The year 2023 is almost over, making way for New Year 2024 with much fun and fervour. December is celebration time. Winter lunches to soak in the sun and mulled wine evenings, all culminating in the New Year’s Eve celebrations! Keeping the feasts out of the fun is not just impossible, it defeats the very idea of celebrating by breaking bread together. Does the December revelry, however, have to result in that often difficult-to-follow New Year resolution of having to shed those extra kilos? Not necessarily. You only have to be mindful of what you eat, and how.
The present range of party and festive fare that we consume doesn’t have much going in its favour, except perhaps the convenience and (sometimes) taste factor. They are high in calories, low in nutrients, and certainly not healthy. Those nitrogen-sealed potato chips, for example, are so heavily salted that they are a nightmare for your blood pressure. The same holds for most of the deep-fried munchies. The rich plum cake that is a constant for Yuletide celebrations, too, may be steeped in artificial flavours and preservatives, and often, an unhealthy shortening agent.
Also Read: Avoiding Gluten? 5 Rice Paper Snack Recipes to Make Your New Year’s Eve Unforgettable
Navigating through the festive fare:
The way to stay fit and healthy during this season is to eat mindfully. One of the best tips comes from the novel ‘Gone with the Wind’, in which the protagonist’s nanny forces her to have a meal before she goes to the party so that she looks ladylike enough pecking at the food there. Forget the appearances, the logic is sound enough to emulate. Eating something wholesome – like a homemade roll, some fresh fruits, or stuffed dates – before heading for a party is a good way to avoid bingeing on the fried starters the minute you arrive.
At the party, when you are not famished, it’s easier to hunt for healthier options, such as roasted nuts or vegetable batons with a dip. Another good tip is to have at least a glass of water between every new sugary drink. It keeps you hydrated. Remember that moderation is the key, whether you drink alcohol, sodas, or mocktails.
The desserts need not be a syrupy overdose. Homemade cakes and cookies are healthier than store-bought ones. The secret to healthy baking is mindful ingredient swaps. For instance, opt for coconut or almond flour instead of white flour, honey instead of sugar, applesauce instead of oil or butter, Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream, and dark chocolate chips instead of white ones.
All you need to know about healthy party hosting:
While as a guest, one may be limited by the choices available, as a host you can be a shining example of serving food that is healthy, yet tasty. Chuck the packaged snacks and rustle up homemade ones – ghee roasted makhana and nuts, and a mezze platter with carrot and cucumber batons, pita bread, and homemade falafel with homemade hummus. The Mediterranean flavours, especially the olive oil, basil, and oregano, make this dish a super hit.
Wholewheat or millet can easily replace refined flour in most dishes. Similarly, the air fryer is preferable to deep frying, when preparing chips and nuggets; shallow frying kebabs and aloo tikkis is a healthier option than dunking them in a wok full of oil. Steer clear of the unhealthy sides like mayonnaise, store-bought ketchup, or cheesy dips. Experiment with fresh chutneys or yogurt dips.
Another rule of thumb is to ensure there is a balance of all the food groups. Ensure that the food is not carbohydrate-heavy; proteins can be supplemented with mushrooms, paneer, and nuts. At least a quarter of the food served and consumed should be fresh fruits or vegetables – served as salads, or with appetizing dips and toppings.
Let’s make mindful feasting the trend this season. Why wait for the New Year to make healthy resolutions?
Easy recipe to try at home: Crunchy Cornflakes Bhel:
Ingredients:
• 2 cups Cornflakes Mix
• 1/2 cup Puffed Rice (Murmura)
• 1/4 cup Roasted Peanuts
• 1/4 cup Chopped Onions
• 1/4 cup Chopped Tomatoes
• 1/4 cup Chopped Cucumber
• 2 tbsp Chopped Coriander Leaves
• 1 Green Chili, finely chopped (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp Chaat Masala
• 1/2 tsp Red Chili Powder (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 tsp Roasted Cumin Powder
• Salt, to taste
• 2 tbsp Sev (optional, for extra crunch)
For the Tangy Chutney:
• 2 tbsp Tamarind Pulp
• 1 tbsp Jaggery (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 tsp Red Chili Powder
• Salt, to taste
Instructions:
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the cornflakes, puffed rice, roasted peanuts, chopped onions, tomatoes, cucumber, coriander leaves, and green chilli.
• In a small bowl, mix the tamarind pulp, jaggery, red chilli powder, and salt to prepare the tangy chutney.
• Drizzle the tangy chutney over the mixture and toss well to coat evenly.
• Season with chaat masala, red chilli powder, roasted cumin powder, and salt. Toss again to combine all the flavours.
• If using, sprinkle sev on top for an extra crunch.
• Serve immediately and enjoy your delightful Crunchy Cornflakes Bhel!
Note: You can customize this bhel with your favourite veggies, add a squeeze of lemon for extra tang, or even include some boiled potatoes for added heartiness!
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