Having a glass of milk daily can help you in staying healthy easily. But drinking milk alone can be so boring. Pair up your daily milk with things that will take your health to the next level. There are number of supplements available in the market and most of these are loaded with cereal base(any flour including wheat flour), milk powder, loads of sugar, flavoring agent like coco powder and some so called vitamins and minerals. These market products are so well advertised and welcoming that most of us give in and buy these products. But let us take a pause and think, do we really need these products with cereal base, loads of sugar, artificial flavoring, color and preservatives? Does they actually improves the quality of our milk??If the cereal base powders are not healthy as much as they claim, is our plain milk is sufficient???
Let us find some natural and healthy option to pair up with your milk.
Saffron milk.
The benefits of saffron are as rice as the spice itself. Saffron milk is a traditional milk in India. Saffron helps in preventing cancer, puberty in undernourished girls and helps grow healthy hair and skin. It prevents common cold and cough and improves immunity also.
Diet tips: Add saffron to the milk and heat up for good 15 to 20 minutes. Excellent for winters.
Turmeric milk
One of my way of taking care of my health is this magic drink. Turmeric milk also known as golden milk not just because of the color but also for its golden benefits. Turmeric can be used to treat almost everything from liver problems to digestion. The antioxidant properties of turmeric makes it very useful for detoxifying the liver and for keeping bad cholesterol levels in check. It helps in prevention of cancer, arthritis, improves digestion, boost immune system, detox your liver, improve skin health and the best part is, it also promotes weight loss.
Diet tips: Take half spoon of turmeric powder and mix it in a glass of warm milk. Drink this golden milk right before your bed time and you are done.
Oats
Oats are whole grain and whole grains are always good for our body as they are high in fiber which helps in relieving the constipation. Oats are gluten free grain so the people who are allergic to gluten can also eat it. High in soluble fiber, beta-glucagon, which helps in reducing LDL and total cholesterol. This fiber also increase the gut-friendly bacteria in our body. This grain is high in protein, helps in maintains the blood sugar level, keeps you full for long, that is why excellent for weight-watchers and loaded with minerals, vitamins and antioxidants, which are anti-inflammatory.
Diet tips: Oats and milk is a wonderful breakfast. It would be great if you can add some more protein like an egg etc and a fruit and you are good to go.
Jeggry
Drinking milk laced with jaggery is great for the skin and hair and also good for the bones. It is also a great way to distress at the end of the day so that you get a sound sleep at night and awaken refreshed in the morning. All said and done jaggery and milk have many benefits as mentioned above and jaggery by itself is very popular in the Asian countries of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The distinct taste of jaggery makes it a popular additive to many sweet dishes in these countries. It is a good idea to explore some western recipes by using jaggery instead of refined sugar because jaggery is also safe for diabetics according to many studies.This is because jaggery is known to be good for the digestive system and also acts as a detoxifying agent cleaning the body of toxins. Due to the many nutrients contained in jaggery it is effective as a natural treatment for menstrual problems. It also helps in reducing cramps and abdominal pain which are associated with menstruation.
Diet tips: Jaggery goes well with your bed time milk but you can have it any time of the day.
Dry Fruit
Dry fruits like almonds, walnuts, dates, raisins etc. are traditionally known to be a powerhouse of nutrients. They are said to provide us with a host of health benefiting properties, if eaten in moderation.
The high dietary fiber, proteins and good fats present in almonds makes you feel fuller and thus helps to avoid overeating. Studies have shown that those on an almond-enriched diet had greater reductions in weight, waistline circumference and body fat. Whereas walnuts are said to be brain food with cancer fighting properties. And benefit of having dates with milk is a never ending story. You can improve your health with this Iron-rich dried fruit. Their iron content with energy boosting properties will make your digestion easy. However, antioxidant and iron rice apricot is good for your eyes. And all of them are experts in giving your hair, nails and skin a healthy sheen.
Diet tips: make a powdered mixture of all your favorite dry fruit and have it with warm glass of milk or simply eat a handful of dry fruits with milk.
Cocoa Powder
Cocoa powder isn’t just a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth. It’s also a way to lose weight, decrease blood pressure and improve health on the whole.
The easiest way to eat cocoa powder is to mix it into a milk substitute, like coconut or almond milk, and drink it warm. Be sure to avoid real dairy with it, as this inhibits affects your body’s ability to absorb the cocoa’s nutrients.
You can also add some to your morning oats, mix some with some honey and add it to your smoothie, or use it in a hearty sauce or soup for an extra kick.
Ragi
Ragi is a gluten free grain. It is a nourishing cereal packed with calcium, protein, iron and other minerals. Ragi also benefits in weight loss in a unique way and holds a significant place in diet programs for weight loss. A special amino acid, Tryptophan present in Ragi helps in curbing appetite. It has a higher rate of fiber compared to any other grain or rice. The high amount of dietary fiber combines with water and keeps the stomach fuller for a longer period of time. It is low in unsaturated fats that make it the ideal cereal for those looking to lose weight. The heaviness of the dietary fiber slows down the rate of digestion thereby keeping us fuller for longer with very less calories.
Diet tips: It is best consumed in the morning to make the most of its qualities and keep you full through the day. But adding sugar promote weight gain because it contributes calorie and increases body mass.