Diwali and Eid are here, almost back to back. It's that time when you forget all your 'sweet-tooth' resolutions, whether you want to or not. And, while avoiding sweets at home is easy, things get difficult while visiting relatives and friends.  

We have already compared nutritional notes between the Pav Bhaji and Idli Sambar, and Khaman Dhokla versus the Vada Pav. Now, Get Ahead fitness expert Samreedhi compares the calorie count of two popular Diwali sweets and also gives you tips on managing your weight during the festivities.

Gulab Jamuns

A plate of 2 (300 calories) (15 gms fat) = Dancing for 50 minutes

Gulab Jamuns are usually made of mawa, made from full cream milk, to which maida (plain flour) is added. This mixture is kneaded into dough, made into balls and then deep-fried in ghee or oil. The balls are then soaked in sugar syrup. Some recipes recommend adding milk powder instead of maida, as this can help lower calories. However, not everyone may relish the change in taste.

No prizes for guessing that a Gulab Jamun gives you only calories, from fat and simple sugar. Nutritionally, it makes hardly any contribution to your health. So, if you are served some during the festive season, try and eat as few as possible. Also, the less you have of the sugar syrup, the better.

Rasgullas

A plate of 2 (250 calories) (10 gms fat) = Dancing for 42 minutes

Made using paneer (cottage cheese). Paneer made from cow's milk is used here, as it is softer in texture. Cow's milk is lower in fat than buffalo's milk, which is used for Gulab Jamuns. The paneer is to be kneaded well, made into balls and then cooked in sugar syrup. So, there is no frying involved and the sugar syrup used is also much thinner. As a result, it is less concentrated in calories.

The bottomline: As you can see, eating Rasgullas (within limits, again) is a better choice compared to Gulab Jamuns.

Tips for the festive season

If you have been watching your waistline and dread what the festivities will do to it:  

• Exercise regularly as you would on normal days, even if, instead of 45 minutes, you walk only for 30. A little exercise is better than no exercise at all.
• Drink plenty of water. 
• Don't hoard sweets at home. Instead, give them away as gifts. After all, how many can you eat?
• If you are buying gifts, think of giving utilitarian or decorative items instead of sweets. Your friends will appreciate both, the gift and the thought. 
• If you are being served dry fruit and sweets, choose the dry fruit. 
• Make visits to relatives and friends short, so you aren't forced to eat what you don't want to.  
• If you haven't found time to exercise, get back to your routine as soon as the festive fever is over.

-- The author is a certified personal trainer and nutritionist. She runs Size Wise, a training studio, and also conducts fitness workshops. Besides training with the International Sports Science Association, USA, she has a PG Diploma in nutrition and food technology and writes for a number of publications. You can e-mail Samreedhi.

Planning to whip up sweets this festive season? Share your tips on how to cut down on calories.