Relax, you can shed those festival kilos

If you are reading this article with interest, chances are that you have indulged in some unhealthy treats this festive season and added a couple of tyres around your waist. Anjali Mukherjee writes.

If you are reading this article with interest, chances are that you have indulged in some unhealthy treats this festive season and added a couple of tyres around your waist.

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You probably intended to observe the principles of good nutrition during this festive season, but somehow your intention failed you; you either gave in to temptation or honestly couldn’t find anything to eat that wasn’t loaded with sugar or fat!

Never mind.

Most festivities are celebrated with a non-stop supply of highly fattening food, and you end up gaining a bulge even before you know it. At this point, if you are feeling miserable and bloated, don’t! The most important thing is to not despair.

Festivities are what make life fun and fun is an important aspect of health. Occasional indulgences will not make you fat as long as they are truly occasional. The weight will not stick to you if you quickly do a ‘detox food plan’ to help you get rid of the toxic excesses.

Here are some tips to deal with the post Diwali bulge:

Follow a raw food diet for two days. Omit sugar completely and limit salt intake.

Later on eat a diet that includes cooked vegetables, fruits, whole grains and pulses.

Drink eight to 10 glasses of water with a dash of lime in each. Water is one of the best detoxifying agents.

Consume sufficient fibre to keep your body cleansed and light.

Eat your dinner by 7 pm, don’t eat anything after that until you wake up.

Above all, don’t beat yourself up emotionally over a few unwanted kilos. Following these tips may help you take care of them.

(Dr Anjali Mukerjee is a nutritionist and founder-director of fitness centre Health Total)