Last Updated:October 19, 2025, 14:49 IST

Diwali is about light, warmth, and community, not deprivation. With small swaps and mindful choices, you can keep the spirit of celebration alive without compromising on health.

Swap market laddoos for homemade besan laddoos.

As Diwali lights up homes across India, the season of gifting, feasting, and indulgence returns in full swing. From golden laddoos to flaky soan papdi, it’s nearly impossible to resist the lure of festive sweets. But while your heart may say yes, your heart health might be saying, ‘Please don’t.’

Cardiologist and functional medicine expert Dr Alok Chopra recently took to Instagram to share a much-needed reality check and some surprisingly tasty swaps. His message was clear: enjoying Diwali doesn’t mean cutting out joy; it means choosing better joy.

Why Traditional Festive Sweets Deserve A Rethink

Dr Chopra points out that many of the mass-produced sweets we buy during Diwali are loaded with refined sugar, low-quality oils, and artificial colours, making it a dangerous mix for your heart, digestion, and blood sugar levels. “Health isn’t about restriction, it’s about intention,” he wrote. The idea is to reclaim festive abundance by choosing cleaner ingredients and mindful preparation.

Doctor-Approved Sweet Swaps For A Healthier Diwali

1. Skip market laddoos, make them at home

Instead of store-bought boondi laddoo, which can pack over 700 grams of sugar per kilo, Dr Chopra recommends homemade besan laddoos made with A2 ghee and organic jaggery. They’re nutrient-rich, satisfying, and free from synthetic additives.

2. Trade soan papdi for pistachio and rose coconut bites

Instead of refined-sugar-heavy sweets, try date-purée-based coconut bites with pistachios and rose. They offer natural sweetness and healthy fats, without the post-festive guilt.

3. Swap deep-fried snacks for roasted nut mixes

That namkeen bowl at every Diwali party? Replace it with a roasted nut and seed mix – crunchy, flavourful, and rich in antioxidants and omega-3s.

4. Rethink gift hampers

Dr Chopra also encourages switching processed gift hampers for curated wellness baskets with blueberries, avocados, dark chocolate (85%), and exotic fruits, which are not only indulgent but also nourishing.