Recently, when I visited my hometown for a vacation. There along with some pleasant exposure to new faces of family members and friends, my son was also exposed to some unwanted junk foods like – BISCUITS. Thankfully, they were not the creamy or chocolatey versions. My mother was rather surprised to see my resentment towards allowing my son to eat the so-called healthy version of the biscuits as well. “Hey, this is from the exclusive line of products by Babaji and is healthier”, she suggested.
My humble suggestion to her was – Biscuits an never be healthy. Period!
We do know the basic ingredients used for preparing biscuit, right?
Refined wheat flour , sugar and lard/vanaspati -disguised under name of vegetable oil/ edible oils . These three together itself are a recipe for disaster!
Maida/ refined wheat flour is quickly digested and absorbed and produces blood sugar spikes. Also, note that those biscuits claiming to use whole wheat flour make sure that it is not the coarse variety which will not give desirable mouth feel of a biscuit.
Sugar – We have enough sources of sugar in our diet. Not much needs to be told except that we need to stick to NATURAL sources as far as possible
Vanaspati – No bakery product can be prepared without this kind of fat and it is rich in the artery- clogging saturated fats
The bizarre nutritive messages on the packet were a bigger jolt! It said that 6 biscuits provide as much vitamin A as is present in 300g cabbage, as much folic acid as is present in 50g spinach, etc.
Wait a minute … Are you suggesting that these biscuits can compensate for their intake or are at least at par?!!
Agreed that the biscuits have been fortified with these vitamins (read artificial counterparts) for our benefit, but please understand that eating that much or larger amount of the vegetable will impart magnanimous and varied health benefits than consuming this sugary fatty snack.
The healthier version of the biscuit claims to have no maida, no trans fats, no cholesterol but has more fiber. The fiber content is 6.4g/ 100g and hence one serving size i.e.2 biscuits (11g) –[ please note that you are expected to stop at two pieces at one time] will provide you a whopping 0.7g dietary fiber!!!! Don’t be disheartened yet, there is also 1.5g sugar and 0.7g saturated fat in those 2 discs..free free free
I am scared to even begin to discuss the cream filled biscuits and chocolate chip versions
So mothers, is this even an option to snack on. Do we not have better choices
Whether it is the school tiffin or for short or long travels, there are always other dry snacks that can be carried.
- Groundnut chikki (prepared using jaggery)
- Til chikki (prepared using jaggery)
- Godpaak (prepared from whole wheat flour and jaggery)
- Roasted chana (unsalted)
- Roasted lotus seeds (taal makhana)
- Roasted peanuts (unsalted)
- Mixed dry fruit chikki (with date / fig base)
- Home made Khakras
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