“Diwali comes once a year, and your detox diet plan can wait.” - said everyone ever! As much as the first part of this bait is true, the second part is not. Research suggests that people put on significant weight during the festive season in India. But oops! Diwali, or any festive season, is the most challenging time when your body and mind must balance binge eating sweets and maintaining weight.
We know Diwali is a long-awaited festival for you. The lights and colours, and when sweets and snacks just melt into your mouth— all of this makes it even more irresistible. But the sad part here is that holiday overeating has its disadvantages. These often show up as subtle signs of discomfort:
- Constipation: Eating cookies and crackers high in carbohydrates and fats and low in dietary fibre can make bowel movements difficult.
- Bloating: Eating salty, processed foods and sauces causes you to retain water, leading to bloating.
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Guilt: Binge eating during the Diwali break can send you on a guilt trip if you cannot control it.
Relax! This is not another list of “DON'Ts” you must follow, nor is it about only adding gut-friendly food to your diet plan. We’ll walk you through practical detox recipes and other tips you can follow without losing out on your Diwali fun!
Let’s start by saying “Bye-bye” to a myth about detoxing first!
No specific research shows evidence that guarantees sustainable weight loss with only a detox diet plan. We need a well-functioning system where the liver, kidneys, digestive system, skin, and lungs fight to eliminate toxins from the body.
So, what do you do when a detox diet plan doesn't do the magic of detoxification you thought it would? You can always enhance your body’s natural detoxification system by eating gut-friendly food and adopting the following ways.
Let’s look at the festive mood-friendly tips!
Calling it “cheat days” would be too much if your holiday overeating leads to unsolicited weight gain and a break in following your diet. How about turning your Diwali from a regular cheat day to a healthy treat day?!
Here’s how you can go about maintaining your taste and health at the same time:
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Drink more water:
Pretty basic, right? But hey, when was the last time you had water today? You must get a glass of it if you don't recall it. We know you’re surrounded by loved ones, indulging in sweets and loaded with festive preparations, but water is your saviour. It keeps you hydrated, helps you with stomach aches and constipation, smoothens digestion, and removes waste products. It’s one of the best detox drinks to have!
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Take a walk:
Do you feel like your stomach will burst? Take a walk! Any light exercise after binge eating will reduce blood sugar levels, facilitate digestion and help you overcome the feeling of bloating.
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Eat slowly:
There is no rush to finish everything all at once. Besides, what’s the fun of eating something you love when you can’t savour it well? Eating slowly gives your digestive system time to digest the food properly.
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Eat gut-friendly food high in prebiotics:
Tomatoes, onions, garlic, oats, asparagus, and bananas. These will suffice to make your plate colourful. You can have at least half of your plate with these and the rest with other festive foods. This is an easy hack that works like a mini detox recipe. Being mindful of your gut will ultimately protect your immune and detoxification systems.
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Be gentle on yourself:
You may be disappointed in yourself after consuming all those extra sweets and drinks. But if you generally follow a plan like a weight loss diet plan, you needn’t worry about occasional overeating. However, it’s a matter of concern if you frequently binge eat because it can lead to weight gain and obesity.
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Limit alcohol:
There is a high chance that Diwali gatherings increase your alcohol intake. It’s important to know that your liver metabolises alcohol to acetaldehyde, a cancer-causing chemical. Excessive alcohol intake can further lessen your liver’s ability to detoxify.
7 Day Detox Diet Plan Post Diwali
If you couldn't keep your diet under control during Diwali, it’s all right! We’re happy that you had a blast. But now is the time to restore healthy eating over the next 7 days. Here’s what you can include as your detox recipes:
- For breakfast: Porridge oats, smoothie, fruit and yoghurt.
- For lunch: Rainbow salad and chicken salad
- For dinner: Quinoa and sweet potato salad, and salmon and fresh herbs
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For snacks: Fresh fruits, trail mix and kale chips
Here are a few pro tips to follow:
- Have a mug of hot water and lemon every morning
- Cut down on caffeine, tea, alcohol and processed foods
- Practice some gentle exercises
- Try having fruits and vegetables for every meal
Sources:
Virtua Health : How to Bounce Back From Holiday Overeating
MD Anderson : How to feel better after overeating during the holidays
Health Central : The Chronic Guide to Holiday Detox
Web MD : 15 Healthy Foods to Eat After a Binge
Healthline : What Is a Full-body Detox?
Healthy Life : 7 Day Detox Plan
Mayo Clinic : 7 tips for reining in holiday overeating
Healthline : Detox Water Health Benefits and Myths
Healthline : Top 23 Weight Loss Tips for Women