LADOO LOVE: EAT RIGHT THIS DIWALI

Enjoy the sweets and savouries this festive season, but do so without piling on the kilos

Be it jalebis dipped in rabri or deep-fried pakodas and samosas, festivities are all about sweets and savouries. During Diwali, it’s hard to resist the temptation to gorge ourselves on these tasty things. The bad news is, if one is on a diet, Diwali might derail it.

However, experts give us tips on how not to binge eat and what to keep in mind. Skip fake sweeteners:

One often picks food items with artificial sweeteners, thinking they have fewer calories. These sweeteners trick our bodies into thinking that it will receive calories in the form of sugar, which should satisfy our craving. However, since that doesn’t happen, we end up with cravings and then binge eat. “One then eats calorie-dense foods that are not just high glycaemic index carbs (e.g. a cookie) but also loaded with trans fats,” says nutritionist Munmun Ganeriwal.

Trans fats are bad, and high glycaemic index carbs give one an energy spike that doesn’t last long. It’s better to go for natural sugar that comes from sugarcane. “Make sweets at home to ensure good quality ingredients. Avoid sweets from shops that mass produce,” advises Ganeriwal.

Go for home-cooked food: Home-cooked fried food is not bad, as you’d use good quality oil that has not been reused. Packaged products have unhealthy trans-fats. “Home-cooked sweets have dry fruits, ghee, milk, sugar and even grains that regulate blood sugar, making you feel more energetic,” says Ganeriwal.

Also, eat only one savoury item at a time, and don’t indulge in too much fried — especially deep-fried — food.

Don’t think just calories, think nutrition: Even when you pick sweets, choosing what you eat is important. “Take rasgulla over gulab jamun, as rasgulla has calcium and protein. Similarly, pick kheer — rich in protein and calcium — over carb-heavy sooji ka halwa,” suggests nutritionist Kavita Devgan.

Go slow with alcohol: Sip on alcohol slowly and don’t mix your drinks. Sipping slowly gives you time to think and the ability to stop without drinking too much. Don’t drink on an empty stomach and have water after every glass. “Keep your body hydrated; it lowers the temptation to have cola and alcohol,” says Devgan.

Have a small wholesome snack: Before leaving the house, have a healthy snack to avoid eating out. “Poha, upma, cheese toast, or rotighee and jaggery roll are a few options,” says Ganeriwal.

Don’t miss working out: During the festive season, we often skip working out, when this is actually the most crucial time for being active, what with all the extra calorie intake. So, exercise regularly. As Devgan says, “Maintaining your weight would spare you the trouble of shedding the extra kilos later.”