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Folic Acid During Pregnancy – Why Is It Important?

Posted on by Lavanya Pattabiraman

 

Folic Acid During Pregnancy – Why Is It Important? Folic Acid, also known as “Folate”, is a form of Vitamin B9, a water-soluble vitamin – which means the body does not store them. Folic acid is needed for appropriate development of the human body. It aids in the production of body’s genetic material and is involved in numerous other bodily functions. It is critical for the rapid growth of cells and tissues such as in infancy, adolescence, and pregnancy. Folic acid also helps iron work properly in the body and it works with Vitamin B12 to make red blood cells.

Folic Acid During Pregnancy - Why Is It Important

When should you start taking Folic Acid?

If you’re pregnant or might become pregnant, it’s important to get enough folic acid. Gynecologists highly recommend that you start taking folic acid supplements every day for at least 1 month before you become pregnant. Better if you start 3 months in advance. If you find you are pregnant and have not been taking folic acid, you should start now to help prevent any neural defects in the first three months of pregnancy.

Why before pregnancy?

Doctors say only about 50% of pregnancies are planned. Birth defects occur within the first 3-4 weeks of pregnancy. Neural tube is formed at a very early stage of foetus development and may occur way before you even know you are pregnant. Taking a prenatal vitamin with folic acid before and during pregnancy can help prevent birth defects of your baby’s brain and spinal cord by 50% to 70%.

So, it’s important to have folate in your system during those early stages, first 12 weeks of pregnancy, when your baby’s brain and spinal cord are developing. Some studies show that taking prenatal folic acid supplements at the time of conception is associated with a lower risk of “Autism” as well.

All women of child bearing age should get enough folic acid – not just those who are planning to become pregnant. Its better you start taking folic before you start trying to conceive.

How does it work?

Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects (NTDs). Your baby’s spine and brain (in fact the nervous system), develop from the neural tube, a part of the embryo. When there is an inadequate quantity of folic acid in your body, your baby’s neural tube may not close correctly and he/she could develop neural tube defects. These include:

  • Spina bifida: Incomplete development of the spinal cord or vertebrae.
  • Anencephaly: Incomplete development of the brain.

Some research suggests that folic acid may help lower baby’s risk of other defects as well, such as:

  • Cleft lip and palate
  • Congenital heart defects

Also, Folic acid can prevent –

  • Miscarriage
  • Poor growth in the womb
  • Premature birth
  • Low birth weight

When taken before and during pregnancy, it may also reduce your risk of preeclampsia, a serious blood pressure disorder that affects about 5 percent of pregnant women. Research shows that the risk of severe language delay in children at age 3 years could be reduced by taking folic acid supplements in early pregnancy. Low folate levels in the pregnant mommy during pregnancy is linked with a higher risk of emotional quotient in the baby.

How Much Folic Acid Should You Take?

Here’s how much folic acid is recommended each day in terms of pregnancy:

  • Pre-pregnancy: 400 micrograms (mcg)
  • 1st trimester (Week 1 through week 12) of pregnancy: 400 mcg
  • 2nd & 3rd triemster: 600 mcg
  • While breastfeeding: 500 mcg

If you have started taking your own prenatal vitamin, you should consult your OB once you’re pregnant to make sure it has the recommended amounts of the vitamins you need, including folic acid.  Prenatal vitamins come in different combinations, some may have less or more of vitamins and minerals you need. Each woman may need different vitamin or mineral based on her health.

Other Benefits of Folic Acid

Your body needs this folate, to make normal RBC’s (red blood cells) and prevent anaemia. Folic acid is essential to produce DNA (carries genetic information) which is a basic building block of human body & rapid cell growth of the placenta and the brain functioning of your developing baby.

Natural Sources of Folic Acid

Dark green vegetables are good sources of folic acid. Overcooking GLV’s can cause folic acid content to drop considerably.

If you eat foods rich in folate, consider them a complement to your supplement. The foods that can help you obtain your recommended amount of folic acid are:

Folic Acid Foods
  • Lentils
  • Kidney Beans, peas
  • Nuts – groundnuts, almonds
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Avocado
  • Mushroom
  • Dark green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, kale
  • Citrus fruit and juice
  • Fruits such as bananas, melons, and lemons
  • Okra and the slimy vegetable is rich in folate. It also cleanses the entire digestive tract of toxic build-up. Half a cup of cooked okra will give you approximately 103 mcg of folic acid.

This article is a guide on the importance of folic acid and why you need it. If you are planning a family, do not wait to miss your periods. It’s always better to talk to your OB/gynec about how much folic acid and vitamins to intake during your pregnancy.

WholeWheat Base Pizza Recipe | Making Junk Food Healthy

Posted on by Neha Jain

We all love pizzaaa..don’t we? But every time, we eat with guilt! Read on how to make WholeWheat Base Pizza Recipe hence Making Junk Food Healthy!

