Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi is a celebration of the beautiful bond between siblings. Traditionally, sweets are an integral part of this festival, symbolising the sweetness of the relationship. However, with the growing awareness about health and fitness, many people are looking for healthier options instead of sugar-laden sweets. Luckily, there are many healthy alternatives to eat without compromising on taste or health. Here are 6 such options that you will love. Healthier sweets You can prepare for it Rakhi Which are both tasty and nutritious.
Ragi Laddu
Ragi or finger millet is a powerhouse of nutrition, rich in calcium, iron and fibre. Ragi laddus are a great alternative to traditional laddus and can be naturally sweetened with jaggery, making them both delicious and nutritious. The nutty flavour of ragi combines beautifully with cardamom and ghee, making a guilt-free dish that everyone will love.
how to make it:
Dry roast the ragi flour till it smells aromatic.
Add ghee, cardamom and jaggery syrup to bind the mixture.
Shape the mixture into laddus and they are ready to be served.
These laddus are not only delicious but also aid digestion and strengthen bones, making them a perfect choice as a healthy gift on the occasion of Rakhi.
Dates and dry fruit barfi
Dates are nature’s sweet and are rich in natural sugars, fibre and antioxidants. Pairing them with nuts like almonds, cashews and walnuts will give you a dessert that is not only delicious but also full of healthy fats and protein.
how to make it:
Grind the dates and make a thick paste.
Roast the dry fruits of your choice in ghee and mix them with date paste.
Press the mixture into a tray and allow it to freeze before cutting it into barfi pieces.
This sweet treat is free from refined sugar and provides a sustained source of energy, perfect for celebrating Rakhi without the sugar cravings.
Coconut Laddu with molasses
Coconut laddus are a classic Rakhi dessert, but instead of using condensed milk or refined sugar, you can make a healthier version using jaggery. Jaggery is rich in iron and other minerals, and when combined with the goodness of coconut, it makes for a delicious and healthy dish.
how to make it:
Roast the grated coconut till it turns light golden.
Add jaggery syrup and cardamom to the roasted coconut.
Mix well and shape into small laddus.
These coconut laddus are naturally sweet and can be made in just a few minutes, making them a quick and easy healthy dessert.
Oats and Almond Pudding
For a modern twist on a traditional pudding, try making oats and almond halwa. Oats are a great source of fibre and help lower cholesterol levels, while almonds provide protein and healthy fats.
how to make it:
Roast the oats till they become aromatic and then grind them finely.
Heat ghee in a pan and add ground almonds along with oats powder to it.
Add milk, jaggery and cardamom to it and cook till the mixture thickens and becomes pudding.
This healthier version of halwa is perfect for those who want to enjoy the festive flavours without the extra sugar and calories.
Chia seed pudding with fruits
Chia seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and antioxidants, making them a superfood in their own right. Chia seed pudding is not only healthy, but it’s also super easy to make, and you can top it with fresh fruits like mango, pomegranate or berries to give it natural sweetness and vibrant color.
how to make it:
Soak chia seeds in coconut milk or almond milk for a few hours or overnight.
Sweeten it with a little honey or maple syrup.
Layer the pudding with fresh fruit and refrigerate it before serving.
This light and refreshing dessert is a perfect healthy option for Rakhi, offering a burst of flavour with minimal effort.
Baked Apple Kheer
Kheer is a traditional Indian dessert that many people love, but it can be made even healthier by replacing sugar with natural sweeteners and fruit. Baked apple kheer is a delicious alternative to the usual rice kheer, providing the sweetness of apples and the creaminess of milk without the added sugar.
how to make it:
Cook the apples till they become soft and then mash them to make a puree.
Cook the milk with some cardamom and add apple puree to it.
Sweeten with dates or jaggery and cook till it thickens.
This apple kheer offers the perfect balance between creamy flavour and natural sweetness, making it a perfect dessert to enjoy on Raksha Bandhan.
Celebrating Raksha Bandhan with traditional sweets is an important part of the festival, but choosing healthier options can help you enjoy it without any guilt. These six healthy sweets offer the best of both worlds – promoting tradition and focusing on health. From nutrient-rich Ragi Laddoos to antioxidant-rich Dates and Nuts Barfi, each sweet is packed with nutritious ingredients. So, this Rakhi, treat your loved ones to these delicious, nutritious and easy-to-make sweets that everyone can enjoy!
