While celebrations are meant to be a happy occasion, people sometimes feel guilty for cheating on their diet and eating foods they normally wouldn’t eat. Diwali is a day when people love to indulge in sweets. And it can lead to possible feelings of guilt about calorie consumption. It can also be harmful for diabetics. Nutritionist Nmami Agarwal suggests that you can actually eat goodies without guilt and enjoy Diwali in a healthier way.
She brings you some healthy sweet options that can be made with a dash of Oleev olive-pomace oil, which has a neutral flavor that enhances the flavor of these Diwali treats and is also high in monounsaturated fat which are good for heart health.
1. Coconut barfi
Coconut is high in fiber, copper, iron, manganese, and healthy fats. Because of its high iron content, it is beneficial for people with anemia. It’s good for the immune system and bones. Take freshly grated coconut and heat it with milk, then take the oil and add the coconut soaked in milk and stir. Add milk and jaggery powder and let cool. When you’re done, cut it into squares.
2. Multigrain Ladoo
These are great for people trying to lose weight or who have diabetes. All you need is a tablespoon of oil. You can use pearl millet flour, ragi, jowar, wheat flour, cashew nuts, flax seeds, sesame seeds, cardamom and jaggery for this. Heat some olive pomace oil in a pan and add all the flours; Melt the jaggery and add the dried fruit. Let cool, grease your hands and shape into small balls.
A delicious creamy, milk and rice-based Punjabi-style dessert, Phirni has a thick creamy texture and is traditionally served in clay containers and enjoyed on special occasions like Diwali, Karwa Chauth, and Eid. (Photo: Getty / Thinkstock)
3. Quinoa phirni
Phirni is a milk pudding made from toasted quinoa, saffron threads, dates, almonds, and cardamom powder that has many nutritional benefits. This is good for people with high blood sugar. It’s a gluten-free dish that’s high in amino acids, fiber, antioxidants, and protein. Toast the quinoa in oil until its color turns light brown, add water, then when the volume is halved add milk and saffron and other ingredients. Mix well and serve.
4. Yeast bites
Ragi Bites, or finger millet, is a nutritious composition of calcium, protein, iron and fiber. There are no trans fats or maida and it’s gluten free too. Ragi is high in carbohydrates and Ragi biscuits contain vitamin D, which improves vitality and skin tissue and reduces wrinkles. Keeping diabetes at bay is good. Mix the ragi flour, jaggery powder and nuts and knead with your hands with a little oil to form a dough. Now cut the dough into circles, press flat with your palms and bake.
5. Almond and walnut squares
Simply prepared at home, you can use all kinds of nuts, almonds, peanuts, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts, etc. for baking. Mix them with seeds and combine them with honey, maple syrup, and salt and oil. Take them out on parchment paper, cut them into squares and let them cool.
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