8 Awesome Low-Calorie Mithais for Diwali!

We all love this time of the year. Diwali is all about lights, fireworks and of course, plenty of food and sweets! However, the downside of this fun is that we tend to overindulge and end up gaining weight or aggravating health disorders such as diabetes, high cholesterol and acidity.

But fear not! If you’ve got a sweet tooth, here are 8 awesome low-calorie sweets that you can relish this Diwali even if you’re on a diet, guilt-free! These Indian sweets will not only satisfy your sugar cravings, but you will also not gain weight. Happy Healthy Diwali!!!

Here’s how to prepare them –

Oats Sesame Ladoo 

The natural oils in sesame seeds help bind the ladoo without the use of ghee.

Good for: Weight loss, diabetes, heart diseases

Dry Fruit & Dates Burfi

This barfi is loaded with nutrients. So, add zero calorie food to your Diwali celebrations this year! Remember not to overdo it.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup stevia powder
• 1/2 kg dates (khajur) pits removed coarsely chopped
• 100 gm mixed dry-fruits (badam, cashew, pista) powdered
• 1/2 cup desiccated grated dry coconut

How to prepare:

• Add the dates, dry-fruits powder and Stevia powder to a heavy non-stick pan
• Cook on a slow flame, stirring continuously. Do not allow to stick to the pan
• It might take some time to cook so stir gently till a soft lump forms
• Spread some of the coconuts on a butter paper sheet
• Grease hands with a little ghee and take a chunk of the mixture
• Roll into a thick roll, on the sheet, to cover with the coconut
• Chill the rolls in the refrigerator. Cut into slices

Good for: Diabetes, bone health, weight loss

Paneer Kheer

Bored of the usual kheer? Here’s a unique way to make a low-fat food without loading it with sugar! Make this tasty kheer on any festive occasion and win compliments from your loved ones!

Ingredients

• 3 cups low-fat milk
• 1 cup grated low-fat paneer (cottage cheese)
• 2 tsp Stevia powder
• 1/4 tsp cardamom (elaichi) powder

How to prepare

• Heat the milk in a broad non-stick pan and cook on a medium flame for 5 to 6 minutes or till it starts boiling while stirring occasionally. Keep aside to cool completely
• Once cooled, add the sugar substitute and cardamom powder and mix well
• Add the paneer and mix well. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Serve chilled.

Good for: Weight loss, heart diseases, diabetes

Ras Malai

Originally from Odisha, Ras Malai is a popular milk-based Indian dessert consisting of sugary, cream-coloured (it can be yellow too) balls of paneer soaked in malai (cream) and flavoured with cardamom.

Ingredients (makes 20 pieces):

 How to prepare:

• Boil 500 ml milk. Add vinegar, till paneer is separated
• Switch the burner off and cover the paneer for a minute. Strain the water away. Do not press too hard on the strainer
• Empty the paneer into a plate and add cornflour. Beat till it becomes a soft dough and make small balls out of it
• In a pressure cooker, add water and sugar/ sugar-free powder. Let it boil
• Put the paneer balls in and cover with the lid. Pressure cook till one whistle.
• Take the remaining 500 ml milk in a kadai and boil it. Remember to keep stirring the milk, or it will stick to the bottom and give a burnt flavour. Simmer on low flame for 15 minutes
• Let it cool. Add the rasgullas to this mix and add sugar-free Natura powder. Decorate with chopped almonds.
• Serve cold.

Good for: Diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, women’s health

Carrot Halwa

This is a sweet vegetable mithai. The natural sweetness of carrots and beetroot helps to cut down on the amount of sugar required, thus making it low-fat food!

Ingredients

• 3 tsp ghee
• 1/3 cup grated low fat mava (khoya)
• 2 1/4 cups grated carrot
• 3/4 cup grated beetroot
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 tsp cardamom (elaichi) powder

How to prepare:

• Heat 1 tsp of ghee in a deep non-stick pan, add the mava and sauté on a medium flame for 2 to 3 remove and keep aside
• In the same pan, add the remaining 2 tsp ghee and carrots and sauté on a medium flame for 5 to 7 minutes till they are half-cooked. Sprinkle some water if required
• Add the milk, sugar, mava and cardamom powder, mix well and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes or till the liquid evaporates, while stirring occasionally. Serve hot

Good for: It is a good source of Vitamin A and calcium, so it is good for bone health and immune system

Jowar ladoos

Jowar (sorghum) is rich in minerals and calcium. Since it is gluten-free, jowar makes it to our list of a healthy diet!

Ingredients

• 1 cup Bengal gram flour (besan)
• 2 cups of jowar flour
• 3/4 cup brown sugar or 1 cup sweetener
• 5-6 cloves
• 1-2 tsp cardamom powder
• 4 tsp vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup almonds

How to prepare:

• Put a little oil in a wok and roast half the portion of almonds. Set it aside
• Pour 1/2 cup of water in 3/4 cup of sugar. Allow it to boil till you have one-thread consistency. To check the consistency, lift a small portion of the syrup and allow it to cool for a few seconds
• Now touch the syrup with a clean forefinger and then touch your thumb and forefinger together and pull apart gently. A single thread should form without breaking
• Remove from flame. Pour all the ingredients in the hot sugar syrup. Mix well and allow it to cool for one hour
• Now make small round balls out of the mixture. Garnish with the rest of the almonds and serve!

Good for: Diabetes, bone health, weight loss

Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

Everyone knows that dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, which help to improve heart health. So, when combined with chia seeds, imagine what a healthy and sugar-free sweet it could be!

How to prepare:

• In a bowl add 2 tbsp chia seeds
• Add ½ cup milk
• 2 tbsp dark chocolate powder
• ½ tsp cinnamon powder
• Mix well & place in fridge until set
• Remove & top with dark chocolate chips (optional)
• Best enjoyed chilled

Good for: Heart diseases, diabetes

Buy Chocolates Online and Chia Seeds Here.

Choconut bananas

We all know that bananas are healthy. But, if you’re bored of eating the regular banana, how about adding some chocolate flavour and chopped nuts to it? Try this choconut bananas recipe!

Ingredients:

• 4 bananas (elaichi)
• 2 cups dark chocolate (grated)
• 15 to 20 almonds
• 10 to 15 cashew nuts
• 10 to 15 walnuts
• 15 to 20 pistachios (blanched and peeled)
• 3 tbsp desiccated coconut

How to prepare:

• Peel and slice the bananas into diamonds. Chill a silicon sheet
• Melt chocolate in the microwave at 60% for 2 to 3 minutes. Meanwhile dry roast almonds, cashew nuts and walnuts on low heat till crisp
• Cool slightly and put in a mixer jar. Add pistachios to the hot pan and let them dry. Add to the rest of the nuts. Remove the chocolate from the oven and whisk till smooth
• Grind the nuts coarsely and transfer to a bowl. Add desiccated coconut and mix well. Pick up each banana piece with a fork, dip in chocolate and roll in nut-coconut mixture till well coated and place on the silicon sheet
• Some pieces can be just dipped only in chocolate and kept on the sheet
• You can sprinkle a little of the nut-coconut mixture over some of these. Keep in a refrigerator to set. Serve chilled.

Good for: Digestion, heart diseases, high blood pressure