Diwali is almost here, and it is the best time to feed ourselves some amazing sweets. While there are endless options that you can make and have, these high calorie sweets may hamper your weight loss regime. It may also increase the level of LDL cholesterol in our body which is not good for our heart health. So, if you are also worried about the same, fret not, as today we bring you some low-calorie sweets that you can easily prepare at your home.
Try some of these low-calorie recipes to reduce your fat intake and in turn keep your cholesterol in check.
1. Avocado Shrikhand
Ingredients
- Avocado pulp – 1 cup
- Hung curds – 1 cup
- Honey – ¾ cup
- Dry fruits – ½ cup
Method
- Take 1 cup of hung curd and 1/2 a cup of avocado pulp in a bowl and whisk it till it gets blended to a creamy texture.
- Add 3/4 cup of honey, some dry fruits if you like, give it a mix again, and you’re almost done!
- Now repeat the same procedure without the avocado and make plain shrikhand with the remaining ingredients.
Procedure:
- Take a shot glass, dip the edge of the glass in honey, and coat it with finely chopped almonds.
- Now put 2 layers of avocado shrikhand and a layer of plain shrikhand on top of it. Lastly, add another layer of avocado shrikhand again.
- Top the shrikhand shots with dry fruits (your choice – could be apricots, raisins and almonds)
- Serve immediately or chill it for more taste!
Avocados contain monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). Studies have shown decrease in levels of LDL on consuming Avocados. Honey contains a diverse group of chemical components known as polyphenols. Many studies have found that natural honey reduces triglycerides, LDL, and total cholesterol in our body.
2. Flaxseeds Til Dates Ladoo
Ingredients
- Grated dates – 1 cup
- Flax Seeds – 1/4 cup
- Sesame seeds – 3 tbsp
- Peeled cardamom – 2 tbsp
- Ghee – 1 tbsp
- Chopped almonds – 2 tbsp
Method
- Add dates to a blender and make it into a coarse paste and keep it aside without adding any water.
- Pan roast flax seeds for 2-3 minutes at a low flame. Then transfer it to a plate and let it cool down.
- Roast sesame seeds in the same pan. When it cools, grind both roasted sesame and flax seeds in the dry grinder along with peeled cardamom to a semi-coarse mixture.
- Transfer it to a bowl along with the dates. Now in a large kadai heat 1 tbsp of ghee and add chopped almonds.
- Roast this on low flame for 2 minutes and add all the other ingredients.
- Give it a nice mix, turn off the stove, take the required quantity of mixture, and roll it into a round ladoos.
Benefits of the recipe
“Flaxseeds have 30% dietary fibre. Flaxseeds help in lowering total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Ghee, also known as clarified butter, has been used as a restorative agent in Ayurveda for thousands of years. It improves the absorption and assimilation by increasing the digestive fire (agni). Research on Ghee reveal its beneficial effects on decreasing total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Also, dates are high in soluble fibre, which can help lower cholesterol when consumed as part of a healthy diet,” says Dr Pasi.
3. Ragi Kheer
Ingredients
- Ragi flour – 1 tbsp
- Grated jaggery – 1 tbsp
- Cardamom powder – ¼th tbsp
- Milk (coconut milk is the vegan option) – 150 – 200 ml
- Water (can replace with milk if a creamier texture is desirable) – 1 cup
- Crushed dry fruits – 1 tbsp
Method
- Dry roast the ragi flour. In 2-3 minutes it starts to change colour and you can smell the aroma. Set aside to cool.
- Once cool, make a ragi slurry, first using a small quantity of water (2/3 tablespoons). Make sure there are no lumps. Then add additional water (100-150 ml) to slurry and mix.
- Start heating the milk. Add cardamom powder, and crushed dry fruits/nuts of your choice. Once the milk starts to boil, slowly pour ragi slurry into it while constantly stirring the mixture.
- In about 2-3 minutes of boiling, the mixture starts to thicken. Keep stirring until you achieve a creamy consistency (as thick as you like) and turn the flame off.
- Add grated jaggery and stir again.
- Serve hot and enjoy.
Benefits of the recipe
“Ragi is a very nutritious millet, high in dietary fibre and essential amino acids. It contains amino acids – lecithin and methionine, which help lower cholesterol by removing excess fat from the liver. Dry fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals, as well as monounsaturated fat, which can help decrease cholesterol,” says Dr Pasi.
4. Ragi Laddoo
Ingredients
- 1 cup ragi flour
- 3/4 cup jaggery grated or powdered)
- 1/4 cup ghee
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (cashews, almonds, pistachios)
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
- A pinch of salt
Method
- Dry roast the ragi flour: Heat a pan over medium heat and add the ragi flour. Dry roast the flour for about 5-7 minutes, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
- The flour should turn slightly aromatic and light brown. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Prepare the jaggery syrup: In a separate pan, add the jaggery and a little water (just enough to cover the jaggery). Heat the pan over low heat and stir until the jaggery completely dissolves. Strain the jaggery syrup to remove any impurities and set it aside.
- Combine the ingredients: In a mixing bowl, add the roasted ragi flour, cardamom powder, pinch of salt, and chopped nuts (if desired). Mix well to combine the ingredients evenly.
- Make the laddoos: Heat the ghee in a small pan until melted. Pour the melted ghee into the dry mixture and mix thoroughly. Gradually add the strained jaggery syrup to the mixture while continuously mixing. The mixture should be moist enough to form laddoos.
- Shape the laddoos: Take a small portion of the mixture and roll it between your palms to form a round laddoo.
- Allow to cool and set.
Also Read: Small Is Beautiful This Diwali As Gold Prices Soar
