Tips and Thoughts

Is Keto Diet Safe For Kids?

January 14, 2019 / Filed Under: Tips and Thoughts

The debate around the benefits Ketogenic diet has gained traction in recent years especially among adults seeking to manage type-2 diabetes or lose weight. In fact, there is a plethora of information on low carb diet and its benefits. Initially, Keto diet-also known as low carb diet was developed for children with intractable seizure as therapy for antiepileptic drugs.

The Ketogenic diet has been around since the 1920s. It is a diet with high carbohydrate and moderate protein and low carbohydrate. But the question is, should kids do keto? Different schools of thoughts hold contrasting arguments to answer these questions. Proponents of Keto diet say that it can boost weight loss, stave off hunger, and combat cravings. On the flip side, the opponents argue keto diet has adverse effects on kids especially those not suffering from seizures.

The diets should contain 60-80 percent of calories made of fats and 20-30 grams consisting of carbohydrates. The goal is to use fat for energy instead of carbohydrates hence putting the body in the state of Ketosis. According to a study in 2017 about diabetes and metabolic syndrome, people who followed a Ketogenic diet for ten weeks improved their hemoglobin A1C and weight loss even without exercise.

Similarly, a 2018 study in the journal Pediatrics, Keto diet can help children with type 1 diabetes to control their blood glucose levels better. In addition, studies have shown promising results in regards to the low carb benefits for type 2 diabetes, chronic headaches, traumatic brain injury(TBI), Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and multiple sclerosis. There also scanty data that suggest that the diet plan may be beneficial for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder patients.

The research is however clear on kids with epileptic seizures. According to studies, 50-60 percent of children on Ketogenic diet experience 50-60 percent in their seizures. In fact, 15 percent of the children are seizure free after six months on the diet.

Is Keto safe for kids?

You may have considered Keto diet if your kid is overweight or if you believe it is a healthy diet plan. However, following a Ketogenic diet for kids with seizure is an onerous task. According to Clinical Nutrition Research in 2016, once kids are admitted to the hospital, they are given nutritional assessments and meal plan after meeting with the dietician. The follow-up plan and visits take place for two years at regular intervals.

However, for children without seizures, there is scarce evidence of Keto diet benefits. In fact, there might be more risks associated with this diet. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, kids should take 130 grams of carbohydrate daily.

It recommends that 45-65 of their calories be made of carbohydrates. Fibers which are a type of carbohydrates help children to keep steady blood sugar levels and help them feel satiated. Carbohydrates provide crucial nutrients and energy which essentially growth and development.

Doing away with a whole food group can cause detrimental effects in the body of a child. For instance, may affect their concentration and make them irritable and sluggish. According to a study in Clinical nutrition research, Keto diet can cause vomiting, nausea, constipation, weak bones, kidney stones, and increased triglycerides levels.

Even children with seizures follow a careful plan when on a Ketogenic plan where they eventually embark on a balanced diet. Hence the Ketogenic diet doesn’t seem to be a healthy diet even for obese kids. It is, however, prudent to do your due diligence and consult your pediatric nutritionist to concoct a healthy diet which provides all nutritional needs of the body.

Tips in Choosing Women’s Backpack for Every Occasion

December 28, 2018 / Filed Under: Tips and Thoughts

Whether you’re a student, businessperson, or a woman with more things than the average purse or handbag can handle, a backpack is a necessary accessory. These days carrying around a laptop as well as any amenities to get through the average day means that you’re going to need some substantial storage space to make it work.

That’s not to say any old backpack will do the trick. If you’re just grabbing some extra supplies to get through a night at a friend’s house before going out on the town, you don’t need a $200 designer backpack with enough hidden compartments to double as James Bond’s personal gadget stash. If you have sensitive electronic equipment though, that large backpack with enough purpose built pockets and flaps will serve you nicely for keeping everything intact and organized.

