Guilt Free Snacking Options for Festivals

• Dietitian Sheenam
• October 15, 2024

Festivals bring a wave of joy, celebrations, and of course, food. While indulging is part of the fun, it’s also possible to enjoy delicious treats that won’t throw off your healthy eating goals. Choosing guilt-free snacking for festivals allows you to enjoy the festive flavors without feeling weighed down by heavy, calorie-dense foods. Let’s explore some easy, tasty, and nutritious snacks that are perfect for any celebration!

Why Guilt-Free Snacking is Important During Festivals?

Festivals often mean eating more than usual and indulging in treats that may not align with your health goals. But you don’t need to sacrifice your wellness during the festive season! By choosing guilt-free healthy snacks, you can keep your energy high, avoid the post-snack crash, and feel good about what you’re eating while still enjoying the festivities.

Makhana Aloo Tikki: A Crunchy Delight

Makhana (lotus seeds) are a fantastic, light alternative to fried snacks. This protein-rich snack is packed with nutrients, making it perfect for guilt-free snacking during festivals.

Serves 4-5 Tikkis

Ingredients:

• 2 Boiled Potato
• 1 Cup Makhana (Lotus Seeds)
• Chopped Green Chilies
• Half Tablespoons Roasted Peanuts (Moongphali), crushed
• Choppd Coriander Leaves
• One Fourth teaspoon red chilli/black pepper powder
• Sendha Salt to taste
• Ghee/Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions:

1. First roast the makhana in a pan with a little bit of ghee until crunchy and coarsely powder it.
2. Mash the boiled potatoes. Mix mashed potatoes, coarsely powdered makhana, crushed peanuts, coriander leaves, chopped green chillies.
3. Add the sendha salt and spices (red chili/black pepper) according to your taste.
4. Shape the mixture into small cutlets and pan fry them in oil/ghee. Flip gently & cook from both the sides applying oil/ghee.
5. Serve hot and enjoy with chutney!

POHA CUTLETS: Crispy and Wholesome

Poha (flattened rice) is another excellent ingredient for healthy snacking. Blended with vegetables and paneer, it makes a satisfying snack for any occasion.

SERVES – 4X 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup poha
• 1 big bowl of paneer, crumbled
• 1 medium potato (optional)
• 1 medium carrot, grated
• 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
• 1 small green chili (finely chopped)
• 1 tbsp ginger, chopped
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp chaat masala
• 1/2 tsp garam masala
• 1/4 cup coriander
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• ¼ cup of spinach, blanched and chopped
• 3 – 4 tbsp of oats flour or breadcrumbs
• Salt to taste
• 1 tbsp. oil to cook

Cooking Instructions:

1. Wash the poha thoroughly under running water and drain well.
2. Set aside for 15 minutes. Squeeze the water out.
3. Combine the paneer, potato (optional), onion, carrot, spinach, cumin powder, ginger, chaat masala, garam masala, coriander, salt and lemon juice to a mixing bowl
4. Add the poha to this mixture and combine well
5. If the mixture is too sticky add little oats flour.
6. Roll the mixture into cutlets of the desired shape.
7. Coat with some oats flour or breadcrumbs
8. Add the cutlets onto a pan and cook from all the sides until evenly brown. 
9. Serve hot with chutney.

TANGY PEANUT CHAT: A Zesty Treat

This tangy peanut chaat is loaded with veggies and makes for a light, protein-packed snack.

Ingredients:

• Peanuts- 50 grams (dry roasted peanuts)
• Onion- 1,small
• Tomato- 1,small
• Cucumber- ½
• Coriander leaves- handful
• Lemon juice- 1 tablespoon
• Chaat masala- 1/2 teaspoon
• Salt- 1 teaspoon

DIRECTIONS:

1. Peel the onion and chop it finely.
2. To remove the rawness, I mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar in the chopped onions for about half an hour. You can skip this step.
3. Wash and finely chop tomatoes.
4. Wash and finely chop cucumber.
5. Wash and chop coriander leaves. Next, toss the chopped vegetables in a mixing bowl with the peanuts.
6. Pour over the lemon juice and mix.
7. Sprinkle it with salt and chaat masala and mix again.
8. Add in chopped coriander leaves.
9. Mix everything well.
10. Serve immediately

WHITE SAUCE PASTA: Creamy and Light

A healthy version of white sauce pasta using a cauliflower-based sauce, perfect for guilt-free indulgence!

