The Motiweighted: Healthy Tips for Brides-to-Be

A wise Carrie Bradshaw once said “shopping is my cardio.” Well, if that’s true, big fat Indian weddings are months and months of intense cardio! Unfortunately, this kind of marathon can only do so much to ensure you fit into that gorgeous bridal dress on the big day. But, don’t worry brides-to-be, we’ve got tips to make sure you’re feeling wedding and honeymoon ready.

As South Asians, we indulge in a lot of fine cuisine- from zesty biryani to melt-in-your-mouth gulab jamuns, we’ve got the essential food groups covered. But, seriously, there’s a lot of flavor and variety in our dishes that we don’t have to give up in our pursuit of healthy foods.

1. When in doubt, go BROWN! Rice is a staple in the South Asian diet, but white rice is overly processed and often stripped of essential nutrients. Studies have shown that individuals who replace white rice with brown rice in their diets significantly reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Can’t stand the taste? Well, you’re in luck because tip #2 offers an alternative.

2. DON’T butter me up! Another common ingredient in South Asian kitchens is our friend (or enemy rather) ghee. While everything is fine in moderation, we’re going to advise you to skip on the ghee/butter-laden parathas (fried, flattened bread) and opt for the whole-grain rotis or chapattis (thin, dry, whole-wheat bread)! In our health-conscious world, we can even get multigrain flour at the local Indian stores that have an equal proportion of wheat, jowar, bajra, barley, etc (the-good-for-you stuff). These ingredients are high in fiber and rich in carbs. If you like rotis over brown rice, then try adopting more rotis in your diet in its stead.

3. Eat your VEGGIES! Indian spices are an amazing addition to any curry dish. They can make the blandest dish of boiled cauliflower transform into a mouthwatering plate of aloo gobi. Aloo gobi is the yellow potato and cauliflower curry frequently found in restaurants. The yellow comes from the turmeric spice that has a ton of disease-fighting properties. Have I mentioned it’s absolutely delicious? There are a number of Indian curries out there, just try to stick to ones with less oil. If it’s a creamy dish, try replacing the cream with yogurt.

4. DON’T Fry with Me! Yes, I know that insulting the goodness that is a samosa is borderline blasphemy, but unfortunately deep-fried foods are not exactly healthy. If you can’t live without samosas or kachoris (fried pastries filled with veggies or legumes), try homemade versions that you can bake instead of fry.

5. Let’s go with LEGUMES! Pulses, which include legumes, are the primary ingredient in the Indian staple of “dals” (thick stews of pulses). They’re rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins. The only note of caution with these dals is to avoid using excess oil. Other than that, nothing “kala” in this dal!

Well brides-to-be, hope you find these tips helpful in maintaining a diet leading up to the big day and after. Remember, diet is only half of the commitment. Eat right and work out to lead a healthy, balanced life!

If you have any more tips or suggestions, please sound off below! And follow me on twitter for more of my BFIW updates 🙂