Diwali diet: Keep kilos in check with low-cal options
New Delhi: The fragrance of sweets already fills the air. Very soon pretty boxes packed with laddoos, barfis and the choicest delicacies will start piling up at homes. Diwali, after all, is incomplete without sweets. But the after-effects of bingeing can be disastrous, more so if you are on the heavier side. And if you are vulnerable to heart disease or have diabetes, you must exercise caution.But that doesn't mean refraining from all sweets. Dieticians and doctors suggest that the craving for sweets can be assuaged with healthier, lowcalorie alternatives like fruit yoghurts, dry fruits and dark chocolate. It will just take a little effort to ensure that you're buying and gifting the right kind of sweets. With an assortment of sweets spread out before them, even the most health conscious people end up gorging on sweets during Diwali.
Clinical nutritionist Ishi Khosla says people tend to binge during Diwali as they see a lot sweets around them, and that stirs up their sensory faculties. “The smell and look of sweets weakens your resolve. So it’s best not to store them at home. Instead, you can distribute them to people who need them more. You can choose healthier alternatives like dates, bitter chocolates or nuts.” She also cautions people about the quality of sweets they order. For instance, fresh s a n d e s hor fruit yoghurt is far healthier than g u l a b ja m u n s. Honey or jaggery-coated nuts are also a good option.
Dieticians suggest it is better to distribute the sweets one gets, as it reduces chances of overeating. “People can share the sweets with kids as they burn calories easily. It’s also a good idea to distribute sweets in the neighbourhood, especially because we do not know where the sweets come from. There is a high chance of adulteration,” says consultant dietician at Max Healthcare, Cheenu Prashar.
Almost every year adulterated sweets flood Delhi’s markets to meet the huge demand. Artificial colours, which can be toxic, as well as adulterated milk and k h o y a are widely used. “We always suggest that making sweets at home is safer. At least you can pick the ingredients yourself,” says Prashar.
Dieticians also recommend ‘guilt-free’ eating. They say worrying too much about your weight also creates problems. “This is the time when weight gain is at its peak. Diabetics become less careful about their sugar intake, and those who are predisposed to diabetes show signs of high sugar,” says consultant, endocrinology and diabetology, Moolchand Medicity, Dr Sanjiv Bhambani.
The most common complaints after Diwali are weight gain, increased appetite and a feeling of lethargy “People complain of developing a paunch,” laughs Khosla. But it’s best if diabetics and people vulnerable to heart disease check their diet during Diwali. Their per day calorie intake should be between 1,500-1,800 calories with a proportion of 60:20:20 between carbohydrates, fats and proteins, recommends Dr Bhambani. Artificial sweeteners can be used in moderation while preparing sweets for diabetics. They should avoid excessive intake of dry fruits.
