The full stop, after coma!

Mona

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Know that feeling when you are so stuffed and satiated that you can’t  move...having gorged on a plateful of your favourites,  with yet another go at the delectable desserts,  forced to unbutton the pants to breathe easy; well, it’s a reality of the true-blue foodies. Only now there is a term for it that is fast gaining momentum – food coma!

All you can eat or the bottomless plates at a fixed price is all too common. Restaurants woo you with ‘limitless’ offers by putting the best of the world cuisines on the counters for you to indulge and experience ... food coma. Howsoever much the foodies like slipping into this state, experts warn sternly that it is totally avoidable and unnecessary.

All the ‘foodies-turned-fits’ who have shunned the indulgences for longer period of time know how one evening of mindless eating can ruin a week of your resolve and workout. But then what do you do when you end up at places that offer unlimited food deals? Here is what the experts say: 

• Impending big dinner? Please don’t starve yourself. Keep your meals at regular intervals; eat healthy, it will stop you from devouring huge carbohydrate portions instantly as you show up at the party.
• Salads, soups, snacks, main course, dessert is how you navigate in unlimited food deals. Salad gives you fibre, soup (stick to clear, without corn flour) gives a full feeling, which will stop you from gorging on snacks.
• Don’t even intend to sample everything. Survey the spread well, selecting your options. Better still, take the foodie friend’s recommendations, who showed up before you, or stick to your absolute favourites. Go slow, chew at least 10 times rather than taking mouthfuls. You will feel satiated earlier.
• Avoid alcohol when you are out to enjoy a meal. Not only will it add to calories, but also makes you lose control of what and how much you put in your mouth.
• Dress in your tiniest favourite attire that enhances your curves; when it starts to get uncomfortable, get the signal. Prioritise – taste or looks, take your pick!
• Finish off with a hot beverage like green tea, it aides digestion, saving you from slipping into lethargy! 

Did you know?

Food coma is that state of lethargy when you border sleepiness induced by huge amount of food, especially large amount of carbs. It’s bad for you that despite the calories stuffed in you, you wouldn’t be moving much! Frequent food comas can turn you not only overweight or obese, but may lead to diseases like diabetes or heart complications and even low IQ.

Online feast

If you want to feast like there is no tomorrow, without burning a hole in your pocket - try the online deals. You can save some 50 per cent on your food bill and more. However, there are no free lunches waiting for you; hear from Vijaya Gupta, Phd scholar in Microbiology, Panjab University, “During student life, it works to make the most of online deals. Money sure is saved.”

(Inputs by dietician Shreya)

mona@tribunemail.com