Top 10 Tips for A Healthy Weekend

Courtesy: Health Me Up



Sunday brunch or weekend getaway with family or friends are a great way to unwind after a tiring week. However, it can be a serious road bump to your weight loss and perfect-sculpted body. Follow some simple tips by Dr. Neha Sanwalka – Director at NutriCanvas, PhD. Health Sciences and M.Sc. in Dietetics to enjoy a guilt-free weekend holiday.

*Image courtesy: © Thinkstock photos/ Getty Images

Also See: 20 Healthy Things to Do This Weekend


Tip for A Healthy Weekend # 1: Active eating

Choose à la carte restaurant over a buffet to avoid over-eating. Restaurants with a pool or dance floor are great weekend destinations. A picnic spot or a resort where you can play different games like badminton, cricket, basketball are also great destinations to spend your weekend in a healthy way.

Also See: Avoid Damaging Your Hair with Swimming Pool Chlorine


Tip for A Healthy Weekend # 2: Make a healthy start

Start your meal with a plate full of salad. Use low calorie dressing for your salad like lemon or orange juice, or vinegar. These alternatives are better than using mayonnaise or any other thousand island dressings.

Also See: Healthy Beetroot Dosa Recipe



Tip for A Healthy Weekend # 3: Choose wisely

For starters, order dishes which are grilled, baked and steamed instead of those that are fried. Baked cottage cheese (paneer), grilled chicken or stir-fried vegetables are great choice for appetisers.

For main course, choose lean meats, chicken and fish such as salmon and trout instead of lamb or beef. Order at least one-two side dishes of vegetables. Dishes with tomato, pesto or spinach sauce are great choice over those with white or cheese sauce.

Go slow on ordering dishes, which are full of cheese or that are fried.

Example: A Chinese stir-fry or a Mexican wrap is a healthier option over an Italian Risotto or Pizza.

Also See: 5 Best Low Carb Foods


Tip for A Healthy Weekend # 4: Desserts

Order a plate of fruit instead of ice cream. Plain cake or a fruit pie has lesser calories then cream cake or cheesecake. Instead of ordering individual portions of desserts for everyone, order one or two portions for your group. This is the smartest way to cut off dessert calories on weekend brunch or parties.

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Tip for A Healthy Weekend # 5: Small Portion Size

Moderation is the key to keep those extra calories off. Instead of opting for bigger portions, take small portions at one time

Also See: What Does Portion Control Mean?


Tip for A Healthy Weekend # 6: Stand away from buffet

If your eating at a buffet, serve yourself, step aside from the buffet, and enjoy your meal. Standing too close to the buffet spread can lead to overeating.

Also See: How to Make a Healthy Pasta Dinner


Tip for A Healthy Weekend # 7: Drink smartly

If you are planning to drink, go in for smaller pegs instead of large pegs. Choose wine over beer or clear spirits like vodka and rum. Choose fresh fruit juice over cocktails/mocktails. Drink lots of water to quench thirst and to avoid alcohol.

Also See: Binge Drinking Heightens Type 2 Diabetes Risk


Tip for A Healthy Weekend # 8: Move, be active

A swim before the meal or dancing with your loved one or friends over the Sunday brunch is not only fun but also helps in burning loads of calories. A game of cricket, football or volleyball at a beach or a resort is perfect to unwind after the tiring week and also helps you connect with your loved ones.

Also See: Active Lifestyle Helps Slow Dementia


Tip for A Healthy Weekend # 9: Some other options

Weekends should not be about food but rather they should be about spending fun time with your loved ones. A movie/ TV-series marathon with friends along with some baked tortillas or popcorns or fruits & salads, a visit to a comedy theatre or play, a game of cricket or football, a trip to the beach or an early morning trek are just as amazing options to spend you weekend in a healthy way.

A house party with home cooked food or a cook-off at your place with friends (especially with themes like raw food party, healthy eating, low fat cooking) are also great away of making those Sundays exciting.

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Tip for A Healthy Weekend # 10: Get back to diet

After the amazing weekend, it is very important to get back to regular eating patterns and diet from Monday. To make up for the extra calories consumed during your weekend, consume a high protein, low carbohydrate diet dinner (steamed or baked) chicken, low fat cottage cheese, egg white preparations, split green-gram (moong-adal) pancakes) for two days after that amazing weekend.

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