Top 10 Foods Highest in Vitamin A (Mehezabin and Shraddha)

Vitamin A is an essential vitamin required for vision, gene transcription, boosting immune function, and great skin health. A deficiency in vitamin A can lead to blindness and increased viral infection, however deficiency is only considered a problem in developing countries where it is a leading cause of blindness in children. Over consumption of vitamin A can lead to jaundice, nausea, loss of appetite, irritability, vomiting, and even hair loss. The current percent daily value for Vitamin A is 5000 international units (IU). Below is a list of foods high in Vitamin A.

#1: Liver (Pâté)
The liver of any animal is packed with vitamins and minerals, and is best prepared steamed or fried with onions and herbs. Turkey liver provides the most vitamin A with 75333IU (1507% DV) per 100 gram serving, or 62526IU (1250% DV) per liver. The liver of most any animal will provide 1000%+ DV of vitamin A. A single tablespoon of pâté will provide 429 IU (9% DV) of vitamin A, and a teaspoon of Cod liver oil will provide 500IU (10% DV).

#2: Paprika, Red Pepper, Cayenne, Chili Powder
A tablespoon of paprika contains 3691IU (74% DV) for vitamin A, or 52735 IU (1055% DV) for a 100 gram serving. Other red pepper powders have similar amounts with Cayenne powder providing 41610 IU (832% DV) per 100g or 2081IU (42% DV) in a single tablespoon.
 
#3: Sweet Potatoes
With their bright orange color sweet potatoes are packed with vitamin A. Sweet potatoes provide 19218IU (384% DV) of vitamin A per 100 gram serving, or 38436IU (769% DV) in a cup of mashed sweet potato, and 21909IU (438% DV) in a medium sized sweet potato.
 
#4: Carrots
Carrots are excellent cooked or as a snack. 100 grams of raw carrots provides 16706IU (334% DV) for vitamin A. That is 10191IU (204% DV) for a medium sized carrot, and 2069IU (41% DV) for a single baby carrot.
 
#5: Dark Leafy Greens
Crisp, fresh, and delicious, dark leafy greens are great in a salad or steamed as a side. As a bonus they are also high in calcium. Kale provides the most vitamin A with 15376IU (308% DV) per 100g serving, 10302IU (206% DV) per cup. It is followed by Turnip Greens (232% DV), Mustard Greens (210% DV), Dandelion Greens (203% DV), Spinach (188% DV), and Collards (133% DV). 
 
#6: Butternut Squash
Dark orange squash has a delicious nutty and sweet flavor. 100 grams baked provides 11155IU (223% DV) of vitamin A, or 22868IU (457% DV) per cup.


#7: Dried Herbs
Dried herbs are so packed with vitamins they appear on practically every Health Top 10 list. Make it a habit to add a pinch of dried herb to everything you prepare. Dried Parsley provides the most vitamin A with 10184IU (204% DV) per 100 gram serving, or 204IU (4% DV) per tablespoon. It is followed by Dried Basil (188% DV), Dried Marjoram (161% DV), Dill (154% DV), and Oregano (138% DV).

#8: Lettuce
The kind of lettuce matters when it comes to vitamin A content. Dark colorful lettuces provide the most vitamin A with Red and Green Leaf lettuces providing 7492IU (150% DV) per 100 gram serving, 2098IU (42% DV) per cup shredded, and 1274IU (25% DV) per leaf. Iceberg only provides 502IU (10% DV) per 100g, 361IU (7% DV) per cup shredded, and 75IU (2% DV) per leaf.

 #9: Dried Apricots
Dried apricots are a great portable snack food. 100 grams will provide 3604IU (72% DV) of vitamin A, which is 4685IU (94% DV) per cup, and 144IU (6% DV) per dried apricot.


#10: Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe and other yellow/orange melons are a great source of vitamin A. Cantaloupe provides 3382IU (68% DV) of vitamin A per 100 gram serving. That is 5986IU (120% DV) per cup of mellon balls, or 2334IU (47% DV) in a medium sized wedge.

Top 10 Foods Highest in Fiber (Mehezabin and Shraddha)

Dietary fiber (dietary fiber, roughage) is an essential nutrient required for proper digestion of foods, proper functioning of the digestive tract at large, and for helping you feel full. A deficiency of fiber can lead to constipation, hemorrhoids, and elevated levels of cholesterol and sugar in the blood. Conversely, an excess of fiber can lead to a bowel obstruction, diarrhea, or even dehydration. Individuals who increase their intake of fiber, should in turn, also increase their intake for water. The current DV for dietary fiber is 25 grams.

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#1: Bran (Corn, Wheat, Rice, Oat)
Bran is high in fiber and is the top source of both vitamin b6 and magnesium. Bran can most commonly be found in whole grain breads and is also a great addition to high fiber hot breakfast cereals like oats, rye, and buckwheat. Crude corn bran provides the most dietary fiber of any food with 85.6g (290% DV) per 100 gram serving, or 60g (240% DV) per cup, and 3.75g (15% DV) per tablespoon. Rice and Wheat bran provide 25g (99% DV) of fiber per cup, 1.6g (6.2% DV) per tablespoon. Oat bran provides 14.5g (58% DV) per cup, 0.9g (3.6 DV) per tablespoon.  

