Healthy Snack Ideas: What’s a better way to begin your day with healthy snacks? While keeping a check on your health and enjoying the new year with your loved ones is the best celebration. Ditch the guilt and try these five tasty snacks under low-calorie. They will keep your taste buds happy and your health goals on track. Here is the list of tasty snacks which you can eat and celebrate this new year.
Watch the video below for healthy late-night snacks:
Healthy Snack Ideas
1. Fruit Bites and Chocolate
Melt some dark chocolate and then spread it thin on a baking sheet like a canvas for your masterpiece. Go crazy with toppings. Chopped nuts, dried cranberries, or banana slices all work great. Pop it in the freezer to harden, then break it into bite-sized pieces for delicious, healthy nibbles.
2. Roasted Chickpeas
Craving crunch? Ditch chips for protein-packed roasted chickpeas! Rinse a can, toss with olive oil, and spices like paprika & cumin, and roast at 400°F for 25-30 minutes until crispy. Enjoy healthy snacking guilt-free!
3. Edamame
Ditch chips! Edamame is packed with protein and fibre which you need to have this new year. Just zap or boil those frozen pods, sprinkle on lemon, chilli flakes & salt, and enjoy healthy snacking! Your edamame with lemon and chilli flakes is ready.
4. Avocado Cucumber salsa
New Year, new dip! Freshen things up with this light and luscious salsa. Fiesta in a bowl. Put fresh avocado, tomato, cucumber and red onion then splash with lime and sprinkle with salt. Scoop with whole-grain chips for guilt-free fun!
5. Sweet potato fries
First, you need to cut sweet potatoes like skinny rulers and then toss them with olive oil, smoky paprika, garlic magic, and a pinch of salt. Later, sunbathe them in a hot oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping once. Your crunchy, sweet, guilt-free food is ready!
As 2024 looms into view, let’s do a mental exercise. What happened the last time you were hungry? In the mental picture you’re conjuring, are you sitting at a table, staring at a plate of tasty, nourishing food? Because you’re worth it. Or are you at a desk, ramming anything (biscuits, crisps, protein bar) into your mouth, just to stop you fainting?
Maybe you’re commuting, or speed-walking, grazing as you go, because somehow it’s become the norm that food doesn’t happen on its own, unless for very special occasions. Meals, plates, tables, cutlery – these are half-remembered dreams from the “before times”. Food has become a secondary, multitasking concern: something to be consumed as quickly as possible, while you’re doing something else, or on the way to somewhere else.
If any of this sounds unnervingly familiar, then perhaps you’ve joined the growing army of habitual British snackers, and it might be time to consider making a new year’s resolution to stop.
Britain has been outed as a nation of snackers. A recent Waitrose food and drink study of 2,000 adults, across the age groups, found that people are increasingly abandoning the concept of eating three meals a day. Almost one third (30%) now have just two meals and replace the third with snacks. Others eat only one meal, grazing the rest of the time. The most popular snacks are crisps, cake, biscuits and chocolate, before fruit, nuts and vegetables. Lunch is the most likely meal to be skipped.
One per cent of people dispense with mealtimes altogether and snack all day, consuming one never-ending meal. We’re also more likely to eat on the move, and not just on long train journeys. In the Waitrose report, 9% ate while walking or commuting.
So here we are: 21st-century Britons going about our daily business, in the car, on public transport, on the street, in the park, with food in our hands, scoffing, chomping, wolfing. Is this Generation Snack? A cohort no longer surprised by missed meals or perturbed by the calorific relentlessness of the eating cycle. Hurling down food, for a quick hit of sugar and fat. No plates, no seats, no ceremony, because – to borrow a phrase from Gordon Gekko in Wall Street – cutlery is for wimps.
This new dawn of turbo-snacking could be reframed as contemporary and groovy, an extension of the street-food revolution. Down with formal mealtimes! Food anarchy in the UK!
Until you recognise that the new accelerated snacking is tied to hybrid work practices, modern stresses and plain old poverty. That, far from being a lifestyle choice, much of it is forced upon people. How, alongside food porn culture (the sinking of emotions into culinary tastes and aromas), there could be a parallel (harder, colder) climate of food abstraction. The concept of refuelling taken to a soulless, pragmatic zenith.
Then there’s the effect on weight and health. Grabbed food is usually the wrong food. Digestion could be wrecked. The all-day snacking zone could easily become the meal without end, with people losing track of what they’ve consumed.
Research from the European Journal of Nutrition found that a quarter of people were undermining otherwise healthy eating with poor-quality snacks. Snacking has long been equated with pleasure, treats and naughtiness. Which is fine for a snack, but not when snacks are replacing meals.
