Now that the festive lights have been packed away, it's time for a reality check. It's time to bid adieu to copious quantities of sugar and fats and welcome some real food in our lives. Your body wants to get back to normal and is probably screaming for a cleanse. Below are some simple steps you can use to get back on track. The best part is that you can use these clean eating habits any time of year.
Diwali is a time to celebrate, so we relax with our family, meet our friends and indulge in various delicacies. Most of us tend to overeat during this time, wreaking havoc on our systems. We tell ourselves that since the festival comes once a year, it's fine to indulge.
But now that the festive lights have been packed away, it's time for a reality check. It's time to bid adieu to copious quantities of sugar and fats and welcome some real food in our lives. Your body wants to get back to normal and is probably screaming for a cleanse. Below are some simple steps you can use to get back on track. The best part is that you can use these clean eating habits any time of year.
Even the smallest changes in your routine can have a big impact on your health. Start the day with a glass of warm water mixed with the juice of half a lemon. Have a glass or two on an empty stomach and keep sipping more throughout the day. Drinking lemon water in the morning flushes out toxins and excess sugar from the system, thus promoting weight loss. It also encourages healthy digestion and helps relieve symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, burping and bloating.
" There is never a good muhurat to start eating healthy, so begin today!"
Eat raw vegetables and fruits like cucumber, carrots, radish, tomatoes, onions, oranges, papaya, apples and whatever else you can get hold off before every meal. Raw foods make you feel amazing and are known for removing toxins and healing your body fast.
Post Diwali, your body is still coping with all the excesses so try to cut down on your sugar intake, fats and processed carbohydrates. If you are used to drinking tea or coffee then avoid adding sugar to it. Say no to the leftover barfi and instead go for a piece of fruit. Eliminate all fried foods like puris, pakodis, samosas, etc. from your diet. Also, limit your intake of rotis or white rice. Cut back on the size of your portions and try eating five or six smaller meals rather than three large meals a day. Consume more raw, steamed or sautéed vegetables, dal and higher fibre grains like oats and brown rice.
Give your body some movement. You don't need to join a gym or invest in fancy equipment to burn some calories. Walking or taking the stairs instead of the lift will go a long way in ensuring a healthy heart. Do what you enjoy the most! If you enjoy dancing, get up and groove. The key is to do something daily rather than just sitting around.
This should be your number one priority for at least the next month or so. Restaurant food is loaded with oil, salt, starch and sugar. Such things may be tasty but not always the healthiest option. If you cook at home you have control over the ingredients and cooking techniques. You can easily and quickly prepare a nourishing meal (for example, khichdi and chaas) rather than ordering from outside.
Turn off the TV and sit down with your family to enjoy a meal. Focus on the meal and your inner body rather than world news or daily soaps. When you eat mindfully you are able to listen to your body's signals and feelings. You will be able to enjoy and relish each bite of your food. You will know when you are full and will avoid overeating.
While detoxing is a must after festivals or a vacation, the clean living tips shared above are applicable anytime of the year. There is never a good muhurat to start eating healthy, so begin today!
What strategies or detox tips do you use to get back on track? Please share your experiences here as we all learn from each other.