Festivals in India are as extravagant as they can be, with late evenings owing to family gatherings, early mornings for traditional rites, and plenty of delectable food. It's a complete combination of frolic and enjoyment. We often ignore snacking on the extra mithais while engrossed in the festive ambience. The holiday weight is not fiction, and here's how to manage it. This article provides advice on how to stay fit over the holiday season and, more importantly, how to avoid falling off the health wagon.
Never Go To A Party Empty-Stomach
Attending a party on an empty stomach is never a good idea. When you spend longer than usual without eating, you start to feel anxious and tense. That is usually how binge eating starts.
Eat Heavy Foods
Choose a nutritious snack, such as a handful of almonds, which have satiating characteristics that encourage sensations of fullness, which may keep hunger at bay between meals. Almonds are high in Vitamin B2, Vitamin E, magnesium, and phosphorus, all of which are known to aid in the release of energy from the diet. Almonds can help reduce the blood sugar impact of carbohydrate diets, which influences fasting insulin levels. According to a study released by the University of Leeds, snacking on almonds mid-morning (compared to crackers with comparable energy or water of equivalent weight) resulted in a lower overall hunger drive and suppressed the unconscious impulse to consume high-fat meals.
Instead of chips and other calorie-dense snacks, choose quick and easy appetisers like sesame smoked almonds. You can also eat almond-based desserts and give almonds as gifts over the holiday season instead of other high-calorie snacks.
Balance Your Diet
Many people in India miss out on proteins because they avoid non-vegetarian dishes during festivals. Protein should be obtained from plant-based meals such as quinoa, beans, soybeans, and nuts such as almonds. Almonds are high in protein, a nutrient that not only provides energy but is also proven to aid in muscle building and maintenance. They satiate hunger and add to the body's nutritional requirements. You can also provide extra options, such as roasted or boiled meat and eggs. Protein and fibre-rich foods include beans, lentils, and nuts such as almonds. Fibre is crucial because it promotes fullness, which prevents overeating.
Workout
Get up and do at least 30 minutes of exercise. Instead of going to the gym or practising yoga, try going for a brisk walk, running, or doing easy stretches at home during the holiday season. It's critical to keep your body active to avoid feeling sluggish from all the delicious food. It will also help you maintain your exercise programme and burn any extra calories you ingest. With all of the festival dance parties, moving a leg can also make a minor difference. So get out there and dance. Remember to eat a pre-workout snack to receive that much-needed energy boost. Snacking wisely with almonds is a tiny but significant shift that can help you live a healthy lifestyle.
Keep An Eye On Liquid Calories And Stay Hydrated
During the holiday season, we tend to overindulge in drinks that are heavy in calories. In the company of family and friends, we gorge on sugary sodas, juices, and shakes, not to mention the empty calories that lead to weight gain. As a result, sugary, pre-packaged beverages must be avoided.
Finally, and most importantly, despite your hectic schedule, stay hydrated. We may wind up drinking less water than usual because we are constantly on the go, visiting relatives and attending various festivities. In order to stay hydrated, always carry a bottle of water with you. Drinking plenty of water can help to lessen the acidity caused by fried and fatty foods.
