Diwali also called as Deepavali, is an Indian festival of lights and celebrations. It signifies the victory of good over evil. Diwali means “rows of lighted lamps”. People light diyas in their homes, shops etc as it is considered auspicious and prepare and eat many traditional sweets. They pray to Goddess Lakshmi for raining happiness and prosperity in their lives by way of lighting diyas. It is an auspicious time to start new ventures. The festivities in Diwali include shopping for new clothes and stuff, making sweets and savories, visiting near and dear ones along with bursting firecrackers and decorating their homes with lights.
Due to the festivities and exchange of sweets, Diwali is also the time people tend to put on a weight if not consumed in desirable amounts. All the sweets (mithaais) and Diwali special food items like barfi, karanje, chakli, kachori, laddoo etc we tend to indulge in a high fat diet which is essential preparation for preventing dryness not only of skin but also for maintaining smoothness of all organs.
List below is tips to a healthy and happy Diwali:-
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Exercise Daily
Due to the holidays and celebrations, exercise takes a backseat. Exercising daily during festivities helps us in keeping the unwanted kilos off us without restricting us in our celebrations. If going to the gym is not possible, an hour of yoga or brisk walks of 30 minutes in outside pleasant cool climate also does us loads of good.
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Healthy Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and should never be skipped. Eating a nutritious and healthy breakfast prepares us for the rest of the day and prevents us from binge eating. Faraal as typically done for breakfast in Diwali, if done, should not be binge eaten!
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Balance your calorie intake throughout the day
Balance in calories intake should be done throughout the day. If our breakfast or lunch is heavy with festive eating, a light dinner of salad or soup or any other low calorie menu should compensate for the extra calories eaten during the day. Care should be taken not to skip any meals. Never arrive on an empty stomach for a festive meet, as we tend to overeat.
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Drink plenty of water
Water intake should be at least 7 to 8 glasses in a day. It helps us in cleaning our body from within and brings us a glow on the outside as well.
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Choose Healthy Alternatives
Instead of adding sugar, maida etc to our Diwali sweets and savories, we can try to make new more healthy and nutrient rich recipes by using alternatives like moderate jaggery in sweets, wheat or nachni in laddoos, shankarpali and karanjis as well and adding dry fruits and nuts makes food more nutritious. Fried food items should be restricted in number and should be relished but in moderate amounts.
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Post Diwali Detox is a must
Post the Diwali celebrations; a detox is a must to cleanse our system from within to relieve our guilt of consuming all the sweets, junk food and carbs. Healthy and clean eating is the key. Fresh fruits, vegetables and no sugar, maida etc should be introduced in our daily diet.
Diwali is the season of spreading love and happiness. In this festive spirit, where good triumphs over evil, let us not only keep our hearts and mind positive and healthy from within as well as on the outside, but also give our body healthy and nutritious Diwali and winter essentials.