With the Indian festival season here and other holidays looming culinary delights await and it is quite easy to get carried away. However, it is equally important to maintain a healthy balance to enjoy the festivities. Here are a few tips to balance healthy eating during festivals to avoid extra sugar intake or that unwanted calories.
Avoid Skipping Meals
People often tend to skip meals to enjoy a larger feast, believing this will reduce the calorie intake. However, this can damage one’s health. Fasting and binging might do more harm than good. In such cases, consume a reasonable amount of meal with protein and fiber, sufficient enough to also enjoy the food at the party.
Stay Hydrated
Keeping the body hydrated is very important during the hectic festival days. This will not only help eliminate the excess sodium from celebratory foods that are high in salt, but can be a great alternative for sugary drinks, juices, or alcohol. Drinking enough water can also help in preventing overeating.
Physical Activity
There are times when the holiday rush can break into the regular routine, often bringing a brief pause to the gym and yoga sessions. However, any level of physical activity can regulate blood sugar. For example, try a 10-minute walk, a bit of dancing, or stretching.
Choose Sweets Wisely
As festivals are incomplete without sweets, there are also options that might help with sugar levels. Homemade sweets containing coconut, nuts, or seeds can be taken in small portions as they are filling and naturally rich in flavor. You can also go for low-calorie sweets made with jaggery, moong dal, dates, ragi and oat flour.
Plan Your Meals
To avoid gaining weight, one needs to make proper diet plans. On the days of parties or gatherings, balance it out by eating light food for the rest of the day. Also, being mindful of the portion when consuming can help in maintaining a healthy weight. (ANI)