Balancing Sweets and Health: How To Enjoy Treats Mindfully This Season

The season of festivals and weddings is on, bringing along an array of delicious treats and indulgences. The appeal of sweet treats can be difficult to resist, from delicious laddoos and jalebis to pastries and pies. Hence, it is essential to strike a balance between enjoying sweets and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Dr Meghana Pasi, Nutrition Consultant, MyThali, Arogya World shares a few mindful tips to enjoy the feast, not feel guilty and still do justice to the festivities:

1. Set realistic goalsUnderstand that it’s okay to indulge occasionally, especially during special days or events. Setting realistic expectations can help reduce guilt and promote a healthier relationship with food.
2. Prefer homemade treatsHealthy cooking is the first step towards mindful eating. While preparing sweet treats for your family and friends, select healthy ingredients. Replace maida and sugar, with whole wheat or mixed grains, fruit pulp, jaggery, condiments and spices to increase the nutrition quotient.
3. Prioritize nutrition-rich foodsEven on a festival day, have a protein and fiber-rich breakfast. This will provide you with the energy you need to go through the day. Eat balanced whether at home or out and include nutrient dense foods like veggies, whole grains, nuts and lean proteins.
4. Practice Moderation Remember to track your portion sizes while enjoying your favourite treats.
5. Prefer healthier sweet options For example, choose fruit-based desserts, yogurt with berries, or dark chocolate with nuts instead of high-sugar and high-fat options.
6. Listen to your bodyEat slowly, savour each bite and learn to listen to your body’s hunger and fullness cues. This can help prevent overeating. Avoid those sweets which make you feel sluggish or unwell.
7. Plan aheadIf you are attending a gathering which would serve all kinds of tempting treats, then plan your other meals accordingly. Have some fruits or a bowl of soup prior to the party to avoid overindulging.
8. Stay hydratedDrinking enough water can help reduce cravings, assist digestion, and prevent overeating. Instead of alcohol or soda/colas, prefer fresh fruit juices, lemonade, coconut water, or green tea.
9. Stay activeTry to not disturb your exercise routine even on festival days. This helps manage stress, offset the extra calories consumed during celebrations and keep you active to run extra errands.

Finally, remember “Sharing is Caring”. Take a little and share the rest with your loved ones. This will help in enjoying both, flavours of the sweets and flavours of togetherness.