Nibbling diets put working women in sick bay

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><script language="javascript">doweshowbellyad=0; </script><br />It''s another end to a long working day. You finally retire your briefcase and turn to domestic matters. You''ve barely shifted gears when the phone rings, your son demands help with his science project and you notice the dishes haven''t been washed.<br /><br />While you wearily go about these multiple tasks, a small voice bellows over the rumble of a distant playstation game: "Is dinner ready?" Even the dog has to be fed, and you feel like you want to explode. Sounds familiar?<br /></div> <div align="left" style="position:relative; left: -6"><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" align="left" border="1" width="34.7%"> <colgroup> <col width="100.0%" /> </colgroup> <tr valign="top"> <td width="100.0%" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="" valign:="" top="" background-color:="" e6e6e6=""> <div class="Normal"><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">What the experts say</span><br /><span style="" font-size:="" font-style:="" italic="">Aditi Kulkarni, senior dietician, Endurance Fitness Club:</span></div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td width="100.0%" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="" valign:="" top="" background-color:="" fbfbfb=""> <div class="Normal"><span style="" font-size:="">For non-vegetarians, an egg with a yolk is a good energy booster. Eating only egg whites provides incomplete protein and lecithin to the body</span><br /><span style="" font-size:="">Instead of fruit juices, eating a whole fruit is more energising because of high fibre content. If you still prefer juices, have a mixed fruit juice, unstrained</span><br /><span style="" font-size:="">Breakfast must include cereals and a combination of proteins and vitamins like oranges, papayas and milk</span><br /><span style="" font-size:="">Lunch should be very light and include buttermilk (very healthy source of calcium), salads with broccoli, mushrooms and olives (prevent toxins from accumulating in the body), and fruits</span><br /><span style="" font-size:="">Dinner should be eaten before 7 pm and should include cooked food. If you’re still hungry, you can munch on salads, fruits or even soup later</span><br /><span style="" font-size:="">Popping a muti-vitamin and a mineral pill after breakfast also helps prevent stress and boost energy Kamal Palia, chief nutritionist, Ruby Hall Clinic:</span><br /><span style="" font-size:="">Avoid fast foods as they are high in fat. Simultaneously, it will result in low energy levels</span><br /><span style="" font-size:="">Avoid all kinds of fried food and instead, bake or grill your food</span><br /><span style="" font-size:="">Instead of cheese, you can substitute with </span><span style="" font-size:="" font-style:="" italic="">paneer</span><span style="" font-size:=""> or tofu. </span><span style="" font-size:="" font-style:="" italic="">Idlis</span><span style="" font-size:=""> are also a very healthy option</span><br /><span style="" font-size:="">Instead of dry fruits, munch on </span><span style="" font-size:="" font-style:="" italic="">chana</span><span style="" font-size:=""> or popcorn</span><br /><span style="" font-size:="">* Use non-stick pans while cooking, as they require very little oil</span></div> </td> </tr> </table></div> <div class="Normal">While women across the country are finally succeeding in storming boardrooms, they are under even more pressure than before to balance work, and how. Modern-day women have added responsibilities and shorter deadlines. Juggling professional and family obligations, it''s not surprising to find many women walking down the road to chronic stress, and, possibly, burnout.<br /><br />In the midst of this chaos, women tend to ignore the most important aspect of being a working professional and full-time mom — their daily diet and nutrition.<br /><br />Lawyer, Aruna Nafday, says working women often ignore their own needs because they concentrate on the needs of others in the family. "I used to be the same until I realised how important it was to maintain my own energy levels to work and take care of family. Which is why I always make it a point to eat on time and to eat healthily," Nafday says.<br /><br />Nalini Joseph is a teacher and has three school-going kids. Her day starts at 6 am and ends after midnight. Until recently, she was almost fainting with exhaustion. A visit to her doctor showed her that she was not eating properly during the day. "By the time I got the <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">dabbas</span> ready and packed my kids off to school, it was time for me to leave. At school I would have a light lunch and it was the same at dinner time. Now I have completely changed my routine. I wake up earlier so that I have time to myself and I eat a proper breakfast. I order a special tiffin at school as well," she says.<br /><br />Nalini says the benefit of her healthiness is being felt by her family as well.<br /><br />"I am less irritated when dealing with my children and am even able to focus on my work better," she says.<br /><br />Ignoring the diet can have serious long-term health implications for women, say doctors.<br /><br />Dr Vidya Yerwadekar, gynaecologist and a working mother says sicknesses like osteoporosis, back aches, depression, hyper acidity, anaemia and urinary infections could be fall-outs for women who ignore their diets. Dr Yerwadekar, who manages her home and practice is very particular about her diet . Dr Sanjay Gandhi founder-director, Diabetes Patients Club, says to unhealthy dietary habits most working women are prone to a variety of serious diseases like early osteoporosis, high risk of obesity and diabetes.<br /><br />Dr Gandhi further adds that dietary complications can also affect conception in a woman.<br /><span style="" font-style:="" italic="">zahrakhan@indiatimes.com</span><br /></div> </div>