Isn’t it annoying when you have finally gotten over the million and one things in life and started building up a healthier lifestyle – but you keep failing?

When I started eating healthy, the biggest problem I faced was that I had to attend a lot of Desi dinners and parties. Now you cannot go to dinner and eat very little. It’ll take just a moment for the host to be offended. Or for you to lose self-control and just eat all the delicious nihari with roghni naan.

You can’t be a hermit either and stay home.

Over the years, I have come up with tips and tricks that I use to help me stick to my eating habits and still go to all these events.

1. Try hard at sticking to portion control. It’s possible, I promise!

A blonde haired woman wearing a bright Pink jacket is eating and saying; 'Such huge portions."
[Image description: A blonde haired woman wearing a bright pink jacket is eating and saying; ‘Such huge portions.”] Via Giphy
I learned this the hard way. You can’t escape food or expect to find some avocado toast at a Desi brunch. So – learn to take what you can eat, instead of eating what you can take.

2. Drink your body weight in water.

A woman with dark hair is chugging water from a huge plastic bottle.
[Image description: A woman with dark hair is chugging water from a huge plastic bottle.] Via Giphy
On the days that you drink enough water and, in turn, complete your steps going to the loo, you will feel less tempted to go back for a fourth serving of curry.

3. Mentally make up your mind on what to eat – before you get there.

A Pink colored cartoon brain runs on the treadmill.
[Image description: a Pink colored cartoon brain runs on the treadmill.] Via Giphy
As a Desi, I know the run of the mill that is served at weddings. You have your karahis, BBQ, biryani, salad, etc. When you know your options, it’s a good thing to mentally think of what you should eat.

4. Stay in tune with what your body is telling you.

A man adjusts his huge square frame glasses with his index finger.
[Image description: A man adjusts his huge square frame glasses with his index finger.] Via Giphy
This is for the days your Grandma is hosting and you want to eat that palak paneer. Try intermittent fasting till 12, then eat a fruit salad or have a smoothie. Then have a snack before leaving for the dinner, giving you the chance to save yourself for the joy that is butter chicken.

5. Eat salad and protein – if you can find it.

Kourtney Kardashian is eating a salad with a fork.
[Image description: Kourtney Kardashian is eating a salad with a fork.] Via Giphy
When you are in a pinch and can’t say no to the hostess, then stick to eating protein and salad. You could eat biryani but have less rice. Add some BBQ to it. Ya know, get creative!

6. Say no to fried food – even if your aunty is staring you down!

Lion King character Timon is making a face and saying "Nope".
[Image description: Lion King character Timon is making a face and saying “Nope”.] Via Giphy
Fried food is your nemesis. Avoid it at all costs. It’s like the big bad wolf that will take up all your energy, and it will leave you feeling off when you go to grab some ice cream. Of course, if you prefer samosas over mint chocolate chip, then I won’t stand in your way!

7. Take it slow and steady.

A man wearing a suit is walking slowly.
[Image description: A man wearing a suit is walking slowly.] Via Giphy
Try not to be the first one at the buffet table. Go in last if you can. Add in the vegetables first, leaving less room for nihari. And eat slowly. Chances are that you will get done with everyone else.

Plus, if you’re done eating before everyone else, the host is more likely to notice you – and that means you’ll be the first victim to the “just have some more!” as they spoon biryani on your plate. Believe me, you will not be thanking your Khala ki Nand at the gym the next morning.

8. Eat a little beforehand.

Ratatouille, a mouse, is eating Cheese and Strawberry
[Image description: Ratatouille, a mouse, is eating Cheese and Strawberry.] Via Giphy
When everything else fails, stick to the tried and tested. Eat an apple or an energy bar before leaving for the wedding reception.

Eating healthy should be a lifestyle. So try and incorporate it in the life you live by making small changes. Don’t be tempted by all these fad diets and plans that are going around. And don’t shy away from eating the foods you love. Everything works if it’s in moderation.