Let’s enjoy every bit of the pizza along with the healthy veggies!

I am a big foodie and I always try something healthy so that I can eat as much as I want 🙂

Sharing this recipe of wholewheat base pizza with lots of veggies. Enjoy eating as much as you want. Both Mommy & Child can be happy!

WholeWheat Base Pizza Recipe | Making Junk Food Healthy
Original Picture – Baked by Neha

Pizza Sauce

Ingredients

4 big tomatoes
1 onion
4-5 garlic cloves
Oregano – for taste
Chilli flakes – as required
Sugar if tomatoes are not sweet – 1/2 tsp
1 tbsp olive oil
2tsp tomato sauce and salt as per taste

Methodology

  1. Boil and peel tomatoes – turn off after 2 whistles.
  2. Let it cool and blend it well.
  3. Then add garlic n onion puree to olive oil in a pan and fry, add tomato puree now along with oregano & chilli flakes let the sauce thicken. Add tomato sauce along with salt and sugar.

Sauce is now ready!

WholeWheat Base Pizza Recipe
Picture Credit – Neha Jain

Pizza Base

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups wholewheat flour
1/2 cup chiroti rava
1 cup water plus milk 50ml or use according to knead the dough
1 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
1 1/2 tbsp oil
1 tsp sugar
Salt as per taste

Methodology

  1. In half cup luke warm water add sugar and mix well now add yeast and mix and keep aside for 15min until frothy.
  2. Take both flour and rawa in bowl. Add salt and mix well.
  3. Make a hole in centre add oil and now add frothy yeast mix well with spatula combining to form dough. Add water as needed until a sticky dough is formed.
  4. Transfer the sticky dough to work surface and knead well using stretch and fold method until smooth dough is formed. This will take around 15 minutes or lesser.
  5. Now keep this dough in well oiled bowl and cover with cling wrap and keep aside for raising until it doubles. This should take around 60 mins.
  6. Meanwhile you can prepare pizza sauce(if you haven’t) and cut veggies. You can include corn, bell pepper (red, green & yellow capsicum), onion, olive, tomatoe, pepperoni, mushrooms, spinach, jalapeno and brocolli.
  7. Take out the dough and punch out the air and knead a little more. Make medium sized balls and roll out similar to making roti. For thin crust roll well(thinner).
  8. Take a pizza pan and line it with parchment paper and spread rolled base. Use a  fork to put marks on base and now spread pizza sauce. Add veggies of your choice and top it with some mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle oregano & chilli flakes if you would like it spicy.
  9. I added cheddar chesse and basil leaves too, keep it aside for another 30 minutes.
  10. Preheat oven 180 now bake pizza for 25 min until brown. Serve hot and enjoy the delicious healthy pizza.

This blog has been written by Neha Jain as apart of the #UltimateblogChallenge.

Best Maternity & Baby Photographers in Chennai

Posted on by Kanchan V

Baby Photography is not a “Child’s Play”. Your baby will not understand “Smile Please” or “Say Cheese”! It requires tremendous amount of patience and perseverance. Capturing the right expression at the right moment is what is required to make those moments frameable. He/she does not just capture images, but also creates memories to be cherished forever! The best smile, best move, best mood, best giggle or the best yawn – these can be best captured only by a professional Baby Photographer. Read here about the Best Maternity & Baby Photographers in Chennai.

The trend of maternity shoot & baby photography is mushrooming not just in metros but in smaller cities as well. While there are many professional maternity & baby photographers in Chennai, these listed below are extremely innovative & capture moments you will want to frame forever.We bring to you a list of the Best Maternity & Baby Photographers in Chennai, not following any ranking system. You can also read on the Best Maternity & Baby Photographers in Bangalore & Mumbai.

Harsha Sajnani – Best Baby Photographer In Chennai

She is one of the Best Maternity & Baby Photographers in Chennai. She says “For me, photography is all about capturing life and its moments. Since my daughter’s birth, I have rekindled my passion for photography. I love shooting with children & families creating ever lasting memories.”

Capturing the emotions and the expressions which can be framed for life, she has a happy bunch of clients who swear by her dedication. Harsha adds a personal touch to the clicks and prefers shooting in natural light at parks, beaches or at the comfort of your home over studio set-ups.

While my daughter recently turned 2, I was no exception to this trend catching up like fire 🙂

I wanted someone who is the best in Toddler Photography in Chennai – Harsha Sajnani it had to be. We had a beautiful outdoor shoot at the Marina Beach. Below are some pictures from our shoot. You can reach out to her on Harsha.sajnani@gmail.com or 9840798975.

