Drool over sweets but snack wisely

With Navarathri having gone by and Deepavali around the corner and more festivals to come, the festivities will last till Pongal, celebrated in January. One integral part of the revelry is food and what else but sweets to amp up the celebrations? No wonder, every part of India has a sweet touch to the celebrations, be it the Mysore Pak in South or the Moong dal ka halwa that is savoured by the North Indians. So, what are the options for the diabetics or the weight-conscious, who intend to stay away from sweets? 

There are two occasions on which, diabetologists see the maximum number of diet violations. Dr V Mohan, Chairman and Managing Director, Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre, says, “Most of them go overboard during Deepavali, due to the sweets, and during the mango season. I always tell them to watch out for those extra sugar and ghee that the sweets are loaded with,” he says. 

Dr Mohan decodes the calorie intake and the corresponding weight gained. “With 8,000 calories one can put on a kilo of weight. Though this looks like a big number, it is not farfetched for someone who is gorging on sweets every day,” he adds. He explains that one gram of ghee contains nine calories and with the high sugar intake during festivals in the form of gulab jamuns and other varieties of sweets, it is easy to gain a few kilos. “I ask them to go for smaller quantities that is satiating, yet not adding calories that are difficult to burn later,” he adds. Dr Wasim Mohideen, director, preventive and wellness medicine, Basil Wellness, adds that unless one is severely diabetic, indulging in sweets during Deepavali is fine. “Given that you have been on a controlled diet for the rest of the year, this is ok. We often see people on either extremes — over indulging or sad that they cannot eat sweets,” he says. 

Dharini Krishnan, consultant, dietician, who has been flooded with questions on sweet and healthier options during the festival season, says, “I have been telling them to go sugar free. Most of the sweets contain maida and ghee. The best way to avoid this, without abstaining from sweets is to opt for kheer or payasam. It contains milk, which is good for them. They can either use the skimmed or toned ones. Badam kheer , especially, is good for them as almonds or badams are healthy.” She also says that halwa made with dry fruits can also be a healthy option. “Add pistachios and badams with a few dates. The halwa is both delicious and wholesome,” she says. 

However, she adds that even if gulab jamuns are tempting and unavoidable, restrict it to a tea spoon or a table spoon, she adds. 

Staying hydrated is equally important says dietician Sowmya Binu, adding that it could help overcome the temptation for that extra sweet. “As you keep snacking and munching all the time during the festival, you forget to take adequate amount of water, this result in excessive tiredness and fatigue. Ensure that you keep your self well hydrated with water, lime juice, buttermilk and green tea instead of sugary colas and beverages. 

Consuming adequate water keeps you full and limits your intake of tasty jamuns,” she says. She also warns against colours and preservatives that are unhealthy, adding that aluminium foils as cover should be avoided.