Diwali Special 2014: How to keep your weight in check this Diwali

Diwali is the time when families and friends come together to celebrate the festival of lights. Apart from the fire crackers, sweets and snacks are an indispensable part of this festive season. It can be a trying occasion for you as you battle between indulging and abstaining from the festive treats. With all the binge-eating and ghee-infused diet you end up doing quite a bit of harm to your health. Here are some healthy tips to bail you out. Chirag Sethi, director of Battle of Bulges, doles out tips to help people stay fit while you enjoy the food fiesta during the festive season.

• Start by calculating and making your meal plan for the day. If you starve the whole day, the chances of bingeing and adding extra calories are high. Be sure to eat in moderation throughout the day.
• Avoid soft drinks when thirsty, have water or coconut water instead.
• In case of overeating, compensate by cutting calories the next day.
• Avoid having sweets right after meals as it can increase the chances of weight gain.
• Those with the sweet tooth should indulge in sweets in the morning as the liver's stores are empty at this time and chances of gaining weight are slim.
• Compensate for a skipped workout session by walking more than you usually do or by climbing a flight of stairs as opposed to taking the lift.
• Keep some almonds handy, a full stomach is the key to staying away from the calorie-filled box of sweets.

Stay hydrated

With so much going on during Diwali, most of us forget to drink enough water. Low fluid intake can make you feel weak or tired as it inhibits the absorption of other macronutrients in the body. Many a times people replace water with sugary beverages or aerated drinks. Hydration does not mean having such drinks. Sneha advises to include healthy beverages such as nimbu pani with less sugar, iced green tea, buttermilk, and infused water. Also, serve your guests these healthy beverages rather than the sugary ones.

Distribute healthy gifts

Gifts are a symbol of friendship and hospitality of this festival. Choose sensible gifts for your family and friends this Diwali. Try gifting them low-calorie sweets and snacks instead of ghee-laden sweets. Set an example by sending hampers of fruits and dry fruits to your relatives. Fruits are less calorie laden and dry fruits make a good option as they are good sources of protein and minerals such as zinc, potassium and magnesium which are not present in those sweets.

Eat healthy snacks

Sneha adds, 'During Diwali not just the consumption of sugar is high, but the intake of salt and fat in forms of namkeen and farsan is high too. A very healthy way to modify these snacks is to bake them rather than frying. Baked chaklis and puris, low-fat khakras and roasted chivda are all healthy snack options which are low in fat as well as calories as compared to our traditional deep-fried snacks.

Image source: Getty Images

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