Indian Festivals are truly something else. Primarily observed to honor religiously significant occasions, festivals are also cultural celebrations. Festivals celebrate our age-old traditions and customs, bringing together family and community in a meaningful manner.
Food is one of the cornerstones of our cultural heritage, thus forming a key part of festivities. Specific to each festival, our flavor-rich sweets, savory snacks, and rich curries, all showcase the cultural heritage, familial bonds, and communal celebrations.
Each festival, from Diwali to Eid, is marked by a vibrant array of traditional dishes that tell stories of history, spirituality, and community. The preparation and sharing of these sweets and delicacies strengthens social ties and creates lasting memories, making food an integral part of all Indian festival celebrations.
However, in today's health-conscious world, food is often viewed with caution due to concerns about obesity, diabetes, and dietary restrictions that overshadow the pleasure of festive eating. Traditional celebrations often feature-rich, indulgent dishes that are now scrutinized for their nutritional content, leading some to feel guilty about enjoying these foods. People grapple with the balance between savoring festive delights and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
On this Diwali, we turn to popular nutrition experts who share their thoughts on festive foods and the guilt surrounding them.
Popular Nutritionist, Rutuja Diwekar has always been a proponent of eating well, focusing on local foods, and doing away with the guilt. In a recently released video on Instagram, Rutuja deep dives into what we must focus on when it comes to festival foods. She shares three pillars to keep in mind when the guilt of having Diwali 'Mithai' strikes.
Rutuja believes that we must prepare Diwali sweets with friends and family, as learning to collaborate with other people to do something constructive builds a future where people are free from loneliness.
She goes on to explain that one should save oneself from the point of view of the Weight Loss Industry. Mithai is not just sugar, rather it is a part of our history and heritage passed down by families and communities. It would be utterly foolish to look at food as a single ingredient.
Lastly, Rutuja encapsulates the very essence of Diwali by urging people to learn to celebrate the abundance. She says, we must be mindful of using the resources rather than making havoc on the quantity of Mithai we have during the festivities. Make a quota of consuming those sweets without any guilt.
Kripa Jalan, Founder & Chief Nutritionist, at Burgers to Beasts shares a similar message but in a different form. Kripa grew up with a deep-rooted fear of food and an advanced nutrition science education. She offers unique insights on nutrition, and has a simple reminder for this festive season - Healing your relationship with food means more freedom, more joy, and more living.
Through an Instagram post, Kripa shares a few reasons we must ditch the diet this festive season and reconnect to ourselves. She lists out simple yet key reasons which are as follows:
- To enjoy meals with your loved ones without any guilt
- Avoiding fear of edible ingredients
- Accepting treats when offered with love
- Take a Rest Day when feeling sick or tired
- Food is neutral; do not moralize food choices
- Consume all types of foods without restricting them
- Enjoy a real birthday cake without being conscious
- Eating spontaneous meals
- Consume nourishing food choices
- Enjoy your Independence from food rules and restrictions
- Knowing you can handle social gatherings without food anxiety
- Eating for true nourishment, not based on external validation
Shashank Mehta, Founder of The Whole Truth Foods, is another popular food influencer in India. He says that 'Food is more than just calories. It's about pleasure, community, culture, family & love!" in a cheeky video shared on Instagram, Shashank urges us to not overshadow the festive indulgence by just thinking about gym gains or calories. A few days of family and fun will not ruin everything that you have done over the years.
The Simple Solution
To reclaim the joy of festive foods, reimagine recipes, incorporate healthier ingredients, and embrace moderation, we must foster a mindful and celebratory relationship with food, ensuring the spirit of these festivals remains vibrant and inclusive. Mindful eating during the festive season involves being aware of your food choices, paying attention to hunger cues, and enjoying each dish. Eating smaller portions, chewing thoroughly, and taking breaks between bites help maintain a balanced diet. This approach allows you to enjoy the food and celebration without guilt.
This festive season, Go and Enjoy Your ‘Diwali Mithai’ without any Guilt. Relish the sweetness and Brun out that fear!
