Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, brings a joyous season of celebration, family gatherings, and, of course, delicious treats. For those managing diabetes, however, Diwali’s spread of sweets and snacks can pose a challenge. Fortunately, with some mindful strategies and a bit of planning, you can enjoy the festive season without compromising your health. Here’s how to control diabetes and navigate the temptations of Diwali sweets.

1. Set Clear Limits on Sweets

Moderation is Key: Diwali may tempt you with an array of sweets, but it’s essential to enjoy them in moderation. Choose one or two of your favorite treats instead of sampling everything, and aim for smaller portions.

Choose Healthier Sweet Options: Traditional sweets like barfi, gulab jamun, and laddu are often high in refined sugar. Opt for sugar-free or low-sugar versions, which many stores now offer.

2. Try Homemade Diabetic-Friendly Sweets

Use Natural Sweeteners: When preparing sweets at home, you can replace refined sugar with natural sweeteners like stevia, erythritol, or monk fruit. These options keep the blood sugar spike in check and allow you to enjoy your favorite treats guilt-free.

Incorporate Whole Ingredients: Use ingredients like oats, nuts, seeds, and coconut flour to create wholesome sweets. These foods are low on the glycemic index and help provide a sense of fullness while stabilizing blood sugar levels.

3. Eat Balanced Meals Before Attending Festive Gatherings

Prioritize Proteins and Fiber: Having a protein- and fiber-rich meal before heading to a Diwali celebration can help control your appetite. Foods like lentils, chickpeas, vegetables, and lean proteins keep you feeling full and help stabilize blood sugar.

Avoid High-Carb and Sugary Snacks: While Diwali snacks like samosas, kaju katli, and jalebi are tempting, try to limit your intake of these foods, which can spike blood sugar. Instead, go for protein-rich snacks like roasted chickpeas or homemade chaat.

4. Stay Active During the Festivities

Take Short Walks: Aim to stay physically active by taking a short walk after meals, which can help manage blood sugar spikes. Encourage family members to join for a festive evening walk, making it both a bonding and a healthy activity.

Incorporate Diwali Chores: If you’re involved in cleaning or decorating, consider it part of your fitness routine. Activities like hanging lights, setting up decorations, or cleaning contribute to burning calories and controlling blood sugar.

5. Monitor Your Blood Sugar Regularly

Track Your Levels: During Diwali, keep an eye on your blood sugar levels, especially if you’re indulging in sweets. This will allow you to adjust your eating habits or medication if necessary.

Carry Emergency Snacks: Keep some nuts, seeds, or a small protein bar on hand, especially if you’re going to a gathering. These snacks can help prevent blood sugar dips or spikes, ensuring you maintain stable energy throughout the day.

6. Limit Alcohol Consumption

Choose Low-Sugar Options: If you plan to drink alcohol, stick to lower-sugar options like dry wine or spirits mixed with soda water, avoiding sugary cocktails and mixers.

Set a Limit: Moderation is important, as alcohol can interfere with blood sugar control. Set a limit of one or two drinks and have water in between to stay hydrated.

7. Practice Mindful Eating

Enjoy Each Bite: Diwali is as much about the experience as it is about the food. Savor each bite slowly and mindfully, which can help you feel more satisfied with smaller portions.

Be Conscious of Emotional Eating: Diwali can be a highly social time, leading to snacking out of habit or emotion rather than hunger. Before reaching for another treat, check in with yourself to see if you’re genuinely hungry.

(This article is meant for informational purposes only and must not be considered a substitute for advice provided by  qualified medical professionals.)

 

 

 

 

Last Updated:October 28, 2024, 22:45 IST

Elevate your Diwali celebration with a dazzling fusion of lights, beers, and festive activities that promise memories for a lifetime

Unleash the inner mixologist within you and create Diwali-inspired beer cocktails

Diwali is just around the corner, and it’s all about celebrating togetherness, cherishing festive spirits with traditional delicacies and customs. However, the way people engage in affinity has evolved significantly with a vibrant trend emerging: Diwali house parties where beer takes center stage as the unexpected hero. These gatherings blend tradition with modern flair, creating an exuberant atmosphere that brings friends and family together in new and exciting ways and what could be more exciting than playing games? This Diwali elevate your house party with these beers infused games which are blend of both traditional and modern:

Diwali Beer Trivia: Test your knowledge of Diwali traditions, mythology, and, of course, beer! Prepare questions about the significance of Lakshmi, the story of Ramayana, different types of beer, brewing processes, and even beer-related trivia from around the world.

Beer Pong with a Diwali Twist: Decorate your beer pong table with diyas, rangoli patterns, and festive colors. Instead of plain cups, use cups adorned with Diwali motifs. You can even assign each cup a Diwali-themed challenge or question – answer correctly, and your opponent drinks; answer incorrectly, and you take the sip.

Diwali Beer Tasting: Curate a selection of beers, from light lagers to rich stouts, and organize a blind tasting. Guests can try to identify the different types of beer, their flavor profiles, and even guess the brewery. This is a great way to explore the world of beer while engaging in friendly competition.

Diwali Beer Cocktail Competition: Unleash the inner mixologist within you and create Diwali-inspired beer cocktails. Use traditional Indian flavors like saffron, and mango to complement the beer. Guests can vote on the most creative and delicious concoction.

Wrap the Night with Lanterns: What could be the perfect grand finale for the unforgettable Diwali celebrations other than decorating lanterns with paint and glitter to add a festive touch and lighting them. This will add a personalized element to the celebrations.

While beer can enhance the excitement and joyfulness of Diwali party, responsible consumption is paramount. Ensure there’s plenty of food and non-alcoholic beverages available. Encourage guests to pace themselves, stay hydrated, and plan for safe transportation. So, gather your friends, light up the diyas, raise a toast with your favorite brew, and create memories that will sparkle brighter than any firework.

Fusion food videos are trending on all social media platforms. From chocolate raj kachori to butter chicken golgappa, videos that mix two completely different dishes together are going viral in no time. Some of these combinations find a niche among food lovers, while others end up being bizarre experiments. Among the hundreds of food fusions we see daily, one unique dessert has caught our attention. We are all familiar with jalebi, right? This delicious sweet, shaped like circles and soaked in sugar syrup, is loved across the country. But what if we told you that we came across this delectable dessert being served with pineapple ‘filling’?
Also Read:Surat Street Vendor Makes Unique Cheese-Loaded Sabzi, “Heart Attack,” Says Internet

In an Instagram video, we see this fusion dish being made at a sweet shop in Surat. The clip begins with the vendor heating ghee in a pan. Next, he takes pre-cut pineapple pieces from a plastic bag and coats them with jalebi batter. He then drops these pineapple pieces into the hot ghee. After deep-frying them for about 15-20 minutes, he dunks the pineapple jalebis in sugar syrup. The side note reads, “Pineapple Jalebi India’s Fusion Sweets.” Take a look:

If you find it hard to believe that such a dish exists, you are not the only one. While some believed that this fusion works due to the sweet factor in both pineapple and jalebi, others weren’t quite convinced. One user said, “It’s popular in South India with Banana and in Canada with other fruits.” Another added, “Ngl looks delicious.” Someone commented, “I have tried it and it is tasty.” 

Some users pointed out the health concerns of eating pineapple jalebi. One user said, “No wonder why India will lead the world for the largest diabetic population.” Another comment read, “Leads to liver problems.” Someone chimed in, “This is called inviting your own death.” 

What do you think about this viral video? Let us know in the comments section.
Also Read: 6 Variations Of Jalebi Across India