Emphasizing on the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle, Leading Bollywood Actress, Soha Ali Khan said, “I am a firm believer in the power of Yoga and practice it regularly. I also understand the importance of eating a healthy diet to remain healthy. Hence, eating balanced and nutritious meals are a top priority for me and my family. In addition to this, I also ensure that we avoid junk foods as much as possible and substitute unhealthy snacks with healthier options like a handful of almonds. Almonds make for a tasty and nutritious snack, as they are rich in copper, zinc, folate, iron, and vitamin E, which can be eaten at any time of the day.”
Emphasizing on the need to support one’s yoga routine with mindful snacking, Fitness Expert and Celebrity Master Instructor, Yasmin Karachiwala said, “Physical and mental wellbeing is a crucial part of one’s overall health and practicing Yoga daily can be prove to be beneficial. Yoga is known to help relieve stress, aid mental health and improve body flexibility – all of which are good reasons to incorporate it into one’s daily routine. One must also make sure to eat balanced meals and keep away from high fat and sodium-rich foods. One healthy addition to diet can be a handful of almonds. Almonds are a rich source of protein, a nutrient which is known to contribute to growth and maintenance of muscle mass, which makes them a great snack to munch on before or after a workout. Besides that, their satiating properties help in keeping hunger in check between meals, which may help with weight maintenance.”
Ritika Samaddar, Regional Head – Dietetics, Max Healthcare – Delhi, said,“Yoga is an excellent form of exercise for physical fitness and to relieve stress. It can also be a great addition to the routine of people suffering from type 2 diabetes, as it can help in attaining glycemic control and reduces the risk of complications1. But this is likely to have a better impact, if this routine is accompanied with a nutritious diet. One must ensure to add fresh fruits, green vegetables and nuts like almonds to the diet. Research shows that almonds, which are a source of protein and high in dietary fiber, can help in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels2 in young adults, may help improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes and help lower the blood sugar impact of carbohydrate foods, which affects fasting insulin levels3 4."
Sheela Krishnaswamy, Nutrition and Wellness Consultant said “For people suffering from cardiovascular diseases, practicing a combination of Yoga and healthy eating can be beneficial. Yoga is known to improve heart health by increasing circulation and blood flow. Additionally, it’s important to combine the yoga routine with a daily dose of almonds, as clinical studies amongst Indian populations specifically suggest that almonds can be beneficial in helping to manage heart disease risk factors5 6. According to a recent study in the UK, participants who had been replacing typical snacks with almonds saw improved measures of heart rate variability (HRV) in response to mental stress, which is a key indicator of how well the heart adapts to environmental and psychological challenges. Impaired HRV is linked to cardiovascular disease and sudden cardiac death7.”
