Tradition dictates that sweets be eaten on Fat Thursday. And what to do if you are on a diet, deny yourself carbohydrates and sweets for weeks, and the ubiquitous faworki, donuts and donuts in confectioneries tempt your eyes and stomach? According to nutritionists, you don’t have to give up trying the delicacies around you – but it’s worth approaching this tradition with some caution! We suggest how to survive Fat Thursday and not gain weight.
A classic donut cannot be made in an “alternative” way, i.e. cooked by steaming or using any other culinary technique. You just have to come to terms with its caloric content. Some mistakenly believe that crispy faworki are a less fattening option – this is a misconception because they contain almost as many calories as donuts.
A calorie bomb. Are there fit donuts?
The fact that these types of sweets are fattening is mainly due to fats. Traditionally, donuts were fried in lard, which is still practiced in some homes today. It is also worth paying attention to what the donut is covered with and what it has inside – the ones without filling will be the least fattening, because all additives containing a lot of sugar (jams, plum jam, pudding) significantly increase their calorific value.
However, if we decide on donuts with filling, let’s give up icing and sprinkling them with sugar. There are also “light” donut versions made of spelled flour, wholemeal flour and with a reduced portion of sugar, but take into account that their taste will certainly differ from the well-known, traditional version.
Impact on health. Does Fat Thursday have to “go to the sides”?
Yes and no. It all depends on how we eat every day. Paradoxically, people who eat mainly fatty foods are less likely to suffer from digestive problems after eating two or three donuts than those who eat more healthily.
To avoid bouts of wolf cravings for sweets, first of all, you should eat regular meals. Then we will not allow an excessive drop in blood glucose. When 3,5 to 4 hours have passed since the last meal we ate, our efficiency will decrease, and therefore the body will start demanding an additional dose of energy. That’s when the craving for sweets increases. On a daily basis, it is worth satisfying sudden bouts of sweet cravings with fruit (tangerines, grapes, bananas, etc.).
On Fat Thursday, the most important thing is not to overeat. However, everyone has a different body and metabolism, so it is worth following the following rules:
- Advice for people who don’t have to worry about calories – according to nutritionists, eating donuts all day long will not be harmful to health, provided that it is only one day a year. However, this can lead to indigestion, so if we do not want to suffer from this type of ailment, we should limit ourselves to a maximum of 3-4 donuts.
- Advice for people on a diet – one donut has never made anyone fat. So if you want to stick to tradition and spend this day right, don’t hesitate. After the donut, it is worth eating a nutritious graham, which will balance the level of glucose in the blood. In this way, you will deceive the body, which will no longer demand further doses of sugar, because it will be satisfied with the substances contained in the graham. Remember to drink plenty of water, and reduce other meals on this day (for lunch, eat, for example, a light salad, fish, lean meat).
If you are still worried about your figure, go to the gym, swimming pool, jump on a stationary bike for 20 minutes, or exercise for an hour in the evening. One donut is 300 calories, which can be burned quickly. You can also combine business with pleasure and clean the apartment, which will also prevent the accumulation of fat. Anyway – you don’t have to give up sweets on this day, because they don’t have to harm your diet. Just remember to use this tradition with reason and moderation!