Rasgulla vs Gulab Jamun vs Kaju Katli: Which sweet is safest and how much can you eat?

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Be it Diwali, Dhanteras, or Bhai Dooj, every festival has its own unique joy in eating and serving sweets. It's natural to be tempted by the colorful array of sweets on the market. But often, driven by taste, we end up eating more than we need. This can have an impact on our health. Especially those suffering from diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, and heart problems need to pay more attention to their diet.

There's no need to give up sweets completely, but it's important to control your intake. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the amount of free sugar should be less than 10 percent of your daily energy intake. Keeping it below 5 percent is considered more beneficial for better health. Therefore, even during festivals, keep your daily sugar intake in mind while eating sweets. Generally, a small piece of sweet or about 20-30 grams of sugar can be sufficient at one time. However, this isn't a fixed amount for everyone. Your intake can vary depending on age, physical activity, and health status.

Kaju Katli: Cashew Katli is a popular dish during festivals. It contains cashews and sugar. Therefore, a small piece, about 15–20 grams, is sufficient. Instead of consuming it daily, consume it occasionally.

Besan laddus: Gram flour contains protein and some fiber, but ghee and sugar are also used in making laddus. So, eating one small laddu or half a large laddu is fine.

Rasgulla: Rasgulla is made from cottage cheese, but it also contains a lot of sugar syrup. In this case, eat a small rasgulla and drain off the excess syrup.

Gulab Jamun: This sweet is delicious and rich in ghee and sugar. Therefore, eating a small gulab jamun is sufficient. Avoid eating other sweets after eating it.

Jalebi: Jalebi is fried in oil or ghee and then dipped in sugar syrup. They can be high in both sugar and calories. Therefore, it's best to stick to a small jalebi.

Kheer: Kheer made from milk contains nutrients like calcium and protein, but adding sugar and nuts increases its calories. During festivals, you can eat half a small bowl of kheer, or about 75-100 grams. It's best to make it with less sugar.

While eating sweets during festivals, you can take care of your health by adopting some small habits. First, avoid eating sweets on an empty stomach. Eat sweets in moderation after meals. Instead of eating many sweets at once, choose one of your favorites. If making sweets at home, keep the amount of sugar and ghee low. Also, drink plenty of water daily and maintain physical activity.