A fitness expert shares 5 tips to help you avoid weight gain this Diwali

The festive season is the most wonderful time of the year, but for many weight-conscious fanatics, it is anything but happy. Diwali celebrations encourage overeating, and indulgence in a range of traditional sweets and savouries. While it is easy to give into temptation, especially when you are surrounded by various delicacies, it becomes a cause of concern, if you’re on a diet or trying to lose weight.

Dealing with sweet cravings during Diwali can be hard, but with the right mindset and strategies, you can enjoy the ‘festival of lights’ without putting on those extra pounds. To get through these cravings, here are some tips on how to stay fit this Diwali, without feeling any kind of FOMO!

1. Stay active and don’t forget to workout

Diwali is no reason to stay away from being physically active. It is tempting to sit on your couch all day, and watch TV, while spending time chit-chatting with family. But remember going for regular walks or taking the stairs, or even just doing some simple stretching can help in the long run.

We understand that Diwali is a busy period, but it is important to burn those calories that you consume on the go. So, remember to take out time for the gym or do some body weight exercises at home. Try working out in the morning, when everyone is asleep so there is no disturbance. It may be difficult to control your temptations, but working out can surely help you burn those extra calories.

2. Avoid unhealthy snacking

Diwali is all about gorging on traditional delicacies. Unhealthy snacks such as sweets, namkeens and cookies are readily available around the house, especially during the festive season. Be watchful of your snacking habits, if you are hungry and need a snack, opt for real foods. Fruits, vegetables, nuts etc are all filling snacks that do not contain added sugar or unhealthy fats, both of which lead to weight gain.

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Be mindful of the quality of food you eat by avoiding streetside fried and unhealthy delicacies. Indulge in foods that boost your metabolism, and help your skin to glow such as almonds, walnuts, cashew etc. You can try to incorporate proteins such as milk, chicken, eggs, curd, paneer etc in your meals. Also, try drinking vegetable juice once a day.

Also, read: Ask the experts: How can I avoid weight gain during the festive season?

3. Limit your liquid calorie intake

‘Mindful drinking’ is important to ensure you do not end up piling on those extra calories. If you want to control your weight, it is best to limit your intake of high-calorie beverages. Packed juices, soda, and other calorie-rich beverages contribute a significant amount of sugar and calories to your diet, which can lead to weight gain. Additionally, too much alcohol intake can cause dehydration and promotes fat storage.

It is advised to alternate your alcoholic drinks with several glasses of water, and other beverages. During Diwali, water is the most ignored ingredient, however, you should know that less water intake leads to bloating and weight gain. You can also try drinks such as jal-jeera, nimbu pani, coconut water, instead of aerated drinks. Remember to choose your drink wisely!

4. Practice portion control but never starve

Parties and family gatherings are common during Diwali, but you don’t have to go overboard and wreck your diet. Some people eat larger portions and tend to gain weight more easily, but the best way to overcome this is to control your portion size or use smaller plates. Use your judgment to fill your plate with a reasonable amount of food.

Keep an idea of your risk of weight-related issues.

Check BMI

People are of the misconception that if you eat less and stay hungry, you tend to put on less weight, however what they don’t know is that it leads to low blood sugar that slows down your metabolism. It also makes your body bloat, once you finally decide to eat. In fact, what you should do is consume three meals a day, interspersed with healthy snacks to keep those hunger cravings at bay!

5. Modify your recipes and opt for homemade food

There are many traditional Diwali sweets available in the market today, however it contains a lot of unhealthy preservatives, sugar and calories. This Diwali, you can try to make your own sweets at home, so that you have control over your calorie intake. You can lower your calorie intake by modifying your recipes:

• • Use dried fruit instead of chocolate chips or candies
  • Flavour dishes with herbs and spices, instead of butter
  • Substitute low-fat milk for heavy cream.
  • Use cooking methods like baking, steaming, or grilling instead of frying
  • Use club soda or sparkling water in place of sweetened beverages

While we prepare ourselves for the festival of lights, make sure to keep a control on your diet and get plenty of exercise. Remember to limit your intake of the sumptuous treats.