Baby Photographers in Chennai

Mommy Shots by Amrita Samant – Best Maternity Photographer In Chennai

Mommy Shots is unique in the sense they believe in storyboard and conceptualizing each shot to tell a story, one that is personal and unique. Their creativity and beauty is visible in their photos, which speaks volumes to the families they have captured.  They have a host of packages to choose from- maternity shoot, Baby Photography, Birthday shoot, Baby Shower and New born shoot packages. Amrita is undoubtedly one of the Best Baby Photographers in Chennai who has a massive social media following owing to her splendid work. You can get in touch with her on ms@amritasamant.com or 9972609349. They are located at Singapore, Chennai and Bangalore.

Best Maternity & Baby Photographers in Chennai

Jays Photography – Best Maternity Photo Shoot Package In Chennai

Jays photography founded by Jayshree has carved a niche for herself in this beautiful field of Baby Photography. Jays Photography has an excellent record of extremely satisfied customers. Jayshree believes in maintaining a personal relationship with the clients, which helps her deliver the best particularly in the OMR belt. Creating magic, Jayshree has also worked with us for a baby shoot earlier when my daughter turned 1. Here are some of the pictures in the link 🙂 You can reach out to her on click@jaysfotography.com or  09952048980.

Jaysfotography

Shannon Zirkle-Prabhakar – Best Baby & Toddler Photographers In Chennai

Shanon believes that candid photography is the best way to treasure life’s most beautiful moments. Staged photography doesn’t emulate a story real life does. Hailing from the USA, Shannon brings a lot of energy & innovation to her sessions & delights all her clients. Take a look at Shannon’s work below. She can be reached on hello@shanonzirkle.com or 9840835304.

Shannon Lee Zirckle

Nancy Bindal – Best Baby & Pregnancy Photography In Chennai

Since 2 years Nancy has carved a niche for herself in the Maternity & Baby Photography space in Chennai. You can seldom go wrong when you are passionate about what you are doing. Nancy helps mothers capture those precious moments that could be lost. she says, “It’s adorable to watch the little ones gaze about, do their belly laughs, the smiles you get, those wiggly arms, the little feet, the way they cuddle up to you, the sloppy kisses, the misinformed sounds, and the unconditional pull of love towards them, and the instant bond we feel for them is almost overwhelming.”  You can reach out to her on 098840 22444.

Nancy Bindal1

Have you done a maternity or baby shoot yet? If yes, we would love to hear from you. Incase you haven’t yet, I’m sure these lovely pictures would want you to schedule one right now! 🙂 These are ceratinly the Best Maternity & Baby Photographers in Chennai.

It May Also Interest You To Read –

Top 5 Gynecologists In Chennai

Best Preschools In Chennai

Is Gripe Water Safe For Babies – Benefits & Side Effects

The Three D’s Of Weight Loss – Determination, Discipline And Dedication

Posted on by Zainab Raazi

When we decide to lose weight, don’t we want to see the results as quick as possible? It’s only human. But, honestly, it’s not as simple as this. If you do any fad diets and say lose 7 kilos in a month, be prepared to gain it back, or perhaps even more. The best way to lose weight and keep it off is by making small changes and being consistent. The Three D’s Of Weight Loss are your key to the journey. They are:

Determination, Discipline, and Dedication.

The Three D's Of Weight Loss - Determination, Discipline And Dedication

First and foremost, you need to stop being in ‘denial’ and come to terms with the fact that the situation needs to change. Once, this is done, it gets better. The hardest bit is admitting to yourself, but once you brave up it gets easier. Remind yourself, that you are doing this for yourself, not for your family, friends or boyfriend. It could be a few vanity pounds or 100 pounds, but, this is YOUR journey. And, it begins with your determination.

Be Determined. Stay Disciplined.

Now, you can be determined, but what good is that determination which works only in theory?  You can keep planning workouts, or ‘think’ about switching to healthier ways of cooking. But, that determination is good only when you follow it with a discipline.

Now, this does not mean, that pizzas and pastas are gone forever.

Create a balance, rather than making everything you love go away. Indulging once in awhile is ok, because let’s face it, its life. There will be weddings and other social gatherings.

Three Ds Of Weight Loss

Switching to healthier lifestyle should not feel like a punishment. Infact it should feel rewarding.

But, with that said, discipline should not be forgotten. One can always, chose a smaller portion of lunch if such situations arise. Or, work out a little extra the next day 😉

Be Dedicated

The good part with being determined and disciplined, is that the dedication follows right behind. You will find yourself dedicated to your healthier lifestyle once you are doing the other two D’s. It will come naturally to you, without making much extra effort.