Ragi Laddu
Ragi or finger millet is a powerhouse of nutrition, rich in calcium, iron and fibre. Ragi laddus are a great alternative to traditional laddus and can be naturally sweetened with jaggery, making them both delicious and nutritious. The nutty flavour of ragi combines beautifully with cardamom and ghee, making a guilt-free dish that everyone will love.
how to make it:
Dry roast the ragi flour till it smells aromatic.
Add ghee, cardamom and jaggery syrup to bind the mixture.
Shape the mixture into laddus and they are ready to be served.
These laddus are not only delicious but also aid digestion and strengthen bones, making them a perfect choice as a healthy gift on the occasion of Rakhi.
Dates and dry fruit barfi
Dates are nature’s sweet and are rich in natural sugars, fibre and antioxidants. Pairing them with nuts like almonds, cashews and walnuts will give you a dessert that is not only delicious but also full of healthy fats and protein.
how to make it:
Grind the dates and make a thick paste.
Roast the dry fruits of your choice in ghee and mix them with date paste.
Press the mixture into a tray and allow it to freeze before cutting it into barfi pieces.
This sweet treat is free from refined sugar and provides a sustained source of energy, perfect for celebrating Rakhi without the sugar cravings.
Coconut Laddu with molasses
Coconut laddus are a classic Rakhi dessert, but instead of using condensed milk or refined sugar, you can make a healthier version using jaggery. Jaggery is rich in iron and other minerals, and when combined with the goodness of coconut, it makes for a delicious and healthy dish.
how to make it:
Roast the grated coconut till it turns light golden.
Add jaggery syrup and cardamom to the roasted coconut.
Mix well and shape into small laddus.
These coconut laddus are naturally sweet and can be made in just a few minutes, making them a quick and easy healthy dessert.
Oats and Almond Pudding
For a modern twist on a traditional pudding, try making oats and almond halwa. Oats are a great source of fibre and help lower cholesterol levels, while almonds provide protein and healthy fats.
how to make it:
Roast the oats till they become aromatic and then grind them finely.
Heat ghee in a pan and add ground almonds along with oats powder to it.
Add milk, jaggery and cardamom to it and cook till the mixture thickens and becomes pudding.
This healthier version of halwa is perfect for those who want to enjoy the festive flavours without the extra sugar and calories.
Chia seed pudding with fruits
Chia seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and antioxidants, making them a superfood in their own right. Chia seed pudding is not only healthy, but it’s also super easy to make, and you can top it with fresh fruits like mango, pomegranate or berries to give it natural sweetness and vibrant color.
how to make it:
Soak chia seeds in coconut milk or almond milk for a few hours or overnight.
Sweeten it with a little honey or maple syrup.
Layer the pudding with fresh fruit and refrigerate it before serving.
This light and refreshing dessert is a perfect healthy option for Rakhi, offering a burst of flavour with minimal effort.
Baked Apple Kheer
Kheer is a traditional Indian dessert that many people love, but it can be made even healthier by replacing sugar with natural sweeteners and fruit. Baked apple kheer is a delicious alternative to the usual rice kheer, providing the sweetness of apples and the creaminess of milk without the added sugar.
how to make it:
Cook the apples till they become soft and then mash them to make a puree.
Cook the milk with some cardamom and add apple puree to it.
Sweeten with dates or jaggery and cook till it thickens.
This apple kheer offers the perfect balance between creamy flavour and natural sweetness, making it a perfect dessert to enjoy on Raksha Bandhan.
Celebrating Raksha Bandhan with traditional sweets is an important part of the festival, but choosing healthier options can help you enjoy it without any guilt. These six healthy sweets offer the best of both worlds – promoting tradition and focusing on health. From nutrient-rich Ragi Laddoos to antioxidant-rich Dates and Nuts Barfi, each sweet is packed with nutritious ingredients. So, this Rakhi, treat your loved ones to these delicious, nutritious and easy-to-make sweets that everyone can enjoy!
