The country�s biggest festival is behind us, which means that Tihar is just around the corner. Another major festival in the Nepali calendar, Tihar holds special meaning in the hearts of those who celebrate it. It not only celebrates the humans� relations to Gods and other humans, but it also commemorates our relationship with the animals, namely the Crows, dogs & cows. While festivals like Dashain and Tihar have their own unique features like the many other festivals in the country, all of them have one thing in common � eating; specially prepared dishes per festival.
The Nepali calendar is filled with festivals throughout the year and of course eating is a very important part of any major Nepali festival apart from merrymaking. Ask any Nepali what they like to do most during the festive season and eating will be high up on their list. When it comes to food in the festivals here in Nepal, Dashain and Tihar are a foodie�s paradise. While Dashain is all about meat and of course drinks, Tihar aims to satisfy those with a sweet tooth and drinks too. Festivals like Dashain and Tihar present a wide array of foods that aren�t necessarily prepared throughout the year except during the festival. However, these festivals are not all about eating. They are meant to be a period of relaxation and enjoyment, yet most often than not, we seem to get busier during this period. Household chores, attending to guests, ceremonial rituals or celebrating with family and friends, it�s safe to say that any normal and daily routines are thrown out of the window during the festivities.
A few times in a year, we let go of all the dietary restrictions and beliefs and indulge in anything and everything that is available. Even the most disciplined people can find it difficult to stick to their health and fitness routines. Consuming large amounts of food during the festive season is a common sight in Nepal and perhaps around the world too. A small percentage of the people do manage to stay in shape though while the majority of the rest put on some unwanted weight in the process. While this is a common sight in the country, a lot of people can be seen complaining after about how much weight they have gained.
Eating healthy during the festive season can be a big ask for anyone. With all the tasty food that is being prepared around you, it is quite hard to resist the temptation of serving yourself an extra plate of food. Regardless of what festival it is, everyone should take it upon themselves to eat and stay healthy and not just during the festive season too. We have listed out a few ways how you can help yourself stay healthy, eat well and still enjoy your holidays.
Get plenty of sleep
A lot of social engagements are likely to take place during the festivities which means staying up late and getting less sleep will be a frequent occurrence. Unfortunately for us, lack of sleep can have a very adverse effect on our health; sleep deprivation can cause multiple problems to your overall health. Weight gain, weakened immunity system, heart diseases and high
blood pressure to name a few. Set a firm bedtime and stick to it. Attend the ones that are the most important to you and avoid the outings you�re not particularly eager to attend. Do not force yourself to stay up late for an extra hour or two. Getting adequate rest never hurts anyone.
Moderate what you put inside your body
Consuming food and drink in moderation is key. There is a limit to everything that goes inside your body. Don�t go overboard with the idea of eating a bit more of this or that won�t affect you. All it takes is a bite more to cross the limit. It is inevitable to want more of one dish and a little of everything else. Make sure that you take equal amounts of all the food in small portions and not indulge on just one particular dish. Another good trick to moderate your food intake is the use of a smaller plate. This tricks your mind into thinking it as a regular plate regardless of its size. Take your time eating your meals too as it convinces the brain to think that your stomach is full faster. It is also recommended that you eat more of vegetables than meat & sweet as the high dietary fibers in the vegetables help fill your stomach a lot faster.
This is also the time when friends and family get together and drink plenty of alcohol and fizzy drinks. The calories in alcohol and fizzy drinks are very unnecessary for the body and can quickly add up to take their toll. Drinks with lower calories such as gin and tonic are a possible alternative and if possible try to drink fresh fruit juices instead of fizzy drinks.
Resisting the temptation to indulge can be difficult, but if you give into this temptation be mindful of what goes on in your plate. Try to avoid too much fat or carbs by balancing all the necessary nutrients. Keep in mind never to skip meals. Your body needs a reliable source of energy to function. Eat on time to ensure your body is adequately fuelled to help engage in all the activities required.
Keep yourself hydrated
It cannot be stressed how important drinking plenty of water can be for the body. The holidays can be very disruptive for your daily routine. Finding time to exercise or rest in between household chores can be difficult task. Even eating on time can be tedious. It is recommended by health professionals that you should drink at least 2 liters of water or more every day. Drinking plenty of water can keep you going on for a couple of more hours. Needless to say, water also helps keep your weight in check and also help you lose them at the same time.
Since there will be plenty of alcohol going around during the holidays, make sure that you alternate between boozy beverages and water. For every serving of alcohol that you drink, drink a glass of water too.
