The gastrointestinal (GI) tract consists mainly of the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine (also referred to as the colon). Gastrointestinal stromal tumor, or GIST, is a kind of cancer that develops in the GI tract, causing abnormal cells to form over the tissues. Depending on the disease’s severity, treatment may include surgery, targeted therapy, and supportive care. In addition, the following changes in one’s eating habits can also help manage the condition. Foods to eat The foods to consume when suffering from gastrointestinal stromal tumors include: Fresh fruits and vegetables Fruits and vegetables are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and anti-cancer elements like flavonoids, isoflavones, polyphenols, and lignans. When supplemented with natural antioxidants, these elements help fight the cancer-causing free radicals. Cabbage, bamboo, and avocado are usually recommended for GIST patients. Still, it is best to consult a nutritionist to ascertain the type and quantity of antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies to be included. Plant-based foods are also high in fiber, which further helps improve colon health naturally. Curcumin-rich foods Turmeric contains an active ingredient called curcumin. Several studies suggest that curcumin can suppress the c-Kit oncogene and improve the patient’s metabolic response. One can easily incorporate turmeric into the daily food regime without changing their eating habits drastically. Additional supplements GIST patients can develop vitamin or mineral deficiencies as their bodies cannot easily absorb essential nutrients from the food. So, different supplements (including oral chewable doses) can be added to the daily food regime depending on the type of deficiency. Foods to avoid When managing gastrointestinal stromal tumors, one should avoid certain foods to ensure optimum gut and colon health: Meats and processed foods Patients should strictly avoid red and processed meats, especially after surgery has been done to remove the tumor. They can supplement their daily protein intake with lean cuts from chicken, fish, eggs, and low-fat dairy.

When the immune system misidentifies and targets good gut bacteria, the cells that line the colon, and food, it can lead to ulcerative colitis. The condition drives the white blood cells to attack the colon lining and trigger symptoms like irritation, inflammation, and ulcers in the large intestine. While ulcerative colitis is a chronic condition, adding certain foods to one’s meals and following some treatment options may help manage the condition. Foods for ulcerative colitis Nut butters A good source of proteins and healthy fats, nut butters like peanut butter, cashew butter, and almond butter may help manage any flare-up that may result from ulcerative colitis. Peeled and cooked veggies Peeled and cooked vegetables are soft and contain less insoluble fiber, making them less irritating to the gut. A few foods to consider are carrots, spinach, parsnips, turnips, and potatoes. The vegetables are abundant in nutrients like vitamins A and K, which can help reduce the effects of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a type of ulcerative colitis. Yogurt Fermented foods like yogurt are rich in probiotics that contain healthy bacteria. Such bacteria aid the digestive system and reduce ulcerative colitis symptoms and flare-ups. But one must steer clear of flavored yogurt as its sugar content may worsen symptoms. Salmon Salmon is a rich source of protein and healthy omega-3 fatty acids. These properties are known to curb inflammation caused by ulcerative colitis. Other fish rich in omega-3s include shrimp and tuna. Treatments for ulcerative colitis Ulcerative colitis symptoms can be managed with certain treatment options, such as: STELARA® (ustekinumab) STELARA® is a prescription treatment for children who are six years and older and adults with moderate to severely active ulcerative colitis. Patients injected with the treatment may find quick relief from their symptoms within eight weeks. Entyvio® (vedolizumab) Adults with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis are given Entyvio when other treatment options do not work efficiently.

Living with epilepsy can be challenging and it is essential to know how to manage it better. People suffering from this condition are constantly looking for ways to stay seizure-free. It is believed that a balanced diet that has the right amount of nutrients from various food groups can ensure that the brain and body function normally. So, a diet can help one control seizures and live with epilepsy efficiently. How diet affects epilepsy While no food can trigger an epileptic seizure, a well-planned diet can reduce the risks of seizures by maintaining good health. A balanced diet will give one the energy and important nutrients and better sleep and stamina for engaging in activities. These factors can help one live better; one becomes more positive and develops stronger focus and control to manage the condition. Top nutrition tips for living well with epilepsy When the body metabolizes fats, it produces ketones. So, following a Ketogenic diet forces the body to utilize more fats for energy production instead of glucose or sugar through a diet that increases fat intake and lowers carbohydrate intake. This diet plan can work in reducing seizures amongst kids and grownups suffering from epilepsy. But for this diet to work its magic, one will have to follow it without any breaks. So, the types of food and the respective amounts must be precisely measured. Preparing meals is bound to be a time-consuming affair. However, the diet may not work for kids. The MCT diet or medium-chain triglyceride diet is one where people use an oil supplement for their dietary fat intake instead of getting oil from foods. This is why this diet may be easier since one will be free to eat more carbs and proteins and one can get fewer fats from food. The Atkins diet is a low-carb, high-protein diet plan similar to the Keto diet, with some flexibility in fluid, proteins, and calorie amounts.

