Responsible Eating During Festivals

Every year, festival seasons bring happiness, greetings, togetherness, cultural expressions, and varieties of delicious foods. These festivals bring families and communities together, and food is at the center of love, hospitality, and cultural traditions during these events. However, during festival seasons, the importance of healthy eating cannot be overlooked. This is particularly important for those people living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic respiratory illnesses. Responsible eating during festivals should not be considered a restriction on enjoyment but an essential practice for protecting health along with the preservation of the spirit of celebration. 

NCDs are the major cause of mortality throughout the world, including Nepal. There are several risk factors for many of the NCDs such as unhealthy diets, tobacco use, excessive amount of alcohol, and physical inactivity. In Nepal, about 71 per cent of deaths are attributed to NCDs (WHO, 2026), which was around 30 per cent three decades earlier. The growing trend of NCDs is associated with the change in lifestyles, increased consumption of highly processed foods, and decreased physical activity. Festivals can intensify these risks as people usually consume more sweets, processed foods, fried and salty foods, and meals with high-fat. 

Delicacies 

The change in food intake during festivals makes it more difficult for those living with NCDs to manage their conditions. Sudden spikes in blood glucose due to excessive sugar intake can complicate blood glucose management, and similarly high sodium consumption can contribute to higher blood pressure. Meals containing a high amount of unhealthy fats may contribute to cardiovascular diseases over time. It is important to note that a single festive meal does not cause a serious health problem; however, repeated overeating and unhealthy food over time can undermine disease management. 

Although festivals are special occasions when people consume a variety of dishes, usually in excess, consuming excessive amounts of these foods during the entire period of the festival is not a healthy approach. To preserve cultural heritage, traditional food should be consumed in moderation, but the way food is prepared matters greatly. People should consume a moderate number of traditional delicacies containing sugar. However, it is important to include more vegetables, pulses, whole grains, and fresh fruits along with traditional delicacies.