I’ve been wondering why this feels so disturbing. People have been snacking forever. Why does there suddenly seem to be a human rights dimension to the humble snack? Maybe because I’m old enough to remember the widespread concern about people eating lunch at their work desks. That now quaint-seeming idea that it was nicer, more civilised, for people to leave their desks for a proper lunch. Now look at us – gloomily chowing down in office partitions like cows in a milking shed, or chickens in a coop.
To get dystopian about it, all this rushed food consumption isn’t that far off all those appalling stories about overworked warehouse employees or delivery drivers urinating into bottles because they haven’t got the time for a toilet break. It’s also probable these snacks aren’t just quicker; they’re cheaper than the healthier meals that workers are skipping.
Not that the rise of snacking is exclusive to the UK. A recent study looking into the US “snacking epidemic” found that more than 90% of Americans consume one to three snacks daily, and that (excluding people with diabetes) the average person consumes 498 calories a day in snacks alone.
Still, what have we become? Is this the final humiliation and dehumanisation of the modern working Briton? Wandering around scavenging for food like crumb-covered beasts. What next: will the workforce be forcibly fitted with nosebags, to save even more time?
It could be time for people to stop going along with missed meals, bad nutrition and food on the go. To realise that they deserve to eat properly. Perchance to dream of sitting down. Even at an actual table. Perhaps 2024 could be the year the UK decides to yank itself out of the snack vortex.
As the countdown to the New Year begins, so does the excitement of planning the perfect celebration. While indulgence is often synonymous with New Year parties, it doesn't mean compromising on health. We have curated a list of 10 healthy snacks that are not only delicious but also nourishing, ensuring a guilt-free start to the coming year.
Image Source : FILE IMAGE 5 low-calorie snack recipes for a guilt-free New Year celebration
The dawn of a new year often comes with resolutions to adopt a healthier lifestyle. However, celebrating doesn't have to mean abandoning your goals. This year, make your New Year's celebration guilt-free with these five delicious, low-calorie snack recipes that will satisfy your taste buds without sabotaging your health journey.
Dark chocolate and fruit bites:
Chocolate lovers, rejoice! You can still enjoy your favourite treat while staying on track. Melt dark chocolate (70% or higher cocoa content) and spread it into a thin layer on a baking sheet. Top with chopped nuts, dried cranberries, or sliced bananas. Freeze until set, then break into bite-sized pieces. These antioxidant-rich treats are a delicious and satisfying way to curb your chocolate cravings.
Cucumber avocado salsa:
Combine diced cucumber, ripe tomatoes, red onion, avocado, and cilantro in a bowl. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the mixture and add a pinch of salt. This refreshing and low-calorie salsa is not only a delicious dip but also a colourful addition to your New Year's spread. Serve it with whole-grain tortilla chips for a guilt-free crunch.
Edamame with lemon and chiili:
Edamame is a nutritious snack packed with protein and fibre. Simply steam or boil frozen edamame pods, then toss them with a squeeze of lemon juice, a pinch of chilli flakes, and a sprinkle of sea salt. This light and flavorful snack is perfect for satisfying your savoury cravings and keeping you energised throughout the festivities.
Roasted chickpeas with spices:
Rinse and drain a can of chickpeas, then pat them dry. Toss the chickpeas with olive oil, paprika, cumin, and a pinch of salt. Spread them on a baking sheet and roast them in a preheated oven at 400°F for 25-30 minutes or until crispy. These spiced chickpeas are a crunchy and protein-packed snack that's perfect for satisfying savoury cravings.
Baked sweet potato fries:
Slice sweet potatoes into thin strips and toss them with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. Arrange the fries on a baking sheet and bake at 425°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. These baked sweet potato fries are a healthier alternative to traditional fries, offering a satisfying sweetness and a satisfying crunch.
Teen Sex Offender Rapes 7-Yr-Old Girl On Pretext Of Buying Snacks In Punjab (Representational image)
Ludhiana: An 18-year-old boy was arrested for allegedly raping a seven-year-old girl in his neighborhood in Punjab’s Ludhiana on Wednesday. According to the police, the accused is a repeat sex offender and was booked for sodomy earlier this year.
The Times Of India reported that the girl’s mother, in her complaint, alleged that the suspect moved to their neighbourhood around two months ago and got familiar with the child during this period.
The mother further said that her daughter was playing on the street on Wednesday when the boy came and took her on the pretext of buying a snack. Instead, he took her to an isolated place and allegedly sexually abused her.
Following the incident, he left the girl on the spot and fled the crime scene. When the mother began looking for the kid, she found her bleeding.
