Healthy snacks to have during winter
The
festival of Lohri is just around the corner. Great food, taste of
tradition, dance and dhol is all that the festival is about. While we
all have just started with our new year's resolution of eating healthy
and staying fit, this doesn't mean you cannot enjoy the festival or its
delicacies. Here is a list of some healthy snacks that you can enjoy
guilt-free during the winter festival. These snacks will keep your
weight in check.
But do not forget portion control is the key.
Chikki
The
peanut gur chikki makes for one of the favourite winter snacks. The
combination of peanuts with jaggery makes the chikki taste divine. The
best part about the peanut gur chikki is that despite being sweet it's
loaded with various health benefits.
Popcorn
Popcorn,
also called Makai, is a low-calorie healthy snack. These make for one
of the most popular winter snacks. Just make sure to be careful with the
toppings to not load it with calories.
Sesame / Til ka ladoo
Til
ke ladoo are traditional winter sweets prepared in almost every
household. The ladoos are made using sesame seeds and jaggery. The
ladoos should be stored in an airtight container to maintain the
freshness.
Sarson ka saag with makke ki roti (Mustard leaves gravy with corn roti)
This
traditional combo is one of the most celebrated Punjabi delicacies.
Sarso has zero sugar and fat, which makes it even healthier. While makka
is rich in protein, carbs, fibre and fat, again making it a healthy
food option.
Dahi bhalle / Dahi Vada
Dahli
bhalla makes for a perfect side dish to include in winter thaali.
Prepared using curd, imli / tamarind chutney, dry fruits, spices and urad dal, the
recipe works wonders for digestion. To add more flavours to the dahi
bhalla, garnish it with coriander.
Pindi channe
Pindi
channa is boiled chickpeas wrapped in spices and cooked to perfection.
You can try it with simple phulkas or rice to make for a quick and easy
treat.
Carrot / Gajar halwa( pudding)
Carrots
are the basic ingredients used to make gajar halwa. Carrots are rich in
beta carotene and various other nutrients. Adding milk to halwa adds
the goodness of calcium and adding some nuts increases the good fat
content in it. So, do not stop yourself from enjoying this super yummy
dish during the winter.
Chiraunji makhane ki kheer / Fox nut milk pudding
Makhanas
are a heart-healthy snack. Low in cholesterol, sodium and saturated
fats, makhanas make for a perfect healthy snack. And because festivities
are incomplete without a generous serving of sweet, ending the Lohri
celebration with makhane chiraunji ki kheer is one of the most healthy
options.
Corn palak tikki ( spinach-corn cutlets)
We
all love having hot spicy aloo tikki with loads of dahi and spices in
it. Why not make your aloo tikki healthy by adding some corn and palak
to it. Instead of deep-frying, you can shallow fry or air fry the tikkis
to make them healthier.
Pro-tip for healthy snacking
While you munch on your favourite snacks, do not forget to be physically active. If you cannot take out time for a workout, you can climb stairs or go for a 10-minute walk.