Holi is nearby, and what is Holi without lots of gulal, dancing, food, and other fun-filled activities. But in between the fun, we forget to take care of what we are eating and mess up our routine diet.
We are not suggesting you enjoy Holi without your favorite food, but you can make those dishes with a healthier twist to fun eating what you like, and you don’t have to worry about your health. It will be like feeding two birds with a scone.
Holi is incomplete without dishes like gujiya, thandai, etc., which are healthy and refreshing as it has nuts, coconut, etc. But to make it healthier, try to cook a different version this year. Like instead of frying the gujiya, bake or shallow fry it. And in place of your regular milk, use low-calorie milk and jaggery instead of sugar.
Along with it, you can try out the following recipes to make your Holi more healthy and yummy:
- Dahi Bhalla
Moong dal is loaded with protein, iron, and essential vitamins. Make pakoras with moong dal instead of urad dal, or could use urad dal in small proportion. Also, instead of deep-frying, shallow fry the pakoras. Now you can enjoy it with chilled curd and sweet and spicy tamarind, and mint/coriander chutney.
- Tikki with a twist
Aloo Tikki is a preferred item for North Indians. But potato in such large portions is not healthy for your body. So, make a different patty with carrots, paneer, capsicum, spinach, and fewer potatoes. Air fry or stir fry the patty to avoid consuming extra oil. Savor the taste of Tikki with chole, curd, and sauces of your liking.
- Carrot or Bottle guard halva
Carrot is beneficial for your eyes and strengthens your bones, and bottle guard is rich in fiber and is light on the stomach. What could be better than eating your not-so-favorite vegetables in the form of a dessert? Make carrot or bottle guard halva this year to make your Holi candied & healthier.
- Fritters
Who says that you cannot have pakoras while trying to lead a healthy life. Add greens like spinach, methi (fenugreek), cilantro, etc., to your pakora recipe, and shallow fry them. Now you can enjoy eating crispy and spicy snacks without worrying about calories.
- Laddus
Laddus are one of the favorite Indian sweets which everyone loves. But they can be slightly unhealthy with the amount of sugar and flour that goes into them. No worries though, you can make laddus with alternative healthy options like coconut, oats, multi-grains, dry fruits, etc.
You can enjoy Holi with your friends and family without any guilt of cheating on your diet or compromising your health. Happy Holi!
