Winters are around the corner and it is time to watch out your diet because the dip in mercury levels is gonna enhance your appetite and of course, your craving for unhealthy foods. Well, it is no sin to appease your taste buds once in a while. But giving in to the temptations of gluttony every time you devour your favourite junk snack can make you go off the scale.
Prudent eating and regular workout is the mantra for striking a balance between calories consumed and calories burned. Thankfully, winter brings with it a plethora of healthy eating options. By making a few switches from unhealthy to healthy food, you can pull off calorie balance and also benefit from the nutritional goodness of seasonal foods.

To begin with, replace tea and coffee with vegetable soups as it is a great way to get plenty of vitamins and minerals, without adding on to the calories. Having a bowl of soup just before the main course helps to curb hunger, and is favourable for those who want to lose weight. Unlike tea and coffee, soup is not a diuretic and helps in restoring water balance of the body, which is essential during winters because of less water intake.
Welcome the greens and treat yourself to a variety of saag, rich in iron, calcium, folate, Vitamins C, E, K, beta-carotene (vitamin A), antioxidants and fibre. During your snack time, delight your taste buds by having green pea, sweet potato and singhara (water caltrop) chaat. Add a spoonful of mint or coriander chutney for a more delectable experience.
Loaded with several essential vitamins and minerals and low in calories, these snacking options are far healthier than a burger, doughnut or samosa. The high fibre content in sweet potato helps in regulating blood sugar levels, and makes it a great in-between snack even for diabetics.
For kids and all those who have a sweet tooth, peanut chikki, carrot and almond halwa, gaund (edible gum) and til (sesame) laddoo are much healthier options than a piece of cake or hot gulabjamun. Enriched in nutrients such as protein, vitamin A, calcium and iron, these grandma’s recipes help you keep warm and strengthen your immunity.