Indian culture and cuisine are characterised primarily by sweets, which are often associated with celebrations and festivals. But, there are many such traditional Indian sweets that are high in sugar and fat and can do more harm than good to our health when consumed in excess. Worry not though!
There are many healthy sweets too, in India, that are delicious and nutritious, and suitable for people of all ages. Natural ingredients like nuts, dried fruits, and whole grains are used to make these sweets, which make them a good dose of essential nutrients like protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. In today’s article, let’s check out some of the best healthy sweets in India that you can enjoy guilt-free for all ages!
Best Healthy Sweets In India Suitable For People Of All Ages
1. Golpapdi
Wheat flour, jaggedy (known as Gol or God in Gujarati), ghee, and nuts like almonds and sesame seeds come together to make this traditional Gujarati sweet called Golpapdi. All these ingredients are mixed together and cooked until they form a thick, fudge-like mixture that is taken off the heat and transferred into a huge plate called thaari. It is then left to cool and set, and is later cut into small squares or diamonds. The resulting Golpapdi is a great source of iron, fiber, and other essential nutrients, and is widely known for its rich, nutty flavour.
2. Mohanthal Mithai
Mohanthal Mithai is a popular Rajasthani sweet made with besan (gram flour), ghee, sugar, and nuts like almonds and pistachios. The process of making Mohanthal Mithai involves roasting the besan in ghee until it turns golden brown, and then adding sugar syrup (called chaashni) along with the nuts and cardamom powder. Similar to Golpapdi, the mixture is then transferred to a thaari and allowed to cool and set. It is also cut into squares or diamonds. Mohanthal Mithai is ready as a result, and now you can enjoy a good source of protein and fiber, which is also known for its soft, crumbly texture and delicious taste.
3. Dry Fruit Punch with Dates
Dry fruit punch with dates is a healthy and delicious snack that is made with a mix of dried fruits like cashews, almonds, and raisins, combined with dates and flavoured with cardamom and saffron. A coarse mixture is formed by grinding the ingredients together, which is then shaped into small balls or bars. It is a great source of energy, fiber and essential nutrients, and is a perfectly healthy snack option.
4. Dry Fruit Square with Anjeer
The dry fruit square with anjeer is a healthy sweet made with dried figs (also known as Anjeer), dates, almonds and cashews. All of these ingredients are mixed together and cut into small squares. The resulting dry fruit square with anjeer is a good source of iron, calcium, and other essential nutrients. Check out this option if you wish to satisfy your sweet cravings while also getting a healthy dose of nutrition!
5. Kalakand
Kalakand is a UP-originated popular milk-based sweet. Its primary ingredients are paneer (cottage cheese), condensed milk, sugar, and cardamom flavouring. The paneer is cooked with the condensed milk until it thickens and forms a solid mass, after which it is flavoured with cardamom and cut into small squares or diamonds. It is a good source of protein and calcium and has a soft, creamy texture and a delicious taste.
6. Kaju Katli
Here comes the most popular sweet in India, Kaju Katli! It is probably everyone’s favourite mixture of cashews, sugar and ghee. The cashews are ground into a fine powder, and mixed with sugar and ghee until a thick, fudgy mixture is formed. The mixture is then rolled out, and once it is cut into diamond-shaped pieces, it is ready to eat! It is a good source of protein and healthy fats and is known for its rich, nutty flavour, and a texture that melts in your mouth.
7. Soanpapdi
Soanpapdi is a popular North Indian sweet made with besan (gram flour), ghee, and sugar and flavoured with cardamom. A dough is formed by mixing all the ingredients, which is then rolled out and cut into small squares or rectangles. They are then fried until they turn golden brown to give them a crispy texture, and layers of flaky, crunchy goodness. It is an extremely good source of energy and essential nutrients and has a unique flaky texture along with a delicious taste.
Conclusion
To sum it all up, we, as Indians, take pride in our sweets and their rich cultural significance. They are not just mere tools to satisfy our sweet cravings, but also an important part of our festivals and celebrations, and are often shared with friends and family, symbolising the joy of togetherness. Do not forget to try out these best healthy sweets in India suitable for all ages, not just for satisfying your sweet tooth, but also experiencing the warmth and hospitality of our culture.