By: Kejal Sheth
Nutritionist, Weight Management Expert and Founder of Nutrivity.in
The importance of a balanced diet before your big day for that much-envied bridal glow.
What we eat on a regular basis has a great impact on our physical and mental well-being, that’s why when we are gearing up for our big day it is very essential to concentrate on our food intake. Wondering how?
- A plate full of good carbohydrates like daliya, oats, quinoa, brown rice, multigrain pasta, whole wheat bread etc , energy giving proteins like dals, lentils, beans, tofu, paneer, eggs, lean meat etc, healthy fats like olive oil, nuts, oil seeds, avocados etc , with a plate full of healthy foods in a balanced proportion.
- Be positive and aim for balance and stick to your goals & clean eating.
- Fruits and vegetables are generally low in calories, which is the first step to detoxify your body with. The antioxidants present in fruits and vegetables will help you fight against all the junk eaten during wedding season and will help clear your system. Detox fruits and vegetables include spinach, kale, mint leaves, melons, citrus fruits, etc.
- Nothing would work out if your body doesn’t get enough of water to help flush out all the toxins, and those late night heavy dinner. Have fresh fruit juices. Drink at least 3 litres of water daily.
- When Feeling hungry in the middle of the night, instead of getting yourself a tub of ice-cream or chips, try choosing something more healthier like a fruit or nuts or a simple glass of milk.
- Before you start your day, just get on your sports shoes and head for a walk or a run. Engaging into some sport will be helpful. Like swimming, yoga, aerobics, etc. workout will help you get back your body in shape again.
- While breakfast should be the main meal of the day and should be high in calories, the dinner should be low in calories. It will help not feeling heavy at night while sleeping, waking up next day would be fresh and light ready for breakfast. Make sure you cook your meals with minimal oil, salt & masalas when at home this wedding season.
2) Recommended foods that provide your skin with a glow
Adding foods like carrots, spinach, papaya, salmon, dark green leafy vegetables, whole eggs, smoothies made of fresh fruits, yogurt, buttermilk, turmeric milk, fruit infused water, avocados, lots and lots of water.
3) Foods to avoid
Skip dangerous fad diets, avoid dried foods, eliminate processed foods, high caloric foods, sugars, ice creams, excess caffeine, excess supplements.
4) When should your healthy-eating diet begin (6 months before the big day? 3 months?)
Ideal eating healthy, for 6 months is very important, but in the chaos and hustle bustle if you do not get time you can start with 3 month healthy & clean eating diet;
“With three months to go, you want to focus on eating a diet rich in whole, real foods. Cut down on alcohol, smoking, all added sugar and packaged and processed foods.
So, let’s start curating a Diet Plan:
Month 1 :
Start with : Lemon & Cinnamon Water
Breakfast : 1 cup Golden Latte (Turmeric Milk)
+
1 bowl Upma/Poha (with loads of veggies, add sprouts)
OR
2 Egg Whites + 1 toasted Multigrain Bread
OR
1 bowl of Oats Porridge (add a dash of cinnamon)
Mid Morning : 1 glass Fresh Vegetable Juice (use amla & spinach)
Lunch : Start with 1 bowl Fresh Vegetable Salad + 2 Bran Rotis + 1 bowl Subji (avoid potato, sweetpotato, suran) + 1 bowl Dal or Pulses or Egg Curry or Chicken/Fish (roasted/baked/grilled)
Evening : ¼ cup Mixed Seeds (sunflower+pumpkin+flax+muskmelon) + 1 Fruit
OR
A fist of Roasted Chana or Soyabeans
Late Evening : 1 cup Green Tea (squeeze lemon) + 4 Almonds (soaked)
Dinner : 1 bowl Fresh Veg Clear Soup (choose seasonal vegetables, do not use ready to eat)
+
1 bowl Brown Rice with Veggies (add paneer/tofu/chicken/fish)
OR
1 Cottage Cheese/Chicken Vegetable Sandiwch
Bedtime : 1 cup Slim Milk
5) The night before your big day, what are the right foods to consume to keep your skin looking healthy flushed and glowing.
- Focus on clean eating, home-made food is advisable.
- As this is the start maintain a food dairy to keep a track of your dietary eating patterns
- Keep yourself more and more hydrated
- You are so lined up with shopping and other work so it is advisable to carry your own water and fill your bag with some healthy snacks like nuts, seeds, dried fruits to much on and avoid starvation.
- Avoid eating junk, sugar rich foods, refined carbs and deserts completely.
- Take care of all meals you eat, plan in advance
- Big no-no to outside foods
- Have a balanced Meal Plan & workout is must
- Say sorry to sugar – use substitutes like organic jaggery, organic honey, dates
- Salt – use substitutes like pink salt, rock salt & Drink more and more water.