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups of boiled cauliflower
• 80g paneer
• 1 cup coloured bell pepper
• 6-7 cloves of garlic
• 1 tsp chilli flakes
• 1 tsp oregano / Italian herbs
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• Salt as per taste
• 80g cooked pasta 

Cooking Instructions

1. Steam or boil the cauliflower
2. Add cauliflower, paneer, pepper, 2 cloves of garlic, water and blend it into a smooth paste
3. Meanwhile, cook pasta until al dente.
4. Heat oil in a pan, add the garlic, veggies and sauté for a minute. Add the sauce with chilli flakes, herbs and let this simmer for a few minutes. 
5. Now add cooked pasta and mix everything well.
6. Serve hot.

Brownie Bites: Sweet and Guilt-Free

These decadent brownie bites are made with natural, nutrient-dense ingredients to satisfy your sweet tooth.

MAKES: 10-12 BITES

Ingredients:

• 150g Soft Dates (Pitted)
• 125g mixed seeds and berries mix.
• 25g Peanut/Almond Butter
• 10g (1.5 tbsp) Cocoa Powder
• 100g Dark Chocolate
• 7.5g Oil (Coconut/Sunflower)

Cooking Instructions: 

1. Blend dates, trail mix, nut butter and cocoa powder in a food processor until you have a dough like consistency.
2. Set it in mini brownie pan and chill for 15-20mins
3. Melt dark chocolate and mix in the oil in it. Pour on top of set brownie bites
4. Sprinkle seeds mix on top and set in fridge until firm. 
5. Enjoy these guilt-free treats!

DRY FRUIT LADDU: Naturally Sweet and Nutritious

This traditional laddu is a fantastic blend of dry fruits, perfect for a quick energy boost during festivals.

SERVING = 8-10 Pieces

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp Ghee,
• 1 cup Dates,
• 1 cup Walnuts, 
• 1 cup Almonds,
• 1 cup Pistachios, coarsely ground 
• 1 cup Cashew Nut, coarsely ground
• 10-12 Saffron strands(optional)
• 1½ cup Poppy seed

Cooking Instructions:

1. In a kadai, heat ghee, add dates’ paste and cook on medium flame, until the water evaporates and it starts to leave the sides of the pan. Add all the dry fruits and mix.
2. Transfer it to a bowl and let cool to room temperature.
3. Roll it into a long cylinder shape.
4. Coat it with poppy seeds and gently roll to make a uniform shape. Let it set for 10-15 minutes in the fridge
5. Cut the roll and serve.

WALNUT HALWA: A Rich and Nutty Dessert

This halwa is made using walnuts for a rich and satisfying dessert that’s also packed with good fats.

Makes: 1.5 cup

Ingredients:

• 2 cups coarsely crushed walnuts
• 4 tbsp melted ghee
• 1 cup milk
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ tsp cardamom powder

Cooking Instructions:

1. Add ghee to a pan and heat it.
2. Add crushed walnuts and cook till it turns brown.
3. Add milk, followed by sugar and stir continuously at low flame for around 5 minutes.
4. Add cardamom powder after switching the gas off and serve hot.

Conclusion: Guilt-Free Snacking for Festivals

The festival season can be enjoyed without compromising your health goals. These guilt-free healthy snacks allow you to savor every bite while nourishing your body. By choosing wholesome ingredients, you can enjoy the festivities with delicious, nutritious treats.

For more guidance on how to stay healthy during celebrations, consulting the Best Dietitian in Punjab can help you make the best dietary choices all year long. Happy snacking!

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