The survivor narrated her ordeal in front of her mother, after which a complaint was filed with the police.
The girl was examined at the hospital and it was later confirmed that she was raped.
Planning a New Year get-together with friends and family? Here're some low-calorie munchies to ensure a healthy start to the festivities.
Year end is all about vacations, finger-licking food, and family time. As we eagerly anticipate new beginnings in the coming year, the temptation to indulge in high-calorie delights tends to go up. With the festive season spanning several months, this prolonged period of increased sugar, fat, and junk food consumption can potentially worsen symptoms of chronic diseases and impact overall health. However, tweaking ingredients of your festive delights can go a long way in cutting calories and avoiding health issues. Fruits, nuts, dates, millets in your delicacies not only nourish your body with important nutrients but also keep at bay unwanted weight gain. (Also read | New Year 2024: Which countries will welcome New Year first and last?)
Include these wholesome options into your holiday spread to satisfy your cravings and support your overall health.(Pixabay, Freepik)
Apart from the right food, one should continue to keep in mind the basics of good health like regular exercise, adequate sleep, mindfulness exercises and self-care.
Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here
As we welcome a brand New Year, Eshanka Wahi, a Culinary Nutritionist and Holistic Wellness Coach, and the founder of Eat Clean with Eshanka shares low-calorie snack options that we can indulge in on New Year's Eve for a guilt-free and healthy celebration.
1. Dates and nut balls
A combination of dates, nuts and a hint of natural sweetener like stevia or monk fruit is an amazing and guilt-free option for those with sweet tooth. These bite-sized delights pack a punch of energy and festive flavour without the added sugars that can contribute to unwanted calories.
2. Spiced roasted chickpeas
Spice up your festive snacking with roasted chickpeas. You can also add a blend of festive spices like cinnamon, cumin, and a pinch of cayenne in your delightful snack for that extra kick. Roasting them to perfection creates a crunchy, satisfying snack that is not only low in calories but also rich in protein and fibre.
3. Greek yogurt parfait
Transform your dessert cravings into a healthy feast by whipping up a Greek yogurt parfait. Layer low-fat Greek yogurt with fresh berries, a drizzle of honey, and a sprinkle of granola for a delightful treat. This combination provides a balance of protein, probiotics, and antioxidants, making it a guilt-free choice for satisfying your sweet tooth.
4. Vegetable crudité with hummus
Elevate your snack game with a colourful platter of vegetable crudité paired with a homemade hummus. I would recommend including an assortment of colourful veggies like carrots, cucumbers, and bell peppers. The fibre-rich veggies combined with the protein-packed hummus make for a satisfying and low-calorie option for festive munching.
5. Baked apple chips
Embrace the natural sweetness of apples by baking them into crispy chips. I would suggest slicing apples thinly, sprinkling them with a dash of cinnamon, and baking until golden brown. These baked apple chips offer a satisfying crunch and a burst of seasonal flavour without the excess calories found in traditional festive treats.
By incorporating these wholesome options into your holiday spread, you not only satisfy your cravings but also support your overall health. So, before the New Year's Eve celebrations begin, make sure to include all these healthy ingredients in your shopping list for a healthy and delightful get-together.
RAJKOT: Foodies in Junagadh gorged on nearly 2,000 kg of organic snacks and beverages, but the bills they paid were in plastic money, quite literally.
The innovative 'Prakrutik Plastic Cafe' that started June 2022 collected 3,000 kg of plastic to date for which it served aloo parathas, poha, theplas, fennel juice, lemon water, etc in the last 18 months. The cafe was mooted to create awareness about recycling by serving food in lieu of plastic waste instead of money.
Locals visiting this cafe give away their household plastic and they are served juices made from fennel, lemon and betel leaves for every 500gm waste. For every one kg of plastic, they can relish plates of dhoklas, theplas, poha, and aloo parathas.
Komal Ganatra, who manages the cafe, said, "The concept of snacks-for-plastic has been enthusiastically welcomed by people. Some people even bring plastic waste from cities as far as Rajkot from their relatives' houses to our cafe."
This cafe, run by the women of Sakhi Mandal with the help of the district administration, sees 60-70 customers daily for lunch. People can also pay by cash and the cafe has earned nearly Rs 9 lakh in 18 months. Cafe earned ₹25k by selling plastic
In the first month after starting this cafe, 164 kg of plastic waste was collected in July 2022. The collection went down to 60 kg in December 2022 and January 2023 but picked up later with the highest being 350 kg in November.
The cafe sold the plastic waste to the companies engaged in recycling the plastic waste and earned Rs 25,000 by selling 3,000 kg.
