How to manage health with diet in the festive season

Hey guys…..the festive season is about to knock on the doors. It will start with Rakshabandhan…..and then….Dahi handi….Ganesh Chaturthi…..Navratri….Karwa chauth…..and then Deepawali. 

The festive season in India is all about whitewashing, dressing up, and most important a huge variety of foods. It is very difficult to stop yourself when such delicious foods are around you. So, basically, we have to dress up every day and eat throughout the day with friends, aunts, neighbors, and also when we feel hungry. In our country, sweets are positively entrenched in our culture as a happy celebration of food. 

 

Now, since the Festive season is about, to begin with, Rakshabandhan it is necessary to keep a check on health. The point is that after back-to-back festivals and feasting too much, it is self-evident that we gain a lot of weight. But don’t get stressed, we, in this article, will discuss how to avoid overeating and how to rescue yourself. 

 

Add more fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet

During this time of year, we tend to overindulge in fried, fatty, and calorically dense foods. It's a good idea to eat more fruits and vegetables. They're high in fiber, low in fat, and packed with nutrients. Your bowels are kept in good working order, your skin is radiant, and you have more control over your caloric intake. They include carrots, amlas, spinach, tomatoes, watermelon, and oranges. Even though children are prone to overindulgence in sweets, it is a good idea to limit their intake.

 

Go for homemade foods

If going for sweets, make them at home rather than shopping at the market. By doing so, you will not only be able to monitor the ingredients but also enable a sense of satisfaction of it being self-made. 

 

Keep a check on portion size

During festivals, most people tend to overeat. When you're in a festive frame of mind, it's okay to let safety be your guide. It's also difficult to completely avoid sweets and savory foods when family members or friends are inviting you to parties. Limit your intake of spicy and fried foods, as well as your serving sizes. Rather than frying food when entertaining guests at home, use grilling and baking techniques.

 

Drink more water

Make sure everyone in the family, especially the kids, is drinking plenty of water during the festive season. Toxins can be flushed out and water retained. Lemon slices or a few mint leaves can be added to the water to add flavor.

 

Regular exercise

Engage in daily physical activity for at least 20 minutes, whether at home or in a gym. The best times to do this are between 10 and 11 a.m. or 5 and 6 p.m. when most people are most rested and alert. Movement, whether it's a brisk walk or a brisk jog, can leave you feeling revitalized.

 

Cook healthy food

Apart from sweets, cook healthy foods during the festive season. Cooking and eating healthy foods during the festive season reduces the craving for sweets and savory food items. So, cook and eat fresh foods daily. 

 

Start your day with light and healthy food

Starting a day with fruits or dry fruits is not only healthy for you but also keeps you full for a long time. This helps you eat less oily, fried, and sweet foods which can help you control your weight gain. 

 

Don’t skip your meal

Most people skip or fast a meal before going out to a party or dinner so they can eat whatever they want later. Their reasoning is that skipping a meal will allow them to consume fewer calories overall. It's a strategy that they're not aware of that can backfire disastrously. If you skip a meal, you'll feel bloated and overeat later, which means you'll eat more calories than normal and feel uncomfortable. When you have to go out, Dr. Pankaj recommends eating normally and exercising normally. Choose wisely when you're out and about and you'll reap the benefits. Dr. Pankaj recommends having no more than two starters and three main dishes from any one cuisine. Don't eat ice cream for dessert because it's readily available on most days. Take advantage of seasonal treats that are only available during the holidays.

 

Eating fried foods

Foods high in fat have long been associated with poor health. It's been linked to both heart disease and weight gain, so watch out for that. However, not all deep-fried foods are bad for you. It all comes down to how much you eat and how it was prepared. According to Dr. Pankaj, there's no need to be afraid of deep-frying this holiday season. He recommends using the same oil your grandparents used to cook the same dish, rather than using processed oil. "Deep-fried foods aren't bad for you. Just avoid reusing the oil. It is only possible to recycle homemade ghee, "He threw in that Foods that are air-fried or microwaved should be avoided because they can cause sugar cravings and leave you feeling acidic later.

 

Beverages

When it comes to beverages, it is recommended not to drink alcohol on an empty stomach. "Eat well before drinking to avoid bloating and other digestive issues,".  If you are opting for an alcoholic drink, mix it with water, ginger, and mint leaves. In the case of a non-alcoholic drink, have coconut water or lime soda. Avoid cocktails and mocktails at all costs as they are high in calories. Restricting alcohol is best during the festive season.

 

Eat something healthy before stepping out

Preparing a light meal before heading out to dinner is an excellent way to keep your dinner portion control in check. Bloating can be avoided by consuming a healthy and nutrient-dense snack or meal prior to a large one. Eating some fresh fruits or dry fruits is a good option.

 

Monitor your health parameters

If you or a member of your family has a medical condition like diabetes, high blood pressure, or respiratory issues, be sure to take your medication on time. During this time of year, it is critical to keep an eye on your health.

 

Don’t eat too late

Many of us are in a festive mood, so we tend to eat late at night to take advantage of that. Digestive health can be affected if you eat past your dinnertime. That's because, as the night progresses, the body's metabolism slows down. Weight gain may result from this.

 

Some pro tips for the festive season

• Opt for baked and steamed food items over fried ones
• Add fruits, it will help you keep healthy
• Don’t skip meals, it can lead to binge eating and you may suffer from fatigue and low immunity
• Drinking cold drinks during the festive season increases your calorie intake and also dehydrates you. Drink plenty of water to detox yourself
• Avoid overeating
• Gift your loved one's fruits, dry fruits, and dark chocolates in place of sweets and chocolates