PEANUTS ( GROUNDNUTS)

PEANUTS


Peanuts ??!!!Peanuts ah! Peanuts oh? Peanuts mmmm yummy!!Peanuts no!!Be careful.

So many people have many doubts about peanuts.Are they good? Are they healthy? Do they cause any allergy?How much nutritious are they?The below article clears all your doubts about peanuts.

OVERVIEW

                                                           Peanuts are very nutritious at the same time they cause many allergies in some countries. These peanut allergies are one kind of food allergies mostly seen in North America. But these allergies are not found in Asian countries like India and China.

                                                          Peanut is a kind of nut which has many nutrients in it.Since it is grown under the soil it is also called groundnut. It is the cheapest  among all the nuts(cashewnuts , pistachios etc).Peru situated in South America is its place of origin.It is cultivated in many countries and is also widely used by everyone.

                                                         It is used in preparing many dishes. In  America, it is used in peanut butter, cookies, cakes and burgers . Peruvian and Spanish dishes also contain more peanuts .In India it is used in many sweet preparations and its flour is used in many curry preparations.An oil is obtained from this nuts called peanut oil.It is used in many food preparations.

              
CONSUMPTION

Peanuts are consumed by boiling them in water or sometimes they are fried and eaten .Salt is added to them.

Peanut is also consumed as peanut butter.
Soak some peanuts in water in the night and in the morning just drain all the water and if  consumed it is considered so healthy.This procedure can be followed for any nuts.
Peanuts are mixed with jaggery or sugar and is consumed .This preparation tastes yummy.They are consumed as snacks.
Boiled peanuts are mixed with onions, red chilly powder and salt and lemon juice and eaten .This tastes a little spicy but tastes good.

The peanuts are soaked in water and later grinded and a milk is extracted from it this milk with added sugar is consumed and is considered to be healthy.
Curd is also prepared with this peanut milk (some cow milk is added).
European union doesn't produce these peanuts but stood first in its consumption.

INDUSTRIAL USE

1. It is used in the manufacture of soaps , varnishes  etc.
2. The outer shell is used in the manufacture of plastic boards and paper cellulogen.


THE NUTRITIONAL IMPORTANCE OF PEANUTS

 Peanuts is strength giving food.
1. Peanuts provide energy, protein, thiamine, phosphorous and niacin which are required to maintaining good health.
2. Peanuts contain  13 vitamins along with vitamin- A, vitamin- B,vitamin- C and vitamin-E .
3. Peanuts also contain 26 minerals and  are rich in  iron, calcium ,zinc and boron .
4. Peanuts contain more monounsaturated fatty acids which are good for heart .
5. It has more  protein content than eggs and meat.
6. Its consumption  prevents tuberculosis and hepatitis.
7. Peanut consumption is good for people suffering from hemophilia.Bleeding from the nose is cured by eating fried peanuts.
8. Excessive bleeding during the menstrual period is prevented by eating peanuts.
9. Fried Peanuts contain more antioxidants than strawberries and blackberries.
10. They also provide more protein than egg and meat.
 For growing children, pregnant ladies and lactating mothers it is very good .If the freshly fried peanuts are taken with jaggery and goat milk it improves ones resistance power it seems.

ALLERGIES

Consumption of peanuts is known to cause several allergic reactions in people living in United States of America.
They are known to cause hyper acidity.
Unlimited intake of peanuts may increase the acidity of stomach which leads to hyper acidity.
People suffering with asthma should not consume peanuts.
In the growing stage these seeds are more prone to a fungus called  Aspergillus flavus .This fungus releases a toxin called aflatoxin which may cause cancer.
People suffering with Gastritis and Jaundice should not consume Peanuts.
They are known to cause anaphylactic shock in some people.



NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF PEANUTS

100gms of Peanuts provide

Energy   - 570kcals .
Fat        - 48gms
(Monounsaturated  -24gms
Polyunsaturated      -16gms).
Proteins   -25gms.
Fiber       -9gms.
Calcium   -62mgs.

Raisins

                                                   Raisins are nothing but dried grapes.They are sweet in taste. The raisins are best known for their anti-oxidant property. They are known to contain a rare and less required but essential mineral boron. This is  useful for maintaining the bone strength in old age (to prevent osteoporosis).The consumption of 3 or more serving so f raisins prevents the old age vision problems .

                                              They are dried under the sun or in an oven. They can be stored easily and for a long time. But it is best to consume them within 6months after purchase. Raisins are one of the dried fruits used in several food preparations. The raisins can also be carried to places where ever you go. This is the speciality of all dried fruits.They do not get spoiled at any weather conditions. For better storage raisins should be stored in refrigerator in an air tight bag or container.

                                                     They are used in several food preparations. They are used in the preparation of kheer(payasam) and some sweet preparations.

Sesame Seeds and thier nutritional importance.

                             

Sesame seed is an important condiment  which should be included in our daily diet. They are rich in vitamin -B1(thiamine) and vitamin -E and contains several minerals like iron ,manganese, magnesium ,copper and  calcium.They contain phytosterols which lower bad cholesterol levels.It is also good fo colon.

These seeds have the highest antioxidant property then any other oil seeds. They also have some anti cancerous properties.There are two types of sesame seeds.

           They are;

           White sesame seeds .
            Black sesame seeds.

