Your Complete Guide To Healthy Diwali Feasting

Hiteshi Oza 7 Mins Read

Hiteshi Oza

If youre wondering how to indulge in festive treats without gaining a single kilo, weve got you covered with this article

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Your Complete Guide To Healthy Diwali Feasting

Diwali and overindulgence go together. After all, who can resist the lip-smacking sweets and snacks like ghewar (a Rajasthani dessert) and chakli (a deep-fried snack, similar to murukku), which are all part of Diwali celebrations? But the downside is that amid the revelry, we have to deal with the food guilt that accompanies our festive feasting.

So, how do we enjoy the goodies without regretting it once the celebrations are over? The trick is to learn to be grateful for whats on our plate and see the festive season as an opportunity to fine-tune our eating habits through conscious feasting.

To make your Diwali a guilt-free one, weve put together some amazing

tips from renowned nutrition and fitness experts.

1. Be mindful

Indulge, but dont overindulge. Overeating during Diwali is common but theres a way to savor treats without losing control over your eating.

During Diwali, the primary concern remains overindulgence, and we can overcome it by being mindful about our food choices, menu, and calorie intake, and by exercising throughout the festival. A diet plan is unnecessary when we become mindful about what we are eating, says Mumbai-based celebrity nutritionist Shweta Shah.

2. Have a fitness regime

Most of us forget to take care of ourselves while juggling a busy social calendar. Its no wonder, then, that exercise becomes an option, not a priority. But a self-care plan can help you make the right decisions.

Being healthy and fit is 70% diet and 30% exercise! Make it a point to exercise for at least 20 minutes to one hour each day, and eat healthy. Include a daily fitness routine consisting of a brisk walk, a jog around the neighborhood, yoga, or a quick high-intensity workout. My advice for people who are just getting started with fitness is to take it slowly. Begin with low- to moderate-intensity exercises, says fitness trainer Yasmin Karachiwala, who regularly shares home workout plans on Instagram.

Being healthy and fit is 70% diet and 30% exercise! Make it a point to exercise for at least 20 minutes to one hour each day, and eat healthy

Any fitness plan is ineffective without a mindful eating habit.

Start your day with healthy foods like a handful of almonds. They also go well with your workout routine because they are high in protein, help with weight loss, and contribute to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass. Tasty and nutritious, almonds can be your perfect pre- and post-workout snack. They are also rich in vitamin B2, which is known for its role in reducing tiredness. You can also boost your workouts with energizing drinks like orange juice or lemonade, she adds.

3. Eat fatty sweets in moderation

Most of us have a profound love for traditional sweets like jalebi and rava kesari. But during Diwali, we try to replace them with desserts like cheesecakes or chocolate mousse, thinking these are far healthier than our ghee-laden sweets.

But truth be told, sweet treatsbe it apple pie or boondicontain saturated fats like ghee or butter, which can affect your health if you keep munching mindlessly. But as fats are essential in our diet, you can indulge your sweet tooth with a ghee-based sweet like gajar ka halwa during Diwalijust limit your intake. As Shweta reminds us, Overindulging in sweets can cause more harm than good, so prevent overeating by controlling your portion size.

Some Indian sweets made of dried fruits can be a better choice than ice creams or baked goods like pastries.

Sweets made from dried fruits like dates, almonds, walnuts, apricots and raisins are a great option. Dry fruits are rich in fats, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein; they also boost immunity and prevent lifestyle diseases like diabetes, she adds.

If store-bought sweets are not your thing, you can make laddoos using superfoods like sesame seeds, flaxseeds, and granola, or sugar-free sweets using coconut oil, says Shweta.

4. Use code Fruit and Nuts for late-night snacking

Festive season calls for late-night gatherings and fun-filled time with friends and familyand celebratory late-hour snacking becomes the norm. But changing a few things can make a huge difference.

For midnight snacking, offer your guests healthy foods like fresh fruits and nuts instead of calorie-dense eatables. Take a family walk after dinner. Try not to stay awake the whole night, and if its not an option, dont serve snacks throughout the night. Try arranging games, like singing songs, to take your mind off food, suggests Shweta.

5. Keep your gut healthy and happy

Indigestion and other stomach-related discomfort are quite common after Diwali feasting. A detox drink is all you need to fix these minor troubles.

6. Stick to basics while preparing the Diwali menu

Many of us struggle while deciding the Diwali menu because we feel compelled to serve multicourse heavy meals to our guests. Diwali is when we want people to be happy and contentand not overwhelmed. So, sticking to basics while deciding the menu is important.

Need help designing a delicious and healthy Diwali menu? Take a look at this sample menu from Shweta for ideas on what to serve without spending long hours in the kitchen.

7. Pandemic isnt over, focus on immunity

After almost two chaotic pandemic years, restrictions have eased. Although things look better now, building our immunity and keeping our surroundings sanitized should remain our top priorities.

While celebrating festivals, remember to take care of your immune system, as we are still in the midst of a pandemic. Boost your immunity with these drinks, which can be taken first thing in the morning, says Shweta.