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Diwali is the time when family and friends come together to celebrate the festival of lights and sweets. With all those carb-heavy boozy party invitations flying around, people end up over-indulging. And then, comes the unavoidable bloating.
The battle between indulging and abstaining can really get tiresome.
However, with a few cunning tricks and moderations, you'll be able to enjoy the booze, the sloth, the endless party nibbles and still keep your health and weight in check.
Here are some tips:
1. A perfect way to start your day is by having a glass of warm water with a dash of lemon. It doesn't just clean your gut, but will also help in digestion and reducing belly fat. The November 2008 issue of Journal of Biochemical Nutrition stated that polyphenols found in lemons 'significantly suppressed' weight gain, insulin resistance, high blood sugar, excessive fat in your bloodstream and accumulation of fat pads.
2. Did you know that drinking 1.5 litres of water a day can help you burn 17,400 calories each year? Drinking a good amount of water will not only help remove nasty toxins from your body, but will also effectively help de-bloat your tummy.
3. Eating breakfast not only helps you lose weight by warding off hunger, it also helps you to keep the weight off. Data from the US National Weight Control Registry (NWCR) shows that 80 percent of those who keep the weight off eat breakfast every day.
4. Avoid starchy carbs to beat a bloated tummy. Replace fried potato chips with wedges made of sweet potatoes, white rice with brown rice and so on. Clean carbs like oats and pumpkins are great staples for a fat-loss nutrition plan.
5. Control your portion sizes. If you want to watch your weight, avoid using large-sized tableware. A University of Cambridge study, published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, suggests that eliminating larger-sized portions from the diet completely could reduce energy intake significantly.
6. Start a workout programme. This will help you shed those extra kilos and also prepare your body not to absorb fat through sweets and other rich foods. Walk at least 60 minutes a day or practice yoga. If you feel your weight loss regime has gone flat, try using music on a regular basis to jump start or freshen up the routine.
7. Ditch fizzy drinks, go for sugar-free lassi or buttermilk instead. Try peppermint tea. Mint has been used for centuries to aid digestion and tame troubled tummies.
8. Enjoy your pre-Diwali parties but don't forget to choose your booze wisely. Go for spritzers or wine above calorific cocktails or hefty beers. Observe the single-handful rule with nuts and crisps.
9. Walk. Upping your pace will help you burn off 200 calories in just half an hour.
Healthy eating tips:
1. With so much going on during Diwali, most of us forget to drink enough water while running errands. Stay hydrated to avoid feeling weak or tired as low fluid intake can inhibits the absorption of other macronutrients in the body.
2. Just stay a bit conscious when you are eating. Moderation is the key. Indulge in festivities, but eat right in the right amount at the right time.
3. Avoid consuming a huge meal. May be, have eight small meals to keep you going and elude the sugar surge.
4. Try to opt for food items that are rich in fibre.
5. Try baking rather than frying your snacks. Baked chaklis and puris, low-fat khakras and roasted chivda are all healthy snack options. Follow a balanced diet by eating more veggies and fruits.
6. If you are planning a party, choose home-made desserts with skimmed milk, jaggery and honey.
7. Choose sensible gifts for your relatives this Diwali. Try gifting them low-calorie sweets and snacks instead of ghee-laden sweets like ladoos and kaju katli. Dry fruits are a better choice of fats.
8. Don't forget to take proper rest. A well-rested body will ensure the right assimilation and absorption of food.
Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com