Calling all diabetics! Celebrate Diwali without sugar worries with these recipes

Sugar is an inseparable part of Diwali mithai. But what if you’re a diabetic and can’t enjoy those sweet delights? Well, ladies believing that diabetics can’t eat anything is a myth. Being diabetic does not mean that you have to give up on sweets entirely. There are many people who think that cutting out sugar delicacies will help them manage blood sugar levels. Therefore, one of the first things they eliminate from a diet is sweets. Turns out, it isn’t exactly sweet but the ingredients you use to prepare them can have a negative impact on your blood sugar level. 

Anything with all-purpose flour and sugar is harmful to health and that’s why you need to be extra cautious when it comes to sweet intake. The solution? Using alternative ingredients will ensure you don’t have to compromise on taste or health! Hence, we have a few healthy recipes made out of honey or jaggery for your Diwali celebrations. 

Here are some diabetic friendly sweet recipes that you can make for Diwali:

1. Apple Rabdi

Dietician Gauri Anand, clinical nutritionist suggests apple rabdi recipe to HealthShots for diabetes patients. She says, “Apple rabdi can be made with sugar substitutes or jaggery. In addition, you should use low-fat milk to prepare this dessert. This ‘Low Fat Apple Rabdi’ is a healthful and fruity opportunity to the conventional rabdi recipe. It is an extraordinary dessert choice for diabetics, cardiac sufferers or the ones seeking weight loss.”

Ingredients

• 1 medium-sized apple (40 grams)
• 150 milliliter almond milk
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder
• 1/2 sugar substitute like jaggery or stevia
• ½ teaspoon cardamom powder 
• 5 grams almonds

Also, read: Diabetics, take note! Try out this apple kheer recipe to fulfil your sweet cravings

Method

1. Boil milk: To set up this flavorful rabdi, take any suitable container to boil milk in it until it is decreased to half of its genuine amount.
2. Grate the apples: In the meantime, wash the apples and mesh them appropriately.
3. Add apples and sugar substitute (Jaggery or stevia whichever you prefer) to the milk and stew over a low flame. Allow it to cook for a couple of moments.
4. Add dry fruits like almonds, cashews, cardamom powder, and saffron strands to the milk blend to add more flavour.
5. Serve: Mix well and remove from the fire. Serve hot or at room temperature. Ensure you attempt this formula, rate it and leave a remark in the segment underneath.

Enjoy the apple rabdi and satiate your taste buds.

2. RAGI SHEERA

Ragi sheera is a sweet dessert made from ragi flour and this diabetic friendly recipe is suggested by none other than dietitian Vaishnavi Gupta. 

Ingredients

• Grated carrot – 1 medium-sized
• Ghee 3tbsp
• Ragi flour 1 cup
• Milk 50ml
• A few chopped almonds & raisins
• Jaggery 2 tbsp (per taste) or stevia

Also, read: Diwali 2021: Whip up these 5 healthy desserts and add to the festive cheer

Method of Preparation

1. In a pan, roast grated carrots with some ghee. Roast until all the moisture is gone. 
2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, add ragi flour and some water.
3. Mix it well to make a lump free paste. 
4. Now add 3/4 cup water into the pan and stir well.
5. Add milk and stir again. 
6. Once the mixture comes to a boil, add the ragi flour paste. Continue stirring to avoid lumps
7. In case it becomes too thick, add some hot water or milk, don’t add cold water or milk. Cook the mixture for 7-8 minutes on low heat. Once it’s almost done, add chopped almonds
8. Switch off the heat and add jaggery & raisins and mix.

Transfer in a serving bowl!

3. Sweet Potato Kheer

Credit for the sweet potato kheer recipe again goes to dietitian Vaishnavi Gupta.  

Ingredients:

• Sweet potato 40g
• Coconut milk powder 1 tbsp
• Honey 1 tsp or stevia
• Coconut oil 5g
• Sea Salt a pinch

Method of Preparation:

1. In a cooking pot, heat the coconut oil.
2. Add the grated sweet potatoes and stir gently to coat the sweet potato pieces in the fat.
3. Add coconut milk powder, sea salt, and honey. Stir gently to mix well.
4. Cover the lid and cook on low heat for 5 minutes.
5. Open the lid and stir gently making sure the sweet potatoes are not sticking to the pot.
6. Cook it for 3 to 4 minutes until it gets a thick consistency, turn the heat off and let it cool for 10 minutes.

Place the pudding in the refrigerator for an hour before serving.

4. Banana mug cake

Banana mug cake is not very sugary and has no processed sugar. That’s why it can be consumed by diabetes patients as well, says Vaishnavi Gupta, who is a resident dietitian at Fitbee.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole Banana, peeled
• 1 Tbsp Coconut Oil,
• 2 Tbsp Coconut Milk
• 1/2 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
• 2 Tbsp Coconut Flour
• 1 tsp Cinnamon, ground
• 1/4 tsp Baking Soda

Method of Preparation:

1. Mash the banana and add coconut oil, coconut milk, and vanilla.
2. Add the coconut flour, cinnamon, and baking soda; mix well.
3. Transfer to a ramekin or coffee cup.
4. Microwave (800-watt power) for 3 minutes.
5. Let it cool down a bit and then enjoy!

But make sure you consume all these recipes in moderation and don’t go overboard with your portions. And wish you Happy, Sweet, and Healthy Diwali to all of you from HealthShots.