Diwali 2021: Follow these food hacks to stay healthy this festive season

It is that time of the year when most people let go of their usual diets and consume a lot of food and drink. While one doesn’t see the effects of it immediately, it often leads to regret after the season ends. As people celebrate Diwali, a city-based dietician recommends the easiest ways to consume healthy food during this time of the year

A lot of us are going to spend this festive season gorging on a variety of food including mithais, snacks and even chocolates. It doesn’t stop there because where there is food there is also a lot of drinking. While not everybody may consume alcohol, there are going to be others who consumed aerated and other soft drinks. 

Now, it is hard to avoid these, especially if you want to make the most of the season for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world in March 2020. Since the celebrations were muted last year, people are definitely going to go all out and enjoy themselves by partying with friends and family.  
 
For the health-conscious people who are weary of how much they consume or for every other person who has no restraint on how much they consume during this time, we have got you covered with some expert tips. Mid-day reached out to Sakina Diwan, dietician with Bhatia Hospital to share easy hacks to keep the weight in check this Diwali and the rest of the festive season.  

Diwan says that bingeing on traditional delicacies associated with the festival can easily give a sugar overdose. Eating all the different kinds of food can wreak havoc on one's waistline because they are usually loaded with sugar and fat, which only adds to the calorie load and one should try to stay away from such kind of food. 

One of the easiest health hacks to adopt, Diwan suggests, is by making samosas, mathri, kebabs, tikkis and pakodas in an oven or an air fryer. The dietician says the use of these appliances will eliminate deep-frying and reduce the consumption of oil while still making sure that people get their fill of the delicacies. Photo: istock
 

As far as Diwali celebrations go, it is always going to be a big party and indulging in good food will be second-nature. Diwan advises, “Eat a salad or a low-calorie snack before going out for those rooftop parties. This will make sure that you’re not famished when you’re at a party and thus curb tendencies to binge on rich and oily food.” It will help people maintain their diet and not have regrets after the festive season is over. Photo: istock
 If there is one good aspect about the festival and its celebrations for those who want to keep what they are consuming in check, it is the copious amounts of dry fruits like almonds, cashew nuts, pistachios and walnuts. Found in most homes, Diwan says eating the different kinds of nuts can work wonders as they are healthy and filled with minerals and other nutrients and can make people feel full while providing all the benefits to them. Photo: istock
 

While the eating can be taken care of, it may be a little more difficult to stop mindlessly consuming aerated drinks and Diwan says it would be better to swap the regular Coke for a Diet Coke to reduce the consumption of sugar during this festive season. “Try and use infused water instead of fruit juices to reduce sugar intake and always make sure a glass of water is at hand,” she suggests. Photo: istock

Also Read: Spruce up your home with these last-minute Diwali decor ideas from experts

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