Deepavali is just over, and you’re left with the all-too-familiar feeling of fullness. All thanks to the bowls of creamy payasam, and bite-sized sweets and crunchy murukkus you’ve been popping into our mouths with alarming frequency. As a result of this, you’re feeling awful, and guilty. You feel bloated and your tongue seems immune to taste. So, here’s what you should do to bring the zing back into your life, post the festivities.

Tradition demands a breakfast of idli on the festival of lights. Light on the stomach and packing in good energy when had with sambar or chutney. But, over the years, we’ve improvised and added to the menu. There would have been adai, fluffly, crispy pooris, and more. Such a heavy breakfast only makes you more lethargic.Lunch would have been grander, and by dinner you would have been a mess.

So, this year,stick to these simple tips to keep post-Deepavali blues at bay. These simple meal options ensure those cooking at home need spend the whole day in the kitchen. These easy-to-prepare meals are light on the stomach, and pack a punch when it comes to taste.

Stock up on lemon today and tomorrow. Lemon enhances the taste of any meal, especially salads, and also cut fruits. You’ll be glad when the tang registers. Cut up some fruits, especially some just-ripe papaya. Drizzle some honey on it and squeeze half a lemon over it. Add a pinch of salt if you wish, and chop up some sprigs of mint. It’s a great start to the day.

For lunch, opt for rasam instead of sambar. Tangy tamarind rasam can ready you to take on the world. For poriyal, opt for a watery vegetable instead of potato fry. Or, opt for a salad with pronounced South Indian flavours; chop up and add vegetables and fruits in a bowl and sprinkle some salt and pepper and jeera powder. Avoid curd, use buttermilk instead.

In a day, your system will be in healing mode, grateful for your intervention. For some days after the festival, consume a spoon of Deepavali Marundhu in the evening. The smiles will return very soon.