Anupama Menon
read
The cricket fever has infected one and all and this virus is only going to spread!! But this virus is a wonderful one bringing friends and family together, to watch the tussles, eat and celebrate, feed off each other’s excitement, analyse enough to put professional experts to shame; also to stop each other from feeding on fingernails and when victory arrives to scream in unison pumping in adrenaline like no single-seater can contain.
All of this is great, but what does one also do to damage the health goals one has set for oneself? We eat, the passion for the game and sense of togetherness feeds not just love for the nation but hunger and the love for food too! And the cricket season is going to last another month, what could we eat that may minimize the damage to our health goals?
Ghee roasted makhana, this is a wonderful healthy snack we love to munch on endlessly.
Water – is a great filler! Just add in lemon and mint and some salt. And voila! You have a drink that even quenches your appetite.
Nuts are great but beware, you can keep eating these little munchies with no limits attached!! Roast them, do not salt them. Salt can retain water within, the last thing you want when you are just watching matches!
Avocado filled toast pieces (quarter the toasts, whole wheat bread). Mash ripe avocados, season with lemon, chillies, onions and tomatoes. Quarter whole wheat bread pieces, rub a little olive oil over and toast for a minute or so. Now load the mashed avocados and serve.
Whole wheat momos – Replace the refined flour with whole wheat flour, fill in with veggies/chicken, it’s a wonderful, well loved, nutritious snack.
Masala Khakhras – Load whole wheat khakhras with finely cut onions, chillies, tomatoes and some roasted and lightly crushed peanuts! Don’t forget to top up with lemon!
Egg bhurji scrambled in with lots of onions and a few chillies.
Fruit and feta – Cut in the crunchy water loaded fruits like watermelon, pear & musk melon into cubes, squeeze lime over. Add pieces of feta and mint over, some toothpicks for effect and you have something to fulfill your sweet cravings.
Black Chana sundal – boil black chana and season with a little oil, chaat masala, onions and chillies. Kaala namak will also work wonders! Serve these around and watch the protein fill your tummies!
Wheat crackers with quartered pieces of cheese, topped with a fresh cherry (optional of course), pleasing not just to the eye but the palette too!
And not to miss out of our favourite chat! Sukha bhel, topped with onions, tomatoes, cucumber and carrots, can add in a little of the date and teekha chutney for effect!
Enjoy the cricket season, the world cup, enjoy the company and the feeling of togetherness, miss not a chance to create memories yet again. For when the years pass and you look back, every one of these memories will serve smiles and a heart full of happiness! But along with all the merry making, don’t forget your healthy snacks behind.
