Pune nutritionist shares 5 foods you should avoid this winter to stay healthy and fit: Chyawanprash, amla candy and more

From amla candy to ready-made soups, nutritionist Amita Gadre lists 5 foods to avoid this winter and explains how to enjoy the season without extra calories.
As the temperatures drop and winter sets in, our cravings tend to shift toward comforting, hearty foods. While it’s tempting to indulge in rich and heavy dishes, not everything we eat is beneficial for our bodies during the colder months. From digestive issues to weight gain and sluggishness, some foods can do more harm than good.
To help navigate your winter diet wisely, clinical nutritionist Amita Gadre, based in Pune, Maharashtra, shares in her December 15 Instagram post 5 things you should avoid eating this season. (Also read: Fitness coach says ‘just cardio isn’t enough’; shares 1 exercise women over 35 must do to stay strong and healthy )
1. Amla candy
“Amla is great, amla candy is not,” Amita explains. “It’s loaded with sugar.” Instead, she suggests adding fresh grated amla to your chutneys, dal, sabzis, and salads to reap the benefits without the extra sugar.
2. Chyawanprash
“I know this is an unpopular opinion, but chyawanprash is something you don’t really need,” says Amita. “A vegetable soup has far more antioxidants than chyawanprash, and it’s also packed with sugar. No one needs it, not even kids.”
3. Dry fruit laddus
While nutrient-dense, dry fruit laddus can be extremely high in calories. “One laddu can easily have around 200 calories. If you’re trying to lose fat, a tight fistful of nuts is more than enough,” she advises.
4. Ready-packaged soups
“Ready-package soups are a lot of sodium with barely any other nutrients,” Amita warns. She recommends sticking to homemade soups instead.
5. Ghee overload
“In winters, we tend to move less, want to stay cosy, and are naturally a bit lazy,” Amita notes. “The last thing we need is extra calories from fat.” She suggests moderating ghee intake, even during the colder months.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.
ABOUT THE AUTHORAkanksha AgnihotriAkanksha Agnihotri is a lifestyle journalist with over 3 years of experience. She is a psychology graduate and holds a postgraduate diploma in Radio and Television Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi, where she graduated as a gold medalist. Originally from Bhopal, the beautiful capital of Madhya Pradesh, she draws inspiration from the city’s rich cultural heritage and layered storytelling traditions that subtly shape her narrative voice. She writes extensively about fashion, beauty, health, relationships, culture, and food, exploring everything from trending styles and runway moments to wellness routines and mindful living. Passionate about meaningful and candid conversations, she enjoys interviewing celebrities, doctors, designers, and film personalities, diving into discussions on fitness, beauty, mental health, and everything fun in between. With a keen eye for trends and a thoughtful understanding of human behaviour, she brings depth, sensitivity, and authenticity to her stories, ensuring they resonate with a wide and diverse audience. When she’s not working, you’ll usually find her lost in a book, planning her next mountain trek, or mapping out spontaneous travel escapes. She loves discovering new authors, revisiting old favourites, and spending quiet afternoons in museums soaking in art, history, and culture. An avid bird-watching enthusiast, she finds joy in early morning walks, spotting rare birds, and reconnecting with nature. Whether sipping coffee while journaling her thoughts or exploring hidden corners of a new city, she constantly seeks inspiration in everyday moments that often turn into compelling story ideas.Read More
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