Navigating Holi: Healthy Eating Tips for the Festival of Colours

March 22, 2024

As 2024 Holi approaches, the anticipation for the vibrant celebrations fills us with excitement and joy! Happy Holi, indeed! It's a time for coming together with loved ones, relishing delicious foods, and immersing ourselves in colourful fun. But amidst the festivities, it's important to safeguard our skin and hair from colour-related damage. And let's not forget to keep our diets in check, ensuring we indulge without overindulging. Let's welcome 2024 Holi with open arms, embracing the happiness and togetherness it brings while keeping our well-being in mind.

Tips to stay healthy before Holi:

Getting ready for Holi should start a few days before the festival. It's not just about getting things ready for the celebration, but also about getting your body and digestion in shape for the fun ahead. During this time, focus on eating foods that support your digestive system. Here are some tips to help you do that:

Opt for Light Meals: As is customary for Indian festivals, festivities typically commence a day or two in advance. It's advisable to maintain a diet comprising light meals during this period. Incorporating ample fiber and easily digestible foods can aid in cleansing the body.
Consume Probiotics: Probiotics, beneficial bacteria or yeast that support digestion, play a crucial role in maintaining gut health. Boost your digestion during Holi by adding probiotic drinks to your routine before, during, and after the festivities. They can help keep your gut healthy and happy!
Limit your Sugar Consumption: Prior to Holi, it's advisable for individuals to cut down on the consumption of sugary substances like sweets, milkshakes etc, for overall well-being.

Tips to stay healthy during Holi:

Morning Meal: Choose a light breakfast option for Holi, such as Poha or yogurt with flattened rice. This will effectively satiate your hunger for an extended period while being gentle on your digestive system.
Stay Hydrated: Despite the abundance of water around during Holi celebrations, it's common for people to overlook their hydration needs. Make a conscious effort to consume ample water to keep yourself hydrated throughout the festivities.
Prepare Healthier Alternatives: Making slight adjustments to your beloved Holi recipes can significantly contribute to a healthier celebration. Here are some suggestions for healthier versions of your favourite Holi dishes:

Baked Gujiyas: Utilize whole wheat and semolina (suji) instead of refined flour (maida) for the casing of your gujias. Rather than deep frying, consider baking them, which decreases the oil content while still allowing you to enjoy dipping these treats into sugar syrup.

Brown Bread Dahi Vada: Opt for brown bread dahi vada as a nutritious alternative to the traditional deep-fried version. Bonus: it only takes 5 minutes to prepare.

Ragi Malpuas: Crafted with a blend of ragi flour, whole wheat, and oats, this dish offers all the rich flavours without any accompanying guilt.

Low-Fat Thandai: Holi isn't complete without its quintessential beverage, Thandai. Nothing quite matches the satisfaction of savouring this delectable concoction. This year, opt for low-fat milk and substitute honey for sugar to indulge in a guilt-free version of this beloved drink.

Baked Kachoris with Chana Masala in Rice Bran Oil: Even when baked instead of deep-fried, these savoury delights retain their delicious flavour. Pair them with hot channa masala cooked in low-absorption rice bran oil instead of ghee, and you'll have a nutritious meal at your fingertips

Fruit Raita: While raita is already a nutritious option, this Holi, consider preparing a fresh fruit raita. Simply combine apples, pomegranate seeds, and bananas with yogurt, salt, and chat masala in a bowl for a healthy and distinctive raita option.

Tips to stay healthy after Holi:

Rest: Make sure to prioritize sufficient rest to allow your body the opportunity to rejuvenate before diving back into the demands of your daily routine.
Detoxifying drinks: Cucumber and mint water serves as an effective detoxifying agent and is ideally incorporated into your daily routine. Especially during this time, it becomes even more crucial. This refreshing drink not only hydrates your body but also aids in detoxification, promoting healthy skin.
Stay Active: Holi festivities can leave us feeling drained, tempting us to skip our workout routines. However, it's important not to give in to this temptation. If experiencing muscle fatigue, refrain from engaging in strenuous exercises and instead opt for gentle activities such as short walks.
Supplements: To clear the toxins from the body and prevent digestive discomfort, supplements help you to stay fit and healthy.

The Co Being Everliver: The super ingredients like milk thistle, Phyllanthus amarus and magnolia berry helps to eliminate toxins from the liver and improves stamina.

The Co Being Got Gutzy: The unique combination of herbs with enzymes helps to improve the gut function and gives relief from abdominal discomfort.

Key takeaway

Pre-Holi Preparation: Begin preparing your body and digestive system 2-3 days before Holi by opting for light meals and incorporating probiotics.
Healthy Choices During Holi: Choose light breakfast options, stay hydrated, and opt for healthier versions of traditional Holi dishes to maintain your health during the festivities.
Post-Holi Care: Ensure you get enough rest, consume detoxifying drinks like cucumber and mint water, and stay active to rejuvenate your body after Holi celebrations.
Moderation is Key: Exercise moderation in consumption, particularly in sugary substances, to prevent weight gain and other health issues.
Healthy Alternatives: Explore healthier versions of Holi classics, such as baked gujias, brown bread dahi vada, and fruit raita, to indulge guilt-free without compromising on taste.
Stay Active: Despite feeling drained after Holi, aim to stay active through gentle activities like short walks to maintain your energy levels and overall well-being.
Supplements: Helps to detox the body and makes you fit and energetic.