Internet and Phones affect eating habits

A new study has shed light on how new-media technology, including the Internet and smart phones, are changing college students' eating habits and their relationship to food .

The findings by Rochester Institute of Technology indicate that individuals are more likely to have meals while sitting at the computer than at the kitchen table, and that they use social media as the main avenue to obtain recipe and nutritional information.

"I sought to investigate how the explosion of new media is changing traditional notions of meals and how this is transforming human interaction," noted Madeline Varno, a senior communications major at RIT and principle author of the study.

"As opposed to their parents or grandparents, college students do not see meals as a central activity in and of itself, either for enjoyment or communication. In fact none of the respondents I interviewed even had a kitchen table."

Varno conducted an extensive survey of college students at RIT, which assessed how meals were prepared and eaten, how students interacted with others during meals and how they obtained information about nutrition, potential food choices and recipes. It also assessed the importance of meals in students' social lives.

"Eating is now just one of several activities being multitasked at once, all of which generally involve computers and smart phones, including surfing the Web, communicating with friends via Facebook and doing homework," she continued.

"This does not mean that students are any less social; in fact, they are often interacting with more people than if they were sitting in a dining room, but the method of that socialization is now directly connected to new media."

Varno also found that people were more likely to ask friends on Facebook or Twitter about recipes than consult a cookbook and often used social media to assess the relevance and validity of food and nutrition information.

"While some respondents expressed concern at the sheer volume of food information available online, they also indicated that the use of Facebook and Twitter to quickly validate data made them feel more informed about making the right choices," added Varno.

10 things a woman should know

We list 10 things every woman should know

1. Calling you does not mean we are hitting on you
Most men are left wondering that why's it that just because he called you, you assumed he wants you to fill in the post of his girlfriend. He may actually just want to hang out with you.

2. You are much prettier without all that makeup
Your basic foundation and kajal is fine, but layers upon layers of makeup only makes you unappealing to your guy. So keep it simple.

3. When you act giggly, it's seriously embarrassing
When you spot your gang of girls while you are out with your boyfriend, don't squeal and go giggly or jump up and down. Most men find it extremely childish.

4. Gossiping, whispering and writing notes makes you look shallow
When you pass notes or whisper when you and your friends are sitting at a table along with others makes it seem like you are still in your classroom.

5. Boys worry about what you think of their hair, skin, weight and clothes
Do tell your boyfriend if you think his new haircut makes him look cute or if his favourite T-shirt needs to be done away with.

6. PMS is no excuse to be mean
Yes, men do understand that every month you are likely to get crabby for a few days, but that's not reason enough to be mean and cranky all the time.

7. Talking about your butt is boring
It's a known fact that no boyfriend - who doesn't want to be dumped - will ever tell his girfriend that she is looking fat. So no in point discussing, arguing and then discussing some more, about weight issues with your boyfriend.

8. Tight clothes make you look sort of desperate and insecure
You may be in shape but anything that amounts to too much skin show is not going to be appreciated by your boyfriend. Don't keep showing how desperate you are. It can be a big put off if the guy is serious about you.

9. Most boys are looking for the right girl
It's not just women who are looking for Mr Right, but boys are looking out for their Miss Perfect too. So don't be scared to play the love game.

10. If you like him, just tell him
Don't pretend to ignore him and then cry when he asks another girl out for dinner. If he's interested in you, and if you feel the same way then respond. Don't keep the guy waiting too long.

Eat right for a glowing skin

Most of us would like to have glowing skin, especially as we get older. The good news is that one doesn't have to wait until summer to catch some healthy sun rays. A recent research suggests that tucking into vegetables and fruits gives you a healthy glow and makes you more attractive than through a suntan. The study, led by Dr Ian Stephen at The University of Nottingham, showed that people who eat more portions of fruit and vegetables per day have a more golden complexion, thanks to carotenoids.

Dr Jamuna Pai, cosmetic physician, says, "Plants are packed with the goodness of high-quality nutrients, which are beneficial for immunity and skin repair. Plant foods contain thousands of other compounds in addition to complex carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals that are known as phytonutrients, which are beneficial to humans."

For a healthy, natural glow, a daily minimum intake of five portions of fruit and vegetables is a must. Proper nutrition comes from a healthy diet. Dr Eileen Canday, chief dietician, Breach Candy Hospital, Mumbai, suggests, "Colour your food with red, orange green, white and purple. If you have pink grapefruits, watermelons or red tomatoes, you are consuming lycopene. Besides, berries and grapes also give you red-purple anthocyanins and polyphenols. If orange makes you feel good, then freak out on carrots, mangoes or pumpkins rich in B- carotene. White is the colour of onions and garlic, which contain flavonoids."

Mickey Mehta, holistic fitness guru, warns, "Don't neglect your veggies as it is because of them that you are flaunting your silky tresses or youthful complexion. Vegetables not only add colour to your skin making it porcelain-like, but also help in cleansing your system."

Do your skin and body a favour and only eat fresh foods. Fresh fruits in summer like plums, peaches or nectarines are rich sources of phytonutrients and antioxidants, says homeopath Dr Shreepad Khedekar. Dark green leafy vegetables like spinach are the main source of antioxidants. Eat carrots, tomatoes, sweet potato, kale, broccoli, spinach and red peppers.

Being Smart

1) Set short goal:
To achieve goal, make it into short goals and with short time. Finish each within time slot.

2) Be communicative:
Be well communicative. keep in touch with other people. Talk with them in some times of intervals.

3) Be up to date:
Read newspaper daily and watch news. Have knowledge of current affairs.

4) Be nice to people: 
Care about the well being of others. Sometimes people don't realize if another person is hurting or sad. Look at their faces and in their eyes when you talk to them.

5) Exercise your mind: 
Learn how to solve the Rubik's cube. It is easier than it appears if you learn tricks in visualizing the cube's geometry.


6) Work on your vocabulary: 
Read good books, try to use a few definitions from the dictionary each day, or subscribe to a "word-of-the-day" service on-line.

7) Read good books:
They will make you both appear and be smarter. Reading really is fun and your mind will grow. Keep your reading diverse by reading books of all genres including non-fiction. Make sure the books are interesting to you.