India, Oct. 20 -- Diwali is not complete without homes filled to the brim with staple mithai boxes, featuring classics like soan papdi, kaju katli, besan or motichoor ladoos. Likewise, namkeens, such as chakli, murukku, and mathri, also earned a spot in gift boxes. After Diwali, the namkeens and sweets are munched on for days and weeks, casually making up for snacks without a second thought. But it is important to maintain caution as the favourite festive treats come with serious health risks. To understand more about these risks of popular sweets, HT Lifestyle reached out to experts to learn about their nutritional drawbacks and what the labels may hide.

Dr Reshma Aleem, senior clinical dietitian at Rela Hospital, Chennai, told us that ...