Planning a festive feast? 5 healthier alternatives to wheat atta for delish dishes

Swap wheat atta with these wholesome flours for guilt-free festive indulgence.(Image: Canva)

Festivals in India are synonymous with indulgence and high-calorie plates piled high with puris, parathas, halwas, and laddoos. While these treats are a must for celebrations, they often leave us feeling heavy and sluggish. That’s where the choice of flour or atta can make a difference. Beyond regular wheat flour, there are several healthier alternatives that not only add nutrition but also bring variety and exciting flavors to your festive meals. Including them helps balance indulgence with wellness, ensuring that your celebrations are joyful without compromising gut health.

Mixing healthy with indulgent

During festivals, food is at the heart of the celebrations, and it’s easy to get carried away. But rich dishes made with excessive oil, sugar, or refined ingredients can strain digestion and leave you feeling bloated. Adding healthier attas to your menu means you can enjoy traditional flavors while sneaking in fiber, protein, and essential minerals. It’s not about skipping your favorite sweets but complementing them with balanced options. By doing this, you support your gut, which plays a central role in keeping energy levels high during long days of festivities.

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To keep your gut happy, balance rich dishes with fiber-rich grains like jowar or bajra. Pair indulgent sweets with light meals made from millet rotis or soups. Add curd or buttermilk to meals for probiotics. Staying hydrated with herbal teas and infused water also eases digestion. You can savor the rich ladoos and puris while still feeling light, energized, and ready to celebrate but replacing the main ingredient with something healthier.

Popular healthy atta options

The fun lies in experimenting while creating new dishes. Pair ragi rotis with spicy curries for dinner, or roll out bajra parathas stuffed with paneer for a filling lunch. Use rajgira atta for puris during festive fasting, and replace half your wheat flour with multigrain atta when making halwa or sheera for extra fibers.

Here are the five easily available options

1.   Ragi (Finger Millet) Atta

Ragi is packed with calcium, iron, and fiber. It helps keep you full longer and supports bone health. During festivals, swap wheat flour with ragi atta to make ragi rotis, or even blend it into laddoos with jaggery and ghee for a guilt-free sweet treat.

2.   Jowar (Sorghum) Atta

Jowar is gluten-free and rich in antioxidants. It’s gentle on the gut and supports digestion. For a festive twist, jowar can be used in bhakris served with sabzis or as a base for crispy dosas during lighter meals between feasts.

3.   Bajra (Pearl Millet) Atta

Known for its warming qualities, bajra is ideal for winter festivals like Diwali. It’s high in magnesium and promotes heart health. Bajra rotis, served with a dollop of ghee and green chutney, make a hearty, healthy addition to festive spreads.

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4.   Amaranth (Rajgira) Atta

Amaranth is rich in protein and a good source of amino acids. It’s traditionally used during fasting festivals like Navratri. You can prepare rajgira puris or use it in halwa for a nourishing yet celebratory dish.

5.   Multigrain Atta

Blends of wheat with ragi, jowar, oats, and flaxseed have become popular. These mixes combine the strengths of multiple grains, giving you fiber, protein, and healthy fats. They’re versatile for making chapatis, parathas, and even festive baked goods.