Sankranti special: healthy traditions for your plate

Written by: Sneha Jajoo Reviewed by: Dr. Swati Mishra 10 Jan 2026

[{"selector":"#anim-d5ae6762-99a0-47b2-aea7-26e2abc52794","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8a4848af-b634-4a76-b978-d58330876f0b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 165.04227%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Sankranti is a festive feast, but that doesn’t mean guilt! These 5 healthy, seasonal takes on classic dishes help you celebrate while keeping your nutrition in check. Photo Credit: Freepik

Sesame & Groundnut Chikki

[{"selector":"#anim-e6c5cd69-2d8f-4561-aee5-f4266200397d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b75aff97-0bb4-4f36-9fed-bb38f336b3ec","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 148.08319%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2216fffa-e808-49af-af5a-f92ac3ab22bf","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dd164b58-97c8-44be-a6c0-71b5fbbe534f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 472.3855%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Protein from peanuts and calcium from sesame can make this a great post-meal snack. Opt for jaggery & ghee instead of refined sugar or oils. Photo Credit: Freepik

Til-Gur Laddoos

[{"selector":"#anim-67e19f84-81dc-45fc-829c-386407d7cbf7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-83efb836-6fdd-42e6-9086-c42da21882fa","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 133.78685%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c77ba66c-dc8f-42bb-8336-095f0434dc8f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ae3aadae-2a44-46c5-801f-0b62b42ac7c4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 828.3954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Sesame ( til ) and jaggery ( gur ) are traditional but nutrient-rich. Til is rich in calcium & iron, while jaggery offers natural sweetness. But for portion control, make the laddoos small, and eat less. Photo Credit: Freepik

Undhiyu

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Millet Pongal

[{"selector":"#anim-d9368e4e-d160-4d5b-97ff-9eb2097e8658","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f7a99c86-1dfb-4fa5-8dbb-02db2a2849cf","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 133.78685%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f330c9bb-6e05-463a-9395-2f99f4501335","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b65dd188-ce87-49e2-b0f1-11dbaa436fbe","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 828.3954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Swap white rice with nutritious millets (like ragi or foxtail). High in fibre, gut-friendly, and gluten-free, this light sattvic recipe is easy to digest and perfect for cold January mornings. Photo Credit: Freepik

Jowar or Bajra Roti

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Healthy Eating Tips for Sankranti

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