Make exercise a priority
It might be very difficult to work out during the festive season. Most gyms tend to remain closed during the time and exercising at home will prove to be a difficult task. Since it is a busy period, sneak in exercises as much as you can. Go up and down the stairs, sneak in a few sit-ups or push-ups, parking a little further from the store, walking a few extra blocks before jumping into a cab. If you decide to visit relatives try to walk and avoid using vehicular support. Get up an hour early and go for a run in the morning, it will help you keep your mind fresh and prepare you for all the activities that come your way throughout the course of the day.
Fix a routine for yourself and although it seem difficult, try to follow it as strictly as possible. If you overindulged the night before, make sure that you don�t skip your morning workout. Instead use it as motivation to get you out of bed and give your workout everything you�ve got. Any extra time you spend raising your heart rate is better than not doing anything at all, and you won�t feel as bad if you do skip a workout or two. Since most fitness centers are likely to remain closed, squeezing in a workout or two every so often will make a big difference in your body.
Relax your body and mind
The holidays can be a stressful time. Between managing your work duties along with the additional commitments to your family and friends, your body will tire out. Try to take a breather every once in a while and relax. A relaxed mind will help you achieve more and will make you feel better doing it. When you feel wound up or overwhelmed, take five minutes to breathe deeply. Stretch your body, take a nap, drink a glass of water or even a glass of your preferred alcoholic beverage if need be or anything that helps you take your mind off of things and help you to focus better. Make sure to take a break between all your duties every now and then to refresh your body physically and mentally to keep yourself going.
Treat Yourself
The holiday spirit is about helping others around you, but you also have to make time to take care of yourself. You cannot expect to help people if you have not helped yourself. Treat yourself with something over the holidays. It may be something as simple as a long nights sleep. Wake up late and enjoy a day of rest, you need it. How about reading that book you�ve been meaning to for a long time or watch a movie perhaps. Maybe go shopping or get a massage. It is ok to spoil yourself sometime. Take the time to do the things that make you happy.
Keep the focus on fun, not food
Most holidays are associated with certain types of food. Different household will have different types of food prepared. It is very likely that some of your favorite dishes will be prepared too but that doesn�t mean food has to be the main focus. The holidays are much more than just about food. Get into the festive spirit and spend time with those that really matter, your family and friends. Overall, make sure that you have a good time with those around you and spend less time in the kitchen and the dining room.
Regardless of what we believe in or what schedule we decide to stick to, any and all plans are likely to change during the festive season. Every individual must take it upon themselves to take good care of their body and have a good time during the holidays.
The Nepali calendar is filled with festivals throughout the year and of course eating is a very important part of any major Nepali festival apart from merrymaking. Ask any Nepali what they like to do most during the festive season and eating will be high up on their list. When it comes to food in the festivals here in Nepal, Dashain and Tihar are a foodie�s paradise. While Dashain is all about meat and of course drinks, Tihar aims to satisfy those with a sweet tooth and drinks too. Festivals like Dashain and Tihar present a wide array of foods that aren�t necessarily prepared throughout the year except during the festival. However, these festivals are not all about eating. They are meant to be a period of relaxation and enjoyment, yet most often than not, we seem to get busier during this period. Household chores, attending to guests, ceremonial rituals or celebrating with family and friends, it�s safe to say that any normal and daily routines are thrown out of the window during the festivities.
A few times in a year, we let go of all the dietary restrictions and beliefs and indulge in anything and everything that is available. Even the most disciplined people can find it difficult to stick to their health and fitness routines. Consuming large amounts of food during the festive season is a common sight in Nepal and perhaps around the world too. A small percentage of the people do manage to stay in shape though while the majority of the rest put on some unwanted weight in the process. While this is a common sight in the country, a lot of people can be seen complaining after about how much weight they have gained.
Eating healthy during the festive season can be a big ask for anyone. With all the tasty food that is being prepared around you, it is quite hard to resist the temptation of serving yourself an extra plate of food. Regardless of what festival it is, everyone should take it upon themselves to eat and stay healthy and not just during the festive season too. We have listed out a few ways how you can help yourself stay healthy, eat well and still enjoy your holidays.
Get plenty of sleep
A lot of social engagements are likely to take place during the festivities which means staying up late and getting less sleep will be a frequent occurrence. Unfortunately for us, lack of sleep can have a very adverse effect on our health; sleep deprivation can cause multiple problems to your overall health. Weight gain, weakened immunity system, heart diseases and high
blood pressure to name a few. Set a firm bedtime and stick to it. Attend the ones that are the most important to you and avoid the outings you�re not particularly eager to attend. Do not force yourself to stay up late for an extra hour or two. Getting adequate rest never hurts anyone.
