Bengalureans go the healthy way, opt for vegan and gluten-free food items this Diwali

BENGALURU: After routine Indian sweets, dry fruits and sugar-free hampers, this Diwali is going exclusively vegan and gluten-free for most health-conscious Bengalureans. The ordering of gift hampers has kickstarted for the festival next month and they are talking in superfood vocabulary this time.

Take the case of Nobuko Yamashita, a Japanese food writer living in Bengaluru, who loves to celebrate Diwali with her Japanese and Indian friends. She has placed an order for vegan cheese cakes as gifts. "Vegan cake is unique. I want to introduce my friends to these delicious cakes and spread awareness on healthy eating during festive season," says Yamashita.

Lawyer Preeti Punjabi (25) narrates a similar story. She too is going the vegan way this Diwali. She has designed personalised hampers with sugar-free chocolates and vegan jams to gift her closest friends. "It's a good way to send a message to make a healthy switch this New Year," says Punjabi, an aqua aerobics practitioner who wants her gift to represent her mindful living.

Interestingly, both Punjabi and Yamashita are non-vegans but wish to make a point through their wellness gift hamper. Boutique bakers and department stores too are giving in to the demand.

For example, this year Foodhall has introduced gluten-free and vegan Diwali gift baskets with soya chips, quinoa puffs, buckwheat pancakes, kale chips and organic chocolates. "We observed that the trend this year is towards health and certain dietary requirements with well-travelled Bengalureans. Hampers, thus, have gone to the next level to cater to this new demand," says Shelly Duggal, western region head for Foodhall.


(Image: BCCL)

Payal Kini, owner of online gourmet butter company Peels Nut Butter Co, is busy fulfilling the enquiries for Diwali hampers with combos of almond and pea nut butters made with organic wildflower honey .

Kini says, "Nut butters make a good new-age Diwali gift and also does organic marketing for me.Since it is usually a bulk order, the word about my work spreads at one shot to the worthwhile audience."

The same marketing tool is also working as a fashion statement for some buyers, notes Chaitali Raizada, owner of organic home baking brand Taantraa. She is curating hampers with handmade organic cakes, muffins, nut butters, and truffles using almond flour, Goan black jaggery and olive oil.

"My clients are looking to gift pure products in place of mithais.Many even want to make an elitist statement among their peer groups by taking to the trendy subject of health," says Raizada, an IT professional-turned-home baker, who has seen a 200% growth in sales of her health hampers for Diwali in the past two years.