Navratri, which in Sanskrit means ‘9 nights’. These 9 days we celebrate and worship Goddess Durga. The festivities and celebrations include 9 nights of Garba, which is a group dance or Dandiya, where people use the dandiya sticks and dance together. Amongst all these festivities, many people also fast out of devotion to Goddess Durga. While the 9 day fast is manageable, it is important that you still take care of your health and provide the body with the right nourishment.
For the fitness fanatics, who work all year long trying to build muscle, it is important that you do not lose out on your progress while you follow traditions. Here are some things you can include in your diet, to avoid muscle breakdown during the fasting period.
Drink Milk:
Milk is a great source of energy and good quality protein for muscle building. It is packed with important nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, B vitamins, potassium and vitamin D along with micronutrients which are essential in muscle building. Milk helps to combat osteoporosis and helps you maintain a healthy weight.
Consume plant protein:
Intense fasting deprives the body of essential protein that can cause muscle tension. According to the Recommended Daily Allowances [RDA], a normal adult requires 0.8 – 1g per kg ideal body weight. Plant based protein can help the body gain the required input for healthy living. Chickpea and Peanuts are a great source for muscle and strength building. They also provide a variety of vitamins and minerals, along with fiber, fat and protein for adequate nourishment. Alternatively, you can also try the GNC AMP Gold Series 100% Whey Protein Advanced for your daily requirements.
Multivitamins to the rescue:
To reduce the gap in your diet, consuming multivitamins is very important. Multivitamins are a mix of essential vitamins and minerals that are required by the body for a healthy life. Multivitamins help reduce muscle depletion and improves physical performance during resistance training. It also provides the body with essential micronutrients that can be overlooked while consuming whole foods or being in a calorie deficit. Take the GNC Women’s Active Multivitamin and GNC Mega Men Multivitamin for protection against sickness and to maintain your muscles. GNC offers a range of Multivitamins that cater to specific body types and needs.
Stay hydrated:
Water is your best friend whether you choose to follow a diet or not. Water helps expel water weight, and gets rid of bloating that can make you feel heavier than you actually are. Water also helps manage cravings. Sometimes, when you feel hungry after you have just eaten, it may be because your body is thirsty. Drinking a glass of water before your meals, help you feel fuller faster. In addition, water also helps combat fatigue allowing you to perform better when you are training.
Consume energy dense foods: Sweet potatoes and Rajgira are easy and healthy alternatives to regular potatoes and rice. The complex carbs and fibre present in these foods help you stay fuller for longer as well as provides you with additional energy when you are working out. Rajgira is also gluten-free making it a great addition to your diet if you are looking for a flour substitute.
Do not overeat:
While fasting, we tend to over eat the food that we are allowed to consume. This can turn out to be an unhealthy choice for most of us. The GNC Total Lean Appetrex Control can help you control cravings that can push you over your calorie limit. Clinically proven to help you control your appetite, it combines energizing herbs like yerba mate extract, black tea and green tea that helps support metabolism. In addition, the B vitamins present in Appetrex Control helps your body metabolize fats, proteins and carbohydrates and plays an essential role in energy production.
Muscle breakdown can be easily avoided during the period of fasting, by switching to healthy alternatives offered by GNC. The festive season will be more joyous when you are at your best and fittest. So choose what is right for your body and have a happy Navratri.
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