Diwali, or the ‘festival of light,’ is one of the major festivals celebrated in India. It continues to bring a collective feeling of happiness and togetherness among people. The celebration involves people decorating their homes with lights and flowers and preparing sweets and salted snacks. While these festive preparations tempt everyone to indulge in them, they can also impact your blood-glucose levels negatively, especially if you have diabetes. Several statistics reveal that individuals with pre-existing blood sugar levels noticed a spike of 15 to 18 percent rise in sugar levels during this festive season.

What you need to know:

Celebrating a diabetes-friendly diwali
Creating a diabetes-friendly diwali celebration

Celebrating a diabetes-friendly Diwali

laddu healthy_Activ Living Community

In India, during festivals like Diwali, it gets challenging to adhere to dietary restrictions, making you deviate from your daily physical and dietary routine. However, if you have diabetes or heart conditions, then it’s vital to stick to your daily regimen. Excessive consumption of sweets and snacks can cause your health conditions to worsen as most festive foods are full of carbs, sugar and excess salt. As a result, it’s wise to go for healthier snacks and sweets to avoid health conditions like heart strokes and cardiovascular problems.

Creating a diabetes-friendly Diwali celebration

Here are some tips to celebrate a diabetes-friendly Diwali:

Healthy Diwali sweets and snacks

As most Diwali sweets and snacks contain sugar and carbs, choose healthier alternatives. Here are some of the alternatives that you can consider consuming to enjoy a diabetes-friendly Diwali:

Sugar-free besan ladoos: Missing out on delicious Diwali sweets? This festival season, try sugar-free besan laddoos that derive their sweetness from dates and raisins, with added cashew and almond powder, making it a healthy sweet.
Go for homemade yogurt instead of malai kulfi: As malai (cream) is a rich source of saturated fats, it’s harmful for people with heart conditions. You can go for yogurt instead, which is both tasty and nutritious. Rich in proteins, calcium phosphorus and vitamin D, yogurt can be the perfect healthy dessert for people with diabetes on Diwali.

Diwali healthy snacks_Activ Living Community

If you have diabetes or heart conditions, we have some delicious swaps and tasty tips so you can enjoy Diwali to the fullest.

Oats and pudina parathas over butter naan:

Why not switch up your usual butter naan for something a bit more wholesome, especially on Diwali? Oats and pudina (mint) parathas are not just delicious; they are also a fantastic choice for anyone with diabetes or heart disease. Pair them with your favorite sabzis, dals, or refreshing vegetable raita.

Barley khakhras instead of rice chakli:

If you are a fan of rice chakli, give barley khakhras a try this Diwali. Barley is a stellar alternative to rice, especially for those monitoring their blood sugar levels, as it doesn’t cause spikes in your glucose levels like rice. Plus, khakhras are roasted, not fried, making them a perfect snack option for those on a diabetic or low-fat diet. So go ahead, snack away without any guilt.

Living with diabetes doesn’t mean missing out on the festivals or the delicious food that comes with it. It’s all about making smart choices and opting for healthier alternatives. The above-mentioned substitutes not only support your heart health but also your overall well-being. So light the clay lamps and indulge yourself in these delightful, healthy treats without any worries.

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