Indian Healthy Desserts for Guilt-Free Indulgence

Indian Healthy Desserts can be made in a healthy way. This involves using nutritious ingredients, less added sugars, and healthier substitutes while maintaining the original flavors. These healthy desserts are modified versions of classic recipes as a wholesome and satisfying treat.

Can Healthy Desserts be healthy and delicious at the same time?

Indian healthy desserts are a delicious blend of traditional flavors and nourishing ingredients. Healthy desserts are made using wholesome alternatives to refined sugars, flours, and unhealthy fats. For instance, you can try date and nut laddoosa, which are made with natural sweeteners, whole grain flours, and nuts for an added dose of nutrition and texture to healthy desserts. Alternatively, you can go for fruit-based healthy desserts such as mango shrikhand, a yogurt-based delicacy that's flavored with fresh mango pulp and sweetened with a small amount of honey or jaggery. These healthy desserts use Indian spices such as cardamom and saffron, which add a distinctive flavor and aroma, and may also have health benefits. Indian healthy desserts made with healthy ingredients show that you can enjoy the sweetness of traditional treats while taking care of your body.

Recipes for Healthy Desserts

Vegan Gajar Ka Halwa:

Recipe for a healthier version of Gajar Ka Halwa, a traditional Indian but healthy dessert. This recipe of healthy dessert uses homemade coconut milk or cashew milk instead of dairy milk, and does not include refined sugar or ghee/oil. Nuts and dates are added for sweetness and flavor. This healthy dessert is both delicious and healthy as it is vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free. Making it will fill your entire house with a heavenly aroma. And the best part? You can indulge without any guilt.

ingredients you'll need for this healthy dessert:

4 cups of shredded Indian or winter red carrots (you can use a food processor to shred them)

20 strands of saffron (kesar)

1 ½ cups of organic dates paste, or a combination of 1 cup of dates paste and ½ cup of jaggery

¼ cup of coconut cream or thick coconut milk (optional)

¼ cup of cashew milk or any plant-based milk

1 tablespoon of organic golden raisins

1 tablespoon of melon seeds

1 tablespoon of slivered unsalted organic almonds

1 tablespoon of slivered unsalted organic pistachios

1 teaspoon of freshly ground cardamom powder

1-2 tablespoons of organic almond powder or flour

1. To make the healthy dessert carrot halwa, first cook shredded carrots and saffron strands on medium heat for 5 minutes in a large pot, stirring occasionally. 
2. Then, add cashew milk and stir well. Cover the pot and let the healthy dessert cook on low heat for another 5 minutes. 
3. Next, add dates paste or jaggery, almond flour, cardamom, and a few nuts. Cover the pot and let it cook on low heat for another 5 minutes. Make sure to stir the healthy dessert halwa occasionally. 
4. Turn off the flame and let the healthy dessert halwa sit for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped nuts and serve warm or cool. 
5. You can also pair it with vegan vanilla ice cream for a delicious healthy dessert treat.

Bulgur Wheat Kheer:

Kheer is an incredibly popular and irresistible Indian dish which can be made into a healthy dessert. Traditional kheer recipes tend to be high in fat and calories due to the use of excessive sugar, nuts, and full-fat milk. In this version, we have made a healthier twist by incorporating high-fiber bulgur wheat, low-fat milk, and only a tablespoon of sugar per serving of this healthy dessert.

ingredients you'll need for the healthy dessert:

1/4 cup of broken wheat (also known as dalia)

1 1/2 cups of low-fat milk

1/2 teaspoon of cardamom (or elaichi) powder

2 tablespoons of sugar, and a few strands of saffron (or kesar). 

For the garnish, you can add 1-2 shredded rose petals.

1. To prepare bulgur wheat healthy dessert kheer, first rinse it and let it sit in a cup of water for 15 to 20 minutes. 
2. Once soaked, discard the water and cook the bulgur wheat with a cup of fresh water. Once the water has evaporated, add milk and sugar and bring to a boil. 
3. Let the mixture cool. Then, dissolve saffron in 2 tablespoons of milk and add it along with cardamom powder to the cooked mixture. 
4. Mix well and serve chilled; garnish the healthy dessert with shredded rose petals.

Low Fat Sandesh: 

Make the classic Bengali sweet Sandesh using fresh paneer (also known as chenna). To make it a more interesting healthy dessert,  add oranges and strawberries to the low-fat paneer, which is rich in calcium, and the fruits, which are high in vitamin C. This makes for a delicious and attractive healthy dessert perfect for special occasions.

For the Sandesh

Ingredients:

1 cup of low fat cottage cheese (paneer)

4 teaspoons of stevia sugar

2 teaspoons of skimmed milk powder

1 tablespoon of low fat milk.

For the garnish

1/4 cup of a variety of chopped fruits.

To make the orange sauce

1/3 cup fresh orange juice

1/4 tsp cornflour

1 tsp stevia sugar

2 to 3 drops of lemon juice.

1. To make healthy dessert Sandesh, blend all the ingredients together until smooth. 
2. Spread the mixture evenly in a 4-inch serving dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
3. For the orange sauce, mix all the ingredients in a pan and cook until the sugar dissolves.
4. Let it cool. 
5. Garnish the Sandesh with chopped fruits, then cut it into squares.
6. Serve healthy dessert Sandesh with the orange sauce.

Low Fat Custard:

Custard can be a healthy dessert if we use low-fat skimmed milk instead of full-fat milk or cream. This still results in a creamy texture, enjoyable taste and excellent healthy dessert, but with less fat and calories. Skimmed milk is a better choice for those who are monitoring their fat intake because it has less saturated fat. To make this healthy custard a guilt-free healthy dessert, add sugar substitute and a hint of vanilla extract for flavor. This healthy dessert will satisfy your cravings while supporting a balanced diet.

Ingredients needed for this healthy dessert

Custard powder

3/4 cup low fat skimmed milk

2 tbsp honey, coconut sugar, or jaggery powder. 

Some vanilla extract

Freshly chopped fruits

1. To make the low fat custard, in a saucepan, bring milk to a boil. In the meantime, mix 2 tbsp of custard powder with 2 tbsp of warm milk to form a slurry. 
2. Once the milk starts boiling, add the custard powder mix and stir continuously to avoid lumps. 
3. Add 2 tbsp of honey, coconut sugar or jaggery powder. 
4. Finally, decorate the dish with freshly chopped fruit and your healthy dessert is ready.

Are sugar-free Healthy Desserts better than Sugary Desserts?

Sugar-free healthy desserts are usually considered better than regular sweets containing sugar because they have fewer calories and often utilize artificial sweeteners instead of sugar.

Do Sugar-Free Healthy Desserts Taste Good?

The flavor of sugar-free candies may differ based on the sweetener used. For some, they serve as a suitable substitute for regular candies as a healthy dessert, while others may perceive a distinction in taste. The choice depends on individual liking.

Can Sugar-Free Healthy Desserts be part of a Balanced Diet?

Healthy desserts can be a part of a balanced diet, but it's essential to consume them in moderation and take into account the nutritional value of your overall diet.

Do Sugar-Free hHealthy Desserts affect Blood Sugar Levels?

Sugar-free healthy desserts have a lower impact on blood sugar levels than sugary desserts and are typically lower in carbohydrates. Nevertheless, individuals with diabetes or other conditions that necessitate blood sugar monitoring should still exercise caution and seek advice from a healthcare professional.