Partytime Pointers

The weather8217;s just right for a party, right? Time to pig out on those fried snacks, down a few drinks in a heated room, put up one146...

The weather8217;s just right for a party, right? Time to pig out on those fried snacks, down a few drinks in a heated room, put up one8217;s feet and relax8230; but hey, hang on in there! This is just the beginning of the party season, and if you aren8217;t careful, you may find it impossible to squeeze into that black leather skirt you8217;d been saving up for New Year8217;s Eve. Here8217;s a few pointers on how to have a good time8230; and look good despite it.

Does one put on weight more easily in winter?

Not at all. But one does tend to party more, which automatically translates into late nights, often unhealthy food and more than the regular quota of alcohol. The last, actually, is the root cause of the problem. Alcohol is not only heavy on calories, but also impacts the way you eat. 8216;8216;Alcohol diminishes inhibitions, so after a couple of drinks, you are more likely to make a grab for every dish that passes by,8217;8217; explains New Delhi-based nutritionist Dr Shikha Sharma. 8216;8216;Even if you steer clear of hard alcohol, remember that the sweet carbonated drinks that go into cocktails are loaded with calories and very fattening. To avoid extra calories, it is advisable to have your drinks neat, on the rocks, or with water.8217;8217;

So one just needs to watch out for the alcohol?

That8217;s just half of the problem. The fat-loaded snacks are the other half. At home, store snacks in a corner where it isn8217;t easily spotted. At a party, steer clear of the snacks tray. Appetisers are actually a double-edged sword, for, on one hand, they stimulate the appetite, on the other, they satiate very fast, which curbs the quantity of food you eat. The key is the time you give yourself between snacks. According to experts, the fat content in food stimulates the appetite as soon as you taste it, but once it settles in the stomach for about 20 minutes or so, it actually suppresses the appetite. So, wait a while before reaching out again for the tikkas.

Any other pointers?

Dr Sharma lists a few do8217;s and don8217;ts:

8226; Don8217;t go to a party on an empty stomach. Treat party food like a late-night snack.
8226; Go easy on alcohol. Sipping sparkling or flat water, maybe with a twist of lime, throughout the party, is the best thing to do if you8217;re watching your waistline.
8226; For an appetiser, have a clear soup.
8226; Never mix non-veg with cereals at night. Opt for fish over mutton, tandoori over gravy-rich dishes.
8226; Have as much veggies as you like.
8226; Stick to phulkas, give other breads a miss.
8226; Take your cuppa without sugar; do NOT switch to artificial sweeteners.
8226; If you are the host, have lots of low-cal snacks like veg tikkas around.
8226; Always exercise portion control.

The party8217;s over, what now?

Exercise is Essential
Swathed with woollens through the winter months, it8217;s easy to overlook the kilos being added to the frame. Look upon the cold months as an opportunity to step up your activities. Experts suggest long walks and occasional trips to the gym. Story continues below this ad

8226; Before retiring for the night, drink water with a little salt and pepper. Alternatively, gulp down some isabgol with milk; both will help clean your system.
8226; If it8217;s been a particularly heavy night, go on a detox diet the next day.
8226; Start your breakfast with a dash of lime in warm water.
8226; Take lots of fluids during the day 8212; alcohol is dehydrating.
8226; A proper high fibre lunch can help clean your colon.