As an Indian, our calendar is filled with numerous festivals and holidays, but this festival marks the first festivity of the new year. The joy and excitement of the new year is carried forward till Makar Sankranti that falls two weeks into the new year.
read also Farmer, The Harvester of Tomorrow
A time for kite flying, bonfires and prayers, but most importantly, a time for Feasts. With delicious delicacies all around, it is tough to hold oneself back. But what if you could enjoy these delicacies in a healthy way that benefits your body and your taste pallette? It would be a dream come true!
A few famous and traditional dishes are :
-
Til laddoo
-
Puran Poli/obbattu
-
Til chikki
-
Gud Paratha
-
Sakkari Pongal and more.
And some of the most common ingredients include Jaggery, Til, Ghee and Oil. Excessive intake of these can lead to :
-
Weight gain
-
Rise in blood sugar level
-
Rise in cholesterol
-
Acidity
To avoid the after effects of a happy Sankranti, you need to take some cautious steps.
-
Replacing : Replacing a few ingredients with healthy ones or reducing the intake can help us maintain our health. Reduce the intake of jaggery and replace ghee/oil with olive oil/bran oil.
-
Being active and involved : Being involved in the activities at home, helping in cleaning and decoration keeps us active and burns down the calories of heavy meals.
HOW TO STAY HEALTHY IN THE NEW YEAR – 2019 TIPS
-
Tone down the laughter time : Although laughter is beneficial for us, it is important we provide our body with sufficient sleep and rest. Insufficient sleep can increase our stress levels.
Being health conscious has never harmed anybody. In Fact we can set new trends and traditions by choosing a healthy lifestyle despite the several occasions that lead to heavy food. To be healthy is not an overnight result, but a choice you have to make everyday.
‘ The best gift you can give yourself and your loved ones is a healthy and a long life.’