Fit for the festivities

Don’t let the festive spirit ruin your healthy diet regimen. Experts share ways to stay fit and healthy amid celebrations

Anjali Shetty

Aren’t we eagerly waiting for Navratri, Dussehra and, Diwali? While all these festivals call for spending time with family and loved ones, it is also time for a a lot of delicious, rich, and heavy food. This, in turn, will mean that one may put on extra kilos. So, how does one enjoy the festivities and yet maintain their weight?

Dr Sweta Surve says, “The festive season in India is an integral part of people’s lives. It often gets tough to stick to healthy dietary regimen, even for the most ardent fitness enthusiast, with

tempting celebrations. However, some simple tips can go a long way. For example, small meal sizes, no second servings, usage of low fats, and keeping dinners light.”

MAINTAINING THE SCALE

Dr Mansi Chaudhry, senior dietician and nutritionist, points out, “Eat at least six portions of small and frequent meals. A balanced diet should comprise all the major food groups — carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals, and dairy products. A combination of oils should be used. For some preparations, mustard oil should be used, while for others either olive, groundnut, safflower, or sunflower oil should be used.”

Ushakiran Sisodia, clinical nutritionist and lifestyle medicine practitioner, says, “Food with excess amount of sugar or those that are deepfried should be restricted.”

HOLISTIC APPROACH

There are seven essential components for a balanced diet – carbohydrates, protein, fats, fibre, vitamins, minerals, and water. Dr Neomee Shah, lifestyle nutrition expert and holistic health coach, lists, “Your daily diet must comprise of whole grains such as whole wheat, buckwheat, amaranth, millets, and brown rice. Source protein from beans, lentils, cottage cheese, chia seeds, quinoa, and nuts for vegetarians, and eggs, chicken, tuna, salmon for nonvegetarians. Include healthy fats by opting for ghee, extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, avocado, fatty fish, and macadamia nuts.”

EXERCISE REGIMEN TO MAINTAIN WEIGHT

With plenty of family gatherings and preparations of festive food over this season, it’s natural to gain a few extra kilos. Shalini Bhargava, fitness expert, shares some tips:

■ Workout while shopping: If you’re too busy shopping or socialising and find it tough to spare time to work out, then turn daily activities into calorieburning movements. Simple apprises to your schedule, like walking to your destination, is an easy way to integrate workout into your schedule.

■ Bring the gym home: Plan a 20-minute routine you could do right in your bedroom. For instance, you could pick out 10 workouts and do each for two minutes.