Some tips to get started with your healthy lifestyle:

  1. Don’t wait for a Monday, new month or new year. Now is good enough.
  2. Keep a diary and pen down all you eat, this helps a lot. If you are not old-school there are zillions of app’s which help you log in your food and help with calories.
  3. Don’t do crash diets, because they never work.
  4. Start slow, if that means one healthy meal a day, to begin with, go for it.
  5. Clean up your snacks. Instead of reaching out for chips, biscuits opt for fox nuts if you want the crunch. There are lot more healthier snacks options-vegetables with hummus, boiled eggs, etc.
  6. Add raw vegetables with both your main meals.
  7. Drink lot of water. If you can, start your day with 1 litre of water.
  8. Switch to wholemeal foods, ie, try to skip maids, white bread, white pasta.
  9. Learn portion control, this comes handy when eating out, or at a gathering.
  10. Read labels, when buying food/junk food. You will surprised at how many calories it has.
  11. Start working out, only when you have somewhat adapted to food habits.
  12. There are some amazing videos on YouTube, so you do not need to spend money.
  13. And, remember, it’s about the journey. Not about the destination.
  14. Keep yourself motivated, by reading success stories.
  15. Give time, it will not happen overnight. Keep Pushing and you will get there!

Disclaimer: I’m not a dietician; everything I shared is based on my personal experience.

This Blog contributed by Zainab Raazi is a part of The Ultimate #BlogChallenge.

3 Things I Want to Tell The Girl Child #InternationalDayOfTheGirlChild

Posted on by Dr. Amrita Basu

I have always felt you girls are born special. You can do what you want to do, inside your homes or outside and look beautiful doing that. You can fight and kill (remember Maa Durga?). You can love and cherish (our very own Saint (Mother) Teresa in Kolkata is a shining example). You are a blessed child of God who can carry life (assuming both man and woman are needed for creating it). But you need to remember a few things. There are 3 Things I Want to Tell The Girl Child.

Why do I want to tell you all this? I am hoping some of you while Instagramming, and shopping on Amazon will stumble upon this post and get an advantage over those who don’t. Less heartache for you dear girl.

Being born a girl is wonderful. You are truly sugar and spice and everything nice. You are grace, beauty, kindness and love. But unfortunately, life is a balance of opposing forces. You will always face challenges from not so nice things in life. What I tell you today will help you smash those challenges and make your way. Break those glass ceilings which we are still struggling with. These are the 3 Things I Want to Tell The Girl Child.

Must know Lesson 1

You should read. Read to learn, read to know, read to experiment and read to know how beautiful, wonderful and magical this world is. Read Malory Towers and Famous Five, read the Faraway tree and your regional language books. Read children’s magazines and the newspaper (check with your parents about what’s suitable for your age).

Once you have fun reading, studying is not difficult.

Study hard. Harder than your neighboring Sarla aunty’s darling Dipu, who is very intelligent only if he would take time to study. He doesn’t do well because he just doesn’t have the time to go through all the nonsense teachers teach him. In an attempt to outdo him don’t try the experiment of finding the least amount of study time, which will make you do well. Believe me that never helps. Read your course material and interesting related stuff. You have access to the internet for different resources in different formats. Not only written words, but also video, audio slides everything!

3 Things I Want to Tell The Girl Child #InternationalDayOfTheGirlChild

Remember someone somewhere, came before you and may have made the same mistakes you are about to make. Life is too short for making all mistakes by yourself and learning from them. Read books by great women and men, who have been there and done that. You will save yourself a headache and heartache.

Must know Lesson 2

Time waits for no one. Do things on time. Make being punctual and time conscious your good habit. Be on time, study on time .marry on time, have kids on time and plan things on time. I know it’s loads of fun, when the movie heroine seems to be a scatter brain and gets everything in the end. Real life darling gets loads tougher. Until you are at the right place at the right time, the universe will not be able to help you. Respect time. Make it your best friend. Time is the biggest equalizer .The most successful and the richest have as much time in a day as you have. What is different is what you do with it.

Time waits for no one

Must know Lesson 3

Pray and persist. Now even if you are not the praying kind and don’t believe in organized religion (I rebelled too in my teens). You can still pray to the Universe, right? That’s one easy way to keep the faith and attract positive energy.

Persistence is prayers best friend. In school one of the favorite quotes our teachers used to say:

“God helps those who help themselves.

You pray hard and row for the shore.”

If things don’t happen even when you persist, that’s probably for the best. Always have plan B and C in place.

Do the boys need to know this? Oh yes they do. But few will read this and fewer will understand. Those who do, will be people you want to know.

But why do I have to tell the girl child all this? Its because you have battles to fight, which you don’t know about yet. You have to fight to get a chance to be born.

Stay strong Girl, the world rests on your shoulders! Tell this to every other girl child you know!

This article is a part of #BlogChallenge #ConfusedParent

The Education Landscape In India – What Works Best For Your Child?

Posted on by Antara Kothari Pandit
The Education Landscape In India – What Works Best For Your Child?

Choosing schools for their children is giving many parents I know sleepless nights. Among the many challenges of motherhood, selecting a school which will not only ensure a good education but also help in the overall development of the child is crucial.  There are so many factors to consider – the board of education, teaching method, curriculum, safety standards, travel distance, extra-curricular activities and so on; the list is endless. The admissions applications are never-ending for the handful of top pre-schools and full-fledged schools, and the waiting lists are even longer.  The teaching method is however a factor that most parents are taking into consideration and pushing to the top of their priority list.

