Savour The Sweetness, Skip The Guilt: Smart Eating Tips For Raksha Bandhan And Beyond

Festivals in India are delicious testaments to culture, family and celebration — but they can also be a minefield for anyone trying to eat mindfully. Raksha Bandhan brings ladoos, barfis and boxes of sweets, and right after the fun, many people face sugar spikes, indigestion, and post-festival fatigue. Celebrity dietician Simrat Kathuria recommends a balanced, pleasure-first approach: enjoy your favourites, but use smart swaps, portion control, and simple routines to protect your health.

1. Mind Over Mithai: How to Enjoy Without Overdoing It

Denial often backfires. The trick is conscious portioning and sequencing. Never arrive at a feast hungry — start with a glass of water and a small plate of light, fibre-rich food (fruit chaat or salad). When sweets arrive, use the one-bite rule or limit yourself to a small, defined portion (for example, one peda or two small pieces). Pairing sweets with protein or healthy fats — like a few almonds or a cube of paneer — slows sugar absorption and reduces spikes.

Practical portion rules

• Limit to 1–2 small mithai pieces per sitting.
• Use smaller plates — it cues smaller portions.
• Space sweet servings — wait 30–45 minutes before taking seconds.