Quick Post Festival Detox Tips
Let’s admit it. We all fall victim to the festive binging at some point or the other. And, in India, where we practically celebrate festivals all-round-the-year, it is even harder to resist the temptation. The latter half of the year, especially brings more frequent occasions to celebrate – and of course, eat. From mouth-watering ghevars during Raksha Bandhan, to jaggery modaks in Ganesh Chaturthi, or delicious rasogullas during Durga Puja – there is just no looking back when it comes to food. And the grand finale comes with the all-time favourite Diwali. And mostly by the end of this awaited festival, many of us have tasted (read overeaten) almost all the delicious and fattening items on this planet.
Sure, festival binging is not recommended but it’s not such a bad thing either, provided you are prepared for the post festival detox
Apart from the detox diets, here are some quick, easy, and effective tips to cleanse your system after a super-fun festive season.
Post Festival Detox – Importance and Benefits
Detoxification is all about cleansing your system by giving it rest and proper nourishment. Interestingly, the practice is part of several cultures around the world. In India, fasting is a common detoxification practice that helps the body remove the unwanted toxins. Our bodies are naturally designed to remove toxins and cleanse the system. However, following a detox routine and fitness regime will help make the process fast and more effective, leaving you with more energy, better skin and glow.
a Gold Medalist Naturopath. She has been running her Diet Consultancy for the last 15 years
-
Eat your breakfast
There is no denying the fact that breakfast is the most important meal of your day. After a long gap of 8 to 10 hours, skipping breakfast means depriving your body off the essential nourishment. Skipping breakfast also increases the likelihood to give to the temptation of junk foods and unhealthy meals. Include the most nourishing food items in your breakfast plate. Foods such as fruits, oats, milk, eggs will add richness to your morning diet.
-
Stay hydrated
Water is a natural cleanser and helps a great deal flushing out toxins from our bodies. Our kidneys, responsible for filtering and eliminating waste from our systems, function effectively with adequate fluid supply. Water also helps in suppressing appetite and increasing metabolization – thus helping burn more fat. Sounds nice, isn’t it?
-
Increase veggies and fruits in your diet for a kickstart to your post festival detox
Fruits and vegetables are easy to digest and rich in vitamins. Adding these colourful items to your plate will not only make it interesting and appetizing, but is also filling. This will make you crave less for junks and other non-healthy items. Salads are a great way to include fruits and vegetables in the diet.
-
Include detox juices
Several foods help remove toxins and there is nothing better than some amazing juices. Start your day with amla shots or aloe shots which will help increase your immunity and make your skin glow. And sometimes, if you are craving for some tasty, yet healthy versions, you may try fresh fruit juices and smoothies.
-
Stock healthy snacks
Following a diet regimen is not easy and you may find yourself easily tempted. To fight the cravings and untimely hunger pangs, stock up your kitchen and fridge with healthy and quick munchies. Mixed nuts and oilseeds can help fight cravings very well. Almonds, cashew, black raisins, falx seeds and chia seeds fall in this category. After all the festivities and feasts, binging on unhealthy stuff should be the last thing you want to do.
-
Get rid of refined products
This should be easy to understand but equally hard to follow. Refined products that includes maida, trans-fats and white sugars and all the highly processed foods which are extremely low in fibers, bran and other nutrients. Eliminate diets that consist of refined food items such as breads, pizzas, pastas and those apparently healthy biscuits too.
-
Embrace millets
Millets such as buckwheat and finger millets are not only low in gluten and simple sugars, but are high in fiber and other essential nutrients including calcium, copper, and vitamin B6. Eat it in the form of kheer, laddoos or even simple dosas – with millets, one can never go wrong.
-
Eat fresh
Eating fresh foods comes with its own sets of benefits. The more aged food is, lesser the nutrients it contains. For a good metabolism and better nutrition, eating fresh is a must.
-
Kickstart a challenge
How about challenging yourself for following the post festival detox diet for a week or a fortnight? Treat yourself with a movie or a spa session every time you achieve your goal. You still deserve to have all the fun, except for unhealthy food.
-
Mindful exercise is a must
This goes without saying that exercise will help you get back in shape faster. However, proceed with enough caution. Don’t be too enthusiastic to over-exercise, which will further deplete your energies. Moderate exercises will help your body get back to the normal routine more resiliently and will also give you mental strength to follow the regime.
-
Get enough sleep
A good sleep is the most under-rated part of the health routine. There are several benefits of a peaceful and adequate sleep – fast metabolism, good skin and a healthy gut to count a few. So pay attention to your sleep pattern as much as the post festival detox diet and exercise schedule.
All the above tips certainly are easy to follow. However, achieving a healthy body requires a lot of discipline. When following any detox diet, whether its post-festival or otherwise, focus on being consistent. I would certainly advise to stay away from any diet, myths or short-cuts. Remember balance and consistency is the key. Enjoy the festival, cherish the memories, and practice self-discipline.
