Small, frequent snacks will maintain blood sugar levels

I’m a working professional in late 20s. Though I have a sedentary job, I often ​feel tired and lethargic. After work, I have no strength to cook, shop or socialise. Should I take energy-boosting capsules and tablets available in the market? Do they really work?
-Ms R

Even sedentary jobs can be extremely exhausting, especially if you do not eat often. Eating frequently ensures that your blood sugar levels never rise and fall dramatically, which leaves behind side effects like weakness, malaise, mood swings, giddiness being a few to start with. Start incorporating small, frequent snacks (a fruit/khakra/sandwich/bhel/chana) to have stable, steady blood sugar levels.

I’m in my mid-30s, and a photographer by profession. The summer heat is taking a toll on me, I feel dehydrated and exhausted. In my profession, I’m constantly on the move & hence, don’t have the liberty to drink lots of water or juices. What should I do?
-Ms N

A job that keeps you outdoors and rely on public restrooms can be unnerving to tank up on a lot of liquids. Sadly, however, since you are outdoors more often, loss of body fluids through perspiration is more, and thus demand to replace this water is higher. You don’t have to have 1 to 2 glasses of water every two hours; you can tank up during the day. For instance, you could have ample fluids in the beginning of the day and then perhaps from evening to bedtime while you are back home. During the course of the day, you could sip hydrating fluids like coconut water or chaas or lemon soda so that the heat doesn’t suck off your energy levels.  Happy guzzling!

Pooja Makhija
Consulting nutritionist and clinical dietitian

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Mail your queries at: dnahealthpage@gmail.com; you can contact Pooja at: pooja@nourishgenie.com