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Nayagam P P  |12574 Answers  |Ask -Follow

Career Counsellor - Answered on Sep 27, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 25, 2026

Hello, I completed my senior secondary graduation back in 2023, however over the years I've found myself absolutely pivoting towards pure sciences. Out of foolishness and my love for philosophy at that time, I'd opted for humanities. Now, I've come to a point where I want to make a career in medicine and research. I'm thinking of taking the NIOS route, but my concern is - since I'd be applying under the Dual Enrollment scheme, where only a marksheet will be issued, not overriding the passing certificate for primary qualification. Will I be eligible to sit for IAT?

Ans: For IAT, the key issue is the qualifying examination passing year. IAT 2026 rules state that candidates who first passed Class XII in 2023 or earlier are ineligible, and improvement/part-subject attempts do not reset that year. Therefore, a NIOS Dual Enrollment marksheet is unlikely to make a 2023 pass eligible. Verify the 2027 brochure when released. Consider keeping 3–4 suitable alternative pathways aligned with your interest in medicine and research, rather than relying exclusively on IISER/IAT. All The Best for Your Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P P  |12574 Answers  |Ask -Follow

Career Counsellor - Answered on Sep 27, 2026

Question by Rohit - Sep 25, 2026

Sir i have passed my 12th board in 2026 through cbse with PCB background and after that i have given maths as a single subject exam through NIOS in july 2026 . Now i am preparing for jee mains 2027 and planning to get into IITs or NITs through jee advanvced . So sir this is my situation pls tell me will there be any difficulties during the admission process in the future?"

Ans: No major difficulties will arise. The combination of your CBSE PCB and NIOS Mathematics marksheets is legally valid for fulfilling the PCM criteria required by JoSAA. Just ensure your total aggregate marks across your core subjects meet the 75% eligibility criteria during document verification. However, I would suggest that you carefully review the Admission and Eligibility Criteria specified in the NTA/JoSAA 2027 Information Bulletin once it is released. It would also be prudent to keep 5–6 suitable backup options open, rather than relying solely on JEE. All The Best for Your Prosperous Future!

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Komal Jethmalani  |500 Answers  |Ask -Follow

Dietician, Diabetes Expert - Answered on Sep 27, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 26, 2026

Our office recently installed a coffee machine, so now everyone has started having coffee during breaks. But somehow the taste is quite different from normal coffee made at home. I feel the main problem is that the milk used by the machine is not properly boiled or heated, and because of that the coffee sometimes tastes slightly strange and doesn’t feel as fresh. Is milk in automatic coffee machines supposed to be boiled before being used, or is the heating process different? Also, from a health and hygiene point of view, is it safe to regularly drink coffee from these office machines if the milk is only heated and not actually boiled?

Ans: Milk in office coffee machines is not boiled the way we boil milk at home — and that’s completely normal. These machines use a controlled heating system (usually 65–75°C) that is safe, hygienic, and designed for taste and consistency. The “strange taste” you’re noticing is usually due to UHT milk, storage temperature, or machine cleanliness, not because the milk is unsafe.

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Komal Jethmalani  |500 Answers  |Ask -Follow

Dietician, Diabetes Expert - Answered on Sep 27, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 27, 2026

Recently I came across an Instagram post promoting Japanese Red Diamond Guava, and what caught my attention was the claim that it has very few seeds compared with regular guava. The seller was making it sound like this variety is somehow more premium and better for health because it is easier to eat. I’m curious whether having fewer seeds actually makes any nutritional difference. Does this Japanese red guava contain more vitamins, fibre, antioxidants, or other nutrients than the normal guavas we get in the market, or is the ‘few seeds’ feature mainly about taste and convenience? Is it really worth paying extra for this variety?

Ans: Japanese Red Diamond Guava may look premium and taste sweeter, but nutritionally it is not superior to the regular Indian guava you buy in the market. The “few seeds” feature is mainly about convenience and marketing, not a meaningful health advantage. Paying extra is rarely justified unless you simply enjoy the taste.

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Komal Jethmalani  |500 Answers  |Ask -Follow

Dietician, Diabetes Expert - Answered on Sep 27, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 27, 2026

I recently saw these small ‘baby honey pineapples’ in an overseas food store and was wondering whether they are actually a better choice for someone with diabetes. They look much smaller and sweeter than the regular pineapple we usually buy, so I’m confused whether their sugar content is also higher. Are these mini pineapples okay for a person with diabetes to eat occasionally, or should they be avoided because they taste very sweet? Does the fact that they are imported or a different variety make any real difference to their effect on blood sugar?

Ans: Those “baby honey pineapples” may taste sweeter, but they are not more dangerous for someone with diabetes than regular pineapple. Their sugar content per gram is similar — the difference is mostly flavor, size, and variety, not a major change in glycemic impact. What matters most is portion size, not whether the pineapple is imported or a special variety. Avoid eating it on an empty stomach as it can spike blood sugar levels.

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Komal Jethmalani  |500 Answers  |Ask -Follow

Dietician, Diabetes Expert - Answered on Sep 27, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 27, 2026

I’m currently around 110 kg and really want to lose weight, so I was thinking of skipping dinner completely every day. I usually have breakfast and lunch normally, but by evening I’m not always that hungry anyway. If I skip dinner but don’t change much about what I eat during the rest of the day, will I actually lose weight? Or would it be better to have a light, properly planned dinner instead?

