Health benefits of sweet potato :
It has various amounts of nutrients, vitamins and minerals which provides enormous health benefits. It also helps to maintain the veins and arteries health and also prevents hardening. It possess high amount of phosphorus and beta-carotene which is essential for the cardiac and ocular health. The people with diabetes could also be benefited with the sweet potatoes because it helps to regulate the levels of blood sugar as well as proper function and secretion of insulin. The sweet potatoes could be used as a replacement for carbohydrate or rice.
Shakarkand Chat (Sweet Potato Chat)
Sweet Potato Chat is a delicious Indian recipe served as a Snack. Sweet potatoes mingled in chat masala, chillies and lime juice gives it a tangy and sweet flavor. Learn how to prepare Sweet Potato Chat by following this easy recipe.
Ingredients:
Sweet Potato (Shakarkandi) - 2-3 pieces, Chat masala - 1 tablespoon, Chilli powder - 1 tablespoon, Cumin seeds - 1/2 teaspoon (roasted and powdered), Salt - 1 teaspoon, Lemon juice-to taste, Green chutney (paste of coriander, mint, salt, ginger, 2 to 3 green chillies)
Method :
1. Wash the exterior of each sweet potato under running water.
2. Add the Sweet Potatoes and water in a pressure cooker . Make sure that all the Sweet Potatoes are completely submerged in water and cook till it is boiled.
3. After 15-20 minutes, check if are done, by inserting a knife or fork into the center of the Sweet Potato, if it inserts easily they are done.
4. Let it cool and then peel off the skin.
5. Cut them into small pieces or cubes.
6. Now take a large bowl add chopped sweet potato, chat masala, chilli powder, cumin seeds, green chutney and salt and mix well (adjusting spices according to taste).
7. Squeeze some lemon juice and mix lightly.
Health Benefits of Jaggery
Besides the sweet taste, it is loaded with therapeutic properties. The juice extracted from sugarcane is heated for forming the thick crystals. The sugar is contained in it in the form of sucrose and used as a sweetening agent in the food products. It is regarded as the natural sweetener. The dosage for the people differs according to the age. It is an excellent source of minerals and iron. It acts as a blood purifier and helps to eliminate toxins from the body. It helps to boost energy and is an aid for various health ailments.
Traditional uses
Jaggery is used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine to treat lung and throat infections.
It prevents the rheumatic illness, prevent bile disorders, relief fatigue, relax muscles, blood vessels and nerves, lowers water retention and maintain blood pressure.
It helps to ease the bowel movements and helpful for the people with constipation.
It is also used as cardiac tonic or diuretic.
It maintains the level of blood pressure.
It assists digestion and eliminates free radicals.
The intake of Jaggery with ghee helps to provide relief from ear pain.
It also prevents the gas if consumed after dinner or lunch.
The jaundice patients could take 10 grams of Jaggery and 5 grams of Saunth.
The halwa of Jaggery increases the memory.
The respiratory ailments could be treated with the intake of 5 grams of Jaggery and mustard oil.
The vision could be enhanced by mixing Jaggery in millet porridge.
Precautions
The long use of Jaggery results in intestinal worm problem, weight gain, etc.
The ulcerative colitis and diabetic patients should avoid it.
It should be avoided with radish and fish.
It changes the level of blood sugar.
This change in blood sugar affects the functions of kidney, heart, eyes, etc.
How to Eat
It is blended with peanuts, coconut, condensed milk and white sugar.
It is used as an ingredient in savory and sweet dishes.
It added to lentil soups to add the sweetness in spicy, sour and salty mostly in Gujarati cuisine.
It is used to make tilgul in Makar Sankranti.
It is added to the Punjabi or Rajasthani.
It is used to sweeten payasam, fruit salads and kalhi.
It is used in Oriya cuisine for the pithas and cakes.
It is also used as a chocolate of Burmese.
Jaggery is also combined with sesame, jujube puree and coconut shreds.
It is used to make jaggery cake and toffees along with cashew nuts, pumpkin preserve, spices and peanuts.
It is also used to make palm wines.
In Maharashtra, the people who work in the hot sun are given a piece of Jaggery.
Health benefits of Bajra (Pearl millet):
Bajra has some medicinal properties when bread is eaten with honey in the morning. It is especially effective for bleeding piles, epilepsy, insomnia, impotency, high blood pressure, diabetes and tuberculosis.
It is easily digestible and has the lowest probability of causing allergic reactions.
Bajra, being gluten free, is a very good food choice for those suffering from celiac disease who cannot tolerate gluten.
It is highly effective and recommended for cases of severe constipation and stomach ulcers.
The presence of phytic acid and niacin in bajra helps in lowering the cholesterol.
Being rich in fiber content, bajra is good for diabetics, keeping the glucose levels normal.
This whole grain supports weight loss as the high fiber content leads to a feeling of fullness for a prolonged period of time.
It is helpful in maintaining cardiovascular health and in acidity problems.
Bajra helps in reducing weight.
It controls blood sugar levels and hence good for diabetic.
Health benefits of Flax Seeds (Alsi)
The therapeutic as well as beneficial properties of consuming flaxseed aren’t yet completely recognized, and numerous claims still lack “high-quality” research to back them up. However, increasing research suggest that flaxseed may certainly be the wonder food lots of people claim it to be.
How to Eat
Sprinkle flaxseed on your cold cereal or hot oatmeal at breakfast.
Add a teaspoon of ground flaxseed to the mustard or mayonnaise that you spread on your sandwich at lunch.
Blend flaxseed into juice or smoothies.
Sprinkle on salads or in soups.
Mix a tablespoon of ground flaxseed into your yogurt.
Add flax to tomato sauces or to casseroles.
Add flaxseed to meatballs or meatloaf.
Flaxseed sprouts are edible, with a slightly spicy flavor.
Flaxseed, called tisi or alsi, is traditionally roasted, powdered, and eaten with boiled rice, a little water, and a little salt in Northern India.
Other Traditional uses and benefits of Flax seed
Constipation: Take 3 tablespoons of flax seeds as well as grind them in regular coffee grinder.Add one tablespoon to a glass of warm water, and continue this once each morning, once in the afternoon, and once in the evening.Continue doing this for 3 days.
For diabetes, arthritis, gall disorders, and heart ailments: Combine 4 oz. of cottage cheese with 1.5 oz. of flax seed oil and 1 oz. of milk in a blender. Add honey or fresh fruits to include sweetness. Combine this mix as well as drink daily every morning.