Physical Wellbeing

Hack Your Way to Health: The Science Behind Bio-Hacking

January 27, 2023
Rakhee Todankar
Hack Your Way to Health: The Science Behind Bio-Hacking

Welcome to the world of Bio-Hacking! A revolutionary approach to optimizing our health through the manipulation of our diets. Gone are the days when we simply relied on conventional wisdom and bland diets to maintain our well-being. The landscape of our diets has shifted dramatically, with a growing interest in the science behind how we fuel our bodies. 

And that's where Bio Hacking comes in, offering a new way to unlock our full potential through tailored nutrition. By understanding the intricate interplay between our diets and our bodies, we can fine-tune our eating habits to achieve optimal health. 

Join me on this exciting journey of discovery, where the possibilities are endless and the results truly transformational.

The Art of Nutrigenomics

One of the most exciting developments in the field of nutrition is the science of Nutrigenomics. By sending a simple blood sample to a specialized laboratory, we can delve deep into our genetic makeup and discover the optimal diet tailored just for us. 

From uncovering food sensitivities to maximizing our nutrient intake, Nutrigenomics is a powerful tool for unlocking the full potential of our health and wellness. 

The Time-Tested Technique

Intermittent fasting has been a timeless technique, originating from ancient civilizations where food was scarce and long periods without eating were common. It's about balancing controlled eating and fasting to find what works best for you.

This practice brings numerous benefits, such as improved metabolism, better insulin sensitivity, and reduced inflammation. It allows your body to focus on important processes like cell repair and waste removal by regulating your eating patterns and giving your digestive system a break. Find your rhythm, whether it's fasting for 12 or 16 hours, and reap the benefits of this time-tested technique.

"Good nutrition is a responsibility, not a restriction." - Bettina Leigh

The Elimination Diet

Hack Your Way to Health: The Science Behind Bio-Hacking
Photo by charlesdeluvio on Unsplash

As a professional nutritionist, I always suggest exploring the power of the elimination diet to uncover food sensitivities and improve overall health. The process is simple: by eliminating certain foods and then gradually adding them back into your diet, you can discover which foods trigger adverse reactions and determine any allergies you may have. 

The Fiber Fix

When it comes to your diet, fiber is often the unsung hero. This time-tested nutrient provides a multitude of health benefits, from supporting good gut health and boosting immunity to improving digestion and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. But despite its many perks, many of us struggle to get enough fiber in our diets. 

Start by incorporating more fruits and veggies into your diet. These nutrient-rich foods are packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals that support overall health and well-being. Consider adding various colorful food items to your plate, and try new recipes incorporating fiber-rich ingredients, like whole grains and legumes.

The Supercharge of Superfoods

As a professional nutritionist, it's hard to deny the buzz surrounding "superfoods" and their potential health benefits. But what exactly makes a food "super"? It's all about the high concentration of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can support our overall health and wellness. From nutrient-dense berries to anti-inflammatory spices, incorporating these power-packed foods into our diets can give us the extra boost we need to feel our best. 

So why not add a sprinkle of spinach to your smoothie, or enjoy a handful of goji berries as a snack?

The Protein Punch

Hack Your Way to Health: The Science Behind Bio-Hacking
Photo by Mark DeYoung on Unsplash

Protein is the powerhouse nutrient that provides the building blocks for our muscles, hormones, and enzymes. It's essential for maintaining muscle strength and tone and helps ward off cravings by filling us up. But the benefits of protein don't stop there - it also plays a critical role in balancing hormones and managing blood sugar levels. 

From animal-based sources like meat, fish, and dairy to plant-based options like beans, lentils, and tofu, there's a variety of ways to get more protein into your diet. 

The Sweet, Sunny, and Savvy Approach

The Sugar Solution: Sweeter Health Ahead

Sugar, the sweet treat that has become a staple in our diets, is causing more harm than good. Overconsumption of processed foods and sugar leads to a host of health problems and is taking a toll on our bodies. But it's never too late to make better choices for our health. We can turn our health around by cutting back on processed foods and sugar and enjoy a sweeter, healthier future.

