Eid-Ul Fitr 2018- Celebrate the Healthy Way

“Observing the end of the holy month of Ramadan, we celebrate Eid, a glorious occasion that is followed by rejoicing, giving of alms and a feast of various and delicious foods.”

Tis the season of festivities again. Eid, the most celebrated festival is likely to be celebrated after two day i.e. on Saturday and we hope that the preparations must be going on in your home in full swing. After fasting every day for a month for Ramadan, it is natural to treat oneself with yummy food. However, during the holy month of Ramadan your body is slowly getting used to a certain routine of receiving foods at specific times during the day. Food rich in fat and sugar content takes longer to digest and may cause bloating, indigestion and heartburn.

Here are some diet tips that will help you enjoy Eid in a healthy way

Avoid heavy meals: Meals that are high in fat and sugar often cause digestive problems, due to the fact that they take longer to digest, hence, remain in the stomach for a long period of time, which causes gastric upsets, indigestion, flatulence and heartburn. Starting with lighter meals and choosing healthy cooking methods and ingredients will be the right way to getting back to normal eating habits.

Eat small, frequent meals: To avoid creating gastric problems, avoid eating large, heavy meals at one go as it would take the stomach longer to digest. Whereas, consuming short and frequent meals makes it easier for the stomach to digest, and it stimulates metabolism. Therefore, you must keep short gaps between meals, such as 3-4 hours rather than long gaps such as 6-7 hours.

Choose healthy ingredients: We usually tend to have more non-vegetarian foods at this time. So, we must choose our meats wisely by selecting leaner cuts and removing the visible fat properly before cooking. Sweets are a must during Eid, so while making them, avoid high amounts of condensed milk and be very cautious with your use of sugar. You can also add foods that contain natural sugars such as fruits or dry fruits to your dessert.

Opt for healthy cooking methods: Grill or bake foods instead of frying them. Go for foods such as roasted chicken, baked fish/chicken with herbs or grilled sandwiches. Avoid overcooking fish and vegetables, as excessive heat will lead to loss of important vitamins and minerals.

Consume less salt: using excessive salt in recipes is a big NO. It can be substituted with herbs and spices such as pepper powder, thyme, parsley, rosemary, chili powder, coriander powder, and lemon juice. Not only are they rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, healthy oils but some also have anti-bacterial properties. . These make them a better option as compared to salt.

While there is nothing wrong in taking those tiny winy bites, over indulgence and excessive consumption of food at once can give your body a grave shock. Remember that your body has adapted itself to the one month long schedule of Ramadan and an all of a sudden change in this and can be really harmful. You might just end up with indigestion and ultimately bloating. Gorging on high calorie foods can lead to a feeling of extreme guilt and not to forget, some unwanted weight gain. Unfortunately, these are the pitfalls of social gatherings which are an integral part of the auspicious occasion of Eid.

Walk The Talk or Exercise around the Block: Yes, you heard it right. Going for a walk or working out makes you feel refreshed, relaxed and happy. You must be wondering how? A good walk and exercise routine releases feel good hormones which positively affect your mood and help in managing your appetite. Additionally, these keep diseases at bay and make you feel more energetic. It'll help reduce your guilt as you go digging into that plate of Mutton Biryani or Shahi Korma with Naan on the eve of Eid.

Let Veggies Come First: You must be thinking, why am I asking you to have veggies, that too on Eid, isn't it? Well, yes! The best way to control and reduce your appetite is to eat your veggies first. Veggies are packed with essential nutrients and fiber which would make you feel full so that you can excuse yourself by eating less high calorie and fattening delights. Start your meal with a bowl of salad or stir fry veggies and I am sure your tummy would ask for very little malai kofta or khichda.

Exercise Portion Control: Controlling your portions is of utmost importance when you are at a social gathering and if you wish to keep your weight in check. Piling up food in a plate just because it's an occasion is no excuse to let your diet goals go for a toss. When you go on adding food to your plate, somewhere you are pressurized to eat it all so as not to waste food. Politely refuse a second helping of food, even if it's a relative who urges you towards the table. The best way you can eat less, is to strike a good chat with your closed ones so that you concentrate more towards the conversation and less on the yummy delicacies. Remember "we have to eat to live and not live to eat."

Do Not Make Friends with Aerated Beverages: While it may seem a great idea to have an aerated drink with your meal on the pretext of digesting the heavy food, the reality is far from what you think. Aerated beverages are loaded with sugar and do not do any good to your body. Rather than gulping down a glass of cold-drink, have a glass of buttermilk with mint leaves in it for better digestion. Buttermilk will not only improve the digestion process but will also help you in eating less. So, what should you choose? A sugar filled drink or a protein packed liquid. My advice, go for the latter and you will not regret doing the same.

Beat The Sweet Cravings with Fruits/Dates/Figs: Who does not love having a bowl of Sheerkurma or sevaiya on Eid. It's mandatory, isn't it? Yes, we all crave these lovely sweets and Eid is the only time it's made in such a large quantity with extra ghee, sugar and dry fruits. While no one wants to miss the opportunity of grabbing it them, you can always minimize the consumption. How? Have a fruit /2 Dates /2 Pieces anjeer before you go ahead with the sweet dish and the natural sugar content in the above would satisfy your sweet tooth to an extent and a few bites of your favorite dessert would be enough for you. Remember, when temptation knocks on your door, find smart ways to tackle it and your body is going to thank you for your decision later.

Bid Adieu to The Table Once You're Done: The whole idea and aim here is to satisfy your hunger and not to go overboard after looking at the large spread of delicacies. Remember when you are full, it's a cue towards closure. When the tummy is no longer ready to accommodate food, it sends signals to your brain so that you no longer stuff yourself. Pay heed to what your body is trying to tell you and gently assert that you have indeed enjoyed the meal and have eaten your share of Eid delights. Once you are done, leave the table, don't linger around.