bananas contain soluble fiber pectin and other nutrients the body needs. Because the apples are cooked they are easier to digest. These foods slow down the transit time of waste in the colon. Be sure to eat white rice and peeled potatoes as the bran layers of  brown rice and the potato skin contains insoluble fiber that can actually worsen diarrhoea.

The biggest mistake people make is that they don't know when to stop the treatment. If the child is okay and has one or two watery stools a day , do not restrict the diet for long.

Carrots may help enhance recovery by replacing electrolytes and minerals lost during diarrhoea. Give the child potato carrot soup and dry toast. The soup delivers fluid and minerals without further irritating the intestinal mucous membrane. 

Potato carrot soup -

250 ml water

2 medium potatoes

1 carrot

1 pinch salt

Bring the water to the boil. Add the peeled and chopped vegetables. Cook over a low heat until tender, then puree and season with salt.

After a couple of days, yoghurt tends to repopulate the bowel with good bacteria.  This is for the older children.

Diarrhoea can happen to anyone. The dietary suggestions are almost the same for all the sufferers. 

 Traveller's diarrhoea and nervous diarrhoea are the two types which have to be dealt differently.

 Many patients resort to self imposed starvation which may be harmful. 

Adequate intake of fluids and electrolytes is very important. While travelling, hot foods are safe to consume. Freshly prepared chapattis , rice , idli , toasted bread , freshly cooked vegetables, pulses or dals , eggs , meat and poultry, tea or coconut water are the safest options while travelling. Avoid uncooked foods , fruit salad, cold foods , cold desserts, curd , buttermilk, cold sweets or any food touched by hands before serving.

If vomiting accompanies diarrhoea, immediate medical attention is required.

My baby's first tooth!!

A baby! A small bundle of joy for the whole family and especially the mother who has taken care of it from the beginning and bears all the trouble and pain happily. It's a wonderful sight to see the baby's movements and expressions. The baby's first walk and it's first tooth are worth seeing. But most of the infants are a little fussy and cranky with the first two to four teeth.

Interesting part which most of us are unaware of is that an infant's teeth start developing months before birth. The tooth buds develop in the foetus by the fifth or sixth week of pregnancy. By the time the baby is born , all the primary teeth are already present and accounted for in the jawbone. The first tooth is visible about four to eight months after birth. Baby's gums become swollen and tender and the little ,cute bundle of joy is the most irritable and restless person in the world. Teething has begun!

If the baby has the complete set of teeth from the very beginning the care has to be taken from the day the baby comes from the hospital. A small gauge pad wrapped around your forefinger, lightly moistened is perfect. Daily massaging makes healthier gum tissue especially at bedtime. When the first tooth comes ,start brushing it but don't use toothpaste.

Babies put everything in their mouth and chew. Teething rings are available in different sizes and shapes. Put it in the refrigerator and keep it cold , works well and feels good on the baby's gums. But teething rings are tasteless. 

Give the child a piece of cold apple or papaya. Children love to nibble on these tasty teethers. Cut the piece lengthwise so that he can hold. A piece of dry rusk is also a tasty option.

It's a common myth that babies will run a fever when teething. Visit a doctor if there is fever.

REDUCE THE BULK OF CEREAL GRAINS

We feed the child traditional porridges like ragi porridge , wheat porridge, rice porridge and many more. A child is too small and so is his stomach. These porridges are bulky. They absorb about twice as much water to become soft. Even a small amount of this porridge fills the baby's stomach and they feel uncomfortable. If diluted with water, the nutrient content lowers. So what is the solution?

Try ARF

Add one -fourth of a teaspoon or 1 to 2 gms (not more than that) to the cereal porridge.

ARF is Amylase rich foods. It is a flour obtained from germinated cereal flour. Germinated grain flour contains a lot of an enzyme , amylase which makes the porridge less bulky , soft , thin and easy to eat. The best part is that it does not reduce the nutritive value. Amylase is an enzyme which aids in splitting starches so that it is easily digested.

HOW TO MAKE ARF POWDER?

It is very easy to make . Take 200 gms of wheat grain. Bajra , jowar or maize can also be used if wheat is not available. Soak the grain in triple volume water (600 ml)for 12 hours. After 12 hours , remove the grains from water and wrap it in a wet cloth for 48 hours or 2 days. You will see grain sprouts. Dry it in the sun for about 6 to 8 hrs . Remove the sprouts from the well dried grain . Take the grain and grind it to a powder. Store it in an airtight container. Do not use more than 1/4th tsp in a bowl of porridge. The powder is sufficient for 30 days .

