Blame it on the festive season or just the general merriment around, but it is just impossible to keep a tab on our diets now. If there is a box of barfi around, we have to be near it too. It is the rule. And guess what, it is okay. No matter what the internet says, you do not need to starve and certainly not kill all the joy of festivities just be in shape according to celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar. in her audiobook 'Eating in the Age of Dieting', available on Audible.in. Rujuta gets candid about feasting the right way in the festive season. Some key highlights of the book.
1. Follow A Sustainable And Culture Compliant Diet:
To be healthy, fit and lean, one has to adopt a diet that is sustainable, and culture compliant. Diwali is a good time to reevaluate your diet. “The weight loss industry”, is creating a culture of guilt around festive eating and propagating an unrealistic guide. Every body type is different, and a sustainable diet should be rid of guilt. There is absolutely “nothing wrong in enjoying your pooris or Halwa”, says Rujuta, making a point for eating in moderation and eating without guilt.
2. Curate A Special Diwali Menu And Stick To Basics
The healthiest Diwali menu in Rujuta’s opinion is all things homemade and basic, a simple spread comprising homemade Mithai, one freshly fried item, one sabzi, one dal, some roti and rice accompanied with chutney, pickle or papad, all served with love and attention to detail is good. Bring out your silver thalis and kansa (metal) plates, and enjoy the time with family and friends. Why bother with a multi-course menu, when you know that amounts to more calories.
3. Mithai Is Not The Villain:
Overdose of anything is bad, but that does not mean the whole Mithai is a blunder. Rujuta says that Ghee is one of the biggest components of most Mithai, it helps keep the intestines in good shape and ready to take on a load of overeating during Diwali. It is an essential fat and helps assimilate fat soluble vitamins like A D E, and K while protecting bones, skin and immune function as the season changes. Similarly, sugar or jaggery is therapeutic when mixed with nuts, Ghee, Besan, Atta or gond (Edible Gum from the sap of the Acacia tree) or suji. That said, packaged sweets are best to avoid. Eating homemade mithai once a day will do you no harm, the nutritionist says.
4. Do Not Skip The Dry Fruits
By now, you probably have your first dabba of dry fruits be your neighbours already and if they are unsalted, then it is a good idea to start tucking into them already. Nuts and dry fruits are amazing source of amino acids, minerals and phytonutrients. It is a myth that cashew nuts are full of cholesterol. It has zero cholesterol, says Rujuta. You can have dry fruits first thing in the morning, or mix it in mithai.