Diet - All About Balance

We all want to be fit & healthy, also we are ready to try anything & everything to make ourselves look slim, fit, healthy & picture perfect all the time. But the deeper we dig into diets plans, routines & regimes we realise that after a certain extent either it starts to take a toll on our health or a toll on our expenses.
This blog will help you to find the right , effective & perfectly affordable diet & will focus on maintaining the balance of the same.

Introduction
When we talk about diet, all we think of is some restrictive diet plans which ask us to either quit on consuming one or more of the major components like carbohydrates, fats , proteins etc which are equally necessary for our regular bodily functions just like vitamins & minerals.
In this blog we shall be able to determine that without having to quit consumption of all these components you can still remain healthy, fit, slim & yet don't have to sacrifice on your indulgences. Now I know this sounds absurd but hang on it is true!

What to Eat ?
So its important to figure out & have exact knowledge of what to eat when we are maintaining our health. Once you know & regularly monitor what is going in your stomach you win half the battle against unwanted weight gain, obesity & other problems.
This also helps you to keep a check on the amount of junk food you eat & once you know that you are not binging on chips & cookies you know that your diet is guilt free !!
Here are some essential foods that everyone must eat:-

1. Fruits - Now I don't have to stress at all on how crucial fruits are in the diet. So never ever say NO to any fruit that is available to eat. Never miss on seasonal fruits because they are available only once a year. Tip - Make sure you eat fruits in the first half of the day i.e. from morning to noon, & also eat fruits only on empty stomach. The reason is that the enzymes which digest fruits & give you its complete nourishment are abundantly present in empty stomach.

2. Veggies - Again eat one , eat all ! This is the motto for veggies. Now I know there are some veggies which we always hate no matter how well they are cooked. To overcome this issue try to conceal these veggies into your favourite dishes. I hate broccoli , but I make sure I add it in my veggie cutlets it tastes better that way. Also you can always find a substitute for the vegetable you dislike. If you hate cucumber you can have zucchini. 

3. Pulses - There is nothing like pulses to give your body a dose of proteins. I love all of them. Its also not required to always have them in a form of curry or spicy gravy, you can have them boiled with some salt & pepper like a salad, add some onions & tomatoes to make a chaat or use them to make cutlets! They are just so versatile , don't skip on them especially if you are a vegeterian. To boost your protein intake also eat cottage cheese ( paneer ) , soya chunks.

4. Meat ( white, red, fish ) - If you are a meat eater then proteins & fats are abundant in your body. Fish eaters get a good dose of lean meat & omega fatty acids which helps to cut down bad cholesterol. I personally opine that meat is "the " essential in the diet. But make sure you keep a check on the quantity & frequency of its consumption. Because too much of anything is always bad.

5. Dry Fruits & Nuts - Dry fruits are great munchies & give you that satiation which is needed in snack time, they can be consumed on the go, also they are a great source of omega fatty acids too , so if you don't eat fish please eat dry fruits & nuts to keep that bad fat away. They are rich in anti oxidants which help reduce stress levels & keeps your heart healthy also prevents cancer.

Now apart from these major must haves there are endless number of foods that consist a part of your diet. This also includes desserts, fried foods, high calorie snacks , ordered food etc . So never mind on enjoying these delicacies just ensure that you don't end up surviving on them.

What NOT to Eat ?
Knowing this is much more important than knowing what to eat. You must know what is to be limited & avoided from consumption to keep your health in good shape. These foods if consumed in moderation & in controlled manner will give you the joy of indulging but if you cross that line , you have to face its consequences with the time. I personally don't believe in ' cheat days ' because that one day is where you end up wasting all the efforts you took for the whole week. Instead eat what you feel like just ensure the proper amount & frequency. 

Some major foods to be limited & avoided as much as possible from consumption are:-

1. Foods with high sodium content

2. Foods with high sugar content

3. Junk & deep fried foods

4. Orders & takeout

5. Very very spicy food, I am a spicy food eater but levels of spice should be in moderation.

6. Foods that trigger acidity.

When to Eat ?
Once you are thorough with monitoring what you eat & what you avoid , you need to focus on when to eat. This is important because the body holds capability to digest certain foods at certain time intervals much effectively than at other times. This one habit will help you to maintain & sometimes improve your metabolism which in order will help you to stay lean & fit.
Here are few tips on when to eat.

• Make sure to have a breakfast between 7 am to 10 am. If fruits are included , start with fruits on empty stomach as mentioned earlier.

• Your lunch should be consumed between 12 pm to 2 pm , this is the time when body metabolism is at the peak, so your digestion is well ensured.

• If you are a fan of supper like me, or snacking as I call it ensure it fits the time frame of 4 pm - 6 pm. Eat something that is light & yet satiating. Examples are poha, upma, sandwich, dosa, idlis. If you love munchies then switch to nuts , foxnuts ( makhana) , puffed rice ( murmura )

• The dinner must always be filling , warm & hearty consumed somewhere between 8 pm to 9 pm. Remember to keep dinner that can be easily digested because metabolic levels fall as the day ends. So keep your meal light & healthy.

• Make sure you eat your dinner 2 to 3 hrs prior to bedtime. Never ever lie down immediately after your dinner this will lead to acid reflux & cause heartburn & hyperacidity. 

Striking & Maintaining Balance
Now that we have discussed the Do's & Don'ts of eating we must also pay attention on striking & maintaining the balance in it because diet is all about balance!
I myself started to maintain a diet 2 years back when I recovered from acute anaemia, since then ; now I have reached a stage where I am able to maintain myself in a good shape & also I never sacrificed on any of my favourite foods.
Even today I eat chips, fried foods, pastries, chocolate, hotel foods, take outs etc but I always make sure that they are just a momentary indulgence & not my survival food.
As a student living in a hostel I have gone through a very bad diet regime for 4 years & I can completely relate to the struggle which is needed to maintain a healthy diet but if I can , you can too!!

There is only one life , please don't compromise on enjoying it to the fullest, love food & live to eat instead of eat to live . Just remember Moderation is everything.
Eat whatever you wish in proper amount & frequency & you will be happy & healthy.

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog . Thank you so much.

If you haven't checked my previous blogs , check them below.

Drop a comment, click on the reaction of your choice.

Share it with family & friends, & don't forget to follow My Blogs