We can all agree that the education landscape in India is constantly evolving. Times are changing and the way children are being taught is new and unique compared to even a few years ago when the teaching methods were traditional and text book based; some would even call them outdated. Each board of education is unique in its’ own way and it is up to us parents to decide which board their children will be best suited to. Parents along with the schools are now focusing on changing what they want their children to grow up learning. The focus is less on WHAT they learn but rather on HOW they learn.

I happened to watch an eye-opening movie yesterday which was being shown as a part of the Mumbai Film Festival, called ‘Rough Book’. The movie centers around providing an insight into the Indian educational system at the university level and the problems that we face even in contemporary India. In the movie, the university classes consist of 4 sections – A, B, C, D; section D comprising of students who are behind in their learning and grasp concepts at a slower pace compared to the Section A, B & C students.

The university however, evaluates the knowledge of students based solely on exams, with the management including the school principal paying the least attention to section D. Their sole focus is meeting targets as the board members have invested millions into the university and they expect a certain number of board exam toppers. Along comes Ms. Santhoshi who is a teacher looking to scale the walls and break all rules of traditional education; her aim being to introduce modern methods of education in an increasingly backward education system. The Principal recruits a teacher to conduct tuitions, within the university campus itself for students who need help with the learning material.

The Education Landscape In India

Ms. Santhoshi questions the tuitions and goes on to teach the section D students, concepts, in new and improved ways to help them understand better; teaching a dancer through dance, a sportsman through sports and so on. She strives to unclog the outdated mentality the university exhibits in contemporary India. She fights for her students by explaining that the knowledge and understanding of concepts cannot be tested by exams. This movie was an inspiring and thought-provoking one which I would recommend all parents to watch because the reality is that this is not only the situation at the university level, but at the pre-school, middle and high school levels as well.

There are schools with a similar process, where unique and improved methods of education are side-lined with many teachers not willing to explore newer methods of teaching and testing. There are also those teachers who are different and wanting to approach learning material with a unique approach, but are not given the opportunity to do so.

What is our role as parents to ensure that our children get the education they deserve in today’s education landscape in India? Newer boards of education have emerged over the last few years which are making a mark and promise to take the overall development of our children to a whole new level. At the same time, choosing a school which is best suited for our children and not us, is key. After all, we are not going to be studying, they are.

It is easy to lean towards a school which your friends may have chosen for their children but this is where we need to gain perspective. Each child is different; some children are better suited to schools which are more text-book based and heavily structured while there are some who need schools with a more hands-on approach, enabling them to nurture their imagination and creativity. I have seen this with my elder son who is 3 years old and learns best through the creative methods by which concepts are taught to him; at a school which does not give text books to the children to learn. For example, whenever he comes home from school and informs me that they learned a new alphabet that day, he demonstrates his knowledge of words starting with that alphabet, through a song they were taught.  However, this may not work for some children who need more structure to grasp information. There is no one board of education that is right for every child.

As parents, we can only do our best to not force a glass ceiling on our children consciously or unconsciously, thereby limiting their potential.

This Article Is A Part Of #BlogChallenge #ConfusedParent – The Education Landscape in India – What Works for Your Child Best?

A Mother’s Diet Secrets

Posted on by Ekta

A Mother’s Diet Secrets

The much-hyped “Size Zero Figure” came into limelight when Kareena Kapoor had shed weight for the movie Tashan, bringing dietician Rujuta Diwarekar to instant fame. When Kareena stepped into her labor room, she had put on whooping 18kilos, led by her high-calorie diet including ghee-laden parathas & meat(oh yes! She turned into a non-vegetarian after getting married to the Nawab Saif Ali Khan), keeping a billion people obsessed about her pregnancy, her maternity style and of course her oomph.

When Kareena Kapoor lost 12 kilos 3 months after post-pregnancy, she made headlines in media – both online & offine. So, what Are  A Mother’s Diet Secrets? Yet again, Rujuta Diwarekar’s mantra for diet & fitness regimen divulged secrets & myths behind crash-dieting, created wonders for the actress. She emphasizes on a straight-forward approach to combat weight-loss without jeopardizing the health.

Some Myth Busters

All Carbs Make You Fat

Carbs have been unnecessarily considered monsters since over 10 years. Not all carbs are bad. While it is true that regular intake of a high intake of carbs from sodas, candy, and pastries everyday will certainly cause you to pile on the pounds, carbs from foods like oats, brown rice, and dal provide energy and play a vital role in overall health & energy. Carbohydrates are a must. Moderation is the key.

Carbohydrates not bad for health

Every mother is a gate-keeper to her family shielding it from anything that may cause harm in any way. And, I am no different.

