Diwali brings joy, excitement, and a feeling of togetherness. It also brings a lot of food and snacks and along with it, some guilt. Those of us who are particular about our health and have fitness goals, will always have a thought hovering over us when indulging in festivities. Still, if we don’t indulge, Diwali won’t be as good as it is. But we can control our appetites and work out accordingly.
All the fried and sugary foods send the dietary goals for a toss and we feel guilty after the festivities. Plus, following your diet during the festivities sounds kind of stupid. But in our moments of going overboard, we should remember that nothing is worth ill-health. We must strike a balance to have fun while taking care of our health. Get FITFEAST to consult certified nutritionists in real-time. Connect on chat or call to get dietary recommendations.
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Instead of feasting on Kaju Barfis and Boondi ke Ladoo, go for natural sweets like anjeer and dates. Traditional sweets are quite delicious but they’re also full of ghee and sugar – two ingredients you might want to stay away from or at least have in controlled proportions. Sweets made from anjeer are nutritious and good for your health.
This is one of the years when it would be better to bake at home. Use natural sweeteners to make sweets and have them without any guilt. Either way, you will receive sweets from your friends and relatives. Have them in moderation.
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Your favorite mithai is in front of you and someone offers it to you. No matter the strength of your resolve, you will have a couple of sweets or savories in your mouth before you realize what you’re doing. Dietitians suggest that healthy eating is synonymous with moderation. Follow the fundamental rules and you’re alright. If your Diwali night meal is going to be a heavy one, have a light lunch. Have fresh fruits and veggies. You could also have a smoothie of salad before going for the meal as that will limit your appetite once you’re having dinner. It will help you eat in moderation, especially when it comes to desserts.
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It’s not just Diwali night or Bhai Dooj when you’ll have heavy food items. It may start a few days before and go on until the sweets and other foods last. Since you know you’re going to be eating a little unhealthy, do not even think of skipping exercise. It can be easy to overlook working out when you have a lot to do, but make it a priority. Get up early and put in 30-45 minutes for a good home workout or take in a gym session. If you cannot, stay active all day – walk and take the stairs. A lot of us tend to indulge in the festivities and leave exercise for later. This is one of the biggest mistakes because not only does it make you lethargic but also lays waste to the hard work you have been doing for a while. It never allows you to reach your fitness goals. Therefore, work out 3-4 times during the festive week as well.
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Festivals are incomplete without the traditional food items. But you can make them at home and substitute some of the unhealthy ingredients with the healthy ones. Instead of deep-fried stuff, bake or grill them. Cooking at home reduces the number of calories in a food item. For example, baked aloo pakoras are much healthier than fried ones. Instead of ordering food, try to cook at home. If it has to be fried, let it be stir-fried.
- Avoid alcohol
Consumption of alcohol is quite common and celebrations often sound incomplete without it. However, alcohol along with all the party foods can mean a significantly increased calorie-intake. Alcohol leads to weight gain and since it breaks down carbs, it can be problematic for diabetics or those with low blood sugar levels. Having alcohol in controlled quantities or avoiding it altogether helps maintain sugar levels as well as weight.
- Stay hydrated
No matter what you do, it is important to stay hydrated. Sometimes, we can end up eating when we’re just thirsty. But staying hydrated doesn’t mean drinking sodas and other aerated drinks. Have fresh juice, coconut water, lime water, buttermilk, etc. Apart from that drink 2-3 liters of water every day to keep your metabolism working properly.
- Take a healthy vacation
If you’re planning to take a holiday during the festive season as many people do, try to stay active. Do not postpone your exercises till after your vacation. Go for long walks, treks, or swims or whatever you can do. If you find a gym, use it. You can visit gyms and fitness studios across India with FITPASS. Choose low-oil foods and have healthy meals. Let the dinner be light while breakfast can be heavy. Try to sleep on time and wake up early.
