Balance Festive Joy And Health With Unani-Inspired Tips For Guilt-Free Feasts

India is considered to be the land of festivals, with every month marked by a celebration of some kind. While traditions may vary across regions, one common theme is the love for food. Every festival is accompanied by special dishes prepared and shared with family, friends, and neighbours. This deep affection for festive meals, whether sweets during Diwali, biryani at Eid, or modaks for Ganesh Chaturthi, unites people across diverse communities, making food a symbol of togetherness and shared happiness. While festive meals can be delightful, they often lead to overindulgence, causing digestive distress.

However, Unani offers the perfect solution. It is a time-tested system rooted in ancient knowledge that helps prevent diseases and restore health. Its role in ensuring gut health is particularly noteworthy. A PMC study shows Unani herbs like ginger and kalonji boost digestion and immunity, with the majority of users reporting improved gut health. By combining digestion-friendly spices and gentle detoxes, we can enjoy every bite without regret.

7 Tips To Enjoy Festive Feast Guilt-Free

Here are seven smart ways shared by Dr Naushad Ali Rana, Associate General Manager, Hamdard Wellness, Hamdard Laboratories India, (Medicine division) to navigate festive indulgences with Unani wisdom.

#1 Practice mindful fasting for gut reset

Fasting gives the digestive system a chance to rest and aids in reestablishing equilibrium and enhancing gut health. Dr Rana suggests it as a successful strategy for gut detoxification. “In order to promote general digestive health, it also suggests avoiding junk food, carbonated drinks, and caffeinated beverages while fasting and drinking enough water during non-fasting times. Nuts, dates, and cow milk can be added to the diet for healthy calories and nutrition during the fasting days,” he quotes.

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#2 Master portion control

Indian festivals frequently feature rich, traditional foods that can be heavy and high in calories. Mindful eating and portion control are highly recommended, particularly for people with weak digestion, diabetes, or obesity.

#3 Prioritize hydration and detox drinks

Dr Rana shares, “Unani medicine stresses staying well-hydrated with water, coconut water, or buttermilk while avoiding sugary drinks. It supports simple detoxes using herbal teas like ginger-cinnamon drinks to cleanse the gut.”

#4 Take care of your bowel health

Unani medicine advises adding fibre-rich fruits like guava, papaya, pears, peach, plum, grapes, and mango, for healthy bowel movements as they have mild laxative effects for aiding gut detoxification.

Also Read: Got Constipation? These 7 Kitchen Remedies Work As Natural Stool Softeners

“For those struggling with frequent bowel movements, it recommends avoiding spicy and oily foods and taking Indian gooseberry, pomegranate and Indian blackberry into the diet as these fruits have astringent properties,” shares Dr Rana.

As per a PMC study, psyllium husk with curd is a helpful remedy as it supports smooth digestion and regulates bowel habits effectively.

#5 Make light dinners a practice

Unani experts suggest that dinner should be the lightest meal of the day to boost metabolism, support weight management, and prevent lethargy. To avoid flatulence and indigestion during festive-season, control portion sizes carefully and include carom seeds, fennel, cumin, or ginger in meals, as these traditional ingredients help relieve gas effectively.

#6 Boost immunity through herbs

“A study published in the NeuroPharmac Journal mentions that as per Unani medicine, immunity and health depend on the balance of six key elements, namely, clean air, wholesome food and drink, adequate physical activity, stimulating mental activity, restful sleep, and waste removal. This equilibrium preserves the body's inherent capacity for healing,” Dr Rana shares.

#7 Secure sleep and balance stress

During the holiday season, sleep is frequently neglected, which results in both physical and mental exhaustion. According to Unani, adults should aim for 7-8 hours of good sleep each night to help the body unwind and get ready to take on the following day.

Final Word
While festivals weave joy into life, Unani principles remind us that health lies in balance. By blending these tips, you honour traditions while nurturing well-being. Always consult experts for personalised advice. This way, every feast will become a step toward lasting vitality.