Here’s a list of the most common types of backpacks and what they’re good for:

Daypack

The daypack is the standard schoolbag type of bag. It’ll have at least one large compartment and are what I’d call “average” backpack size. The only other things you could consider features are the shoulder straps and the handle on the top. There’s little in the way of organizational extras, so it’s essentially a bare-bones backpack made from canvas or similar inexpensive material made to hold items with no extra frills. They’re a good choice if you don’t want to spend a lot on a backpack and your needs are relatively simple.

Drawstring Backpack

Perhaps the simplest kind of backpack on the market, these are simple bags that are closed with a pair of drawstrings that also double as the straps of the bag. They’re essentially just tiny sacs that you wear on your back. They’re typically extremely small but are good for carrying around items like clothing or small items like a notebook and pencil, i.e. items that won’t break easily and aren’t particularly cumbersome. The reason the average person would choose a drawstring bag is because of how light and inexpensive they are.

Laptop Backpack

An upgrade from the regular daypack, laptop backpacks are made with carrying around electronics in mind. Inside the main compartment there will be a segregated sleeve that you can strap your laptop into. This not only separates your laptop from the rest of your possessions, but also reduces the chances of your laptop getting jostled around. You’ll have to buy a laptop backpack with a sleeve, large enough to accommodate your particular computer, a decent list of these kinds of backpacks can be found if you click here. Laptop backpacks are some of the most commonly sold bags now due to many people having both a highly mobile lifestyle and a laptop to compliment it.

Rucksack

As opposed to a backpack that zips closed, rucksacks function by having a flap that closes over the main compartment and then secured in some way, either by a strap, clip, velcro, you get the picture. They offer a different look to the traditional style of backpack and are good if you don’t like having to constantly fiddle with zippers and just want to unclip the flap and get at your goods.

What kind of backpack you’d like to get should hinge on your own personal fashion tastes as well as what kind of purpose you’d like the pack to fulfill. Since a backpack is essentially just a bag with back straps, there’s as many styles of backpack as there are styles of bags. Look for a backpack that will be robust, it is worth it to spend money on a quality backpack that will last a long time and not end in all of your stuff falling on the ground should it fall apart while in use.

Don’t Have a Ukulele? Why You Should Get One

December 2, 2018 / Filed Under: Tips and Thoughts

From Bruno Mars to the Train and even Adelle, these artists have shown us that the ukulele is a favorite instrument with the potential to make hit songs. Originally from Hawaii, the ukulele has branched away from the traditional to the mainstream. Portable and easy to get to learn, the ukulele is a companion for many, both professionals and armatures alike, that is a concert player and an ICBC lawyer Victoria-based. Are you yet to pick one up? Here’s why you shouldn’t waste any more time making your first ukulele purchase.

Super portable

The classic ukulele is small and thus a joy to carry around. You won’t need a lot of space to transport it with you. Even when on foot, its compact, lightweight nature makes it a breeze to carry. Though there are larger ukuleles (the tenor and baritone ukuleles), the most common ones (soprano and concert) are smaller and easy to take around with you as compared to a guitar. There’s almost literally no excuse to not take it with you for all your adventures!

Easy to learn how to play

The ukulele is super easy to learn. If you’re keen on playing familiar tunes and not making your music, then ukulele tabs are just the thing for you. What makes tabs ideal is that they show you how to string songs on the ukulele, meaning you don’t have to know how to read music. How convenient is that! Also, the small sized nature of the ukulele makes it comfortable to play for the young, elderly and everyone in between. For a more intimate setting, why not make learning the ukulele a family affair?

Affordable and long lasting

You can get a quality ukulele for somewhere between $50 and $100. That makes it a lot cheaper than a guitar where the average price of a decent one is anywhere between $300 and $500. Of course, there is the option of purchasing a more expensive variety based on the craftsmanship and materials used, but with the amount mention, you’ll be making fun music for a few years. Their affordable nature, therefore, makes the ukulele something you can purchase without requiring a significantly large budget.

It’s an excellent place to start

If you want to determine if you do want to pick up other stringed instruments as a hobby, the ukulele is an ideal place to start. Learning how to play isn’t a headache, and the price point also works if you’re unsure. You can learn reading music from it before you venture out into a guitar or cello. When you want to introduce your children to music, the ukulele makes for a less intimidating first option.