Interestingly, a local wildlife lover collected 4 kg of plastic by scouring through the forest, dam site, and Datar foothill and gave it to the cafe.
The USP of this hangout has been organic food. The cafe uses organically grown vegetables to prepare all delicacies and avoids items made from refined flour (maida). The food and juices are also served in utensils made from clay.
"We have contracts with some farmers engaged in organic farming to buy vegetables from them.
Visitors mostly bring in polythene bags, plastic bottles, jars, milk pouches etc.
The number of mainboard IPOs that hit the market in 2023 was the second highest in over a decade.
The rush to go public looks far from over, with about ₹600 billion of share sales in the pipeline.
In 2023, 57 Indian companies raised around ₹490 billion through mainboard IPOs, and 27 received approval from the regulator to float their public issues and raise around ₹290 billion.
Another 29 companies, looking to raise a combined ₹340 billion, are awaiting approval. One such company is Gopal Snacks.
#1 About the company
Gopal Snacks is a fast-moving consumer goods company that sells namkeen, western snacks and other products across India and globally. It is the largest manufacturer of snack pellets and gathiya.
Under the Gopal brand, the company boasts an impressive array of 84 products with 276 stock-keeping units (SKUs). These include fast-moving consumer goods such as papad, spices, gram flour (besan), noodles, rusk, and soan papdi.
The company operates three manufacturing facilities – in Rajkot, Modasa in Gujarat, and Nagpur. It also runs three ancillary facilities that mostly produce besan, raw snack pellets, seasoning and spices.
#2 Details of the issue
Gopal Snacks’s IPO features an offer for sale (OFS) of equity shares worth up to ₹6.5 billion, including shares worth ₹1 bn from Bipinbhai Vithalbhai Hadvani and up to ₹5.4 billion from Gopal Agriproducts (promoters), and up to ₹100 million from Harsh Sureshkumar Shah.
The IPO also includes a quota for eligible employees.
#3 Peer comparison
According to the company's red herring prospectus, Bikaji Foods and Prataap Snacks are its industry peers. With a wide market share, Bikaji Foods is at the top with the highest revenue, followed by Prataap Snacks and Gopal Snacks.
Bikaji Foods consistently leads on revenue, but all three companies have seen positive revenue growth. And while Bikaji Foods also leads on absolute gross profit, it's crucial to acknowledge Gopal Snacks's impressive growth on this metric. From FY21 to FY23, the company clocked a 93% increase in gross profit, demonstrating significant improvement in cost management.
While Bikaji Foods has maintained a consistently higher average gross margin of 28.3% across all three years, Gopal Snacks has seen a significant increase in its gross margin, suggesting a continuous improvement in cost control and efficient pricing.
Gopal Snacks saw a 170% increase in net profit in 2023, surpassing both Bikaji Foods and Prataap Snacks thanks to its pricing strategy.
It has also shown robust profitability metrics (PAT margin, ROE, and ROCE) in recent years compared to its peers, suggesting efficient use of its resources.
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Source: Equitymaster
It is the second largest organised ethnic namkeen maker in Gujarat and the fourth largest packaged ethnic namkeen and papad manufacturer in India. In FY23 it is also the largest manufacturer of gathiya (in terms of production volume and sales revenue) and snack pellets (in terms of production volume) in India.
The company has a strong foothold in Gujarat, where it accounts for about 20% of the market in ethnic savouries, 8% in western snacks, and 6% in papad (including the unorganised sector) in FY23.
#4 Arguments in favour of the business
The company has a varied range of products designed to cater to the expanding Indian snacks market. This diversity allows it to meet evolving consumer preferences and capture a broader market share.
As the leading manufacturer of gathiya in India it has a dominant position in a specific snack category.
The locations of its manufacturing facilities enhance operational efficiency. Proximity to key markets and resources helps streamline production, and reduce logistical challenges and costs.
The company's vertically integrated operations give it control over various stages of the production and supply chains.
The company has a wide and robust distribution network that which makes its products accessible and gives it a competitive edge.
#5 Risk factors
The company's sales are concentrated in Gujarat. Any disruptions there could have a detrimental effect on the entire business.
The promoters have pledged their equity shares. If they do sell, it would dilute the promoters' shareholding and negatively impact the business.
Maintaining or enhancing the popularity of the ‘Gopal’ brand is critical. An inability to achieve this could adversely affect the business.
The company also depends heavily on the sale of small packets. A substantial increase in raw material, packaging, or commodity costs for these SKUs could cause inflationary pressures.