https://thetempest.co/?p=116505
Sumaica Asad

By Sumaica Asad

Editorial Fellow

Tags
feminism , health , Sex , LGBTQ , entertainment , social justice , The Tempest , police brutality , climate change , body positivity , dating , The Tempest fellowships , The Tempest Media , write for the tempest , healthy eating , space , arts , thetempest.co , celebrity , The Tempest podcast , innovation , mashal waqar the tempest , fashion tips , Laila Alawa The Tempest , the tempest characters , the tempest media company , The Tempest Team , the tempest founder , Laila Alawa Interview , Laila Alawa Forbes , The Tempest Careers , The Tempest sparknotes , the tempest summary , the tempest pdf , the tempest king , the tempest quotes , the tempest movie , the tempest translation , the tempest caliban , the tempest shmoop , the tempest media inc , the tempest facebook , the tempest jobs , the tempest pitch , tempest site , the tempest common sense media , the tempest shakespeare summary , the tempest shakespeare pdf , the tempest shakespeare movie , the tempest summary act 1 , the tempest summary act 2 , the tempest summary shmoop , the tempest inc , the tempest summary act 1 scene 2 , the tempest summary act 3 , the tempest summary act 4 , the tempest summary video , the tempest summary youtube , the tempest summary pdf , the tempest summary act 3 scene 3 , the tempest summary and analysis , the tempest company utah , the tempest shakespeare company , the tempest brewing company , the tempest trading company , the tempest royal shakespeare company , the tempest royal shakespeare company reviews , the tempest shakespeare theatre company , the tempest royal shakespeare company dvd , the tempest royal shakespeare company cast , the tempest shakespeare and company , the tempest royal shakespeare company 2016 , laila alawa net worth , laila alawa wikipedia , laila alawa instagram , laila alawa facebook , laila alawa huffington post , laila alawa wiki , mashal waqar instagram , laila alawa twitter , modern woman's destination , how to live a stylish well-rounded life , breaking entertainment news , feminist media studies , feminist media histories , feminist media outlets , feminist websites , feminist websites india , feminist websites australia , feminist websites uk , feminist website babe , feminist website jezebel , feminist websites canada , feminist websites america , feminist website blog , radical feminist websites , the tempest 40 women to watch , best feminist websites 2018 , feminist website uk , feminist clothing website , feminist comedy website , best website for women's accessories , the best women's clothing websites , top women's media outlets , top female media executives , thetempest co , laila alawa wedding , laila alawa podcast , laila alawa youtube , mashal waqar net worth , mashal waqar birthday , laila alawa blog , mashal waqar twitter , laila alawa birthday , laila alawa the expose , laila alawa cnn , where is mashal waqar from , tech entrepreneur laila alawa , where is laila alawa from , laila alawa husband , laila alawa nationality , mashal waqar nationality , laila alawa quotes , laila alawa images , the tempest media wikipedia , mashal waqar wikipedia , mashal waqar images , mashal waqar quotes , laila alawa books , mashal waqar interview , the tempest media podcast , the tempest shop , the tempest house , the tempest networking , the tempest book , the tempest media gifts , the tempest apps , the tempest accessories , the tempest apparel , the tempest affirmations , the tempest foundation , the tempest gifts , the tempest art , the tempest online , the tempest blogs , the tempest clothing , the tempest coffee mug , the tempest woman , the tempest collective , the tempest events , the tempest empire , the tempest earrings , tempest summary , Farwa Farshori The Tempest , farwa farshori research , farwa farshori academics , farwa farshori growth hacking , farwa farshori entrepreneur , farwa farshori chief growth officer , farwa farshori media , farwa farshori where is she from , farwa farshori wikipedia , farwa farshori nationality , farwa farshori interview , farwa farshori birthday , ahlam abdelkader media , ahlam abdelkader where is she from , ahlam abdelkader wikipedia , ahlam abdelkader nationality , ahlam abdelkader the tempest , ahlam abdelkader video , ahlam abdelkader interview , ahlam abdelkader birthday , a week of healthy eating , about healthy eating , about healthy eating habits , benefits of healthy eating , best healthy eating plan , articles on healthy eating , clean healthy eating , cheap healthy eating plan , healthy eating active living , healthy eating activities , healthy breakfast when eating out , healthy eating basics , healthy eating articles , healthy eating trends , healthy eating vs dieting , healthy eating young adults , how to stick to healthy eating , how to start healthy eating , healthy eating hacks , healthy eating ideas , Sumaica Asad , The Tempest Studio ,

MOST TALKED ABOUT

[Image description: Netflix's latest mother-daughter duo Ginny and Georgia seated in a car.] Via Netflix
TV Shows
Don't be fooled, 'Ginny and Georgia' is no 'Gilmore Girls'
Maheen Humayun
March 3, 2021
Grayscale photo of woman lying on a bed sleeping
Mind
Do you suddenly jerk or twitch in your sleep? If so, here's why!
Rebecca Azad
February 23, 2021
[Image description: Simone Ashley playing Olivia in 'Sex Education' looking to the side and wearing a red jacket. ] Via Netflix
TV Shows
Bridgerton's new leading lady Kate Sharma is here- and she's South Asian!
Mishma Nixon
February 15, 2021

UP NEXT

Featured Video Play Icon 0