5 Healthy, Clean Desserts to try out this festive season
Festivals in India are all about sweets and desserts. Be it rosogullas in Durga puja or modaks for Ganpati, all the festivals have one thing in common – sweets! However mouth-melting the desserts are, they come with an invisible caution tag – high sugar! Yes, the highly processed commercial sugar that is potentially the cause of many health calamities from inflammation to diabetes.
We all love sweets and why not!? They make us happy. According to scientific research, foods that have a naturally high percentage of carbohydrates help the brain and body produce chemicals (such as serotonin) that contribute to overall emotional well-being. Indulging in your favourite dessert alters your mind and body in positive ways. In fact, contrary to the obsolete belief that sweets can make you put on weight, research shows that eating dessert can actually improve your weight control and be very nutritious at the same time. It’s the refined sugar that you should stay away from and replace it with healthier, cleaner alternatives like honey, jaggery, dates, and maple syrup. We have put together a list of clean desserts that you can relish this festive season without stressing about affecting your health adversely.
Quinoa Kheer
Swap your regular rice for a healthier alternative like quinoa and make a delicious quinoa kheer that will serve you with added nutrients and scrumptious puja dessert. Add jaggery instead of regular sugar and top it with lots of dry fruits.
2. Whole Wheat Pudding
Atta halwa is a sweet delicacy made in Punjabi households and is loved by many. Add in date paste (or jaggery powder) and milk in roasted whole wheat flour. Decorate with cashew topping and voila, you are all ready to win hearts.
3. Patishapta (stuffed crepe)
Patishapta, a Bengali sweet dish, are thin crepes or pancakes made with all-purpose flour, rice flour and semolina stuffed with a delicious caramelized shredded coconut filling. Add ground cardamom and jaggery powder for that finger-licking taste.
4. Shredded Coconut Macaroons
A small cake or cookie, typically made from ground almonds, shredded coconut or other nuts (or even potato), often baked and coated with chocolate syrup or honey. Replace sugar with jaggery powder and make your own chocolate sauce using cocoa powder.
5. Wheat Ladoo with Jaggery
Jaggery is the best substitute for sugar, especially if you are on diet and craving for something sweet. Wheat ladoo using jaggery is one such recipe, where sugar is substituted with jaggery syrup. These ladoos are very easy to make and can be served along with some snacks like crispy sweet potato and poha chivda to your guests on festivals.
