Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest that causes discomfort. It is often caused or aggravated by eating certain foods or lying down after eating. It is a symptom of acid reflux, where the stomach acid flows back into the esophagus due to a weakened lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES opens and closes to prevent stomach acid from flowing back up the esophagus. Occasional heartburn can be managed with a few lifestyle changes. Here are some foods that may aggravate heartburn and should be avoided by people experiencing acid reflux: 1. High-fat foods Fatty foods like French fries, onion rings, full-fat dairy products, fried meats, desserts, fried snacks, cream sauces, ice cream, and chips are trigger foods for heartburn. They have high-fat content and are tough to digest, so they should be avoided or eaten in moderation. 2. Tomatoes and citrus fruits Vegetables and fruits are an integral part of a healthy diet, but certain vegetables and fruits are highly acidic. In case of frequent bouts of acid reflux, it is best to avoid oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes, pineapples, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and salsa. 3. Chocolate Chocolates include methylxanthine, which is similar to caffeine and relaxes the LES, worsening the reflux and leading to heartburn.

Gout is a type of arthritis that causes debilitating pain due to inflammation, and tenderness in the joints. This condition is caused by a rise in uric acid levels in the body. While there are different types of medications to help mitigate the pain and reduce the uric acid levels, it is always better to eat a diet that includes healthy snacks for gout, as the treatment is more effective and can prevent attacks. When it comes to dietary restrictions for the condition, there are healthy snacks for gout that can help alleviate the symptoms, but there are also food items that may have to be avoided. Gout patients should avoid the consumption of food items rich in purines like red meat and organ meat. Besides, both of these are also rich in saturated fat. Along with this, beer and any hard alcoholic drinks need to be avoided. Seafood like lobster, mackerel, shrimp, sardines, anchovies, tuna, and trout are also best left off the plate, and patients need to opt for a diet that includes healthy snacks as people are most likely to munch on unhealthy food during snack time. A simple online search for “healthy snacks for gout” can help with several relevant tips, recipes, and suggestions to follow a gout-friendly diet.

Cholesterol is a type of fat, waxy material found in the blood. It fails to mix with the blood as it is a water-based medium. The liver synthesizes cholesterol, and lipoproteins carry the cholesterol in and around the body. There are two kinds of lipoproteins that carry cholesterol. The “bad” cholesterol travels using the low-density lipoprotein or LDL in the body. The “good” and useful cholesterol travels through high-density lipoprotein in the body. Although the term cholesterol is usually used in a negative context, it is essential to know that it is essential for the normal functioning of the body. Cholesterol helps in the construction of the cell wall and helps in producing digestive juices in the intestine. It also helps the body to produce Vitamin D and assists in producing certain hormones. 1. How Is cholesterol harmful? LDL carrying cholesterol is very harmful to the body. This is because it forms plaque that can clog the blood capillaries, resulting in disturbed blood circulation. This can ultimately lead to a heart attack and several other cardiac diseases. Several types of oily food have a high cholesterol content, and the body isn’t able to break these compounds. Gradually, these are deposited in the narrow blood capillaries and begin to form clots, thereby causing heart attacks.

From celebs to regular folks, the keto diet has been adopted by many who want to lose weight. The keto diet involves a low-carbohydrate and high-fat intake that helps in cutting off excess and unwanted fat. It includes sufficient protein consumption, which ensures better growth and damage repair of the cells and tissues inside the body. For years, the keto diet has been used along with conventional medications to treat epilepsy in infants and children. Read on to know all about the ketogenic diet. 1. Types High-protein keto diet A generalized keto diet involves adequate protein consumption. In this particular diet plan, there is only 35% protein and 5% carbohydrate content, and the rest of the calories come from fats. The diet involves 60% fatty acids to make the metabolism focus on fatty acids. The Cyclical Ketogenic Diet (CKD) This involves an alternate high-carbohydrate diet followed by a strict keto diet consecutively. Traditionally, a strict CKD involves five days of a ketogenic diet, directly followed by two days of a high-carbohydrate diet, and the same is followed and repeated. Standard Ketogenic Diet (SKD) More like the high-protein diet, this drives the focus toward the fatty acids. It involves a strict diet that allows 75% fat and 20% protein consumption, but the 5% carbohydrate limit remains constant, just like the high-protein version.

One of the hardest things about following a new diet is the planning they require. To successfully follow any diet, especially a low-carbohydrate one, it requires you to plan ahead to make sure you are eating all of the essential nutrients your body needs. The diet typically includes fruits and vegetables that are high in proteins to ensure that the body is provided with the nutrients it needs for healthy functioning. Here are some tips to follow when on a low-carb diet to ensure the best outcome and enjoy optimal benefits: 1. Identify low-carb foods They primarily include the following foods that can be included in your diet: Lean meats like sirloin, chicken breast, or pork Fish Eggs Leafy green vegetables Cauliflower and broccoli Nuts and seeds Oils like olive oil and coconut oil Fruits like apples, blueberries, and strawberries Unsweetened dairy products 2. Understand the servings of a low-carb diet Remember that such diets allow only 20 to 50 grams of carbohydrates per day to ensure that the diet’s nutrient value is intact. 3. Adhere to a meal plan Daily and weekly meal plans help adhere to a proper meal plan when following a low-carb diet. 4. Meal prep It is beneficial for you to prepare your meals ahead of time.