The paranthas dripping with beautiful golden butter, the chicken curry with loads of saturated fat, and the pulao with dollops of ghee - these are some of the delectable dishes that we have grown up with and cannot imagine parting with. But good food comes with even “better” consequences with the ghee, malai, and makkhan reflecting on our bodies. The problem lies mostly in urban areas - males with flab around their middle and women with their ever increasing hips and waists.
Let’s take an honest look at the major reasons why we Indians always seem to be on the heavier side and why leanness does not come easy to us.
Drinking water
How many of us can resist those fuzzy drinks with the “masala”? Indians are so besotted with the sodas, kulfi, and ice creams in the blistering summers that we often forget the healthy option of good old water. Instead of the cold drinks and the calorific sweets, how about we switch to plain water that not only hydrates but also flushes toxins out of our bodies? Water also encourages the building up of muscles.
Meal system
We are all besotted with the idea of a heavy breakfast, lunch, and dinner like there’s no tomorrow. So we take in lots of calories at every meal. It’s better to have small meals every two or three hours since small meals are metabolized easily. Saying no to second helpings also helps shed those pounds.
Proteins
Protein-rich foods boost metabolism and allow the body to burn fat rapidly. Proteins also help maintain leanness of muscles and rebuild them. Care should also be taken to choose the calorie-low proteins to prevent piling.
Calorie cuts
It is perhaps unimaginable in Indian diets but it has now become an absolute necessity. We must take care to reduce the excess fat that is there our daily foods. Measures such as dropping butter and using margarine on parathas and having a little less sugar in tea go a long way in reducing fat.
Mix and match
It is a good idea to break monotony! Be it our exercise patterns or the foods that we have every day, change is good. Instead of the butter-laden chicken and puris, how about some baked chicken with exotic herbs. Don’t exercise on the treadmill or the elliptical every day – go on a walk instead. Keep your body guessing.
GI diet
A low GI diet is a superb method of burning fat. This type of diet encourages the consumption of foods that are low on the Glycemic Index. These foods are nutritious and also helpful in burning the fats and calories quickly. This type of diet may include many of your favorite fruits, vegetable, meats, dairy, and cereals.
Being slim and trim may add a lot to your self-esteem and image. But most importantly, it is best for your overall health. Eating in moderation and exercising are the best ways to burn the fat that Indian dishes are best known for. Indians are foodies by nature but the point is to strike a balance between the physique and the palate. Let’s us all strive for a balanced and healthy lifestyle so that it reflects on our physique and psyche as well.
Chillibreeze's disclaimer: This is a contributed article and was published on Chillibreeze in April, 2010. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of Chillibreeze as a company. Chillibreeze has a strict anti-plagiarism policy. Please contact us to report any copyright issues related to this article. The relevance of the facts and figures cited (if any) could change after a period of time.
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