What precautions to take during Diwali regarding sweets
- Choose Reputable Sources: Buy sweets only from FSSAI-licensed shops to ensure quality and safety.
- Check Ingredients: Be aware of common adulterants like starch in mawa and synthetic sweeteners in jaggery and honey
- Inspect Hygiene Practices: Ensure the shop maintains proper hygiene, including clean utensils and waste disposal.
- Test Purity at Home: Conduct simple tests for mawa purity using iodine or hydrochloric acid to check for adulteration
- Limit Portion Sizes: Enjoy sweets in moderation to avoid excessive calorie intake during festivities
Tips to avoid weight gain during Diwali
- Practice Mindful Eating: Pay attention to hunger cues, eat slowly, and savor each bite to prevent overeating.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to help control appetite and avoid sugary drinks.
- Choose Healthy Alternatives: Opt for healthier snacks like nuts and fruits instead of fried items and sweets.
- Control Portions: Use smaller plates and limit high-calorie foods to maintain portion control.
- Maintain Physical Activity: Incorporate regular exercise, like walking or dancing, to burn extra calories.
- Plan Meals Wisely: Create a balanced meal plan with nutritious foods to prevent unhealthy cravings.
- Be Realistic: Allow for occasional indulgences without guilt, but maintain a balance with healthy choices.
Some healthy ingredients which can use in Diwali sweets
For healthier Diwali sweets, consider using the following ingredients:
- Natural Sweeteners: Replace refined sugar with jaggery, honey, or dates for a more nutritious option.
- Whole Grains: Use whole wheat flour, oats, or quinoa flour instead of refined flour to increase fiber content.
- Nuts and Seeds: Incorporate almonds, walnuts, and flaxseeds for healthy fats and added nutrition.
- Low-Fat Dairy: Opt for low-fat yogurt or plant-based milk like almond milk to reduce calorie content.
- Dried Fruits: Use dried fruits like figs and apricots as sweetening agents in recipes.
- Baked Options: Choose baked versions of traditional sweets to cut down on oil and calories.
- Spices: Add spices like cardamom and cinnamon for flavour without extra calories.
What are the most popular unhealthy snacks during Diwali
During Diwali, certain snacks are particularly popular but also unhealthy. Here are some of the most common unhealthy snacks consumed during the festival:
- Samosa: Deep-fried pastry filled with spiced potatoes, often high in calories and unhealthy fats.
- Kachori: Another deep-fried snack made from refined flour and often filled with lentils or spices, contributing to high calorie intake.
- Vada Pav: A potato fritter sandwiched in bread, which is calorie-dense due to frying.
- Jalebi: Deep-fried dough soaked in sugar syrup, high in sugar and calories.
- Bhaji/Pakora: Vegetables coated in batter and deep-fried, leading to excessive oil absorption.
- Chakli: A spiral-shaped snack made from rice flour and deep-fried, adding significant calories.
- Banana Chips: Deep-fried raw bananas that are calorie-heavy and high in saturated fats.
- Biscuits and Cookies: Often loaded with refined flour, sugar, and unhealthy fats, making them high-calorie snacks.
Which Diwali snacks are the highest in calories
- Jalebi: Approximately 263-494 calories for 4-5 pieces, depending on preparation and serving size14.
- Gulab Jamun: Contains about 375 calories per serving (2 pieces may total around 350-316 calories) due to its sugar syrup and deep-fried nature.
- Kaju Katli: Roughly 391 calories for four pieces, primarily from cashews and sugar.
- Samosa: One piece has around 268 calories, making it a calorie-dense snack due to deep frying14.
- Paneer Pakoda: About 274 calories for four pieces, as it is also deep-fried.
- Chakli: Approximately 311-320 calories for two pieces, high in fat due to frying.
- Besan Ladoo: Contains about 211 calories per piece, contributing to significant calorie intake if consumed in multiple servings
Which Diwali snacks have the least calories
- Mathri: Approximately 42 calories per piece (10g), making it a light savory option.
- Sweet ShakkarPara: Contains about 100 calories for 10-12 pieces (28g), offering a sweet crunch without excessive calories.
- Rasgulla: A single piece has around 1-6 calories, though most calories come from the syrup it’s soaked in.
- Baked Vegetable Chips: A healthier alternative to fried snacks, these can be low in calories depending on preparation.
- Roasted Makhana (Fox Nuts): Lightly spiced, roasted makhana is a low-calorie snack rich in protein and fiber.
- Dhokla: A savory steamed snack that is low in calories, high in protein, and easy to digest
Which Diwali sweets have the highest sugar content
- Jalebi has the highest sugar content, making it one of the sweetest options during Diwali.
- Gulab Jamun and Besan Ladoo are also high in sugar, contributing significantly to calorie intake.
- Traditional sweets like Rasmalai, Kaju Burfi, and Gujia offer a balance of taste and sweetness but should be consumed in moderation due to their sugar content.
- Opting for lower-sugar alternatives or smaller portions can help manage overall sugar intake during the festive season.