Sweets, also known as “Misti,” have been a significant part of our cultural tradition since ancient times. In our Indian culture, no occasion is complete without a serving of sweets. It has become a habit to crave and consume sweets regularly, which has led many people to become overweight. Sweet foods inevitably contain sugar, which is a form of carbohydrate that can lead to weight gain. Being overweight can cause several health issues, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, breathing problems, and pregnancy complications. Despite the health risks, many of us find it challenging to resist the temptation of sweets. There are a few desserts that are healthy and can help you satisfy your sugar cravings.
1.Dates
There are numerous healthy foods that are readily available in our kitchens or at the market. However, we often forget about natural foods and end up consuming synthetic ones. If you’re currently on a weight loss journey or simply want to add more natural ingredients to your diet, you can consider adding dates as an alternative to sugar. Dates are highly nutritious and contain antioxidants, which can help you prevent many diseases. Additionally, they have a high fiber content which aids digestion, relieves constipation, controls blood sugar levels, promotes bone health, assists with weight management, and much more. The best part about dates is that they are a natural source of sugar. So, you can easily incorporate them into your daily meals as a sweetener.
2.Fruits
Fruits provide multiple benefits for the body and can satisfy sugar cravings. Here are some examples and their benefits.
- Apples: Maintain a healthy heart, reduce breathing problems, helps in weight loss, improve digestion, etc.
- Red grapes: Prevent the risk of cancer, boost immunity power, maintain cholesterol level, etc.
- Watermelons: Keep our body hydrated, increase energy level, help in weight loss, aid in detoxification, etc.
3.Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes are a great source of fiber, minerals, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and various other beneficial nutrients. Despite its name, sweet potatoes have a low sugar content, making them easy to store at home for longer periods of time. This vegetable is known to improve eye health and reduce stress and anxiety levels.
4.Chia Seeds
Chia Seeds are rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids, which makes them an excellent addition to a healthy diet. They are also known to help prevent heart diseases and aid in appetite control and weight management. You can enjoy chia seeds in many delicious ways, such as chia water, chia pudding, and chia smoothies.
5.Dark Chocolate
Chocolate is an irresistible emotion for most of us. Besides being a delicious treat, chocolate has numerous health benefits due to the presence of antioxidants and minerals. Although most chocolates are filled with sugar, dark chocolate has no added sugar and can provide many benefits. It can help in reducing stress and anxiety, aid in weight loss, and maintain good cholesterol levels. You can even make a chocolate milkshake using honey to satisfy your sugar cravings while still getting the benefits of dark chocolate.
6.Gajar Ka Halwa
Carrots, also known as gajar, are a great source of vitamins, nutrients, and minerals. One delicious way to enjoy them is by making gajar ka halwa. To prepare this sweet dish, you will need carrots, ghee, cardamom, cashews, milk, and jaggery powder. Let’s see the recipe for it:
Step 1: Put one teaspoon of ghee.
Step 2: Add 1/2 cardamom and a few crushed cashews. Saute them until they are a bit soft.
Step 3: Add the grated carrots and saute them.
Step 4: Add about 1 glass of milk. Cover the cooker and wait for 15-20 minutes.
Step 5: Add some jaggery powder. Mixing them together.
Finally, turn off the gas, and the halwa is ready to eat.
7.Smoothie
If you’re a fan of smoothies, there’s no shortage of tasty options you can whip up using just a few simple ingredients. Some delicious smoothies to try include cherry almond, ABC, carrot, pineapple green, and many more. Not only are these smoothies healthy, but they can also help you manage sugar cravings. They’re a great addition to your daily diet.
8.Oats
Oats are a type of whole grain that are high in fiber and provide us with important nutrients such as vitamin B, vitamin E, antioxidants, minerals, and healthy fats. Eating oats can help prevent diabetes, improve digestion, and even reduce the risk of cancer. There are many ways to enjoy oats, such as by adding seasonal vegetables to make masala oats, or by soaking oats overnight with milk to make oat pudding. You can also make a healthy oat smoothie by blending together milk, oats, bananas, dry fruits, and honey.
