Choose these low-calorie sweets to enjoy a healthy Diwali

Diwali or Deepavali is the time when we celebrate love and lights, and also the delicious sweet dishes that melts in our mouth. It is believed that the custom to exchange sweets during diwali was adopted from the North India. However, the delicacies which were prepared in the ancient homes, as part of some festivals, later became the diwali 'special' sweets. These sweets made its way into the Southern Indian states and then treated the taste buds of millions of people around the world.

Milk is the main ingredient in the sweets which are primarily made during the diwali season. All purpose flour, gram flour, cashews and ghee too add unique flavors and textures to the sweet dishes. It is the epic Mysore Pak which adorns the leading position among the sweets that are sold during diwali. Halwa of different flavours and colours, plump and syrupy gulab jamun, barfi, laddoo, jilebi and milk peda are some of the most popular sweets that are exchanged between people during diwali.

Loaded with sugar, the Indian sweets contain significant amount of calories as well. This increases the blood sugar level leading to obesity and other health issues. Those with diabetes, high blood pressure and severe heart conditions should strictly avoid sweets and desserts which are generously served during the diwali season. However, not all sweet dishes are harmful, if they are consumed in limited quantities. Here are some delicious sweets and desserts which have low calories and also provide vital nutrients to the body.

Kaju katli

A piece of kaju katli contains 57 calories of energy. Compared to other sweets, this is significantly low. Read the recipe here

Puran poli

This popular sweet dish looks like chapathi or a flat bread. It contains 80 calories of energy and is an excellent snack if healthier ingredients are added as well. Read the recipe here

Shrikhand

50 gms of shrikhand has 130 calories of energy. A rich source of energy, it contains protein and carbohydrates as well. Read the recipe here

Kalakand

A piece of kalakand has 100 calories.

Kheer

Milk is the main ingredient used in kheer. Garnished generously with cashews, raisins and pistachios, it provides potassium required for the body.

Peda

It contains 82 calories, and has lots of potassium in it. Read the recipe here

Almond burfi

Almond burfi, which has 135 calories of energy, supplies potassium.