Beware: These 5 Diwali treats are putting pressure on your heart! |
Diwali is just around the corner (October 20), and with the festivities, lights, reunion, and parties, comes the added stress of piling on the calories, and gaining weight! While festivals indeed are a time to splurge, it is also important to be mindful of your health, and not go completely overboard. Your heart, in particular, goes through immense stress with the overload, and here are 5 Diwali food items that put pressure on your heart, but no, you do not have to give them up completely – just enjoy in moderation, and look for healthier alternatives.Deep fried sweetsThe festival of lights is synonymous with sweets like gulab jamun and jalebi, that though thoroughly enjoyable, contain excessive sugar and calories. Consuming excessive sugar creates elevated blood sugar levels, which can result in weight gain. The sudden increase in blood sugar levels creates stress on your heart and blood vessel system. You should limit your consumption of these sweets while choosing dry fruit-based sweets, or jaggery-made sweets instead of refined sugar sweets. For this, choose milk based sweets with low sugar content, instead of deep frying versions.Deep-fried snacksWhat is a Diwali party, without some greasy snacks! However, the deep-frying process used to prepare many Diwali snacks exponentially adds to the calories. Not only that, repeated heating or frying of oils, leads to the formation of harmful trans fats, which can pose serious health risks. When oils are reused multiple times, point, they generate trans fatty acids (TFAs). These trans fats increase LDL cholesterol, known as the “bad” cholesterol, while decreasing HDL cholesterol, the “good” cholesterol. Over time, this imbalance can cause arteries to clog, increasing the risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases. Not only that, since these snacks are small in size, you will lose count of how much you are consuming in no time! If you want to enjoy some snacks, try and make them at home. You can either fry them in good quality oil, or even better, air fry them.
High-salt snacksMost deep fried snacks are also high in salt, such as namkeens, mathris, etc. Even if you do not suffer from High BP, these snacks can raise your BP in no time, which creates additional workload for your heart and arteries. The high salt intake in these snacks, leads to higher chances of developing hypertension, and heart issues. To enjoy them responsibly, practice portion control, and avoid second serving of any snack. Also look for options like cucumber and carrot sticks with yogurt dip for a healthy alternative.Rich bakery items and butter-laden foodsNowadays, traditional mithai items are being replaced by bakery items like cookies and pastries under the garb of being “healthier”. However, this could not be farther from the truth. Often overloaded with sugar, maida and butter, bakery items are often more hazardous than the traditional mithais. These contain saturated fats, that raise the levels of LDL cholesterol, often called the “bad” cholesterol, which can lead to the formation of plaque in the arteries. Of course you can safely consume them in moderation during the festival, but try looking for healthier options as well, such as carrot cookies made with jaggery, or whole wheat biscuits.Going overboardIt is not just the food that wreaks havoc on your system on Diwali – combine it with late night parties, poor sleep, low hydration, and an overconsumption of alcohol, and you have a disaster waiting on your hands. Alcohol in particular leads to elevated triglyceride levels, and elevated blood pressure. To keep these issues at bay, drink a lot of water and get adequate sleep. Additionally, while heading out for a party, make sure to eat something at home, to avoid bingeing later on. Also restrict alcohol, as much as you can.
Tips for a heart-friendly DiwaliSelect sweets that use dry fruits and jiggery, instead of refined sugar-based sweets. (though do not go overboard with them as well)Consume snacks that have been baked, or air-fried.Monitor your salt consumption, while selecting products with low sodium content.Select nuts and seeds together with healthier fats, instead of choosing butter and cream-based foods.Your diet should include a balanced mix of fruits and vegetables.You should prevent excessive food consumption while keeping your body active.People should restrict their alcohol consumption while getting proper rest.Remember, unless you are suffering from high BP, diabetes or a heart issue, you can enjoy everything, but in moderation. While a one-off indulgence is unlikely to cause any harm, make sure you do not completely lose track of your fitness regime throughout the festive season. Balance is the key.Disclaimer: This article is informational only and not a substitute for medical advice
