Diwali is the most enthralling time of the year, from boxes of decorations to be put up to making rangolis, from sumptuous meals to be cooked and eaten to attending parties and get-togethers. People tend to stray from healthy eating habits and allow themselves to binge-eat, and eat unhealthy food that is typically not a part of their everyday diet. While occasional cheat-meals are okay, one must also learn to consciously stay away from foods that can harm their health and lead to lifelong issues. Here are some pointers on how one can enjoy the festival of lights, keep their taste buds happy and also not compromise on health.
Nutrient-dense ladoos: dry fruits like dates, cashews, and almonds naturally impart sweetness when added to ladoos. Grind these nuts with dates and a dash of cardamom to make ladoos. They have a good amount of antioxidants and fibre.
Sweets Made with Jaggery: Replace refined sugar with jaggery for making sweets. Jaggery has a natural sweetness and is a good source of potassium and iron. Sweets like jaggery-based chikki or gajar ka halwa are healthier options.
Fruit Chaat: An appealing and revitalizing choice, fruit chaat blends a variety of fruits, including oranges, bananas, pomegranates, and apples, and is finished with a dash of black salt, or chaat masala. It’s an excellent way to savor fruits’ inner deliciousness.
Brown Rice Pudding: When making kheer, or rice pudding, use brown rice instead of white rice. Minerals, vitamins, and fibre are plentiful in brown rice. For a healthier twist, add a small quantity of jaggery to sweeten it.
Coconut and Date ladoos: To make bite-sized sweets, blend dates and shredded coconut. They give you nutritional fibre and good fats, plus they’re naturally tasty.
Multigrain Biscuits: Whole wheat flour, oats, and seeds like chia or flax can be combined to make your multigrain biscuits, which are a healthy way to enjoy a sweet treat with a cup of tea.
Keep in mind to always enjoy these healthier Diwali sweets in moderation. Wishing you a Diwali that is full of light, and prosperity!