Let’s be realistic. I can write endlessly about healthy snacks and sweets and how to avoid piling on the pounds but when it comes to enjoying the festival of lights, no one is really thinking about being… well, light.
Diets are trashed with reckless abandon, routines routinely fly out of the window. Everyone focuses on, talks about, cooking, gifting and eating. While staying on your regular meal plan is always the best way to go, here are a few ways you can sneak a little more this holiday season. All by simply manipulating the way your body works.
Eat more in the first half
Your metabolism is not the same in the evening as it was in the morning because you are not as active at night. The level of activity decreases as the day progresses, as does your metabolism. If you must stray from your healthy eating plan, eat more in the first half of the day, during lunch and brunch. Or better still, take the lead and organize pre-Diwali and Diwali events during that timeband.
Eat Right After Exercise
Exercise boosts your body’s metabolism. Even when you stop exercising, the effects continue and the body continues to burn calories much after you have left the gym. Schedule your exercise right before a big meal or event. You’ll find that the same calories ingested by the same body burn way more efficiently.
Eat Before You Leave for a Party
This one is simple enough. Have a bite of something healthy like a salad or a healthy sandwich to avoid entering a party ravenous and pouncing on the first thing you see.
Eat Controlled Portions
You can also eat whatever you want but control the intake, by say, half. While this sounds hard to do, in fact, it takes about 20 minutes for you to feel full. Just wait for that feeling of fullness and you will automatically stop eating. Over time, portion control could become your best friend. And not just during holiday season.
Drink Water
The hunger and thirst signals are set very close together in your brain, and sometimes we eat because we are thirsty. Drinking at least 8-10 glasses a day could make all the difference between eating right and overeating.
Drink Chaas/ Soup
Drink more healthy chaas and soup during the day. You will just feel full and also have the ability to exercise better control over what you eat and drink.
Alcohol — especially heavy, sugary cocktails — is one of the fastest ways to gain weight during the holiday season. Slow down your consumption of all things boozy by alternating alcoholic drinks with vegetable based-mocktails like virgin Mary, which will slow down the calorie absorption and infuse you with a little nutrition as well. Wine spritzers are also a great idea.
At the end of the day, it’s really about working with the body you have and eating with your mind. While the above may or may not prevent weight gain – because ultimately, you are straying from your regular eating habits, it will definitely make it far easier for you to get back on track; and help you see the light after the festival of light.
