It is easy to lose motivation when you are preparing all the meals at home that too with limited options. NMAMI AGARWAL shares stay at home diet plan that can help
The world has come to a standstill because of the current pandemic. While there might be partial relaxation in some areas, but in most of the areas, the lockdown has extended. It definitely is crucial to prevent the further spread of the virus, but somehow staying inside has played a toll on our mental and physical health — with no gyms to work out or a limited supply of food resources — managing optimum health can be tough, but with few tips and tricks, we all can maintain a healthy lifestyle.
It might be easy to run out of motivation when you are preparing all the meals at home that too with limited options. But, planning meals in advance can help you overcome the dilemma of what to cook and also will prevent food wastage. Here are some tips for stay-at-home diet:
Early morning: Start your day with a glass of lukewarm water, you can soak chia/ flaxseeds/fenugreek seeds in the water overnight. Refrain from having tea/coffee on an empty stomach
Breakfast: A protein-rich breakfast will keep you energised throughout the day. Consider eating eggs in the form of omelette or sandwich. You can also have ragi paneer cheela, besan cheela, oats pancake, or cottage cheese toast. For extra doses of vitamins, top your breakfast with some freshly cut fruit slices.
Mid-meal: Sitting entire day at home can be tough on your appetite and you might feel really hungry at sometimes while might feel fuller at other. Keep fruits handy for mid-morning cravings- say an apple orange, banana, or some grapes. You can also have a glass of vegetable juice
Lunch: Aim to consuming a wholesome lunch with aq balance of all food groups. You can have chapatis, rice, pulao or khichdi as per your liking. Just keep a check on the portion size. Include legumes or pulses in lunchtime along with raita/ plain curd.
Evening snack: Snacking is the time where most of us go wrong by giving up to cravings and succumbing to unhealthy foods. It's the best time to fix your evening binge with healthier options like a handful of walnuts. Walnuts are not only crunchy and palatable, they house a whole package of nutrients — from brain-boosting Omega-3 fatty acids to immunity-boosting vitamin E. You can also have roasted chana chaat, three-four pieces of paneer or roasted makhana. Just sprinkle some crushed walnuts over these to add an extra flavour. Other options can be — trail mix, vegetable sticks, fruit smoothie, or baked vegetable cutlets.
Dinner: Keep your dinners light and finish off early, say by 8 pm. You can have a bowl of vegetable soup (unstrained) with a wheat tortilla/chapatti. Paneer stuffed wheat roll is another great option.
Post dinner: You can have a cup of lukewarm milk with a pinch of turmeric and pepper. This golden drink will help boost immunity and increase your body’s ability to fight off infections.
The writer is Nutritionist & Founder-CEO Nmami Life