Diwali 2024: Healthy snacking alternatives for the festive season

Festivals in India are a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness, and with them come indulgence, whether it's in the form of delicious food, exciting travel, or festive shopping. It’s easy to get caught up in the festivities and lose sight of healthy habits we usually follow throughout the year, especially when it comes to food. Sweets and rich, hearty meals become the norm, and before we realise it, our balanced diet slips away. But festivals don’t have to mean sacrificing your well-being. By finding a healthy balance, you can fully enjoy the festive spirit while still taking care of your body, ensuring that the celebrations leave you feeling good both inside and out.

So, how can we enjoy all the delicious food during festivals without losing sight of our health? Here are some simple and practical snacking ideas to help you stay on track while still enjoying the festivities:


Be Smart with Sweets: Sweets are a staple of any festival celebration. However, you can make smarter choices and indulge wisely by opting for sweets made with gur (jaggery) instead of refined sugar. Its even better to consume them post-meal to avoid a sugar spike on an empty stomach. It’s better to limit yourself to just one sweet per day to control sugar intake.

Avoid Heavy Cereals at Night: Heavy cereals can be tough on digestion, especially later in the day. To help your body wind down, avoid consuming them at night. Instead, opt snacks that are fat-free and light, such as sautéed or grilled kababs and tandoori items. These can be made in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian versions, giving you a healthy and tasty alternative.

Make Your Daytime Meals Healthier: It is crucial to make meals by starting with a balanced breakfast of oatmeal or dalia (porridge), accompanied by vegetables and nuts. For a mid-morning snack, choose high-fiber fruits like apples, guava, pears, or ripe papaya to keep you energized. At the time of lunch, keep it lighter by cutting down on cereals, opt for one roti instead of two and one ladle of rice instead of two. With that, plenty of vegetables and lean proteins like paneer, fish, or chicken. In the evening, satisfy cravings with healthy snacks such as dry fruit ladoos, besan ladoos, makhana, kheer, or a fruit cocktail, and mixed nuts are also a great choice. For dinner, skip cereals and go for a lighter, protein-rich meal. Desserts made with double-toned milk, ghee, or curd are also good options as they are easy on the digestive system. Between meals, choose nutritious munchies like roasted nuts, chickpeas, or sprouts to stay full and avoid overeating.


Stay Hydrated: During the festive chaos, don’t forget the importance of hydration. Drinking water throughout the day helps with digestion, keeps you feeling full, and reduces the temptation to snack mindlessly. Remember, staying hydrated also helps in detoxification of the body, flushing out toxins from festive treats, and keeping skin glowing.


Limit Alcohol Intake: It’s common for majority of people to indulge in alcohol, but its crucial to be mindful on its consumption. Alcohol can lead to dehydration and add unnecessary calories to your diet, so it’s best to keep it to a minimum.

By keeping these simple tips in mind, you can celebrate the festive season without sacrificing your health. Remember, festivals are all about joy, not guilt. Making mindful choices means you can fully enjoy the celebrations while still taking care of yourself. So, this year, embrace the festivities with a healthier mindset.

Contributed by: Dt. Samriddha Sarkar, Consults on Practo

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