King of fruits or count of calories?

Mango is my favourite fruit. Every year, a few months before the season begins, I feel a rush of anticipation. And just now, the first mangoes have started arriving—though many beloved varieties are still on their way, I couldn’t resist and brought some home.

My 6-year-old son, Appu, is a mango enthusiast too. He insisted that mangoes be packed in his lunch bag. While I share his enthusiasm, I often face criticism for my mango indulgence—especially from nutritionists and well-meaning family members concerned about calories and the “fattening” effect of mangoes. Truth be told, I do tend to gain a couple of kilos every mango season.

But honestly, I still believe mangoes are worth every calorie.

We eat not just for nourishment, but for joy. I once read about a study where people were shown a picture of chocolate cake. The French responded with “celebration”, while Americans associated it with “guilt” and “weight gain”. I haven’t come across any similar study on Indian attitudes toward food, but I feel we too are at a crossroads—torn between celebration and calorie counting.

As a child, I remember summers in my hometown, Turuvekere, where a mango tree stood tall in our backyard. When the fruits ripened, workers would pluck them and heap them in the courtyard. Hay meant for cattle would be spread out across the wooden attic floor. My sister, cousins visiting us from Bengaluru, and I would tuck raw mangoes into the hay, waiting patiently for them to ripen.

Every day, we’d climb up and check for ripeness—sniffing them, pressing gently to feel if they had softened. The ripest ones were our dessert. All the children would sit together and relish them, sticky hands and glowing smiles. I don’t recall anyone—child or adult—discussing calories or weight gain. The only discussions were about the breeds of mangoes, their sweetness, and the dishes they could become—mango rasayana or seekarane.

India is blessed with so many varieties of mangoes, and they’re available for only a few fleeting months each year. Isn’t it a beautiful opportunity to teach our children to savour seasonal flavours? To eat with awareness, yes—but also with joy?

Instead of shunning mangoes for their calorie content, perhaps we can embrace moderation—enjoy smaller portions without guilt, knowing that the weight can be shed later. Because some fruits are not just food. They are tradition, memory, childhood, and celebration—wrapped in golden sweetness.

What do you think—shouldn’t the joy of eating sometimes take precedence over the fear of calories?