Diwali is the time to binge on yummy sweets. But what about those keeping a watch on their weight? Here are the best healthy Diwali sweets for weight loss.
Diwali, the festival of lights and a time to relish those mouth-watering delicacies, will soon be here. Why should anyone be deprived, even those trying to shed those extra pounds? Fret not, here is a list of the 3 best healthy Diwali sweets for weight loss that will make sure you have a yummylicious Diwali while keeping a watch on your weight.
Contents:
Why Is it Important to Maintain an Ideal Weight?
Carrying excess body weight can detrimentally affect every system in your body. It can increase the risk of chronic conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and stroke. Those who maintain an ideal body weight tend to be healthier and have a better quality of life.
Though nowadays more individuals are turning towards a healthy lifestyle, it is often not easy to maintain a diet or workout regime regularly, especially during occasions such as festivals, where all you want to do is eat to your heart’s content, just like everyone else.
How to Manage Your Body Weight During Festivals?
Festivals can be the best times when you get to spend quality time with your friends and family. The real star during festivals is, of course, FOOD! So what if you are on a weight loss journey? We say you can still enjoy your favourite snacks and desserts by making healthier versions of them.
You can control your portion size and eat rich foods in moderation. Also, avoid liquid calories in the form of sugary and alcoholic beverages. Use less oil for snacks and make sure to limit the use of refined sugar while preparing sweets.
Confused? Don’t be, just follow our lead. Here are some healthy sweet options to relish this Diwali.
Which Indian Sweets are Good for Weight loss?
Here are 3 Indian sweets that can tantalise your taste buds while favouring weight loss:
1. Moong Dal Halwa
This halwa is made of moong dal (yellow lentils), milk, ghee, and sugar. Moong dal is a powerhouse of protein.
Proteins help in boosting your metabolism and in burning more calories, thus assisting weight loss. A high intake of proteins also helps in reducing the levels of the hunger hormone “ghrelin”, while boosting the appetite-reducing hormones (GLP-1, peptide YY and cholecystokinin).
This way, adding protein-rich ingredients such as moong dal to your Diwali sweets can help you shed extra pounds. Replacing sugar with stevia is another way to lower calories in your halwa. This can give you an added sugar-free sweet for Diwali.
2. Til Ladoo
This delicious nutty ladoo is prepared with sesame seeds (til), jaggery, peanuts, and desiccated coconut. Sesame seeds are highly nutritious and are a good source of fibre.
Fibre slows down digestion and keeps you full for longer periods. This helps lower your calorie intake and promotes weight loss. Til ladoos are low in calories and therefore perfect for those who are focussing on weight loss this festive season.
3. Ragi Sheera
Ragi sheera or ragi halwa is made of ragi or finger millet, which is one of the most nutritious cereal grains. It is a rich source of phytochemicals, nutrients, and protein. Ragi contains an amino acid called tryptophan, which helps curb your appetite and thus lowers your calorie intake.
This dish is prepared by cooking ragi with jaggery and low-fat milk. It can be a tasty and healthy addition to your Diwali dessert platter.
You can find the recipes for all of the above mentioned weight loss-friendly sweets here. Try them out to add to your joy this Diwali, but not to your weight woes!
Which Sweets to Avoid for Weight Loss?
Sweets such as pastries, cookies and cakes can be tempting but it is necessary to avoid them while on a weight loss journey. They are high in added sugar, refined flour, and trans fats (unhealthy fats).
These foods are high in calories and not very filling, so you tend to eat more of them. Thus, make sure you avoid such sweets during festivals while on a weight loss regime.
Don’t Have Time To Read?
- Festivals such as Diwali can be a challenging time for those who are trying to keep a watch on their weight.
- The sweets and savouries prepared or bought during Diwali are hard to resist. But to keep a check on your diet, you need to watch what to eat.
- Few healthy sweets that you can opt for during this Diwali include moong dal halwa, til ladoo, and ragi sheera.
- These sweets are nutritious and much lower in calories compared to other traditional sweets, whether homemade or store-bought. They are apt for those who are trying to lose weight.
- Sweets such as pastries, cookies and cakes are high in added sugar, refined flour, and unhealthy fats. You should avoid such sweets during festivals.
- Use the Phable Care App to consult India’s leading nutritionists and dieticians to get real-time remote care from the comfort of your home. Check out our store to order healthy treats, weighing scales, fitness bands, and more! We also have a Weight Management Program which provides 360º care. Start your weight management journey with Phable.
Friendly Asked Questions
During festivals, it is hard to resist sweet treats. But while on a weight loss regime, it is necessary that you watch what you eat. Try to avoid more than two sweet treats a day. Also, try making your sweets at home by adding healthier ingredients such as moong dal or til, which are nutritious and low in calories. You can substitute sugar with low-calorie options such as stevia.
Cutting sweets from your diet can be beneficial if you are trying to lose weight. Sweets, especially those made of refined sugar and high-fat ingredients, are high in calories. Therefore, avoiding sweets can be beneficial in lowering your calorie intake and in promoting weight loss. However, any dietary changes have to be accompanied by regular physical activity for sustained weight loss.
Healthy sweets are those which are made of healthy ingredients that are nutritious and low in calories. Adding certain ingredients to your sweets such as nuts, seeds, dry fruits or grains can make them higher in fibre content and thus lower your calorie intake. You can also replace refined sugar with other options such as jaggery, honey, or stevia to make them healthy.
Yes! It is not necessary to completely avoid sweets while on a weight loss journey. The key is to have them in moderation. You can opt to prepare your sweets at home with healthier ingredients that are nutritious and low in calories. Moong dal halwa, til ladoo, and ragi sheera are examples of the best healthy Diwali sweets for weight loss.