The business also relies heavily on having an efficient distribution network. Difficulties in expanding or effectively managing this network could affect cash flows.
Conclusion
The Indian savoury snacks market, including Western snacks and local savouries, was valued at ₹796 billion in FY23.
Projections indicate promising growth of 11% CAGR to ₹1,217 billion by FY27. The organised market currently commands a substantial 57% share and is poised to grow at an impressive 11.7% CAGR from FY23 to FY27.
The e-commerce sector is projected to register the highest CAGR of 16.8% during this period. The contribution of e-commerce to retail sales of food and grocery, consumer electronics and apparel is the largest. The growth of the online grocery segment has also received a huge boost from the pandemic, thanks to lifestyle changes and shifts in consumer preferences.
However, the company has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
One should therefore conduct thorough research before subscribing to an IPO. Big-ticket IPOs like Tata Tech are already done and dusted, so subscription figures for upcoming IPOs could be lower.
NEW DELHI : Packaged foods company LT Foods, widely known for its Daawat brand of rice, is eyeing a greater share of business from convenience foods such as ready-to-cook meals and snacks, with an aim to generate revenues of ₹800 crore from them by 2028-29.
The move comes after the company set plans in motion to diversify from selling packaged rice under Daawat, which is sold both in India and exported to markets overseas.
In 2017, LT Foods set up a joint venture (JV), Daawat-Kameda India Pvt. Ltd, with Japan’s Kameda Seika to enter India’s snacking market. It subsequently launched rice-based snack Kari Kari in India in the same year. The company has already invested ₹60 crore in the JV with plans to launch more rice-based snacks as well as Japanese sauces. “We will be making more investments. We are confident with the success of the products we launched in India. We will expand that portfolio around Japanese rice crackers and even Japanese condiments, etc.," said Amit Mehta, vice president, foods, and managing director, Kameda LT Foods India.
To be sure, the company already sells ready-to-heat and ready-to-eat products such as biryani kits and cup rice in the Americas, Europe, Middle East and in India.
Mehta said the company is anticipating greater demand for convenience foods going forward, and is expanding capabilities as well as building a portfolio of products in line with shifting trends. “There are two platforms we are working on—one is an anytime, anywhere snacking platform, the second is meal kit solutions. While rice is our core business and we have strong equity around it, there is a gap in the rice snacking space while there are a lot of options on the wheat side with respect to noodles and chips," he added.
Popularity of social media and greater experimentation with in-home cooking is prompting consumers to seek recipes and meal solutions, he added. The company will launch more meal prep kits such as Thai curries and Mexican rice dishes, among others, both in India and overseas.
The move comes as large packaged food companies have stepped up investments in India over the past few years. This is especially true post-covid as more consumers seek more convenience and switch to branded foods. Nestlé and Mondelēz have both promised greater investments in India, for instance.
LT Foods is also “open" to expanding both organically and inorganically. “Our expansion could involve an M&A, or investing in R&D and in-house resources, supply chain infrastructure, and even some strategic tie-ups on the supply chain side," Mehta added.
The company plans to achieve a ₹200-crore business for its heat-and-eat meals, ₹700 crore from instant rice snack meals, and ₹100 crore from rice crackers by 2028-29.
In 2022-23, the company’s revenue from operations stood at ₹6,979 crore, with profit after tax of ₹423 crore. LT Foods exports rice to over 60 markets, including the US, Europe and the Middle East. The company’s flagship brands include Daawat and Royal. In 2022-23, basmati and specialty rice accounted for 79% of its overall revenue.
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Makhana, or fox nuts, emerges as a health powerhouse and delightful snack for winter. Packed with essential nutrients, including protein, fibre, and anti-inflammatory compounds, Makhana provides a satisfying crunch without compromising on health. Low in calories and high in antioxidants, it aids in digestion, boosts energy levels, and keeps you warm during the colder months. Roasted to perfection and sprinkled with a pinch of warming spices, Makhana becomes a guilt-free indulgence that not only satiates winter cravings but also contributes to overall well-being, making it the perfect snack to nourish both body and soul.
As winter blankets the Indian subcontinent, the cravings for comforting and hearty snacks become undeniable. However, indulging in traditional winter treats doesn’t have to be synonymous with compromising on health.
Highlighting the same through an Instagram post, Mahima Sethia, a nutritionist and health coach, shared 9 wholesome and nutritious Indian winter snacks that not only satisfy your taste buds but also contribute to your well-being. Let’s have a look.
Roasted sweet potato bites
Roasted sweet potato bites are bite-sized pieces of sweet potato that have been seasoned and roasted until they achieve a crispy and caramelised exterior while remaining tender on the inside. This simple and delicious snack or side dish offers a healthier alternative to traditional fried snacks.