Ans: Skipping dinner can cause short?term weight loss, but for someone around 110 kg, it usually backfires — leading to overeating the next day, slower metabolism, poor sleep, and inconsistent hunger signals. A light, planned dinner is far more effective, safer, and easier to sustain. A light, planned dinner works better. A small, protein?rich dinner is the most effective approach for weight loss at 110 kg.

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Komal Jethmalani  |500 Answers  |Ask -Follow

Dietician, Diabetes Expert - Answered on Sep 27, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 27, 2026

This year I celebrated Onam with a friend who invited all of us for an Onam Sadhya lunch, and honestly the traditional food was absolutely delicious. There were so many different dishes served together, and despite being a festive meal, many of the items were made with simple ingredients like vegetables, lentils, coconut, and spices. It made me wonder why we usually think of traditional food as something we eat only during festivals or special occasions. If a traditional meal like Onam Sadhya can be so varied and include so many nutritious ingredients, are we unnecessarily replacing these traditional foods with modern or packaged foods in our everyday diet? Can dishes from an Onam Sadhya actually be included in a regular healthy diet, rather than keeping them only for celebrations?

Ans: Yes — dishes from an Onam Sadhya can absolutely be part of a regular, healthy Indian diet. In fact, Sadhya is one of the best examples of how traditional Indian food naturally balances vegetables, lentils, gut?friendly ingredients, and mindful portions. We often replace these foods with packaged or “modern” items not because they’re better, but because they’re faster and more convenient. Nutritionally, traditional meals like Sadhya are already beautifully designed.

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Komal Jethmalani  |500 Answers  |Ask -Follow

Dietician, Diabetes Expert - Answered on Sep 27, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 08, 2026

I’m a little confused about how much water a person should actually drink in a day. I hear different advice from different people - some say 2 litres is enough, while others say we should drink 3-4 litres, especially in hot weather. I also want to understand whether there is a proper way to drink water. Should we sip it slowly throughout the day or can we drink a full glass whenever we feel thirsty? One more thing I’ve heard since childhood from my grandparents is that drinking water while standing can cause knee problems or weaken the joints. They always tell me to sit down while drinking water because otherwise it will affect the knees later. Is there any scientific truth behind this, or is it simply an old family belief? What is the healthiest way to maintain hydration in our daily routine?

Ans: Most people overcomplicate hydration. You don’t need 4 litres of water, you don’t need to sip constantly, and you definitely don’t need to worry about “standing and drinking causing knee problems.” That part is a cultural belief, not science. The healthiest hydration routine is simple: drink when thirsty, drink a little more in heat or activity, and spread your intake across the day. General guideline: 2–2.5 litres/day for most adults.

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Komal Jethmalani  |500 Answers  |Ask -Follow

Dietician, Diabetes Expert - Answered on Sep 27, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 08, 2026

Hi Komal, I live in Bangalore. By the time I reach home from work, I’m usually hungry enough to eat whatever is kept in front of me. If there are biscuits, I’ll have those with tea; if someone has cut fruit, I’ll eat that instead. My wife keeps roasted chana and nuts, while my son tells me I should be eating something with protein. The funny part is, I’m not really hungry at dinner if I eat too much at this time, but if I eat very little, I end up taking a second serving at night. So how should we actually decide what an evening snack should be? Is there a simple way to choose between fruit, nuts, chana, eggs, sprouts or even a small tea-time snack based on whether someone is trying to lose weight, maintain weight, or just control their dinner appetite?

Ans: Choosing an evening snack is not about picking the “healthiest” item — it’s about choosing the right type of food for the goal you have that evening. Choose snacks that keep you full for 2–3 hours. The best options include roasted chana, boiled egg, sprouts bowl, nuts (small handful). Choose snacks that are low?calorie but filling like fruit, curd , makahana etc. Your wife’s roasted chana, your son’s protein advice, and your own preference for fruit — all are correct. You simply choose based on what you want your evening to look like.

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Komal Jethmalani  |500 Answers  |Ask -Follow

Dietician, Diabetes Expert - Answered on Sep 27, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 08, 2026

Dear Komalji, I have noticed that whenever there is a wedding, festival or family function, I completely lose track of my normal eating routine. Breakfast may be skipped, lunch gets delayed, then there are sweets, fried snacks and a heavy dinner. I don't want to be the person carrying a food scale to every function, but I also don't want three days of celebration to turn into a week of unhealthy eating. Is there a practical way to handle Indian functions without feeling guilty about enjoying the food?

Ans: You can enjoy weddings, festivals, and family functions without guilt and without letting three days turn into a week of unhealthy eating. A few small, realistic habits keep your routine stable even when the food is rich, unpredictable, and abundant. Never attend a function on an empty stomach. Eat healthy options at home such as boiled eggs, curd, beans salad etc. This prevents overeating sweets, sugar crashes and bingeing at lunch or dinner. Follow the ½–¼–¼ plate rule at the function, taste 1 sweet fully. A 10?minute walk after the meal reduces post?meal sugar spikes.

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