Preparing it is a bit tiring but we all want to give our child the best ,isn't it?

A BABY IN THE HOUSE. .

WEANING

Science is fascinating. I used to love studying Human Physiology, Child Development, Human Nutrition, Food Science while in college. Counseling patients gives satisfaction but  implementation of these subjects in one's own life is more satisfying and helps to counsel others in a better way.

When I was blessed with a baby, academics became practical for me. After all, I had to take care of it on my own. I had to manage the home , the work,and the baby. I had to give him the best. Started with the purest food, breast milk. But a child needs nutrients as it grows up. Breastfeeding is no doubt the best but the demand for iron and other nutrients is important for a growing baby.

I started weaning early.

Children love to explore different foodstuffs but they get confused easily. Start with a food item at a time. I started with orange juice when he was three months old. On the first day I gave him only a teaspoon of orange juice in the midmorning. Next day I increased the amount to two teaspoons. By the end of the week he was enjoying half a cup of orange juice. The next week started with apple juice and so on. When he was a year old he knew the taste of most of the food.

Start with orange juice followed by soft rice , mashed cereals , soft fruits , soft cooked potatoes and other vegetables, and puddings. When the baby is about a year old , start with hard boiled egg yolk, then egg white, fish , chicken or poultry , meat.

Children enjoy finger foods , finger sized pieces of papaya , apple or toast massages the gum when teething begins.

I used to have lunch alone when he was not there but after his "annaprashan"(the introduction of cereals to a child at about six months or appearance of the first tooth , whichever is first), we enjoyed lunch together. I used to cook rice , dal , veggies, sweet chutney , set the table, take him on my lap, and eat. Yes , the food was normal, less spicy but children love the texture, appearance and aroma of food.

Fix a proper mealtime and place for the child. No television, no mobile phones, no laptop, no bird watching at the time of meal. Mealtimes is only mealtime and children will be grown up in some time. Good habits should be implemented from the beginning.

The meal time should be relaxing.

I have food preferences and everyone has it. A child is an individual and he also has it. But don't show your preferences to the child. They are good at grasping the words. "What tasty food !" helps the child to eat it instead of "ohho!again this dal ." Acceptance of food helps in proper feeding.

Children love colour. The food should be colourful

Food should not be used as reward or punishment. Don't bribe the child with his favourite food. We want our children to be good citizens .

Don't force the child to eat. How would you feel if someone forces you to eat his favourite dessert but you don't like the smell of it? Insulting. So why a child? If he doesn't like any food item just remove it. Try again after a few days.

Don't give anything to the child in between meals except water.

A child may eat less sometimes or more, it depends upon the weather, the room temperature, etc, don't force the child and the food should be given according to the season

Children love to act as a grown up. Let them feed on themselves. Clear the mess afterwards. Provide proper utensils for them.

Along with the supplementary food or weaning food , breastfeeding should be continued.

The food should neither be too hot or too cold

Don't overfeed the child , give small helpings at a time .

Proper coordination between mother and child creates a positive and happy environment and the child is not a fussy eater.

MY EXPERIENCE AS A NEW MOM

I am blessed with a child and I am grateful for it. When I was pregnant, my doctor told me that the child is in breech presentation. I was mentally prepared to feed my child with "my milk" for two years. I was selfish. I knew the advantages of mother's milk and the most precious colostrum. When the child is born by C section, the hormone prolactin activates after a few days unlike a normal delivery where the brain gets the signal that the child is delivered and the milk production starts instantly. I had to be patient. I attempted the next day, it was my first attempt and with few trial and error both of us succeeded.The suckling stimulation of the child helped. It helped in the production of colostrum.

Colostrum is a thick sticky yellowish fluid. It has life saving properties. It has an especially high concentration of antibodies and white blood cells which protect the newborn from infections. It also contains certain growth promoting substances. The infant body does not contain these substances nor does the body have the capacity to make them.

I fed the child with the purest food. Mother's milk is free from contamination. Yes , human milk does have a low concentration of certain nutrients as compared to other animal milk but it is specially designed for human babies. It suits the baby's tender digestive system and it gets easily assimilated in the body. Breast milk has a high content of carbohydrates, especially lactose ,essential fatty acids and certain protective nutrients like vitamin A and Vitamin E which are beneficial for the infant.

