Samosa and Jalebi has been the infamous og snacks in every Indian household. Whether it’s a tea time snack or a platter offered to the guest, these snacks have been the first choice. Behind the crispness of samosa and the sweetness of jalebi, lies a growing health concern that India should no longer ignore.

The core of samosa lies in “maida” (refined wheat flour), an ingredient that is breached of all fiber and nutrients during its processing. A TOI report states that maida is made in factories and behind the scenes, it is bleached with chemicals like 'benzoyl peroxide', a popular hair dye, to make it more white. Maida also causes rapid spikes in blood sugar levels which can increase the risk of issues like diabetes, obesity, insulin resistance and downfall of heart health. 

The crunchiness of samosa comes from being deep fried in the refined oil that acts as a host for many problems. These refined vegetable or reused cooking oil is a common ingredient in street food culture which when reheated multiple times, produces harmful toxic elements like trans fat. This unsaturated fat has been linked to issues such as rise in cholesterol, gut health issues, cardiovascular problems etc. 

Moreover, the jalebi is a sugar trap for all. It is a spiral of refined flour deep fried soaked in concentrated sugar syrup. A medium jalebi contains 100-150 calories which is mostly due to added sugar. A WHO report states that the daily added sugar consumption should be less than 5-10% of your total daily calories, meaning, two jalebis could exceed the limit in a single go. 
If overconsumed, it can lead to obesity, fatty liver disease, diabetes and spike in visceral (internal body) fat. And where there is excess fat, there are loads of diseases. 

While both snacks are the showstoppers of Indian cuisine, their frequent consumption can lead to serious problems like - obesity, high cholesterol, hypertension, acid reflux, constipation, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, atherosclerosis, and many more. Additionally, due to the fact that brain and gut health are linked , these snacks have also been linked to mental health concerns, like, depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline. 

This isn’t a direction to completely ban these snacks from your plate but the key lies in conscious consumption and healthier eating habits that respects the “og” tradition without compromising on health.