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Panjiri
Panjiri is a traditional and nutritious Indian sweet dish that is often associated with winter and postpartum care. It is made by roasting whole wheat flour, semolina (sooji), and assorted nuts in ghee (clarified butter) and then sweetening it with jaggery or sugar. The mixture is flavoured with spices like cardamom and nutmeg, and sometimes dried fruits or edible gum (gond) are added for additional texture and nutritional value.
Nut bites
Nut bites are bite-sized snacks or treats that are primarily made with nuts as a key ingredient. These can take various forms and are often crafted with a combination of nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and other wholesome ingredients. Nut bites are appreciated for their rich flavours, satisfying textures, and the nutritional benefits derived from the inclusion of nuts.
Chikki
Which healthy winter snack will you try? (Source: Freepik)
Bid adieu to refined sugar-laden sweets and embrace the goodness of jaggery. Combine it with sesame seeds to create the classic Chikki. Packed with iron, calcium, and essential minerals, this snack not only satisfies your sweet tooth but also provides a nutritional boost.
Roasted seasonal vegetables
Roasted seasonal veggies are a delicious and nutritious way to enjoy the flavours of fresh, in-season vegetables. The preparation involves tossing a variety of vegetables in oil and seasonings, then roasting them in the oven until they are tender and caramelised. The selection of vegetables can vary based on what is in season, providing a versatile and colourful dish.
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Jaggery (gur) chana
Jaggery chana is made with roasted or fried chickpeas (chana) coated in jaggery. This snack offers a delightful combination of sweet and savoury flavours, making them a healthier snack option compared to many commercially processed sweets.
Puffed and pressed grains
Both puffed and pressed grains offer versatility in terms of usage, and they can be incorporated into a variety of dishes to add texture, crunch, and nutritional value. Their popularity is evident in the wide range of breakfast items, snacks, and convenience foods.
Amaranth ladoo
Try Amaranth ladoos for a tasty and wholesome winter treat. (Source: Freepik)
Amaranth ladoo is made using amaranth seeds, jaggery (or sugar), ghee (clarified butter), chopped nuts, cardamom powder and grated coconut. It is rich in protein, fibre, and various vitamins and minerals. When combined with jaggery and nuts, Amaranth ladoos become a wholesome sweet treat.
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Til ladoo
Til ladoo, made from sesame seeds (til) and jaggery, is known for its rich flavour, nutty aroma, and the combined sweetness of jaggery. Sesame seeds are a good source of healthy fats, protein, and essential minerals. Jaggery, when used instead of sugar, provides iron and other minerals. As a result, til ladoos are considered not only a delicious treat but also a nutritious one.
Snacks to Desserts 5 Healthy Swaps to Make This Holiday Season
Winter indulgence can be irresistible and here are some healthy swaps to make it .
DOCTOR VERIFIED
Christmas bells are ringing and new year is just a few days away. Festive vibes are on and everyone is getting ready to bid farewell to the passing year and welcome the new year. This time of the year, people sit and evaluate their accomplishments and set goals for the new year. Health and happiness go hand in hand. It is mandatory that we take charge of our health in the beginning of the year itself and commit to practice healthy eating for a Healthier New Year.
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India.com got in touch with Dr.Meghana Pasi, Nutrition Consultant, MyThali, Arogya World While you enjoy the Christmas and New Year’s Eve, be mindful about swapping foods. Choose nutrient dense foods, with healthy fats, lean proteins, foods which are low in sodium and sugar and high in fiber and micronutrients. Such swaps can be quite impactful and aid in weight management, improve digestion, reduce risk of chronic diseases and set the tone for a long-term relationship with healthy food.
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Here are some healthy food swaps to try during the holiday season:
Go for baked or steamed snacks in place of fried snacks: Baking is a process of cooking that requires less oil and can help preserve more nutrients in food, making it a preferred choice for health-conscious cooking. Less use of oil means fewer calories and fats. Deep frying on the other hand requires a lot of oil/ghee which makes the dish calorie dense and high in fats. Go for baked samosas/gujiyas instead of fried samosas/gujiyas. Go for idli and steamed momos instead of medu vada and fried momos or bajjis and bondas.
Try healthier methods of cooking like grilling, roasting or stir frying: Instead of deep-frying fritters and samosas, try grilling or stir-frying paneer, bell peppers, baby corn, mushrooms, broccoli, carrots and sweet potatoes. These are rich in vitamins and fiber and keep you satiated for long. These cooking methods reduce the consumption of unhealthy fats and excessive calories present in deep-fried dishes.
