Halwa, a rich confection produced by heating food grains in milk and ghee, is one of the most famous desi treats. On exceptional occasions, such as festivals and celebrations, people all across the world love this confection. Across many cultures and cuisines in the world, halwa is a beloved dessert. The Middle East, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and some regions of Africa are other regions where halwa and its variants enjoy popularity.
Halwas are naturally rich and indulgent since they include a lot of sugar, full-fat milk, and fat-rich ghee. These ingredients aren't the healthiest in the world and if not consumed in moderation, they can easily lead to weight gain. But even with all this, you can make your halwas slightly healthier than before by making some small changes. Keep reading to learn more about those tips.
Choosing Natural Sweeteners
Choosing natural sweeteners like jaggery, honey, date syrup, or anjeer (figs) over refined sugar can be a health-conscious decision with several benefits. These alternatives not only bring sweetness to your diet but also come packed with additional nutrients, making them a more wholesome choice. You can use stevia and monk fruit extract sweeteners to make the halwa even healthier.
Use Whole Grains
Opting for whole-grain flours such as whole wheat, oats, or millet in your halwa preparation is a smart and health-conscious choice. These whole grains bring a multitude of benefits to your dish, enhancing both its nutritional profile and taste. This way, you can ensure that you get the goodness of healthy grains even when you are enjoying your favourite dessert. Not only that, but whole grains are often rich in fibre, thus making you feel fuller for longer.
Incorporate Nuts And Seeds
Enhancing your halwa with a diverse selection of nuts and seeds, such as almonds, walnuts, or chia seeds, is a delightful way to elevate both its nutritional content and texture. These additions not only contribute rich flavours but also bring a host of health benefits to your dish.
Using Low-Fat Milk
Although milk is essential to giving halwa its smooth and creamy texture, using lower-fat substitutes might be a wise move for anyone trying to watch their calorie intake or cut back on fat. You can achieve a rich taste without considerably increasing the calorie count by using plant-based alternatives like almond, soy, or oat milk, or by switching to low-fat milk instead of normal milk.
Switch To Healthy Fats
Make the smart decision to replace typical butter with healthy fats like cold-pressed oils like coconut oil, groundnut oil, or olive oil, which improves the nutritional profile of your halwa and supports heart health. Rich in healthy fatty acids, coconut oil and olive oil provide a number of health advantages.