Indian Indulgences

I love Indian food but loading my plate during the ubiquitous lunch buffet causes a serious calorie count conundrum. Honestly, I can't even begin to calculate every calorie consumed. Mouthwatering mysteries like chana masala, malai kofta or kheer contain unfamiliar ingredients. On top of that, there's the serving size stumbling block of all-you-can-eat. Often I feel out of control and regretful before, during and after my indulgence.

So, how do I figure the final calorie count? Well, I've actually abandoned dissecting the entire meal and decreed each plateful to hold 400 calories. If I go back for seconds, which I invariably do, the calorie count reaches 800 calories. Eeek! For a girl trying to keep her daily intake to 1146 calories, an Indian lunch buffet has the ability to blow my entire day. I don't let it!

You see, if I spend just 30 minutes on my elliptical, take a run or hop on my bike later I can quarterback my overall count by increasing calories expended. After all, a single meal won't ruin my many months of hard work. I'm truly committed to a lifestyle change when it comes to eating and exercise habits. A big part of that is taming the tides by creating a natural ebb and flow.