9.Kaju Barfi
Cashews, also known as Kaju, are a natural sweetener as they are the original source of sugar. They are packed with numerous minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, and vitamins including vitamin K, vitamin B, and vitamin E. You can consume cashews either raw or roasted, and they make a great addition to any dessert or smoothie.
10.Sugar Free Kheer
Kheer is a popular dessert made from two main ingredients – milk and sugar – that are commonly found in our kitchens. Its unique sweetness is what makes it a favorite among many. However, what if we wanted to make a sugar-free version? This is where adding dry fruits, such as dates, nuts, and raisins, come in as a natural sweetener. You can easily try making this dessert at home using these ingredients without any doubts.
11.Energy Bar
If you are a chocolate lover struggling to manage your weight, it can be difficult to cut sugar from your diet. In such a situation, you can replace your regular chocolate with an energy bar. Energy Bars are chocolate-based snacks that provide you with carbohydrate energy. They contain dry fruits, granola, whole-grain, fruits, oats, cereal, etc. However, some energy bars contain synthetic sugar, so it’s essential to check the ingredients and nutritional labels before purchasing them.
12.Yogurt
Yogurt is a great food to help regulate your appetite and control your sugar cravings. It is high in protein, phosphorus, and calcium. If you are trying to manage your appetite, it is recommended to choose Greek yogurt, which is high in protein and more beneficial for this purpose.
13.Mango Shake
Mango is one of our favorite fruits during the summer season. It is not only delicious but also has several health benefits. For instance, it is good for the heart, helps with weight loss, and is beneficial for the skin. If you want to try something unique, you can make a mango shake. All you need are a few ingredients such as mango, tomatoes, Greek yogurt, kiwi, etc. However, it is important to note that you should not add any sugar to the shake.
14.Coconut Laddoo
Coconut laddoo is a traditional Indian dish that has been passed down from our grandparents to our mother. However, in the midst of many new dishes, we seem to have forgotten about it. Coconut is a fantastic source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and is a natural sweetener fruit, meaning there is no need to add any sugar to it.
15.Atta Ka Halwa
Did you know that you can make a delicious dessert called atta ka halwa with just three simple ingredients? All you need is ghee, jaggery powder, and atta (also known as rice flour). Atta is a great source of fiber, it can help enhance liver function, and it’s gluten-free. Jaggery powder also has many benefits, such as preventing constipation, helping to control blood pressure, and aiding in weight management. This recipe is also known as kadha and is sometimes served as a prasad in Gurudwara.
16.Sugar Free Kalakand
Kalakand is a popular traditional sweet made from milk, ghee, paneer, sugar, and dry fruits. However, if you are looking for a sugar-free version of this delicacy, you can use a sugar substitute instead of sugar. The recipe for sugar-free kalakand is the same as the regular one, except for the use of a sugar substitute. You can try making it at home with the above-mentioned ingredients and enjoy a guilt-free treat.
17.Sugar Free Rasgulla
Rasgulla is a popular traditional Indian dessert. Nowadays, you can find sugar-free rasgulla at many sweet shops. However, if you wish to prepare it at home, you will need a few ingredients, including oil, flour, water, sugar substitute, cardamom.
18.Walnut Bar
A walnut bar is not just a delicious snack, it’s also an energy bar that offers numerous health benefits. It helps boost our immunity, aids in weight loss, and can even help alleviate anxiety. If you’re looking for a sweet treat, a walnut bar is a great option. It’s chewy and nutty, and will leave you feeling satisfied after indulging.
19.Jaggery Laddoo
Jaggery laddoo is a delicious and healthy dessert made primarily from jaggery, a natural sweetener obtained from the juice of sugarcane and date palm. Jaggery is available in liquid, thick, and granular forms in the market. It is a rich source of essential vitamins, minerals, and protein, making it a healthier alternative to synthetic sugar. You can replace synthetic sugar with jaggery in your desserts and enjoy its many benefits, such as weight management, maintaining healthy blood pressure levels, and providing energy to the body.
20.Protein Bar
A protein bar is a type of energy bar that provides a source of nutrition. However, due to our busy schedules, we often find it difficult to consume nutritious food. Fortunately, protein bars are affordable and can be easily incorporated into our diet, as they contain all the necessary nutrients.