Choose nutrient-rich sweets and desserts: Go for frozen fruit yogurt instead of ice cream.
Try avacado shrikhand or apple-oats kheer instead of plum cake or brownies. Avocados are high in nutrients and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), whereas apples and oats are rich in fibre. Oats also help in blood sugar control which can benefit diabetics. Go for homemade nuts and dates bar with honey instead of sugar-loaded cookies. Nuts are rich in vitamins and minerals, as well as monounsaturated fat, which can help decrease cholesterol. Dates are high in soluble fibre and iron. Go for fruit salads instead of pastries. Fruits are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fibre and citrus fruits further help in building immunity.
Include millets in your sweets and snacks: This new year start including millets in your dishes. Go for ragi laddu, jowar pongal, jowar sesame sticks, bajri vada, and jowar kesari.
Ragi is high in dietary fibre and essential amino acids and also rich in calcium and iron. Jowar is a good source of protein and dietary fiber and a rich source minerals like copper, magnesium, phosphorus and selenium. Millets are ideal food for diabetics as it can control blood glucose levels and hyperglycemia.
Choose snacks prepared with wheat flour instead of maida: Whole wheat flour has a low glycemic index compared to maida which helps in a slower and lower sugar spike among diabetics. Maida which is a refined form of wheat flour, also lacks all essential nutrients and fiber. Hence, go for whole-wheat pizza instead of normal pizza prepared with maida, go for chapatis instead of maida parathas, and prepare whole-wheat flour cookies instead of maida cookies.
As winter blankets the Indian subcontinent, the cravings for comforting and hearty snacks become undeniable. However, indulging in traditional winter treats doesn’t have to be synonymous with compromising on health.
Highlighting the same through an Instagram post, Mahima Sethia, a nutritionist and health coach, shared 9 wholesome and nutritious Indian winter snacks that not only satisfy your taste buds but also contribute to your well-being. Let’s have a look.
Roasted sweet potato bites
Roasted sweet potato bites are bite-sized pieces of sweet potato that have been seasoned and roasted until they achieve a crispy and caramelised exterior while remaining tender on the inside. This simple and delicious snack or side dish offers a healthier alternative to traditional fried snacks.
Advertisement
Panjiri
Panjiri is a traditional and nutritious Indian sweet dish that is often associated with winter and postpartum care. It is made by roasting whole wheat flour, semolina (sooji), and assorted nuts in ghee (clarified butter) and then sweetening it with jaggery or sugar. The mixture is flavoured with spices like cardamom and nutmeg, and sometimes dried fruits or edible gum (gond) are added for additional texture and nutritional value.
Nut bites
Nut bites are bite-sized snacks or treats that are primarily made with nuts as a key ingredient. These can take various forms and are often crafted with a combination of nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and other wholesome ingredients. Nut bites are appreciated for their rich flavours, satisfying textures, and the nutritional benefits derived from the inclusion of nuts.
Chikki
Which healthy winter snack will you try? (Source: Freepik)
Bid adieu to refined sugar-laden sweets and embrace the goodness of jaggery. Combine it with sesame seeds to create the classic Chikki. Packed with iron, calcium, and essential minerals, this snack not only satisfies your sweet tooth but also provides a nutritional boost.
Roasted seasonal vegetables
Roasted seasonal veggies are a delicious and nutritious way to enjoy the flavours of fresh, in-season vegetables. The preparation involves tossing a variety of vegetables in oil and seasonings, then roasting them in the oven until they are tender and caramelised. The selection of vegetables can vary based on what is in season, providing a versatile and colourful dish.
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Jaggery (gur) chana
Jaggery chana is made with roasted or fried chickpeas (chana) coated in jaggery. This snack offers a delightful combination of sweet and savoury flavours, making them a healthier snack option compared to many commercially processed sweets.
Puffed and pressed grains
Both puffed and pressed grains offer versatility in terms of usage, and they can be incorporated into a variety of dishes to add texture, crunch, and nutritional value. Their popularity is evident in the wide range of breakfast items, snacks, and convenience foods.
Amaranth ladoo
Try Amaranth ladoos for a tasty and wholesome winter treat. (Source: Freepik)
Amaranth ladoo is made using amaranth seeds, jaggery (or sugar), ghee (clarified butter), chopped nuts, cardamom powder and grated coconut. It is rich in protein, fibre, and various vitamins and minerals. When combined with jaggery and nuts, Amaranth ladoos become a wholesome sweet treat.
