How To Practice Portion Control With Desserts At Indian Feasts
Written by bhavana verma | October 19, 2025
Indian celebrations are not complete without sweet treats on the table.
Sweets are what define a festive occasion in the best way, and make any special occasion memorable. It is hard to keep yourself from savoring the sweet delights when the occasion is so special. From Diwali to Holi, birthdays to anniversaries, every occasion calls for a sweet delight that sparks conversations and makes the moment happier. With so many delightful treats on the table, it is hard to resist indulging in these sweet delights. Sometimes, the temptation becomes so much, you might lose track of how many sweets you’ve eaten.
In India, each festival has its own special sweet treat. For Holi, you get gujiya and malpua, and for Diwali, you get motichoor ladoo and shakarpara. Each of these treats has become a symbol of that festival. During the festivals, it is hard to keep track of health, as it is the only time when you get to savor the treats you've been waiting for an entire year. This is the time when you truly get to taste the best homemade creations. From gulab jamun to rasgulla, every sweet delight made at home is just irresistible and hard to miss out on.
For this reason, it becomes harder to practice portion control. When you want to enjoy the deserts to your satisfaction but still want to practice moderation, portion control is the way to go. When desserts are served in small batches, it becomes a lot easier to savor them and still feel the same level of satisfaction without going overboard. In this way, you can balance health while celebrating. For celebrations like weddings, festivals, and family gatherings, portion control strategies will help you enjoy the desserts in the best way possible. In other words, you will not be avoiding desserts but instead eating them mindfully. It is all about managing the quantity of desserts and practicing mindful eating when there’s usually an abundance of rich and tempting sweets. Here are a few portion control tips you must try when you want to serve desserts in the best way.
Before the Feast
It is usually better to eat something beforehand. When you arrive hungry at the dessert table, you might fill your stomach with sweets only and eat more than you decided to. When you start with desserts on an empty stomach, it will feel harder to resist the temptation. Therefore, eat something before. In addition to this, don’t forget to hydrate yourself well, as sometimes thirst can be mistaken for cravings. Drink water or buttermilk before the sweets round begins.
One Plate Rule
Always use the one plate rule. Instead of going back multiple times to get the sweet treats, take all the sweets you need at once on a small plate and stick to that portion. Pick your favorites mindfully and avoid grabbing every single item just because it is there on the table. Choose all your favorites and keep one or two sweets you love the most. You can skip the rest.
Smaller Pieces
Most of the Indian sweets are made in small bite-sizes like barfi, gulab jamun, and so on. These treats are perfect for serving in smaller portions so you can enjoy some of everything without going overboard. If you want to practice mindful eating, always make these sweets which can be cut into bite-sized pieces. If portions are small, it is easier to eat them and fulfill your cravings.
Use a teaspoon
Eating slowly with a smaller spoon lets you savor each bite and feel satisfied sooner. This is a psychological hack that you can use to trick your brain into satisfaction. In this way, you can enjoy almost every treat in a wholesome way.
Follow the 3-bite rule
The 3-bite rule says “the first three bites out of any treat give the most pleasure. This is certainly true even when it comes to sweets. Many studies have shown that the first three bites of any meal give perfect satisfaction. Therefore, take the first three bites out of your favorite sweets to feel content even with small portions.
Mindset Tips
Labeling desserts as forbidden may make the cravings stronger. Instead, treat the sweet delights as a form of celebration and enjoy them in moderation.
Add Healthy Elements
It becomes even healthier when paired with fresh fruits. Add some fruits like apples, grapes, pomegranate, etc., along with the sweets to bring a healthy dimension.