                                 The white sesame seeds are used in several food preparations in asian countries.     These seeds are  widely used in many countries around the globe. These seeds are used by ancient women to protect their beauty and to look younger. . A preparation made with jaggery and sesame seed powder(or just sesame seed ) is given to the girls during the start of their menstrual period.This is known to provide strength to the young girls.It is also known that consumption of this one laddu for a day makes ones menstrual cycle regular. It also prevents unwanted pregnancy if consumed everyday.It is also helpful during the menopause stage.The Zinc present int hese seeds prevents the bone damage.So overall it  is helpful for both men and women during their andropause and menopause stages.

                                  The oil obtained by grinding these seeds is used in several ayurvedic massage treatments to treat several pains (diseases).This oil is used in oil pulling .

                                   The black sesame seeds are not used used much in any food preparations.

Oats - Their Importance

                                                                           Oats  is a cereal crop  .It is mainly used as a cattle feed(especially for  horses, cat,  etc).They provide carbohydrates , proteins and fiber. They are very source of protein and fibre.

Half cup of oats contain only 80kcals.

Oats  are a very good source   of Selenium, Zinc and Vitamin -A (Thiamine)
 Oats contain both soluble and insoluble fiber in it. The soluble fiber has a gummy nature which helps in the seperation of cholesterol from blood.Since oats is a protein and fiber rich food they provide strength to the body. oats are known to reduce bad cholesterol so it automatically reduces the risk of heart diseases.

Due to the presence of fiber the digestion  process takes place slowly.Due to this the blood sugar level is maintained and thus helps in the prevention of diabetes.


Oats digest slowly and thus prevents the sudden increase in blood glucose level.

People who want to reduce their weight( obesity) generally prefer oats.They create the feeling of fullness to the stomach .

 They are also prevents  dysmenorrhea(heavy bleeding accompanied by severe stomach ache during the menstrual cycle), osteoporosis and several urinary tract infections.


                                                                   They are used in porridge's , rolled as rotis (flour), added in dosa preparation ,oatmeal preparation and is also used in beers.
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Citrus Fruit - Amla

                                          Among the citrus fruits Amla is one the fruit with high vitamin-c percentage. Amla also called the Indian gooseberry.It tastes sour, bitter and astringent .It has a lots of medicinal values. It has both antiviral and antibacterial values. It is also used in  inks, hair oils and shampoos especially for greying the hair and nourishing the scalp.

                                       It is good for persons suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis.It is an antioxidant and it has a  high density of tannins and  poly phenols which prevent premature greying of hair.It is used as a mordant for fixing dyes in fabrics.


                                       It is consumed as raw and many sweet and spicy preparations are made .Sherbets and pickles  are prepared and stored  and used through out the year.It is known to improve the resistance power and digestion .Amla is used in several ayurvedic medicines due to its high medicinal values.

Importance of Ragi

Like rice, ragi is also a cereal crop but it is a small seeded variety. Ragi is a millet (like sorghum ,bajra etc). It is a very nutritious and healthy food. Especially it is a very healthy food for infants. It contains more calcium which is required for the bone growth in infants.

Ragi malt preparation for infants :  Ragi should first be washed and soaked in water for a night . Then dry them so that sprouts come out and now grind them into fine flour and store it in a air tight container.Everyday take 2 spoons of this fine powder add required water and cook it.Add jaggery to it and feed the baby with this . Many children love the sweet taste so they eat it happily and moreover jaggery is rich in iron so it is tasty as well as healthy for them.


According to the tastes of the baby just add salt some times ( not jaggery since they may get bored of it ) .
Studies show that 100gm of ragi provides ;
370kcals of energy
88gm of carbohydrates.
7.6gm of protein.
1.5gm of fat.


Ragi preparation For Adult: First  the ingredients required in this preparation are :
Coconut milk
Ragi powder
Sugar
Add water to the Ragi powder and place it on the stove. After it gets cooked add the coconut milk to it and add required amount of sugar .Later you can consume this preparation either hot or cool .Its according to your tastes.
The reason why i gave the recipe with coconut milk is that coconut milk is very nutritious.
Ragi is also consumed  by adding buttermilk and salt  to the ragi powder.People who dont like sweets can have ragi in this way.

The above preparation was made using coconut milk. If you dont have the coconut milk you can prepare this using normal milk.It tastes like payasam(kheer) and is even very much nutritious than normal kheer.


Ragi can also be consumed in several other ways like preparing ragi rounds(ragi undalu) and adding ragi flour in chapati flour and in many other dosa batters.

You can even prepare ragi laddu using either jaggery or sugar and ghee.This will be a very healthy food for snacks .

ROLE OF WATERMELON IN WEIGHT LOSS


WATERMELON is a good selection to obese people
1.It contains high percentage of water and less fat but provides more energy . It prevents dehydration and helps in rehydrating in hot summer.It is a good alternative for cool drinks.
2. It helps prevent prostate cancer. The antioxidant carotene helps in the prevention of prostate cancer.
3. It is rich in vitamins like vit A, vit C, and vit B1(thiamine), and minerals like sodium and pottasium.

Some tips that help you improve your resistance power

1. Take half glass of hot water and add 2 spoons of honey and little lemon juice and try to have this everyday early morning .This helps you improve your resistance power.

Dry Fruits and their Importance

Dry Fruits .They are the store houses of energy.
The Dry fruits are
1. Raisins 2.Dates 3.Pistachios 4.cashewnuts 5.Almonds