Festivals are all about fun and frolic, but with that, they are also about gaining extra kilos. And while such weight gain is indeed depressing, it is starvation that is resorted by most to bring back those curves. Other common steps taken to lose one’s calorie count are diets that help one losing two to four kgs in a week, going on GM diet or on cabbage soup diet, fasting a day or two weekly, or skipping a meal a day. Needless to say, these measures do result in weight loss but there are a few who know what damage they cause to one’s body.
Here are some time tested methods to knock off those extra kilos:
• Substitute Dalia for rotis. Dalia is unrefined wheat so opt for vegetable Dalia.
• Increase intake of non-soluble fiber present in wheat or oat barn. Add a tea spoon of barn your roti.
• Sip hot water through out the day to aid digestion and flush out toxins. Drink plenty of herbal tea. They are rich in antioxidants. The antioxidant in the tea works only when milk is not added to the tea.
• Drink extra water the following week, as many foods that we consume during indulgence are higher in sodium. Drink a lot of vegetable juice and juice of citrus fruits. Juice of tomato, carrot and beetroot is also helpful to cleanes your liver. Increase intake of oranges, amla and sweet lime to boost up your immunity in this changing season.
• Cut down on milk and paneer. To maintain the calcium levels add curd (made of skimmed milk), a tsp of kala til in your diet.
• Amla improves liver functioning so include its juice in your diet. Fresh amla comes before Diwali. Amla juice or amla power diluted in water on an empty stomach is also a solution. This also cuts down the side effects of eating heavy food.
• Extra activity for a week or so would also be helpful.
• Light dinners are the best way to lose weight. Just have soup, vegetable and salad for dinner. You can take light snacks in the evening i.e. roti warp, besan chilla, Dhokla, egg, white sandwich with atta bread etc. with your tea or coffee followed by a fruit.
• Avoid sugar and diet drinks completely.
• Include raw tomatoes, carrots and radishes in your diet as they are rich in your diet as they are rich in enzymes that aid digestion.
• Last but not the least, chew your food properly for best results. Food is an important part of festive celebrations, but avoid eating too much. Moderation is the key.