Tips to control your weight gain during festive seasons
Festivals are a season of joy and celebration, a time we all look forward to. During this season of family get-togethers, parties, and feasts, it's easy to overindulge in the delectable confections and high-fat meals that are abundant. While it is important to take part in the celebrations, it is equally crucial to strike a balance in your lifestyle. Here's how to do so.
Be active with family and friends
For many families, festivals involve spending a large amount of time on the couch watching TV or engaging in other sedentary activities. Gaining weight can be attributed to inactivity, particularly when combined with overeating. Engaging in physical exercise alongside your family can be advantageous for managing weight. Opt for some walking, helping with household chores or any other physical activities.
Be mindful of portion size
There's a common misconception that some meals should be completely avoided throughout the festival season. However, moderation and portion control are more important than complete abstention. Giving up your favorite festival treats could lead to binge eating afterward. Rather, allow yourself to enjoy smaller portions of these mouthwatering meals. Besides, prioritize meals with veggies, lean proteins, and whole grains.
Stay hydrated
During the holidays, people often forget to drink enough water. However, it's important to be hydrated always. If you want to consume fewer calories, consider choosing beverages that are lower in calories such as coconut water, lemon water, and buttermilk over high-calorie carbonated drinks and cocktails. Additionally, drinking water can help you feel full and prevent overindulging in food.
Sweet choices
You possibly cannot escape having sweets during festivals. However, you can be mindful of choosing and eating sweets. Choose nutritious desserts like kheer, coconut laddoo and barfi, dry fruit laddoo, carrot cake, and whole grain cookies. These have more nutrients and fewer calories than fried sweets like gulab jamun and jalebi. Go for homemade sweets if possible and limit your sweet intake.
Sleep well
Maintaining a healthy weight is greatly influenced by good sleep hygiene. Most people party late into the night and don't get enough sleep during the holidays. When you return from the festivities, go to bed as soon as possible. Good sleep hygiene requires getting at least six to eight hours of sleep each night. Equally important is to keep stress at bay with meditation.
