Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Experts tell us how to eat healthy in Diwali?

BEAT THE FESTIVE WEIGHT GAIN

Bingeing on the sweets can wreak havoc on the waistline. In the first of our threepart Diwali series, the experts tell us how to eat healthy

Diwali is that time of the year when in every household, the aromas of ghee-laden sweets and indulgent festive dishes become hard to resist. The gulab jamun might be tempting, but it might come at the cost of not fitting into that brand new outfit. This year, you can choose to celebrate a healthy Diwali. Here’s how.

NEXT WEEK: Learn the best ways to prepare healthy sweets.
  Balance it out
While a little indulgence is harmless, make sure you balance it out by eating healthy foods as well. “A balanced diet includes six essential nutrients — carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and water, which the body requires in both large and small amounts,” says wellness expert Namita Jain. “These can help maximise physical and mental performance and also help regain vitality.”
For a balanced diet, “carbohydrates (grains, vegetables, fruits) must make 5560 per cent of your diet; proteins (milk, eggs, meat, fish, sprouts) about 15 per cent; and fats (oils, butter) about 25-30 per cent,” says Jain.

Detox it out
A three-day detox diet can also help flush out toxins and get you in a good shape. Go for vegetable juice, coconut or limewater, soups and herbal teas throughout the day to compensate for the heavy meals. “Incorporate bottle gourd (dudhi) juice, green vegetables juice or wheatgrass juice in the detox diet for three days. On the fourth day, try and eat simple food items like porridge, khichdi, dal, soup or milk and milk products,” says dietician Mitalee Doshi.

Fad diets, however, are not recommended, as they don’t give the body the nutrition it requires.
It is also important to include regular physical activity, to help burn extra calories. Days before the festivities begin, increase the time of your regular exercise regime. “If you walk or jog regularly, add an extra 15 minutes. Devote at least an hour in the morning to exercising your muscles — walk, jog or hit the gym,” says Doshi.

Go for

DIETS RICH IN
Antioxidants (fruits, vegetables, green tea, beans cloves, cinnamon, ginger) Fibre (fruits and vegetables, whole grains, pulses, nuts, seeds) Protein (fish, chicken, egg, low fat milk and milk products, soya) Omega 3 (walnuts, flaxseed, soya oil, fish like salmon, mackerel).



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