Diwali is that season of festivities when the entire country is bathed in light, celebrating happiness means sharing delicious food with near and dear ones. This is the time when we tend to lose sight of our eating, drinking, and exercise habits, from the card parties that kick off the season to the infinite selection of munchies and sweets we enjoy. While you are busy celebrating, you should be aware of a few things that, if not avoided, can end up impacting your short-term and long-term health. Let’s make Diwali 2022 a better one, by making smart diet and lifestyle choices. Read on to know more about how you can make these festivities merrier without compromising your cravings.
Celebrating Diwali 2022 the Smarter Way :
Diwali is a time for celebration, and no matter how hard you try not to indulge in delectable sweets and fried foods, a little coaxing from your friends and family is all you need to give in to the temptation. You devour one sweet, then grab another, and before you know it, you can't stop. The key is to not let a few sweets, chaklis, and matharis derail your diet and make you feel guilty later. So let us impart four different unmistakable methods to enjoy the festival sans compromising your well-being.
1. Homemade Sweets & Snacks:
Diwali is incomplete without sweets. Refraining from having sweets is difficult during festivities. In that case, preparing sweets your way can be an added benefit. Ready-to-eat sweets are high in sugar, and calories and also processed to some extent. Sweets can be addictive and just one piece won’t suffice. What’s worse is the feeling of guilt that follows. But sweets made at home can be customized as per your choice of ingredients. You can swap sugar with date powder or a natural sweetener like stevia or honey, and add some protein powder, dried fruit powder, or chunks to make them more nutrient-dense. Snacks can be baked rather than deep-fried to keep them free of saturated fats without impacting their flavor.
2. Moderation is the Key:
The best way to enjoy the delicacies of Diwali is to have them in moderation. That means you don’t have to suppress the desire to eat delectable mithai, farsan, farali, etc., or completely refrain from binging on snacks or overeating. The trick is to eat it slowly and mindfully, and you will eat less. For the ones who are extremely conscious about their health and the current dietary regimen, there are several sugar-free desserts, dairy-free options, and lower-calorie alternatives to classic sweets that can help you stick to your health regimen and enjoy the festivities to the maximum. Excess sweets and snacks can potentially wreak havoc on your digestive system. Adding Daily Fiber or probiotic and prebiotics will ensure that your gut health and digestion are at their optimum functioning.
3. Limit Your Alcohol Consumption:
Diwali is all about meet and greets, the exchange of gifts, card games with friends and family, etc. And, the party remains incomplete if there is no alcohol. But don’t let the festivities get in the way of your hydration. Excessive alcohol consumption causes dehydration and adds unwanted, empty calories along with the potential to cause long-term internal damage to the body. Prolonged dehydration can cause headaches, dizziness, and lethargy. Make sure you consume alcohol in moderation or neutralize your alcohol with water. Apart from reducing the calories considerably, it will also help you reduce your total sugar consumption. Keep yourself well hydrated with beverages like water, lemon juice, coconut water, and fruit or herb-infused water throughout the day during the festive season. This not only flushes the toxins out of the body, but also helps prevent headaches, and migraines.
4. Stay Active & Energetic:
Festivities can be an exhaustive time. From cleaning the house to preparing the sweets for the celebration, it can get tedious. The last thing you want is to feel tired and lethargic while everyone is enjoying themselves. Ensure you are not starving, dehydrated, or skipping your supplements whilst catering to everyone’s needs. Celebrate Diwali 2022 in your best form by having fresh fruits, and dried fruits (in moderation) providing you with natural sugar and healthy fats to improve energy levels, Even natural supplements with the goodness of daily greens can give you a bolt of instant energy. For the ones who are high on energy, ensure you keep up your daily activity to keep yourself from gaining extra inches and feeling guilty after enjoying the delicacies. You can spare at least 15-20minutes to burn some calories and stay active.
Wrapping Up
Diwali brings families and relatives closer together, and eating is a means of reconnecting where you left off the previous year, but don't let those Diwali snacks and sweets become your weakest links after you've worked so hard to reach your desired weight. Eat your favorite foods, but in limited quantities, along with adding natural supplements to your existing health regimen that fulfill your nutritional needs, and improve your energy levels to stay healthy and active throughout Diwali!
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