Olden time Indian houses were filled with lots of people. They all used to take care of a child. The mothers used to take care of the household tasks but now most of the families are nuclear and both the parents are working. I was not the exception. I started working as a consultant  when my child was about 3 months old. I used to take my child to the office. It was easy. I did not have to carry any bottles . The bottles have to be cleaned thoroughly and sterilised. I didn't have to buy any milk formula , medicines for colic , fever , etc  so I saved the cost ,time and energy of purchasing and making the formula . It takes time for a baby to learn to be hungry at a certain hour. During the early weeks of life a flexible feeding time can be done but as the child grows a schedule is important. If the child feeds all the time, it would have been very difficult for me to take care of myself , my home, my work, everything. A child has to be disciplined,after all he would be a responsible person in a few years. I had a special bonding with my child. Breastfeeding is psychologically valuable. I felt that I am giving something no one else can.  My child was not constipated or digestive upset  , did not cry from colic pain , did not suffer from any cold , cough, infection, fever. He had a healthy, happy ,active childhood. He never cried of hunger because I didn't leave him to prepare the milk in the pantry , it didn't disturb my husband's sleep as well. He had an ideal weight for height. The teeth and gums were healthy and strong. He didn't suffer from dental problems which the bottle fed him. He was not getting sucrose or sugar. The active suckling needed to draw milk from the breast stimulates the development of the lower part of the baby's face. The best part was I lost my excess weight. I was slim. The baby's suckling stimulates the breasts and helps speed the return of the uterus to its former size and condition. Breastfeeding is a very important method of contraception. The hormone prolactin which is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland in response to baby's suckling has an anovulatory effect. In many societies sexual abstinence is practised during lactation amenorrhoea. This too helps to increase the birth interval.

Sometimes I felt uncomfortable, tired , nervous and irritable but it was my fault. Food is very important for a nursing mother.

Once I had mastitis. My grandma advised that my child can only rescue me from this problem. Continuous breastfeeding only helped me from the pain. 

Breast milk is good for health and to be fed excessively  till the start of supplementary feeding to the child. It can be gradually reduced after the child is six month old and can be further reduced when the child is a year old and then stopped gradually. Mother's diet and health is more important at this stage.

In spite of the advantages of breastfeeding it should not be done if the mother's or father's attitude toward it is not good . The love the baby receives during a feeding period is far more important than the method of feeding.

MOTHER'S MILK: Nature's gift

WHERE DOES THIS MILK COMES FROM?ROLE OF HORMONES AND ENZYMES

The stimulus for active milk secretion comes largely from the hormone prolactin, which acts on mammary alveolar cells and promotes continual milk production and release. The enzymes lipase and transferase are stimulated by prolactin. Hormonal control of the glycerol precursors and the enzymatic release of fatty acids is also associated with insulin, which stimulates the uptake of glucose into the mammary cells.

Oestrogen level is higher during pregnancy which inhibits the secretion of prolactin. If the level of oestrogen is too low then also there is no prolactin secretion. If the level is normal then the pituitary  gland discharges prolactin.

It is a complicated theory made simplified by Mother Nature in the form of inexpensive Mother's milk "a perfect food for the child".

NUTRIENTS IN MOTHER'S MILK

Mother's milk contains energy,protein, fat,lactose,calcium,phosphorus,magnesium,zinc,trace of iron,copper,iodine,selenium,vitamin A, vitamin B1,vitamin B2,niacin,vitamin B6,folate, ,vitamin C,vitamin D. A mother should be healthy and well fed to provide such a nutritious milk. What else does an infant need from its mother!

Synthesis of protein in milk

Proteins present in normal milk are specific to mammary secretions and are not identified in any quantity elsewhere in nature. The protein in milk is derived in two ways. Some protein is synthesized in the mammary gland and rest by the plasma. Plasma derived proteins are found abundantly in the early secretory product colostrum. Casein, lactalbumin, beta-albumin, which is the main component of milk, are synthesized in the gland from amino acid precursors . The essential amino acids and some of the non essential amino acids are directly from the plasma. Some of the non essential amino acids are synthesized by the alveolar cells of the gland.

The uniqueness of the mother's milk cannot be prepared in any factory but only by a mother. It is the best food for an infant.