  • I do not allow my child to exceed her screen time beyond 45 minutes a day.
  • Not more than 4 chocolates a week.
  • Atleast 1 whole fruit everyday.
  • No separate cooking for my family and baby. Everyone eats the same spice, sweet & the same salt.

While all of us have certain guidelines we abide to, deep down in our heart we as mothers love our family and want them to enjoy the little things we cherished as a child.

Tell me if you did not enjoy any of these as a child –

  • A hot samosa on a rainy day
  • Dadi’s murukku after school
  • A bowl of Maggi when you are bored with the Lauki made for dinner for the second time in the week
  • A lollipop while your mom was shopping for her Diwali saree
  • A generous helping of chips; helping with Daal Chawal.
  • Naani’s Gulab Jamun on occasions – Not just 1 or 2, but even 4 at times.

Child eating

When you have enjoyed these little things in your childhood, why can’t your children? And while we do not advocate over indulging in these everyday, we definitely believe that we should not be so harsh on our children.

No food item is completely healthy or unhealthy. A balanced diet in moderation is the key to good health. A balanced diet should provide approximate 50-60% of total calories in a day from carbohydrates, about 10-15% from proteins and 20-30% from fat.

According to ICMR recommendation on Dietary Guidelines for Indians, the total fat in the diet should provide between 20-30% of total calories. The total fat intake in the diets can go up to 50g per person.

India is a country within a country. Every 100 kms, you would find the cuisines changing. From Papads to Pickles, the Curries to Chutneys – everything is dynamic. While people of the East enjoy the Rasogullas, people of the South enjoy Medhu Vadas, people of the North enjoy Shahi Tukda & people of the West enjoy Vada Pav.

And while we embrace the palatial differences of all the regions, there are some foods that are enjoyed by all. Albeit, we consume them ONLY in moderation these are foods that we as Indians thoroughly relish.

Maggi Noodles – The newly launched Maggi Oats Noodles is the new craze among the health conscious mommies whose children can’t live without them. Occasional indulgence is always good. And if it is Oats Maggi… boss occasional se zyaada to banta hi hai 😉 And if you are talking of the calories in a bowl of Maggi Noodles, it has lesser fat (11-13g) than a cheese sandwich or your aloo paratha. It is steamed just like our idli is & fried for a minute only to ensure it can be preserved fresh for months until you consume it on a after mid-night movie hungry tummy!

Your body needs a little of everything in moderation – carbohydrates, fat, protein, vitamins, minerals & essential oils. What do you guys think?

Maggi

 

How To Plan Finances For Your Kid? | Be An Informed Parent

Posted on by Ekta
How to plan finances for your kid

The moment your doctor says that you are expecting – is one of the best yearned and cherished moments of our life. You start planning for scores of things, like baby names, nursery themes, shopping for toys, clothes and the list goes on and on! All these things have to be done in less than nine months. This demanded that you get things done in a planned and organized manner. So the paper work has to begin fast.  When we look at the real cost of raising a baby, we realized that we, parents need a solid and a practical financial plan. So, How To Plan Finances For Your Kid?

We need to start to look into ways to save, how to get insurance for the new born and a good financial plan that would help us save for his/her foreign studies and thereby ensuring him/her a bright future. To our utter amazement, we do not have substantial and adequate literature on financial planning. Be it choosing names, best baby shampoos available in the market or best organic bed sheets for your little one, you could find anything under the sun. But this topic on financial planning is hardly ventured into. So here I am with my perspective on financial planning for kids. This content is my personal opinion curated with reference to leading financial advisors in the field of financial planning. It is written with the sole intention of providing ideas and options to parents so that they could plan their finances before and after having a baby.

Common Myths Regarding Financial Planning

  1. Investments can wait until primary schooling starts
  2. Investments and insurance are the same
  3. Recurring deposits and Fixed Deposits are the best instruments, in all cases.

We often think about investments when the child enters primary/middle school, which is not a wise option at all. Because early investments means your money has more time to multiply and you benefit out of it. During our days, our parents believed in Recurring Deposits and Fixed Deposits to be the best option. But, they failed to see the hidden disadvantage – and that is, the interest rate being fixed, inflation rate is ever increasing. Thus, the returns are not very substantial.

Here it becomes necessary to diversify your surplus into Equity markets because it creates finances over a long period. We should understand that though the Equity Markets is highly volatile and very aggressive, it is very beneficial for the long term. As single digit interest rates will not be able to beat the long term inflation rate.

Is Gold A Wise Option In Our Investment Portfolio?

There is a common tradition across all sections of the society to invest in gold. Especially in families who are blessed with girls. Gold as an investment option is definitely a good option as the bullion rate is always on the increasing mode. The keynote is you need to diversify the investments into different instruments.

Investment in Gold

Emergency fund – How Does It Help You?