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Til ladoo
Til ladoo, made from sesame seeds (til) and jaggery, is known for its rich flavour, nutty aroma, and the combined sweetness of jaggery. Sesame seeds are a good source of healthy fats, protein, and essential minerals. Jaggery, when used instead of sugar, provides iron and other minerals. As a result, til ladoos are considered not only a delicious treat but also a nutritious one.
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Jung Kook is celebrating more than just a decade in BTS and the new docuseries on Disney+ — the K-pop star also reached a billion streams on Spotify with his hit single “Seven,” which was also the fastest song to do so in Spotify history, according to a press release. To commemorate the moment, the “Standing Next to You” singer joined Spotify’s fifth episode of Billions Club: The Series to discuss the achievement over some of his favorite Korean snacks.
Whether you’re looking for BTS merch for the fan in your life or want to indulge in some of the singer’s favorite foods, Jung Kook showed off some of his go-to choices during the episode, and you can snag them for yourself. Some of his choices included Homerun Ball crackers that he included tips for the best way to eat.
“An air fryer makes these taste better,” he explains in the video.
For those with a sweet tooth, the “3D” singer has a combination he loves to pair: banana milk with Castella, a type of Japanese-styled sponge cake.
“These two taste great together. That’s why I chose it,” he said.
Other snacks included soy sauce eggs and spicy shrimp crackers, which you can shop below and pair with the new BTS Funko Pops! or biography of the K-pop group for the ultimate gift for ARMYs.
Keep reading to shop the foods.
Jung Kook’s Favorite Snacks
Amazon
Binggrae Banana Flavored Milk
Binggrae’s six-pack of banana milk will bring you a sweet creamy texture inspired by milkshakes. You can choose between four other flavors — including strawberry, taro, coffee and melon — that’ll act as a sweet afternoon snack or dessert.
Amazon
Homerun Ball Crackers
This box is filled with 12 bags of crunchy ball crackers that feature a flaky, crunchy shell and a chocolate filling you’ll most likely want to snack on morning, noon and night.
Amazon
Nong Shim Shrimp Crackers – Hot & Spicy
Add some spice to your life with this two-pack of spicy shrimp-flavored crackers you can dip into — and for less than $20.
Amazon
My Mother Braised Quail Eggs In Soy Sauce
My Mother’s quail eggs come soaked in soy sauce for some extra flavor and include more than four ounces of snackable eggs you probably won’t want to share with anyone.
Check out the full video of Jung Kook’s interview below.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Jung Kook is celebrating more than just a decade in BTS and the new docuseries on Disney+ — the K-pop star also reached a billion streams on Spotify with his hit single “Seven,” which was also the fastest song to do so in Spotify history, according to a press release. To commemorate the moment, the “Standing Next to You” singer joined Spotify’s fifth episode of Billions Club: The Series to discuss the achievement over some of his favorite Korean snacks.
Whether you’re looking for BTS merch for the fan in your life or want to indulge in some of the singer’s favorite foods, Jung Kook showed off some of his go-to choices during the episode, and you can snag them for yourself. Some of his choices included Homerun Ball crackers that he included tips for the best way to eat.
“An air fryer makes these taste better,” he explains in the video.
For those with a sweet tooth, the “3D” singer has a combination he loves to pair: banana milk with Castella, a type of Japanese-styled sponge cake.
“These two taste great together. That’s why I chose it,” he said.
Other snacks included soy sauce eggs and spicy shrimp crackers, which you can shop below and pair with the new BTS Funko Pops! or biography of the K-pop group for the ultimate gift for ARMYs.
Keep reading to shop the foods.
Jung Kook’s Favorite Snacks
Amazon
Binggrae Banana Flavored Milk
Binggrae’s six-pack of banana milk will bring you a sweet creamy texture inspired by milkshakes. You can choose between four other flavors — including strawberry, taro, coffee and melon — that’ll act as a sweet afternoon snack or dessert.
Amazon
Homerun Ball Crackers
This box is filled with 12 bags of crunchy ball crackers that feature a flaky, crunchy shell and a chocolate filling you’ll most likely want to snack on morning, noon and night.
Amazon
Nong Shim Shrimp Crackers – Hot & Spicy
Add some spice to your life with this two-pack of spicy shrimp-flavored crackers you can dip into — and for less than $20.
Amazon
My Mother Braised Quail Eggs In Soy Sauce
My Mother’s quail eggs come soaked in soy sauce for some extra flavor and include more than four ounces of snackable eggs you probably won’t want to share with anyone.
Check out the full video of Jung Kook’s interview below.
Which healthy winter snack will you try? (Source: Freepik)
Try Amaranth ladoos for a tasty and wholesome winter treat. (Source: Freepik)
