Cats can melt your heart and seem most adorable when begging for table scraps. But, however appetizing or nutritious a food may be to you, it can be toxic for cats. Listed here are 5 food items that are hazardous for cats. You should ensure to not include this in your feline’s diet. If they accidentally ingest anything, seek medical help immediately. 1. Onions and garlic Vegetables are good for health, right? Well, yes. But for your cats, onions, garlic, shallots, leeks, chives, and such vegetables can cause intestinal problems. They are harmful, whether eaten raw, powdered, or cooked. It is the disulfides in these vegetables that damage red blood cells in your pets. Eating these, even in small amounts, can cause lethargy, anemia, or weight loss in cats. Similarly, foods like potatoes and raw tomatoes add flavor to human foods, but an alkaloid in these is poisonous for cats. 2. Raw eggs Raw eggs may contain innumerable harmful bacteria like salmonella. In cats, the symptoms of bacterial infection might show up as lethargy, upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, stomach pain, and cramping. Besides this, the avidin-enzyme in raw eggs might inhibit their absorption of vitamin B and damage the skin and coat of your cats, along with resulting in hair fall.

Heart disease is one of the main causes of death in the country. Anyone who has high cholesterol levels, especially LDL, is at an increased risk of a heart disease. However, your diet can mitigate the risk and help you lead a healthy life. Here are the foods to eat for lowering cholesterol. 1. Legumes – beans, peas, and lentils Also known as pulses, these plant-based foods are a good source of fiber, minerals, and proteins. When you include legumes in your diet, you will be able to replace some processed meats and refined grains that help in lowering the risk of a chronic heart condition. 2. Avocados Avocados contain a powerhouse of nutrients and are considered to be a rich source of monosaturated fat and fiber. These two nutrients can help keep LDL in check and increase the levels of good cholesterol (HDL) that improves heart function. There has been plenty of research that supports avocados ability to reduce cholesterol. 3. Nuts Nuts, such as almonds and walnuts, are nutrient-dense foods that contain high amounts of monosaturated fats. Walnuts are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, a type of polyunsaturated fat that is known to improve heart health. Almonds, on the other hand, are rich in amino acid L-arginine that stimulates the production of nitric oxide that in turn regulates blood pressure.

Diabetes is a chronic condition that has become one of the most common lifestyle disorders in the world. If left untreated, diabetes can have serious health risks, such as kidney malfunction, heart disease, etc. However, you can mitigate that risk by following healthy eating habits. If you’re just learning to cook healthy meals for yourself, consult a nutritionist or start small by signing up for meal kits and delivery that can help you learn the basics of a healthy recipe. Also, here are some foods to avoid for diabetes that can lower your possibility of developing the condition: 1. Sugary beverages The worst thing a diabetic or a prediabetic can do is have sugary beverages. Firstly, they have too many carbs from sugar. Additionally, these drinks are loaded with fructose that is linked to develop insulin resistance and worsen diabetes. Not only are you at an increased risk of worsening your condition, but you are also exposed to the risk of developing other diabetes-related diseases, such as fatty liver. Moreover, high fructose levels in sugary beverages may also lead to belly fat and harmful cholesterol. Not eliminating these drinks from your diet can also be the cause of obesity. To prevent all these health risks, you must eliminate sweetened beverages, like soda, from your diet and consume water instead.

Dogs need good food to get all the necessary nutrients. Instead of just having to rely on kibbles, you can prepare simple foods for your pet at home. Here are three do-it-yourself (DIY) meals that will make your dog jump with your joy: 1. Beef stew This is the best way to add proteins and vitamins to your dog’s diet. In order to make this, you will need a pound of beef, a small sweet potato, half a cup of diced carrot and green beans each, half a cup of water, half a cup of flour, and one tablespoon of olive oil. Microwave the sweet potato to make it tender and then dice it. The beef will have to be sliced into bite-size chunks and cooked in the oil over a medium flame for about 10 minutes. You can mix the drip from the beef with flour and water. Whisk it thoroughly to get a thick consistency and then add in the meat and veggies. Cook till the carrots turn tender, and serve. 2. Grain-free chicken jerky If you want a quick chicken meal for your dog, then you can make these simple jerky strips. All you need is about a pound of chicken breast.

There is no cure for ulcerative colitis (UC), an inflammatory bowel disease of the large intestines that leads to ulcers in your digestive tract. UC symptoms often develop over a long period rather than overnight. Besides taking regular treatment, including medication and NSAIDs, you can also make some lifestyle changes that reduce ulcerative colitis symptoms. Let us discuss them in detail. 1. Avoid trigger foods A healthy diet is key to maintaining your overall well-being, more so for conditions that are related to your digestive system. Therefore, people with UC must consider avoiding foods that can trigger their symptoms. According to health experts, you must consider eliminating greasy foods, caffeine, raw fruits and vegetables, and dairy products from your diet if you have UC. However, there is no one-size-fits-all diet plan for UC. So, take help from a professional nutritionist to develop a meal plan that delivers essential nutrients to your body without aggravating your UC symptoms. 2. Exercise regularly Regular workout routines can help you overcome complications associated with UC, such as a weakened immune system, stress, weight gain, and reduced bone density. To avoid that, you can include a moderate-intensity workout, such as exercise, swimming, or biking for at least 3-4 times a week.