Emergencies can never be predicted, neither the time nor the quantum. A sensible step in this regard would be to create and maintain an Emergency Fund. It is in your best interest to set side atleast six months of your income. This fund should never be touched upon, until and unless there is an unavoidable contingency. The main rule to be followed is – Do not withdraw the investments even if you cannot add on to the fund.

So, How To Plan Finances For Your Kid? Where And Why To Invest?

The mantra you need to follow is Diversify your investment portfolio and plan finances for your child is just around here. The following are the options you could follow:

  1. Mutual funds. Why mutual funds? There are two main reasons – one is you don’t have to put lump sum amount at one go. And second, no need to track markets everyday.
  2. Long term Investment plans – Systematic Investment Plan, Mutual Funds, Equity Funds. These instruments are very helpful if you are looking at planning for your child’s further studies or marriage expenditure.
  3. Large cap funds, mid cap funds, multi cap funds and parent funds. Limit the investments to 8-10 funds, all put together.

The common mistake we make is that we invest in RD for a long period of time, like say 10 or 15 years. In this instrument of investment, interest rates are fixed. We do not know what would be the situation of inflation after 10 years or so. Therefore, it is wise to invest in them for a small amount of time, thus, minimizing the risk.

How Much To Invest?

Is there a ratio of how much amount of income to be saved in the form of investments? Well, the answer is simple – An Increment of salary should match with increment in investment. That is, if your salary increases by 12% your savings increase by 12%.

If you have aspirations to send your kids abroad, then the first thing is you should find out what is the cost? Then, put in an inflation number and then see how much is it going to be after 15/16 years? You will get an amount, keeping that in mind and start saving. They key word is “Start Early”. One more important aspect is to make sure you have an account in the name of the minor. In case of emergency, you are sure your kids amount is kept aside. In no case, that amount should be utilized for other needs of your family.

Balance Between Mutual Funds And Insurance

There is a general misconception that Investments and Insurance are the same. It is very important for us parents to understand that once a baby is born, it is important to take insurance for his/her safety. Now, when it comes to Investments, it is purely your choice as to when and which Investment option you choose. But, it is strongly recommended that you start investing immediately after the baby is born.

Review Of 10 Best Baby Shampoos For Kids In India 2019

Posted on by Ekta

Baby Shampooing

We bring to you the Review Of 10 Best Baby Shampoos For Kids In India 2019 since the market is swamped with baby skin care products. Buying the best baby shampoo in India requires careful research so that you don’t end up harming your baby’s delicate scalp. But making the right choice sometimes might be confusing. One would always find themselves in a critical situation when making a conscientious choice for your baby. Are you worried about what kind of chemicals are there in your child’s hair care products? Fret not! Here’s a Review Of 10 Best Baby Shampoos For Kids In India 2019 options available for little munchkin!

Most of us feel that it is really simple buying shampoos and toiletries for their children but we often overlook the fact that more than 80% of baby shampoos contain formaldehyde which harm the baby. Thus before buying one needs to check whether it would be suitable for your baby’s delicate scalp and not end up harming. Would you love to know more about the safe and best shampoos for your baby? Read on!

Also read:

Best Baby Body Lotions For Kids In India 2019

Best Diaper Rash Creams For Kids In India 2019

Best Body Wash & Soaps For Kids In India 2019

The 10 Best Baby Shampoos For Kids In India 2019 are –

SebaMed Shampoo – Review Of 10 Best Baby Shampoos For Kids In India 2019

Sebamed

SebaMed Children’s Shampoo has a pH value of 5.5 and is free from nitro-mochus compounds, formaldehyde, nitrosamines, dioxin, color additives and alkali. The herbal extract of chamomiles helps in cleansing and caring the fine and delicate scalp of babies and children. It makes the baby’s hair soft and easy to comb which leaves your children’s hair fragrant and silky. Highly recommended for sensitive or dry scalp by doctors & paediatricians.

Pros:

  • Does not contain soap, SLS, alkali, colors and additives
  • Ideal for sensitive scalp. pH neutral
  • Prevents dandruff & flaky scalp

Priced at Rs 450 for 150 ml SebaMed is one of the Best Baby Shampoos For Kids In India.

Aveeno Shampoo – Best Gentle Baby Shampoo For Babies In India

Best Shampoo for kids in India1

Aveeno Baby Wash & Shampoo contains natural oat extract. This is a rich lathering cleanser which gently cleans without drying the scalp. It is also formulated to be soap-free and hypoallergenic which is formulated to be gentle enough for newborns and babies especially with sensitive skin. This tear-free formula leaves a soft, fresh fragrance which helps to keep your baby’s hair soft, smooth and healthier. It’s priced at a slight premium and not easily available at local stores but can be bought online.

Pros:

  • Gentle shampoo protects your baby’s skin even while used daily
  • Parabens free
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Good for dry hair & skin as well

It is priced at Rs 1454 for 200 ml and is now available in India as well.