#2: Dried Herbs, Spices, and Peppers
Dried herbs and spices are packed with the vitamins and minerals you need. Start making it a habit to add more dry herbs, paprika, or chili powder (depending on preference) to all the dishes you eat. Ground cinnamon contains the most fiber providing 53.1g (212% DV) per 100 gram serving, or 4.2g (17% DV) per tablespoon. Cinnamon is followed by ground savory, dried oregano, rosemary, corriander, basil, marjoram, sage, fennel, caraway, paprika, thyme, chili powder, cloves, cayenne pepper, and finally, black pepper which provides 26.5g (106% DV) of fiber per 100 gram serving, 1.6g (6% DV) per tablespoon.  
 
#3: Cocoa Powder and Dark Chocolate
Chocolate is showing more and more health benefits and dark chocolate is coming into vogue. A good source of iron and potassium, cocoa powder provides 33.2g (133% DV) of fiber per 100g serving, 28.6g (114% DV) per cup, 1.7g (7% DV) per tablespoon. Dark baking chocolate will provide 16.6g (66% DV) per 100g serving, or 4.8g (19% DV) per square. Milk chocolates do not provide enough fiber to be worth the cost of calories and should be avoided!

#4: Flax Seeds, Sesame Seeds, and Sesame Butter (Tahini)
Flax and Sesame seeds are a great source of heart healthy oils and dietary fiber. Flax seeds provide 27.3g (109% DV) of fiber per 100 gram serving, 2.7g (11% DV) per tablespoon. Toasted sesame seeds provide 14g (56% DV) per 100 gram serving, 3.9g (16% DV) per ounce. Sesame butter (tahini) provides 9.3g (37% DV) of fiber per 100 gram serving, 1.4g (6% DV) per tablespoon.  

#5: Dry Roasted Soybeans (Edamame)
Dry roasted soybeans make a great snack. Look for low sodium varieties to keep your blood pressure low. Dry roasted soybeans provide 17.7g (71% DV) of fiber per 100 gram serving, or 30.4g (122% DV) per cup, and 1.9g (10% DV) per tablespoon. When boiled, edamame provides 5.2g (21% DV) of fiber per 100 gram serving, or 8.1g (32% DV) per cup.

#6: Sun-dried Tomatoes
Sun-dried tomatoes are a high iron and potassium food. They are great in sauce, on pizza, or even in salads. 100 grams of sun-dried tomatoes provides 12.3g (49% DV) of fiber per 100 gram serving, or 6.6g (26% DV) per cup, and 0.02g (1% DV) per piece.


#7: Nuts (Almonds, Pistachios, Pecans)
Nuts are great as a snack or as an addition to salads. Almonds provide the most fiber with 12.2g (49% DV) per 100 gram serving, that is 17.4g (70% DV) per cup of whole almonds, or 3.4g (14% DV) per ounce (~23 pieces). Almonds are followed by pistachios, hazelnuts, and finally pecans which provide 9.5g (38% DV) per cup, and 2.7g (11% DV) per ounce (~19 halves).

#8: Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds are great as a snack or as an addition to salads, they are also a great source of vitamin E, iron, vitamin B1 (thiamin), B6, protein, magnesium, manganese, selenium, potassium, and copper. Sunflower seeds provide 10.6g (42% DV) of fiber per 100 gram serving, that is 14.3g (57% DV) per cup, and 3g (12% DV) per ounce.

#9: Beans (Navy, White, French, Kidney)
Boiled mature beans provide a great deal of fiber. Navy beans provide the most with 10.5g (42% DV) per 100 gram serving, or 19.1g (76% DV) per cup. Navy beans are followed by white beans, yellow beans, french (green) beans, and finally kidney beans which provide 38.7g (13% DV) of fiber per cup.

#10: Passion Fruit (Granadilla)
Passion fruits (aka: Granadillas) are tropical fruits that are becoming more and more popular. Passion fruits are also a great source of fiber providing 10.4g (42% DV) of fiber per 100 gram serving, 24.5g (98% DV) per cup, and 1.9g (8% DV) per fruit.

Almonds V/s Cholesterol (Mehezabin and Shraddha)

How Much Do Almonds Lower Cholesterol?

Almonds are a HealthAliciousNess Super food, a good source of vitamin E and calcium, and also have the potential to lower your cholesterol. Numerous studies report up to a 10% reduction of bad Cholesterol (LDLs) for study participants consuming almonds versus those who don't. This reduction occurs without harming levels of good cholesterol (HDLs). The results show you simply have to consume almonds without making any other changes to your diet. However, cutting all animal fats and many other high cholesterol foods will certainly help lower your LDL cholesterol numbers further.

How Many Almonds Should I Eat?