Opting for a meal kit service instead of takeout will help you save money and eat healthier. But with such delivery service establishments numbering into the hundreds, it’s difficult to find one that offers value for money meals. Luckily, we’ve taken the liberty of looking into food service options and found some pretty good ones out there. Without further ado, here’s a list of the best meal services you can order from in 2021. Home Chef Home Chef is one of the leading meal kit services, with more than 30 varieties to pick from. The service delivers pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions. This way, it becomes easy for the consumer to prepare the meal. Home Chef also offers a Fresh and Easy meal service that requires minimal-to-no preparation, which works best for people on a busy schedule. Also, with plans starting at $7.99 per serving, you have the option to customize the meal. Freshly The brand offers a range of over 30+ all-natural dishes cooked by experienced chefs and delivered fresh to your home. All you need to do is heat the meal for about three minutes and enjoy it. Freshly offers plans that range from four meals to twelve meals a week. Further, each portion is perfectly curated for a single person in one sitting. You can avail of their meal services starting at just $8.99 per serving, which is a great deal for such a renowned brand. Sunbasket With several weekly recipes to pick from, Sunbasket is an ideal solution for those looking to either follow a meal plan or mix it up a little. The meal kit service also pledges to deliver food that is made of the best organic produce, pure spices, and beautifully sourced proteins. Furthermore, Sunbasket offers Fresh & Ready dinner meals starting at $8.99 and Meal Kits with easy cooking instructions starting at $10.99.

Meal kit services have something for every taste palette, with options for vegans, pasta junkies, and gourmet lovers. Although many services cater to a mix of categories, we found a few that stand out because they tend to certain niches. If you’re looking for a meal kit service that fits specific food preferences, whether refined, earthy, or vegan, take a look at these delicious choices. Sakara Life for luxurious vegan meals Sakara Life offers fresh and refreshing plant-based food on their weekly menus. When you subscribe to the service, you’ll receive premium-quality meals inspired by different cultures around the world. The luxury element comes from the careful selection of flavorful ingredients and extraordinary fruits and veggies. Think of the meals from Sakara Life as the food you would normally be served at a lavish wellness retreat. Some of their meals include watermelon-rose salad, Phuket bowl with Thai sticky rice, and matcha udon bowl. Eattiamo for Italian cuisine All pesto, lasagna, and Focaccia lovers assemble because Eattiamo is the go-to meal kit service for some fine Italian cuisine. The subscription model allows you to enjoy six or seven different meals from different regions every month, from Tuscany to Naples to Sicily. Each box has seven products, including everything from seasoning and sauces to the pasta itself, to prepare a dinner for the whole family. Follow the given recipe, and you might be able to recreate a true-blue tasty Italian feast. They have monthly, three-month, and six-month payment plans. Hungryroot for produce lovers Hungryroot is another unique meal kit service that lets you take a quiz on their food preferences. Based on that, they send groceries plus recipes to your doorstep. Their boxes celebrate produce and balanced flavors. For instance, if you pick the “Super Zucchini’d Falafel Bowl,” you will receive amazing zucchini falafel and organic zucchini along with flavorful coconut curry and jasmine rice.

Meals kits for seniors have slowly seen an increase in demand, thanks to the convenience they provide to the elderly. Many seniors live independently, and cooking a meal for oneself becomes more of a chore with age. Therefore, some popular meal kit services provide them with daily nutrition at an affordable price. Here are a few notable examples. Snap Kitchen Snap Kitchen works with nutritionists to design a complete, balanced meal for its customers. These meals are prepared in advance and delivered to the user’s doorstep; all one has to do is heat the food whenever they want to consume it. The brand offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, along with some additional ingredients on request. As far as the cost goes, Snap Kitchen provides 12 meals a week for around $11/meal. One can also opt for a six-meal plan, which costs approximately $13/meal. Freshly This is another meal kit service that delivers fully cooked meals to the customer’s doorstep. Freshly’s meals are cooked by professional chefs, which ensures quality during preparation. In addition, they use minimum sugar and ingredients that are less processed, making it healthy for seniors. Freshly has different meals plans to choose from: Four meals per week cost $11.49/meal Six meals cost $9.49/meal Eight meals cost $9.29/meal Ten meals cost $8.99/meal 12 meals cost $8.49/meal Magic Kitchen Magic Kitchen offers not only meal plans but also an à la carte menu for those interested. The meal kit usually includes one entrée along with one or two dishes, and the à la carte menu has choices like mains, soups, desserts, and sides. Magic Kitchen offers seniors a special discount – $10 off on any order worth $80 or above. However, the meal pricing differs according to the choice made, so customers need to browse through all the options and see what works best.