- 7 December 2023
Guilt-Free Feast: Celebrating Deepavali with Healthy Choices
Remember how hard it was to lose the weight gained during last year’s Deepavali? Let’s do things differently this time. Choose healthier sweets and enjoy the usual snacks carefully. Eating well is about making smarter choices, not skipping the fun of the festival.
Celebrate With Health and Happiness This Deepavali
During Deepavali, as the lights twinkle and the festive spirit soars, remember to take care of yourself and your loved ones by eating healthily and staying active. As you enjoy the holiday, think about how to indulge in the celebration without overdoing it. Light up your home and heart, but also be mindful of what you eat. Try not to eat absent-mindedly, especially when there’s a temptation to overindulge in sweets like laddus.
When it comes to the sweet delights that are a big part of Deepavali, why not make them at home? This way, you can keep traditions alive and spend quality time with your family. Look for recipes that are easy to follow for both North and South Indian treats.
Pre-made sweets often contain a lot of sugar and preservatives, which aren’t great for your health. By making these treats yourself, you can use healthier ingredients. For example, you can replace processed sugar with dried fruits like figs or use honey as a natural sweetener. But remember, even natural sweeteners should be used in moderation. Add spices like cardamom or saffron to enhance the taste without making the sweets too sugary.
For healthier baking, choose whole-wheat flour instead of white flour to make your family’s favorite treats more nutritious. Here are some more tips to make your Deepavali snacks healthier and lower calories:
- Use low-fat or skimmed milk instead of full-fat milk.
- Make your own mix of nuts baked with a little honey or spices instead of buying salty ones from the store.
- Steam, bake, or air-fry your festive snacks to cut down on oil.
When you’re hosting this Deepavali, you can make healthy choices easily by looking for the Health Promotion Board’s Healthier Choice Symbol on food products. This shows that the item meets strict nutrition guidelines and usually has less sugar, salt, and fat. With over 3,500 products to choose from, you’ll have plenty of options.
Celebrate Without the Calories: Smart Tips for Festive Eating
Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is the bright and happy Hindu festival of lights. It’s filled with lively decorations and delicious feasts. As you celebrate this special holiday, take care of yourself and your family by paying attention to what you eat and staying active. Want to know how to stay healthy during the festivities? Here are some easy tips to enjoy the festivities while maintaining balance and celebrating the victory of good over evil without going overboard with food.
- Minimize calorie intake where you can. Choose a light and low-calorie breakfast such as muesli with milk or poha with sprouts over calorie-dense options like puri bhaji, pakoda, or samosa. This way, you can enjoy festive treats later in modest amounts.
- Limit your intake of tea, coffee, or thandai to just one cup per day. Prefer green tea or hydrating options like coconut water, lime water, or fruit-infused water, which aid in digestion when consuming high-calorie snacks.
- Make nutritious alternatives to sweets and savory items; opt for baked samosas over fried ones, and roast low-fat snacks instead of indulging in deep-fried sev, chivda, or chakali.
- Choose starters smartly. Go for dahi vada, masala khakra, chana chaat, or cereal chivda rather than deep-fried options.
- Offer guests a bowl of fresh fruit and nuts in place of mithai or fried farsan.
- Select sweets that are moderate in calories and smaller in portion size, like a tablespoon of shrikhand, phirni, or kheer, or a single piece of rasmalai or sandesh. Avoid deep-fried sweets such as gulab jamun, jalebi, or laddoos.
- Steer clear of aerated drinks, sweetened sharbats, and canned juices, as they contribute empty calories. Choose fresh lime water or soda without sugar for social gatherings.
- Consume high-fiber foods before a big meal or party to prevent overeating. Options include raw salad, sprouts, vegetable raita, spinach raita, or fruits.
- If you’ve consumed a lot of calories during the day, reduce your calorie intake at dinner. If not hungry, skip dinner and perhaps have some buttermilk or a low-carb, fat-free option like soup or salad.
- Drink infused water to enhance metabolism and stay full longer, which helps reduce overall calorie consumption.
- Gift dry fruits or fruit baskets instead of traditional high-calorie sweets like laddus or barfis. Dry fruits and nuts are nutritious and rich in antioxidants.
- Avoid eating anything for at least two hours before bedtime.
- Eat snacks and sweets mindfully to avoid excess calorie intake. Socialize while eating to help control portions.
- Use cooking methods such as grilling, roasting, or steaming instead of frying.
- Share desserts to manage portion sizes.
- Opt for a smaller plate to naturally eat less.
- Plan for a post-dinner walk to stay active.
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Approximately 1/3 cup water, for kneading
For the Filling:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
- 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onions
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 1 cup boiled and mashed potatoes
- 1/2 cup boiled green peas
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tsp red chili powder (adjust to taste)
- Salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions:
1.Prepare the Dough
- In a mixing bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, and salt.
- Add the olive oil and mix until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
- Gradually add water and knead to form a firm dough.
- Cover the dough with a damp cloth and set aside for 20 minutes.
2. Make the Filling
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add cumin seeds, fennel seeds, and mustard seeds. Let them splutter.
- Add the chopped onions and sauté until translucent.
- Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger and fry for another minute.
- Mix in the mashed potatoes, green peas, turmeric, garam masala, red chili powder, and salt.
- Cook for 5 minutes, then remove from heat and let it cool. Stir in fresh cilantro.
3. Assemble the Samosas
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Divide the dough into small balls and roll each one into a thin oval shape.
- Cut the oval in half, take one semi-circle, and form a cone shape, sealing the edge with a little water.
- Fill the cone with the potato and pea mixture, then seal the top by pinching the dough together.
- Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
4. Bake the Samosas
- Arrange the samosas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Brush them lightly with olive oil.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy.
5. Serve
Serve the baked samosas hot with a side of mint chutney or tamarind sauce.
This baked version of samosas offers a healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried ones, cutting down on saturated fats while preserving the essence of this festive snack. It’s a perfect way to enjoy the holiday spirit with a Singaporean touch, sharing the joy of a lighter, yet just as tasty, Deepavali treat.
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