The Vitamin D Boost: Light Up Your Health

Vitamin D is crucial in optimal health, playing a role in everything from bone health to immune function. Maximizing your vitamin D levels through sun exposure and supplementing for deficiency can help ensure you're getting enough of this essential nutrient. Don't let a lack of sun keep you from shining bright!

The Practice of Bio-Hacking

Biohacking is the process of making small changes in your diet, exercise, meditation, and mindfulness practices to achieve big results for your health. Keeping a food log and making conscious choices can help you make the most of your bio-hacking journey, leading you to a healthier, happier you.

Conclusion

The journey to healthy living and well-being doesn't have to be complicated. Bio-hacking is a simple and effective way to take control of your health and harness the power of diet, exercise, and mindfulness. With the help of professional guidance, you can find your own path to health and happiness by making small, sustainable changes that will have a big impact on your health in the long run. 

So why wait? Embrace the power of bio-hacking today and start your journey towards a healthier, happier life.

Corporate Kitchen Makeover

A Fresh Start: Reimagining Corporate Kitchens with Power8

July 2, 2023
Mohit Sahni
A Fresh Start: Reimagining Corporate Kitchens with Power8

As a co-founder of Power8, I've observed a significant, yet often overlooked, area that affects the health and wellness of employees: the corporate canteen. It's a truth universally acknowledged that good nutrition is a cornerstone of good health. 

Still, what happens when your work, an environment where many of us spend the majority of our time, doesn't support this critical aspect of wellness? That's where Power8’s Corporate Kitchen Makeover comes into play.

Ensuring a Healthy Foundation

Embarking on the journey of creating a healthier corporate kitchen, we commence with an in-depth, meticulous audit. This process isn't just a cursory glance over the pantry or a review of the vending machines. It's an extensive inspection that aligns with Schedule 4 of the FSSA, 2006, aiming to certify that the food served to your diligent employees is wholesome, safely prepared, and hygienically stored.

We do not take this responsibility lightly; we're fully aware of the trust you put in us. This process ensures we are meeting the required health and safety regulations, but more importantly, it is about acknowledging and addressing the crucial role nutrition plays in overall wellness, productivity, and mental agility in the workplace.

"Creating a productive and healthy workforce demands a systemic and sustained approach. It starts in the kitchen."

Setting the Path

Having established a solid foundation through the audit, the next stage in the Kitchen Makeover involves a two-day on-site visit by our dedicated team of experts. These specialists bring a wealth of experience in assessing kitchen layouts, raw material storage areas, food handling and preparation techniques, hygiene, and sanitation practices, and food transportation. Their knowledge and expertise in food safety standards and protocols are pivotal in this phase of the makeover.

Their role isn't limited to merely identifying areas of concern but extends to providing immediate actionable solutions to improve these aspects. By the end of this phase, we ensure the canteen, a vital place in the company, is a hub for wellness and positivity, while still complying with FSSAI guidelines and SOPs.

Investing in Skills

To sustain the changes implemented, we organize a two-day training workshop for food handlers and kitchen staff. We focus on imparting knowledge about the best hygiene and sanitation practices, assessing the quality of raw materials, and preventing food spoilage. Training also involves teaching ways to avoid cross-contamination - a major issue in large kitchens - and how to follow FSSAI guidelines and SOPs.

This training isn't a mere seminar or lecture but a hands-on, practical session. We believe that true learning comes from doing, and so, our training workshops are interactive and engaging, designed to instill best practices and provide a deeper understanding of why they are necessary.

Healthy Menu Planning

With hygiene and safety standards well implemented, the next phase involves the actual food being served - we start the process of healthy menu planning. We collaborate with your chefs, taking into consideration the current menu, the preferences of the employees, and the kitchen capabilities. Our aim is to subtly reduce daily calorie intake, without compromising on the taste or satisfaction of the meals.

We've learned that the secret to a successful health-focused menu is in striking a balance. It’s not about eliminating favorite foods or making drastic changes; it’s about small, sustainable shifts toward healthier choices. For instance, introducing whole grains in place of refined ones, increasing the portion of fresh fruits and vegetables, or using healthier cooking methods.

"The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison." - Ann Wigmore

Weight Loss Challenge

To motivate employees to embrace these healthier food options, we facilitate a 5-week weight loss challenge, tracked through our app - PlanMyFood. This isn't just a competition to lose weight, but a holistic challenge that encourages employees to make smarter, healthier food choices, despite the busyness of their work schedules. This interactive challenge also brings an element of fun and engagement to the workplace, fostering a sense of community and shared goals.

