We look forward to many things during Diwali. The festival of lights celebrates the triumph of good over evil. The joy of decorating the house with beautiful diyas and spending time with your loved ones. The swish of new fabrics and the traditions we’ve followed since childhood. Whether you are spending this Diwali with family or friends away from home, one thing you get excited about this time of the year is all the sweets and snacks!
Most households have begun preparations for the celebration. Spring cleaning is the top priority, with the festive season right around the corner. The annual gift shopping and buying sweets are now on everyone’s to-do lists. And many have already marked those five days as cheat days in our calendar. While the festival does call for some indulgence, it’s essential to take care of our health. Keeping a watch on sugary, fried, and fat-heavy sweets is a necessity. Switching to healthier options can help you reduce calories without cutting out sweets. Here are some suggestions for healthy options for your usual snacks this Diwali:
1. Not Fried, Baked
It is natural to indulge in your favorite delicacy during the festive season. But when it comes to fried goodies, they can cause significant damage to your health. Fried foods are never your friend. And for the right reason. Deep frying forms a compound on the surface of foods called AGE (Advanced Glycation End). These eventually trigger the formation of some carcinogens. If you want to lose weight, consider eliminating fried food. The added calories from the oil can make you feel heavy and sluggish after consuming them. No matter how hard you try to restrict the number of fried foods throughout the year, it is usual to lose track.
Choosing baked versions of your fried favorites allows you to indulge without guilt. And you don’t have to compromise on the taste. There are baked versions of Gulab Jamun and Jalebis, which you can even prepare in the microwave. You can even try making your favorite namkeens in an air-frier for a change. Or line a baking tray with parchment paper, lay your favorite goodies and give a light spray of oil to bake it. If you are about to give in to the craving for your sweet tooth, try something new. Go for baked custard or creme caramel for a twist in tradition.
2. Say Hi to New Barfis
Kaju barfi, the crowd pleaser, is a fan favorite. Whether it is the festive season or not. However, cashews are rich in saturated fats, and more than a moderate amount can increase cholesterol levels. Try healthier sweets like date or anjeer (dried fig) barfis, which are as delicious as your usual run-of-the-mill Kaju barfis, if not more! These are also readily available in sweet shops and are pocket-friendly.
Barfis often include some form of dairy. Look for sweets that use plant-based milk. Indulge in mixed-nut barfis instead of the usual sugar-laden options. A wide range of healthy barfis is available at your favorite sweet shop. Try something new this year. Did you know many recipes are available online to turn your favorite fruits into barfi? From apple to coconut, you have a bunch of options to try. Consider cooking for yourself, for a change. When you are in charge of your food, you can tweak the recipe to your liking. You have complete control of what and how much of an ingredient is required.
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3. Use Jaggery, not Sugar
Our love for Indian sweets is never-ending. And with the festive season, the market is flooded with never-ending deliciousness. However, this is the dead-end of consuming excessive amounts of highly refined sugar.
Returning to the roots with some humble jaggery is a good idea. Jaggery is not processed or refined and contains vitamins and minerals. But it is not that low in calories compared to sugar. Moreover, our body absorbs sugar slowly. This prevents sudden blood sugar spikes, which result in weight gain. These properties make the good old jaggery a healthier option than sugar. Which hardly provides any energy and has zero nutrient content. Apart from its health benefits, jaggery adds a distinct flavor profile. The richness and smoky molasses flavor add a new dimension to the sweets. This gives them a deep and rich taste. Ask your confectioner for the jaggery variant of your favorite sweet. The food industry is making a healthy change with many health-conscious consumers. And you can easily find confectionaries with sweeteners other than refined sugar.
4. Introduce Roasted Chikkis and Granola Bars
This festive season is the perfect time to bring India’s favorite snack – chikki to the menu. The country’s OG health bar, chikki, is made of roasted peanuts and jaggery and is excellent for health. You can find sesame seeds or rice puff chikkis. Sesame seed is an excellent source of amino acids and folic acids. Which can satiate your cravings and keep you energized for a long time. In contrast, rice puff chikki is an excellent option for light snacks. Generally, chikkis contain jaggery instead of sugar, which makes it a perfect healthy snack.
There are also many granola bars available today. Loaded with choco-chips, nuts, and other grains, which are not only sweet snacks but are rich in proteins, good fats, and necessary carbs. A granola bar is a perfect snack when you are on the go. You can even try making your granola bar at home. Roast your favorite nuts, dried fruits, and oats. Add honey to the mixture for sweetness. It also acts as a binding agent. When the mixture turns sticky, transfer it to a plate or a baking tray and freeze for a couple of hours. These options are not only a healthy answer to your sweet cravings but also give you a boost of energy amid festive hustle-bustle.
5. A Fruit a Day Keeps the Cravings Away
This Diwali, treat yourself to the joy of fresh fruits. Indulge in the sweets found in nature in their truest form – swap sugar and oil-laden, sweet desserts for whole fruits. Instead of buying kilos of barfis and laddoos, try some exotic fruits you have never tried before.
Fruits are not only naturally sweet but also offer your daily dose of essentials like vitamins, minerals, and fibers. Instead of guilty helpings of a decadent dessert, enjoy fruits that will leave you feeling satisfied and light. Enjoy a fruit salad or whole fruits with cream for a festive spin on the regular apple, banana, and orange. Make delicious smoothie bowls with your favorite fruits, yogurt, and chia seeds. Or coat your favorite berries with yogurt and freeze them for a few hours—a perfect frozen treat to fix your ice-cream cravings. Try new, imported fruits like mangosteen, rambutan, avocados, or dragonfruit for some excitement during Diwali.
6. Veggies for the win!
This year consider switching the usual platter of potato chips, kachori, and namkeens with a veggie platter. You don’t need to frown and visualize a platter loaded with just a bunch of vegetables. There are several options to introduce savory treats filled with nutrition. You can try roasted chickpeas and baked vegetable fritters instead of just fried food. Add your favorite seasonings to boiled chickpeas and put them in the air-frier or bake it. Squeeze some lemon juice, and your perfect crunchy snack is ready. Coat your favorite veggies with a light batter and shallow fry with a bit of oil. And voila, your veggie fritter is ready. Carrot and sweet potato chips are exciting substitutes for regular potato chips. Not only is it a healthier option, but you can be surprised by its deliciousness. The best part of making this switch is that you can relish guilt-free indulgence.
To Sum It Up:
In our country, food is an integral part of festivities. Diwali is a time to spend with your loved ones. Take a breather and enjoy the celebration and the delicious food that fills the house during the five days. However, taking care of one’s health is vital, primarily if you already deal with pre-existing conditions or plan to achieve specific health goals. Instead of cutting out sweets completely, switch to healthier options, and enjoy their control.
DocVita wishes you a safe, prosperous, and healthy festive season! If there’s a health issue bothering you, our doctors are ready to help at DocVita. Stay safe. Visit docvita.com to consult a nearby doctor on a video call. Pay for an online visit, and meet in person at no extra cost.