Moderate what you put inside your body
Consuming food and drink in moderation is key. There is a limit to everything that goes inside your body. Don�t go overboard with the idea of eating a bit more of this or that won�t affect you. All it takes is a bite more to cross the limit. It is inevitable to want more of one dish and a little of everything else. Make sure that you take equal amounts of all the food in small portions and not indulge on just one particular dish. Another good trick to moderate your food intake is the use of a smaller plate. This tricks your mind into thinking it as a regular plate regardless of its size. Take your time eating your meals too as it convinces the brain to think that your stomach is full faster. It is also recommended that you eat more of vegetables than meat & sweet as the high dietary fibers in the vegetables help fill your stomach a lot faster.
This is also the time when friends and family get together and drink plenty of alcohol and fizzy drinks. The calories in alcohol and fizzy drinks are very unnecessary for the body and can quickly add up to take their toll. Drinks with lower calories such as gin and tonic are a possible alternative and if possible try to drink fresh fruit juices instead of fizzy drinks.
Resisting the temptation to indulge can be difficult, but if you give into this temptation be mindful of what goes on in your plate. Try to avoid too much fat or carbs by balancing all the necessary nutrients. Keep in mind never to skip meals. Your body needs a reliable source of energy to function. Eat on time to ensure your body is adequately fuelled to help engage in all the activities required.
Keep yourself hydrated
It cannot be stressed how important drinking plenty of water can be for the body. The holidays can be very disruptive for your daily routine. Finding time to exercise or rest in between household chores can be difficult task. Even eating on time can be tedious. It is recommended by health professionals that you should drink at least 2 liters of water or more every day. Drinking plenty of water can keep you going on for a couple of more hours. Needless to say, water also helps keep your weight in check and also help you lose them at the same time.
Since there will be plenty of alcohol going around during the holidays, make sure that you alternate between boozy beverages and water. For every serving of alcohol that you drink, drink a glass of water too.
Make exercise a priority
It might be very difficult to work out during the festive season. Most gyms tend to remain closed during the time and exercising at home will prove to be a difficult task. Since it is a busy period, sneak in exercises as much as you can. Go up and down the stairs, sneak in a few sit-ups or push-ups, parking a little further from the store, walking a few extra blocks before jumping into a cab. If you decide to visit relatives try to walk and avoid using vehicular support. Get up an hour early and go for a run in the morning, it will help you keep your mind fresh and prepare you for all the activities that come your way throughout the course of the day.
Fix a routine for yourself and although it seem difficult, try to follow it as strictly as possible. If you overindulged the night before, make sure that you don�t skip your morning workout. Instead use it as motivation to get you out of bed and give your workout everything you�ve got. Any extra time you spend raising your heart rate is better than not doing anything at all, and you won�t feel as bad if you do skip a workout or two. Since most fitness centers are likely to remain closed, squeezing in a workout or two every so often will make a big difference in your body.
Relax your body and mind
The holidays can be a stressful time. Between managing your work duties along with the additional commitments to your family and friends, your body will tire out. Try to take a breather every once in a while and relax. A relaxed mind will help you achieve more and will make you feel better doing it. When you feel wound up or overwhelmed, take five minutes to breathe deeply. Stretch your body, take a nap, drink a glass of water or even a glass of your preferred alcoholic beverage if need be or anything that helps you take your mind off of things and help you to focus better. Make sure to take a break between all your duties every now and then to refresh your body physically and mentally to keep yourself going.
Treat Yourself
The holiday spirit is about helping others around you, but you also have to make time to take care of yourself. You cannot expect to help people if you have not helped yourself. Treat yourself with something over the holidays. It may be something as simple as a long nights sleep. Wake up late and enjoy a day of rest, you need it. How about reading that book you�ve been meaning to for a long time or watch a movie perhaps. Maybe go shopping or get a massage. It is ok to spoil yourself sometime. Take the time to do the things that make you happy.
Keep the focus on fun, not food
Most holidays are associated with certain types of food. Different household will have different types of food prepared. It is very likely that some of your favorite dishes will be prepared too but that doesn�t mean food has to be the main focus. The holidays are much more than just about food. Get into the festive spirit and spend time with those that really matter, your family and friends. Overall, make sure that you have a good time with those around you and spend less time in the kitchen and the dining room.
Regardless of what we believe in or what schedule we decide to stick to, any and all plans are likely to change during the festive season. Every individual must take it upon themselves to take good care of their body and have a good time during the holidays.
