9 Diet Tips That Will Keep You Fit Throughout Dussehra And Durga Puja
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For those who live in and are from Eastern India, Durga Puja is one of the largest and most awaited festivals out there. It is that time of the year when people finally decide not to cook food in their homes and instead relish the traditional Bengali food present at the various stalls and pandals that they are visiting. There is no denying that these foods are super yummy, but at the same time, they are also highly calorific. Many of the foods present at the Pandals are deep-fried and super-rich, thus making them pretty bad for the body. So here are a few ways in which you can keep your diet on a healthy track and avoid gaining unnecessary weight during this time:
1. Eat Smaller Portions
We understand that this is easier said than done, but the biggest way to avoid unnecessary festival weight gain is to eat a little less than you regularly would. Plus, smaller portions mean that you can try out more dishes and treats. You can try to cut down the calories in the drinks that you consume or maybe eat one less naan.
2. Go Easy On The Sweets
We understand that it is difficult to say no to sweets, but if you really want to avoid gaining weight, you should avoid eating too many of those oil and sugar-syrup-laden sweets. So make sure that you keep a tab on the amount of Sandesh, and roshogullas that you are eating! Avoid eating more than two pieces of each sweet, and try opting for sugar-free sweets if you can.
3. Eat From A Smaller Plate
If you are eating from a smaller plate, you will want to eat less. This is a trick that even dietitians and nutritionists recommend. If you see a plate full of delicious treats, you will think there is a lot of food in front of you, and basically, you will end up eating more. Eating from a smaller plate will help you cut down on the amount you’re consuming, as getting a second or third helping won’t be worth the hassle.
4. Avoid Drinking Sodas And Fizzy Drinks
While soft drinks might please your taste buds, they do terrible harm to your body. Fizzy drinks are terrible for you as they are high in unhealthy fats. They contain a terribly high amount of added sugar as well. Those who are obese or diabetic should stay away from all kinds of fizzy drinks. It would help if you replaced the fizzy drinks with tender coconut water and nimbu paani to quench your thirst.
5. Don’t Stop Exercising
To matter what the season is, you need to ensure that you take time out to exercise. Even if your schedule is jam-packed, you need to try at least squeezing in thirty minutes just for yourself. Use this time to meditate, hit the gym, work out at home or even go jogging. Exercising can help you keep fit and may even aid in burning off extra calories than you’re consuming.
6. Eat Your Leafy Greens
You need to also make sure that you are getting your daily dose of leafy greens like broccoli, spinach, lettuce, and more. These veggies are a rich source of protein, minerals, vitamins, and, most importantly, fiber. The fiber present in vegetables can keep you full for longer and keep any hunger pangs you may have at bay. Try having a nice bowl of salad before you step out for the day.
7. Drink Plenty Of Water
It goes without saying that one must get a good dose of liquid in their body. If you want to get rid of all the toxins in your body, then you need to keep drinking water to flush all of it out. Your body must receive its dose of minerals through hydration. As soon as you wake up in the morning, you need to ensure you’re drinking plenty of water.
8. Eat More Throughout The Day
Since you will most likely be outside throughout the day of Durga Puja, you must ration out all of your meals and eat healthy food. Avoid eating really heavy dishes during the morning and keep lighter ones for the evening. Since your body will be using energy and fat from the food you eat throughout the day, it will be difficult for your body to digest just one heavy meal.
9. Eat Before You Leave Your House
When you leave your house without eating anything, you will end up eating more as the day goes on. However, if you have a small meal or snack before you decide to step out, you will end up eating less than you usually would. So make sure you get some fruit or eat a healthy sandwich before you visit the pandals.
If you follow these tips and avoid overindulging, we guarantee that you will not end up packing on the extra pounds. No matter how amazing that next dessert might look, avoid going too hard on the sweets. Do tell us all of your thoughts on this article in the comment section below!
