Do you always feel guilty after mindlessly consuming sweets? The holiday season is where sweet temptations are at their peak, whether it’s because of availability in abundance, family or peer pressure, or simply because you just can’t resist. So what can be done in such situations? First of all, I am going to take this opportunity and promote Indian sweets over Western sweets. Of course, I don’t mean to go crazy for Indian sweets, but all I want to say is at least start the discussion by choosing indian desserts that are meaningful and preferably homemade for that particular season or festival over chocolates, cheesecakes, cakes, sweets, etc. Promote the local sweets you’ve enjoyed all your life. Prachi Shah, a clinical dietitian and consultant nutritionist suggests tips on how stay healthy despite the temptations of the ‘sweet Indian’.
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If you are someone who can eat or like sugar-free versions of any sweet, but for many of us, cravings are due to the ‘sweetness’ they come with. For us, a tip would be to use the sugar/jaggery that goes in the recipe. Many times we go overboard and make it extremely sweet. So follow the recipe to get the “right” amount of sweetness.
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The goal is eat in moderation and not trying to make a healthy sugar-free version of everything and anything. If you like halwa, make a proper homemade halwa, but eat a smaller portion instead.
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Eat mindfully: After you’ve eaten a certain sweet, consciously limit yourself to eating other sweets throughout the day. Binge one day to cover up the next doesn’t work. Balance is the key.
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You won’t regret the 2 sweets when you know you’ve maintained a healthy lifestyle and you’ll know when to stop. It’s okay to enjoy those items, after all you are a human being. Just celebrate with your loved ones and start your normal routine the next day.
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A great would not be to skip a meal or go on a strict diet only to ‘reward’ yourself with tons of sweets.
A very common question people ask me is how to say NO. Festivals are a time when many people tend to force you to eat (sweets). You can stick to your health goals simply by denying them with a reason. Remember that no one can force you until you give in. You can tell a person in advance not to overdo it so you don’t feel bad about denying something they’ve prepared especially for you, and you can pick one item and stick with it. .
Ultimately, you are in charge of your own health and once you make health your priority, you will eventually learn how to work with different foods, cravings, balance, peer pressure and still enjoy the festival at its best.
Also read: Delicious Maharashtrian Recipes You Must Cook At Home This Ganesh Chaturthi
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