CELEBRATE HEALTHIER MOTHER’S DAY, WITH ALMONDS

Mothers in India are the custodians of family health and play a critical role in maintaining the overall well-being of the family members. With the hectic lifestyles that our mothers follow, their own health often takes a backseat. This Mother’s Day, let’s salute our mothers and help towards building their health!
Making small yet impactful changes in our mother’s diets, can go a long way in building their overall health. Adding a handful of almonds to the diet is a good way to start, as they not only serve as a nutritious snack, but have also been shown to impart a number of health benefits such as weight management, heart health, skin health and diabetes.
Leading Bollywood actress Soha Ali Khan, said, “I believe it’s equally important for us to treat our own health as priority, along with that of our families. As mothers, we tend to neglect our own health and give our family’s interest and health utmost importance. For mothers with a hectic work schedule and a family to look after, eating right should be a priority.  I rely on almonds as they are a source of 15 nutrients such as vitamin E, magnesium, protein, riboflavin, zinc etc. Since I travel frequently for shoots and other engagements, I ensure keeping a handful of almonds with me so that I always have a healthy snack handy.”
Fitness enthusiast and Supermodel Milind Soman, said, "Our worlds begin and end with our mothers – and even by observing them, we learn so much about health and wellness. A lot of my healthy habits came from my mother. While I was growing up, she ensured I began my day on a healthy note by adding almonds to my breakfast. Now she is 81, and she still makes sure I get my almonds in the morning, and she gets hers too!”
For every mother, be it a working mother or a stay-at-home mother, there’s an endless list of commitments. While balancing motherhood, household duties, work life and social commitments, her own health takes a backseat. Following a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle like consuming almonds every day and engaging in a physical activity, can lead to a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle.
“I always stress on the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, more so for mothers. One way to do this, is by reducing the intake of saturated fats and replacing them with foods that are rich in monounsaturated fats like almonds. They are loaded with nutrients and are also a rich source of protein.  I strongly believe that once the mother in the house sets an example and makes a positive change, it’s much easier for the family to follow.” said Sheela Krishnaswamy, Nutrition and Wellness Consultant.
According to Madhuri Ruia, Pilates Expert and Diet & Nutrition Consultant, “It is important for every mother, old or young, to take stock of her health amidst today’s busy lifestyle. A convenient yet healthy thing that every mom can do is to add almonds to her daily diet. This will have a positive impact, as research shows that almonds can help in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, may improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes and help lower the blood sugar impact of carbohydrate foods, which affects fasting insulin level.”
Adding to this, Ritika Samaddar, Regional Head – Dietetics, Max Healthcare – Delhi, said “Ignorance and lack of self-care can lead to larger health issues like diabetes or heart disease in the long run. Therefore, mothers need to be cognizant of their lifestyles and health. They should begin by being more conscious about their food intake, and add healthy nuts like almonds to their diet, to replace unhealthy snacks that they may be consuming. According to a large body of scientific evidence, almonds can be beneficial in helping to manage heart disease risk factors. A recent study also highlighted that the inclusion of 45 gms of almonds as part of a healthy diet may help in reducing dyslipidemia, a condition marked by high LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels and low HDL cholesterol levels, which is known to be one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases among Indians.”
This year, let’s mark our mothers’ special day by showing support to improve their diet and health. It is only when the mothers in the family are healthy, will the family be healthy!