In order to achieve a 10% reduction in LDL cholesterol aim to eat around 73 grams of almonds per day. That is about half a cup of almonds, and around 400 calories from almonds alone. One dose-response study of almonds showed a 5% reduction in LDL cholesterol per 1/4 cup of almonds, and 10% for a 1/2 cup. Studies have not been done if you eat a full cup of almonds. However, since almonds are high in calories, it is not recommended that you eat more than a cup a day. Below is a graph representing how almonds might affect your cholesterol numbers. It assumes your current cholesterol level is 200 (mg/dL).

 

The Bottom Line with Almonds and Cholesterol

With several studies reporting a 10% decline in LDL cholesterol from eating almonds, it is recommended that you eat almonds as part of your plan to lower your cholesterol numbers. As always, consider buying a home cholesterol test kit so you can keep track of your own numbers, without expensive doctor bills and long waits, to see what foods work for you. Come back and comment on this article if you experience the same 10% reduction from eating almonds! Also, be sure to read the article on cholesterol lowering foods.

 

Top 10 Foods Highest in Protein (Mehezabin and Shraddha)

Protein is a macro nutrient composed of amino acids that is necessary for the proper growth and function of the human body. While the body can manufacture several amino acids required for protein production, a set of essential amino acids needs to be obtained from animal and/or vegetable protein sources. Animal protein sources contain the complete set of essential amino acids, while all the essential amino acids can be obtained by eating a wide variety of plant foods. There is considerable debate over the amount of protein a person needs to consume per day, the current recommended daily intake (RDI) of protein is 46 grams for women aged 19-70 and 56 grams for men aged 19-70. Any excess protein consumed is turned into energy by the body, and it is controversial whether this excess protein causes a strain on the liver. A deficiency in protein leads to muscle atrophy, and impaired functioning of the human body in general. Below is a list of common foods with the highest protein to calorie ratio.

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#1: Turkey Breast (and Chicken Breast)

Protein in 100g	Half-Breast (306g)	Protein to Calorie Ratio
30g	92g	1g protein per 4.5 calories

Chicken: Chicken Breast (58g) provides 17g protein. Chicken Leg (69g) provides 18g protein. Chicken Thigh (37g) provides 9g protein.


#2: Fish (Tuna, Salmon, Halibut)

Protein in 100g	3oz Fillet (85g)	Protein to Calorie Ratio
26g	22g	1g protein per 4.5 calories

Other fish high in protein per fillet(3oz or 85g): Tuna (22g), Salmon (22g), Halibut (22g), Snapper (22g), Perch(21g), Flounder and Sole (21g), Cod (20g), Tilapia (17g).  


#3: Cheese (Low-fat Mozzarella and Cottage Cheese)

Protein in 100g	1oz Slice (28g)	Protein to Calorie Ratio
32g	9g	1g protein per 4.7 calories

Other cheese high in protein per ounce(28g): Low-fat Cottage Cheese (5g), Low-fat Swiss Cheese (8g), Low-fat Cheddar (6g), Parmesan (10g), Romano (9g). *Low fat Mozzarella and Cottage cheese provide the most protein per calorie.


#4: Pork Loin (Chops)

Protein in 100g	1 Chop (134g,~5oz)	Protein to Calorie Ratio
25g	33g	1g protein per 5.2 calories

Sirloin Roast 3oz (28g) provides 23g of protein, Ham 3oz (28g) provides 18g of protein, 1 slice of bacon (8g) provides 3g of protein.


#5: Lean Beef and Veal (Low Fat)

Protein in 100g	3oz Slice (85g)	Protein to Calorie Ratio
36g	31g	1g protein per 5.3 calories

T-Bone Steak 3oz (28g) provides 19g of protein, 1 Piece of Beef Jerky (20g) provides 7g of protein.


#6: Tofu

Protein in 100g	3oz Slice (85g)	Protein to Calorie Ratio
7g	6g	1g protein per 7.4 calories

#7: Beans (Mature Soy Beans)

Protein in 100g	1 cup (172g)	Protein to Calorie Ratio
17g	29g	1g protein per 10.4 calories

Other beans high in protein per cup cooked: Kidney Beans (17g), White Beans (17g), Lima Beans (15g), Fava Beans (14g), Black Beans (15g), Mung Beans (14g).

#8: Eggs (Especially Egg Whites)

Protein in 100g	1 Large Egg (50g)	Protein to Calorie Ratio
13g	14g	1g protein per 12 calories

1 Egg White (33g) provides 4g protein, 1g protein to 4.4 calories.


#9: Yogurt, Milk, and Soymilk

Protein in 100g	1 cup (245g)	Protein to Calorie Ratio
6g	14g	1g protein per 18 calories

1 cup skim milk (245g) provides 8g protein, 1 cup soymilk (243g) provides 8g protein.


#10: Nuts and Seeds (Pumpkin, Squash, and Watermelon Seeds, Peanuts, Almonds)

Protein in 100g	1 Ounce (28g)	Protein to Calorie Ratio
33g	9g	1g protein per 15.8 calories

Other nuts and seeds high in protein (grams proten per ounce (28g)): Peanuts (7g), Almonds (6g), Pistachios (6g), Sunflower Seeds (6g), Flaxseed (5g), Mixed Nuts (4g).