HERE’S TO HEALTHY FESTIVE SEASON
With Ganeshotsav on, nutritionists and dieticians share the importance of having healthy food while enjoying the festivities. Experts suggest easy ways to stay fit during celebrations
The festive season has officially begun with the commencement of Ganeshotsav. It is that time of the year, when celebrations involve gorging on sweets and season-specific delicacies. While it’s okay to enjoy and celebrate, it is definitely not okay to strain your body with excessive festive eating. Experts share that planning a well-enriched diet before the festivities kick
will help follow it better.
A HEALTHY BREAKFAST
What is of utmost importance is that you must start your day with a power packed breakfast. A healthy breakfast will keep you away from over indulging through the day. Delnaaz T Chanduwadia, dietician, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, says, “Choose breakfast cereals that are high in fibre as they would help you tide through the day without scrupulous snacking.” Heena Ansari, dietician and nutritionist, Axis Hospital, points out that festivals are the best time to create a schedule. She adds, “During Ganeshotsav, one can make a disciplined schedule such as waking up early morning. Start your day with a healthy and balanced breakfast such as oats, cereals and fruits. This will keep you fit for a longer period of time during Ganeshotsav.”
WHAT TO AVOID
As we are into the festive mood, we tend to eat a lot of sweets as offerings are presented as sweets. Dr Aarti Bhalerao, nutritionist, Columbia Asia Hospital, says, “It is important to maintain moderation in intake of sweets. Focus on healthy offerings so that you too consume the same. As a host, plan your meals and prasad with lots of antioxidant-rich foods such as dishes that include walnuts, fresh fruits, and almonds. This will help create a balance.” Apoorva Saini, dietician, Fortis Lafemme, suggests staying away from fried snacks, sugar syrup containing desserts, creams, motichoor laddoo, etc. One should learn the skill to say no to unhealthy foods during this festive season.
RECOMMENDED FOODS
This really depends on the clinical status but for a healthy individual, include fresh fruits, curd, dry fruits, and steamed modak, which can be enjoyed in moderate quantities. Saini adds, “Sweets such as besan laddoo and ramdana laddoo with dry fruits are rich in protein and also include limited amount of saturated fat. So they are better options. Puffed rice laddoo is another low-calorie option.” Chanduwadia adds, since we cannot eliminate the sweets from the Indian festivities, we should try to make healthier versions with all the options available.
FOCUS ON EXERCISE
Walking as an exercise should be encouraged along with cardio such as brisk walk, generalised stretching, etc. One may also opt for simple yoga in the morning. Chanduwadia, adds, “One’s exercise schedule should not change because of a festival. It is important to follow your exercise regimen even more strictly if you want to consume all the goodies during this festive time. Eat wise. Be consistent with workout. Festivals are not licenses to skip workouts. A good balance of weight training along with cardio is always the best choice.”