Holi is here! A happy time when friends and family meet, colour each other silly, eat and make merry together. Food is a big part of the equation here, without doubt.
After all what’s holi without some holi dinners, some thandai and lots of gujia!
Here’re some healthy, interesting recipes you can try this holi from my book ‘Don’t Diet! 50 Habits of Thin People’.
Banana Gulkand Milkshake
And if you eat too many sweets then this debloating smoothie is perfect for you:
While you enjoy Holi, it is also important to be aware of adulterated foods that could harm your health.
Save Your Gut from Adulterants This Holi
Milk and khoya made from milk (thus most mithais) are the biggest suspects as they are adulterated with detergents, salt, vegetable fat and glucose, which are added deliberately to increase the thickness and viscosity of the milk. Always buy sweets from reliable sources or make at home.
Some simple tests to check the milk are:
- To check for extra water in milk place a drop on a shiny, polished slanting surface. Milk leaves no trail behind but if water is added to it you will find a white trail behind the drop.
- For starch (wheat flour etc) add a drop of iodine solution (easily available in medical stores); formation of blue colour indicates adulteration.
- For detergent just mix equal amounts of water and milk and shake for 5 minutes. Appearance of lather indicates presence of detergent.
(Kavita is a nutritionist, weight management consultant and health writer based in Delhi. She is the author of Don't Diet! 50 Habits of Thin People (Jaico) and Ultimate Grandmother Hacks: 50 Kickass Traditional Habits for a Fitter You (Rupa))
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