Cetaphil Baby Shampoo – Best New-Born Baby Shampoo Recommended By Doctors

Best Shampoo for kids in India

Cetaphil Baby Shampoo with soothing chamomile and paraben free provides a perfect cleanser for your baby’s hair. The tear free formula shampoo leaves hair soft with a silky shine. It contains protein and calendula extract which makes the hair strong and healthy. Cetaphil is often recommended by many paediatricians to ensure the moisture & texture of your infant’s skin & scalp is kept intact making it one of the 10 Best Baby Shampoos For Kids In India 2019.

Pros:

  • Hypoallergenic and organic
  • Free of parabens, minerals, and colorants
  • Dermatologist-tested

Priced at Rs.447 for 230 ml.

Chicco No Tears Shampoo Review – Best Paraben Free Shampoo For Children

Best No-Tear Baby Shampoo For Children

Chicco – No Tears Gentle Shampoo is endowed with a “no tear” formula which is “PARABENS FREE”. It is clinically tested to be hypo allergic which minimizes the risk of skin allergies. This gentle shampoo contains marigold which is easy to rinse without any tangles, moisturizes the hair and protects the delicate skin of your baby’s scalp. This product is SLS or soap free which is both microbiologically and dermatologically tested.

Pros:

  • Moisturizes & softness hair
  • Prevents allergies, rashes, and redness
  • Free of chemicals, alcohol, and parabens
  • Hypoallergenic

It is priced at Rs 299 for 300 ml.

The Mothercare – All we know Shampoo – Best No Tears Formula Mild Shampoo

Best Sufate Free Shampoo For Infants

Made from natural extracts such as olive oil and chamomile; this Mothercare product is a no-tear formula which is hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested. The conditioners added in the shampoo leaves your baby’s hair clean and fresh and is also mild and gentle enough for your newborn.

Pros:

  • Naturally conditions the hair
  • Free from parabens & fragrance
  • Can be used from birth
  • Great soothing qualities

It is priced at Rs. 299 for 300 ml.

Nurture My Body Baby Shampoo and Wash – 100% Chemical Free Shampoo For Babies & Kids

Nurture My Body Baby Shampoo

Nurture My Body Shampoo is a fragrance-free baby shampoo which does not contain Sodium Lauryl or Phthalates. 100% chemical – free ingredients which comes with tear – free formula and keeps the hair soft, smooth and tangle free. One of the best shampoo which is free of nuts and gluten where the shampoo comes in recyclable bottles. These are ultra violet proof which do not drain chemicals even at high temperatures.

Pros:

  • Gluten, SLS, Phthalate, Parabens free shampoo
  • High quality ingredients
  • Colour free

Rs.3633 for 240ml, this shampoo is priced at a premium as it uses the highest quality of products for your loved one.

Forest Essentials Baby Hair And Body Wash – Best Natural Baby Shampoo In India

Forest Essentails Baby Shampoo

A gentle hair cleanser which contain amla, genhu, reetha, sweet almond oil, and saffron. No artificial colours are added which keep your baby’s hair healthy and strong. Being a product from the house of Forest Essentials, this product is 100% chemical- free, natural and made from the highest superior quality that are best for your baby.

Pros:

  • Natural, chemical free
  • Uses tries & tested formula
  • Parabens, sulphate and colourant free

Priced at Rs.975 for 200ml, Forest essentials is an obvious choice for those who choose quality over price.

Baby Dove Rich Moisture Shampoo – Best Baby Shampoo For Everyday Use

baby dove best shampoo in india

A mild cleanser with 1/4th moisturizing cream which can be used on a daily basis to the keep the scalp clean and moisturized. Baby Dove has glided effortlessly into the Review Of 10 Best Baby Shampoos For Kids In India 2019. They also have a Tip-To-Toe wash which can be used for both body & hair which is also one of the best-sellers in their categories.

Pros:

  • Ophthalmologist and pediatrician-tested
  • Parabens & colour free
  • Mild and gentle fragrance with rich moisture
  • Works perfect for daily use

Priced at Rs.185 for 200 ml.

Mama Earth Gentle Cleaning Shampoo – Best Gentle Shampoo For Children Below 5 Years

MamaEarth Best Baby Shampoo in India

A new entrant in the Indian market which aims to provide toxic free products. This gentle cleansing Shampoo is India’s first MadeSafe shampoo with a tear free formula and PH 5.6. It which contains natural ingredients like aloe vera extract & lavender essential oil. Priced at Rs.299 for 200 ml MamaEarth is one of the preferred shampoos among mothers who have a skewed preference for natural, chemical free, toxin free shampoo. Read our review here.

Pros:

  • 100% MadeSafe toxins-free formula
  • pH neutral
  • Hypoallergenic

So, which baby shampoo have you tried yet? Has it worked wonders on your baby’s scalp and hair? Do share your experience with us.