Encouragement and motivation are critical when making lifestyle changes, and our weight loss challenge provides this in spades. Weekly check-ins, healthy recipes, progress tracking, and support from fellow participants make this a positive and motivating experience. The aim is to inspire long-term changes, transforming not just the corporate kitchen but the health and wellness attitudes of the employees.

Re-adjusting Daily Calorie Intake

Adjusting the daily calorie intake in the kitchen menu is the final touch in our Corporate Kitchen Makeover. The objective here is not just weight loss, but optimal health and vitality. By taking into account factors such as portion sizes, food groups, and timing of meals, we strategically redesign the menu to ensure that it's well-rounded and balanced.

This is where our expertise truly shines. Our knowledge of nutritional science allows us to develop menus that cater to diverse dietary needs and preferences. For instance, if your team contains a mix of vegetarians, vegans, and meat-eaters, we can design a menu that everyone will enjoy. In this phase, we also consider factors like dietary restrictions, food allergies, and specific nutritional requirements of your workforce.

Closing Thoughts

The Power8 Corporate Kitchen Makeover is more than a revamp of your canteen; it's an investment in the health, productivity, and well-being of your employees. By optimizing the heart of your workplace – the kitchen – we create an environment that not only feeds the stomachs but also nourishes the health and well-being of your workforce. 

With improved diet and nutrition, you'll notice a boost in morale, productivity, and overall workplace satisfaction, proving that when you invest in your employees' health, the returns are manifold. Remember, a healthier workplace is a happier workplace!

Personal Wellbeing

Retention - Attrition Spelt Backwards

December 5, 2022
The Wellness Tribe Team
Retention - Attrition Spelt Backwards

We are in the midst of layoff season. While the world is shocked to see large internet companies like Meta and Twitter fire employees, the Indian startup scene has also suffered. So, what led to this, what is happening now, and what is yet to come? 

Race to Mass Layoffs?

Adding to the difficulties in Silicon Valley is the possibility that Amazon will announce layoffs that will affect up to 10,000 workers. Following Microsoft, Twitter, Snap, Meta, and Twitter, Amazon is the next big tech company to lay off employees. There has also been a decrease in recruiting at Apple and other companies. 

In the wake of fears of a worldwide recession, technology companies, traditionally large spenders, are now turning to cost-cutting.

Mass Firings: What Led to This?

From January 1 to June 1, 2022, the market capitalization of the top 30 technology companies decreased by $4.3 trillion. These 30 companies represent the majority of the value of the global tech market.

At least $5–6 trillion was lost in the global listed tech market as a whole. The top 30 businesses account for $4.3 trillion of this. In actuality, the combined contribution of Apple and Microsoft to this market value decline is close to $1 trillion. 

From June to August 18, the market value of the top 30 tech companies experienced a $900 billion recovery.

What's the situation in India?

Many edtech companies have let go of employees, including Byju's and Unacademy. It was reported that Unacademy had laid off 1,150 employees, while Byju's laid off 550 employees, not far behind Vedantu, which had laid off 624 employees.

Meanwhile, MFine laid off 600 workers, Ola fired 500 people, and Cars24 reported 600 job losses. In all cases, layoffs were caused by tighter monetary policies and a correction in the stock market.

How About the Attrition Rate?

In addition to layoffs, IT organizations have experienced high attrition rates. Labor costs and the cost of acquiring talent led to squeezed operating margins for all IT majors during the previous quarter.

During the first quarter of FY23, Indian IT companies spent, on average, 57% of sales on employee salaries, with some, like Infosys, raising their top performers by one or two digits. TCS's attrition rate for Q4 of FY22 was 19.7%, much higher than Infosys's 17.4%.

In Q4FY22, HCL Technologies experienced an increase in attrition from 21.9% to 23.8%. However, Wipro has managed to keep attrition rates relatively stable, dropping from 23.8% to 23.3% between April and June.

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This month we are focusing on food and how it affects your mental health. Join us as we bring in the most relevant interesting content from across the wellness segment.

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