You are getting married, and want to look radiant on your D-Day. Instead of going on crash diets and random beauty treatments, opt for a sensible detox that not just cleanses your system and makes you lighter, but also makes you glow naturally, says Suman Agarwal of Selfcare-The Natural Way
Every bride wants to look gorgeous and better than the rest on her big day. It’s her day, and she ought to look good! A good and healthy detox diet (to be followed two weeks prior to D-day) will give increased immunity, glowing skin, better shape and a pound or two of weight loss. So get set and go with these simple and easy to follow tips:
Steer clear of the extra helping: If you want to lose those extra one or two pounds, it is best to eat to satiate only 70–75 per cent of your hunger. Get up from the table leaving a little space in your tummy. Portion control is the best way to get rid of the little fat on your belly. Subtraction of this extra helping will make sure you fit wonderfully in your wedding attire. Remember, the smaller the better; smaller meals, better health.
Introduce body cleanser drinks: Introduce a glass of warm water with lime and honey to your diet every morning on an empty stomach. Try a glass of coconut water around mid-morning. This assists your kidneys in flushing out the toxins and also keeps you hydrated. A well-hydrated body will not only utilise all your nutrients but will also help in retaining the moisture in your skin.
Rejuvenate your body with fruits: One orange a day is the right way to curb hunger pangs; it also provides rich anti-oxidants. A fruit provides you with sufficient energy to function smoothly. Pair this up with a glass of buttermilk for optimum nutrition. Avoid fruit juices as they are rich in fructose and will only add kilos to your belly. Do not eat a fruit on an empty stomach to preserve the good bacteria in your body. Not only fruits but a helping of hot soup or a freshly cut salad of rainbow coloured vegetables too can act as a perfect satiating filler. You may also have fruits after dinner in place of chocolates and to fill in the gap between snack and dinner time.
Get the glow: Consume green tea as it is loaded with anti-oxidants, which are essential for pulsating, glowing skin. Include vitamin A and iron-rich vegetables like beetroot, carrot, broccoli, spinach and fenugreek to maintain a good glow on the skin and also improve your fibre intake. Include yoghurt in your diet to avoid protein deficiency and promote clearer skin.
Be fair to fat: Do not go fat-free as it is a very crucial nutrient to maintain skin-tone and moisture. Going fat-free can lead to hair fall, brittle nails, dry skin, joint pain and much more. Use normal oil like groundnut, sunflower or vegetable oil for cooking. Olive oil is not meant for Indian cooking, but it can be used as a dressing on salads or for cooking eggs. You can also brush a little butter on to your toast or apply very little ghee on the chapattis to prevent dryness of skin. Nuts give good fat to the body. You can have nuts like almonds, pistachios and peanuts in moderate amounts to get their nutritional benefits.
Strict with sugar: Going low on table sugar will brighten your smile and promote gastric health. This will also help prevent bad breath. Natural sugars in the form of dates, fruits and nuts
are the best options to munch on when you get a sugar craving.
Exercise well: Most brides are on a mission to slim down, tone up and eat right to look their absolute best on their big day. The goal is to look fit and fabulous and to get there in a healthy and correct way. The detox programme is much more effective if some form of exercise is included in your daily routine. You may walk a couple of miles every day or do yoga. Walking gives overall toning to the body. Yoga will help you remain calm and anxiety-free during these stressful days.
Make sure you do not indulge in high-intensity exercise so that your immunity is not compromised.
A sample detox diet plan for the bride:
Breakfast options:
Option 1: Muesli + curd
Option 2: Toast + egg whites
Option 3: Whole wheat Bran (flakes) + milk
Option 4: Upma or poha + curd
Lunch options:
Option 1: Rice-dal khichdi with vegetables + curds
Option 2: Curd rice + vegetables
Option 3: Fada ni khichdi with vegetables + curd
Evening snack options:
Green tea/English tea/Coffee (from skimmed milk) with fruit and fistful of nuts
Dinner options:
Option 1: Sprouts + soup
curd
Option 2: Chicken soup + salad
Option 3: Khichdi with vegetables + curd
Option 4: Curd rice + salad
Option 5: Fish + vegetables
Remember this:
It is crucial that any milk/ yoghurt/curd should be skimmed (0–1 per cent fat). Yoghurt is pro-biotic. It aids in digestion and helps you get a natural glow. It also contains calcium whose deficiency hampers weight loss. Also, one should ingest one tbsp of whey protein powder (in water) as it helps maintain immunity and build up the much-needed strength during this phase.
A bride needs 7-8 hours of daily sleep to look radiant on her special day.
In addition to the above diet, you need to take multivitamins along with vitamin C. These supplements will act as a support system when you have to deal with high levels of stress and a strenuous schedule. Also, a primrose oil capsule will aid in better skin health and a CoQ10 supplement will act as an energy-booster. All these simple tips will not only help in detoxification, but will also keep your weight in check and provide you with a holistic approach to your body. So don’t stress and grab this opportunity to detox yourself to look spectacular on your most special day!
