Diwali-Celebrate the Healthy way!

An interview with Dr. Rita Bhargava, consultant dietitian, Care Hospital, Nagpur. President Indian Dietetic Association, Nagpur.

Diwali is around the corner, customarily Diwali celebration is with calorie packed sweets, fried snacks, diyas and crackers along with lot of socializing and late night parties. We tend to lose track on routine healthy eating practice and exercise habits amidst these get-togethers. Traditional Indian sweets made as a custom are anarsa, gujiya, chakli, chiwda, shakarpara, kachories etc, on top of it exchange of eatable goodies like transfat laden cookies, namkeens, sweets i.e. mithai with khoa, chocolates, cakes etc as a mandate.

Q1. How can Diwali be made a healthy celebration - it is common for friends and families to eat big meals throughout the day and put the “diet” aside, indulging in a variety of high fat, fried foods?

Socialize, have get together but serve and eat nutritious options. Indulge in natural homemade sweets like fruit yoghurt, fruit custards, date/anjeer Sandesh made with chenna, makhana kheer without khoa or any food colour and preservatives. Gift healthier options like nuts and seed mixtures which are rich in monosaturated fats and omega 3 fats, Freshly homemade snacks or sweets are any time better to opt for like fruit salads, fruit pizza , sprouted bhel, dhokla, Idli sambhar, roasted makhana,, khandvi , ragi oat ladoo, quinoa and garden cress kheer are some healthier options and you know what type of fats are being used , it’s not dalda nor has trans fats and are without any chemicals hence safe to eat and enjoy.

Q2. So how can diabetic patient enjoy Diwali?

A diabetic person can also enjoy Diwali by meeting friends and families but should remember not to skip meals not his medicine or insulin. Cut on the simple carbs, refined flour savories, eat healthy nuts in portion size i.e. a fistful/day, Use artificial or natural sweeteners for sweets e.g. Apple and Date kheer, it doesn't require any sweetener as date itself acts as a sweetener, similarly chenna filled lychees, chenna kheer, lauki hlawa, oats rabdi are some sweets which can be prepared at home and are nutritious and can be served in the portion size of carbs prescribed.

Tips for healthy and safe Diwali:

 Slash your serving size.

 Stay away from sweets which use food colors and chemical preservatives that may damage your kidneys and cause cancer.

 Avoid silver coating as it may be adulterated by aluminum.

 Stay hydrated as water helps to overcome late night hangovers and flush out toxins from the body.

 Finally what matters is the calories you consume and what calories you spend.

 Start your day with a light healthy breakfast,, prefer lemon water, coconut water, buttermilk, jaljeera instead of more tea, coffee, cold drinks, tetra pack juices or alcohol.