How To Eat Onam Sadhya In A Healthy Way: 5 Tips For The Health Concious This Festive Season

Onam Sadhya is here, and it is meant to be enjoyed, not approached with guilt or unnecessary restriction. With its generous spread of vegetables, rice, curries, pickles, fried accompaniments and desserts, it can be easy to overeat. The key is to enjoy the traditional feast mindfully, pay attention to portions and allow enough time to savour each preparation. So if you also want to relish the Sadhya but in a healthy manner, we’ve got you covered. Here are all the ways you can healthily eat Onam Sadhya. Read on!

Healthy Ways To Eat Onam Sadhya

1. Start With The Vegetable Preparations

Start by making more space on your banana leaf for vegetable-based dishes such as avial, thoran, and olan. These preparations can add fibre, vitamins and minerals to the meal and help create a more balanced plate before you move on to larger portions of rice and richer accompaniments.

2. Keep Rice Portions Moderate & Don’t Skip The Payasam

Rice is an important part of Sadhya, but there is no need to pile your leaf high with it at the beginning. Start with a moderate serving and combine it with vegetable preparations and dal-based dishes. If you are still hungry, you can always take another serving later.

Payasam is one of the highlights of an Onam feast, so avoiding it completely is hardly necessary. Instead, opt for a smaller portion and enjoy it slowly. Taking time to appreciate the dessert can make it easier to feel satisfied without going overboard.

Also Read: 15 Independence Day Menus Across India To Eat Your Way Through The Long Weekend

3. Be Mindful Of Fried Accompaniments

Banana chips, papad and other fried sides add crunch and flavour to the Sadhya, but they can also contribute additional fat and calories. Enjoy them as accompaniments rather than making them a major part of the meal.

4. Go Easy On Pickles & Avoid Arriving Extremely Hungry

Pickles can bring a sharp burst of flavour to the banana leaf, but they are often high in salt. A small serving is enough to complement the other dishes without making the meal unnecessarily salty.

Skipping breakfast or other meals in anticipation of Sadhya can backfire and leave you excessively hungry. Stick to your usual eating routine and have lighter, balanced meals earlier in the day.

5. Eat Slowly And Mindfully & Stay Hydrated

With so many dishes to try, it can be tempting to rush through the meal. Instead, take your time and savour the different flavours and textures. Eating slowly also gives your body more time to recognise when you are comfortably full.

Drink enough water throughout the day, particularly if you are spending time outdoors during the festivities. At the same time, avoid excessive sugary drinks alongside an already elaborate meal.

Also Read: Saal Mubarak! 9 Places In India To Celebrate Parsi New Year With Dhansak, Lagan Nu Custard & More

So, eat and enjoy your Onam Sadhya without any worry.

Cover Image Courtesy: Pexels/Saveurs Secretes