Ganesh Chaturthi 2023: Tips For Maintaining Healthy Diet During This Ganesh Festival! – News18

GANESH CHATURTHI 2023: As we approach the festive season, marked by the upcoming celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi, it’s a time for joyous gatherings with family and friends, accompanied by a delectable spread of traditional dishes. However, in the spirit of festivity and the saying, “All is forgiven,” we often find ourselves indulging in decadent sweets, setting aside our usual healthy eating habits. To strike a balance between enjoying these culinary delights and maintaining good health, here are some tips on what to consume and what to avoid during the festive season.

1. Go for homemade sweets
   Indian celebrations are incomplete without sweets. Foodies in every corner of the nation consider festivals, as an opportunity when they can relish delectable sweets. But the sweets prepared in stores are full of fat, sugar, refined flour, and food colour. Instead of going to your nearby sweet shop, try and impress your guests with homemade sweets. This way you can make sure that you are using high-quality ingredients. In addition, you can add sugar as per your taste and preferences.
2. Go for healthy snacks
   Replace unhealthy snacks with healthier options. Go for snacks which are low on fat, sugar, salt and calories. You can go with roasted nuts, makhanas, granola bars, khakra, almonds and dried fruits.
3. Pick healthier substitution
   You don’t have to sacrifice your favourite desserts and food items if you can replace their ingredients with healthier options. Replace white sugar with jaggery, honey or coconut sugar. Replace maida with ragi or whole wheat flour.
4. Eat a salad with each meal
   Foods prepared during the festive season are oily and heavy. Hence preparing a salad comprising fresh vegetables and fruits and eating it with your meal can help you in maintaining a healthy diet.
5. Drink in moderation
   Limit your alcohol intake. Replace sweetened wine with dry wine. Avoid drinking sugary or airy beverages. Drink detox water, green tea, juices, mocktails and coconut water to keep yourself hydrated.
6. Avoiding fried foods
   Oily food has been linked with weight gain and heart problems. Try and prepare your food in Ghee, instead of refined oil. Never reuse the oil while frying the snacks. Moreover, avoid air-fried and microwaved food.
7. Portion control
   A lot of people binge on food during festival seasons. Maintain a limit for consuming spicy and fried food and go easy on the portions. Adopt methods like grilling or baking instead of frying food.