Diwali brings with it tremendous joy as well as an indulgence in having festive sweets and savouries, which can put one on a guilt trip .It is but natural that during the festivities, everyone gets involved in bingeing and inevitably turns into weight gain. In this air of festive vibes, everyone gets involved in bingeing and later all this bingeing turns into weight, calories, and sugar worries — but u can enjoy Diwali with no regrets this season.
- Eat small portions, relish the taste, it will last longer and control your urge to take another piece. Along with this, try to avoid a second helping.
- Try eating homemade laddoos made from jaggery and dry fruits as they control your calorie intake. Also, note that high sugar intake can put extra burden on your liver.
- Increase your water intake: Stay hydrated with low caloric smoothies, juices, coconut water. Keep water infused with lime, mint, berries, cucumber and any other citrus fruit of your choice and sip throughout the day.
- Exercise as much as you can, walk when you shop or visiting friends and family. This way you can burn some calories. You burn off 200 calories in just 30 minutes
- Restrict the amount of sugar and salt intake; A High salt intake may cause swelling, puffiness and water retention in body and in lower extremities.
- Go preferably for spritzers or wine in case you think of alcohol.
- A Diwali gift healthy with a box of almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, Sesame seeds, Pecans, pine nuts, can be shared with entire family and friends.
- After every heavy meal you can either have a glass of milk, buttermilk, cold coffee, fruit salad or try some low carb fat-free foods.
- Detoxification after festivities can help invigorate and improve overall health and rejuvenated long term glow. Some suggestive tips for detoxification are:
- 1.)Drink warm water with half a lemon squeezed in or a cleansing herb tea.
- 2.)Include fruits and vegetables with a low-glycemic index, and make a point of eating different types and colours.
- 3.)Have at least one salad per day with dark green leaves. Steam, sauté or grill vegetables as a side dish to fish, chicken or pulses/beans.
- 4.)Start your meal with some raw foods to get your enzymes going and your digestive system primed.
- 5.)If you are a non-vegetarian, eat cold water fish at least 3 times a week
- 6.)Use olive oil as your primary cooking oil. Other than that cold pressed coconut, mustard, and desi ghee (in moderation) are some of the best oils for cooking.
- 7._Use herbs (fresh & dried) and spices to flavour your foods
- 8.)Snack on seeds and nuts.
- 9.)Chew each mouthful slowly, focusing on your food, and eat until only about three quarters full.
- 10.)To keep blood sugar level stable, don’t go longer than four hours without eating.
- 11.)Add some form of protein in every meal.
All in all enjoy the festivities and have a healthy and prosperous new year.