Festive Snacking Goes Mindful: Healthy Brands To Check Out This Diwali

Diwali is just around the corner, and if you’re anything like us, the festive spirit is directly proportional to the number of snacks consumed. But who says indulging means saying goodbye to health? This year, let’s celebrate the snacks that are just as good for you as they are delicious. So whether you’re a laddoo lover or a chakli connoisseur, we’ve whipped up a delightful list of brands offering healthy and organic treats that will make your celebrations even more special. 

Tengin

Madhu Kargunda, an engineer-turned-social entrepreneur established Tengin (Kannada for coconut) to support struggling agriculturalists and women's collectives in his village in Hassan, Karnataka. The 100% boot-strapped venture includes innovative coconut products like oil, snacks, desserts, and more. Apart from edible options, they also have sustainable and stylish items made of coconut by-products like shells, husks, and dried leaves. No part of the coconut goes to waste. 

"At Tengin we make all the coconut snacks for Diwali, like coconut burfi with black jaggery, coconut chips, and ragi [flour] to make ragi laddoo. All these products are made by small women collectives in our villages called Sthree Shakti Sangas. It's been made using the traditional way and in small batches. We follow natural farming in our villages and only use those raw materials to make our products," Kargunda told SheThePeople.

Click here to check out Tengin's collection.

Jungly Delights

Jungly Delights, founded by Ananya Bhandare, is a superfood snack brand that marries both worlds-- satisfying your cravings and nourishing your body. Pairing ingredients like ashwagandha and moringa with blueberries and chocolate, this brand does not fear a challenge in creating innovative yet traditionally rooted treats. Looking for a unique snack bar for your Diwali party? Jungly Delights has got you covered.

"Our Indian superfoods haven’t been modernised and don’t necessarily fit into our modern-day lifestyles, which is why it was important to me to ensure that they do, and I found bars to be the best mode for me to do this.  Festivals evolve with time and so do people’s tastes. I love collaborating with women entrepreneurs so this festive season, I tied up with a young woman entrepreneur to create a collectable gift set featuring Jungly Delights’ bars and handmade crochet toys in a collectable and reusable tin box," Bhandare said.

Click here to visit Jungly Delights' website.

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Potz To Pans

Potz to Pans, founded by mother-daughter duo Swarnamba and Vanitha Santosh, is an ode to the traditional flavours of their home town. From chutneys to pickles and dips to masalas, the Karnataka-native entrepreneurs are committed to introducing time-tested heirloom recipes to the contemporary consumer. Their range of products is made using fresh, unprocessed ingredients that evoke comfort and nostalgia.

"Most of our recipes are ancestral and go back to over a hundred years, passed on for generations. We practice slow cooking, hand roasting, and a long fermentation process so that it is not only good to taste but also good for your gut health... Many Indians lack essential vitamins in their diet, so this festive season, we have introduced a super seeds chutney powder, which can be eaten with idli, dosa, or even sprinkled on salad bowls, soups, etc," Santosh said.

Check out Potz to Pans here.

Mama Nourish

Mama Nourish, the brainchild of Usha Shrotriya, is all about making nutrition accessible to modern women, especially new moms. The family-run business offers classic healthy snacks like gondh laddus in the form of easy-to-carry 'laddu bars' packed with dry fruits and millets -- a perfect fit for moms on the go. The brand was founded to pass down the legacy of recipes that have nourished the bodies and minds of generations of women. 

Yash Parashar, co-founder and CEO told SheThePeople, "Mama Nourish’s LadduBars are unique because they’re inspired by actual Grandmothers’ recipes from different regions of India, crafted using only kitchen ingredients and designed for modern lifestyles... This Diwali marks a significant milestone as it’s our first festive season. We launched our ‘Ye Diwali Dadima Wali’ campaign to celebrate the culinary heritage of India’s grandmothers."

Check out Mama Nourish here.

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India Sweet House

Founded by Shwetha Rajashekar and Vishwanath V, India Sweet House in Bengaluru is heaven for every traditional mithai lover as they offer treats made of quality dairy products sourced from their very own farm, Karma. From age-old recipes to unique creations, this sweet mart offers all things delightful under one roof. This festive season, the brand is introducing gift hampers filled with decadent traditional confections as well as some diabetic-friendly options and dry-fruit-packed sweets.

"We've thoughtfully expanded our range to include natural sweeteners (jaggery and honey) and sugar-free sweets, catering to those seeking healthier alternatives without compromising on taste or tradition. Using natural ingredients, our sugar-free collection includes treats like Dry Fruit Laddus, Anjeer Burfi, and Khajur Burfi. These sweets are crafted to maintain the richness and indulgence of traditional mithai while being mindful of health needs, making them perfect for guilt-free enjoyment during the celebrations," Rajashekar said. 

Click here to learn more about India Sweet House.

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D’Aromas

D'Aromas, a one-stop shop for cafe and restaurant equipment, is introducing customisable Diwali hampers that include mindful yet delicious products like green teas and jaggery cookies. Apart from this, the personalised hampers also include religious items like frames or idols, ensuring their customers' festive experience resonates with their cultural values. The brand has also crafted dessert boxes for bakers, chefs, and home chefs designed to suit their needs.

"We’ve curated a range of items like green teas, herbal amla tea, and jaggery cookies. Each of these products infuses traditional flavours and ingredients with a focus on health, allowing customers to enjoy the essence of festive treats with a modern, wholesome twist. By combining high-quality ingredients and traditional recipes, we’re preserving beloved flavours while providing options for those looking to indulge mindfully during the festive season," said Dharmisha Gokani, Director of D'aromas.

Click here to learn more about D'aromas.