Diwali is the perfect time of year to indulge. As friends and family rejoice together and sweets and snacks are lavishly distributed, it can also mean that high calorie temptation is always close at hand
Diwali is over and post the festivities, one might be left with the guilt of having indulged in those calorie-laden motichoor laddoos, chaklis, karanajis, shankarpali and chivda; often a little more than required.
But fret not. Post festival is the perfect time to get back on track and back in shape. So, don’t feel guilty any longer about consuming those extra calories. Take these SIX simple steps today, to recoup your health and to embrace fitness as a part of your lifestyle once more.
Increase your water intake:
Keep sipping water (Ayurveda recommends lukewarm water) throughout the day, consuming up to 2 liters. Don’t gulp down water hastily as you may swallow air, which, in turn, causes bloating. Water helps the body to metabolize toxins better and flush them out. Start the day by sipping a tall glass of lukewarm water with a few drops of lemon juice in it.
Load up on antioxidants:
Antioxidants not only help detoxify your body but also help in strengthening your immune system(very important as winter has just begun) and they leave you with a fresh, healthy and glowing skin.
Green tea(After water, the next best drink that will help you detox is green tea.) , dark chocolate, oranges, strawberries, spinach are a few examples of readily available and also tasty antioxidant rich foods.
Fill up on fiber:
For any meal, choose ingredients with high-fiber content. Fiber is the best natural detoxifying agent, sweeping down all the collected debris in the intestines. Two teaspoons of isabgol (psyllium husk) with a tall glass of water half an hour before breakfast helps in regularizing bowel movement. Choose wholewheat bread over white one. You can also substitute chapati with bhakri. Play with interesting grains like cracked wheat, red unpolished rice, and various millets for creating variety in your meals.
Milk and its bi-products:
Milk is a complete food that will help you meet your protein and calcium requirements. Include a lot of Dahi (yogurt) and butter milk to your meals. These help in fighting acidity, improve digestion, wash down fats and are Ooh so yummy!
Cut back on sugar:
If you’ve had more than your fair share of Diwali sweets, then it’s most likely that your system is suffering from an overload of sugar. Avoid consuming sugar as much as possible, instead satisfy your sweet cravings with natural sugars contained in fruits. It will help your body detox.
Increase protein intake, don’t mix cereals:
If you’re having rice for lunch, don’t have chappati in the same meal. Increase your intake of protein as this will help build your energy reserves. Paneer and brown bread are good protein options for vegetarians.”
Note: This is not a three day or a weeks detoxification plan. The above food habit changes combined with regular exercise will flush out your Diwali binge in about a months time. It is good to adopt this lifestyle to have a guilt free Christmas and New Year.
Just like all of you I have put my body through a lot this Diwali. Take up this simple detox with me and take a step towards a healthier lifestyle. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @varmadisha and @clickchatchew for regular updates on this “Diwali Detox”. Also feel free to share your views with me.
Stay healthy, Keep eating!
Click Chat Chew 