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5 Tips From A Nutritionist On How You Can Balance Festive Indulgence With Healthy Habits

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With the festival of Holi round the corner, know how you can bite into savoury and sweet items like gujiya, jalebi, and more without harming your health and compromising on your diet.

Written by Prerna Mittra | Updated : March 18, 2024 4:27 PM IST

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Striking Balance Between Nutrition And Indulgence

In India, a festival is a time to celebrate with loved ones and indulge in culinary delights. With the festival of Holi round the corner, know how you can bite into savoury and sweet items like gujiya, jalebi, and more without harming your health and compromising on your diet. Dhara Mavani, executive-nutritionist at Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, Vashi says that with planning and mindfulness, it is possible to strike a 'harmonious balance' between indulgence and healthy habits. She recommends doing the following five things to navigate the festive season while staying mindful of your health. Scroll down to find out.

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Portion Control

Mavani says with mindful eating practices, be conscious about how much you are adding into your plate. Eat small portions of your favourite deep-fried and sugary sweets, and balance your plate with other foods to prevent over-indulgence of sweets and fried foods.

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Healthy Swap

Changing the method of cooking delicacies can help in making them more nutritious. For instance, an alternative to deep-frying gujiyas is baking or air-frying them. Similarly, you can use whole wheat or millet and wheat flour combination instead of refined flour to make puran polis. Make dates and dry fruit sweets like pedha or laddoos, instead of khoya-based confections, and make a nutrient-rich thandai with full-fat milk instead of using milkmaid. You can also add other nuts and seeds. "Healthy cooking techniques like baking, air-frying, and steaming can enhance nutritional value and maintain our well-being," says the nutritionist. Also Read - Healthy Eating During Christmas: How To Enjoy Festive Foods Without Guilt

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Stay Hydrated And Active

According to the nutritionist, hydration reduces the risk of over-eating and keeps you satiated. It offers relief from indigestion. Mavani suggests having infused waters, or sipping on lime juice or freshly-squeezed fruit juice, as they are rich in electrolytes that balance the fluid levels in the body.