Nourishing Desserts for Any Celebration Season!

April 1, 2024

5 min reading time

Greetings, Nutrition Enthusiasts!

As the celebration season approaches, the aroma of joy and celebration fills the air. The season of festivities marks the beginning of a series of winter celebrations. With the festive spirit in full swing, it’s time to indulge in the warmth of family and friends, accompanied by the delightful flavors of nourishing desserts.

Here is a nutritious twist on the tradition. We present to you a selection of mouthwatering desserts that are not only perfect for celebrations and for the times when we crave for some sweetness on our palate.

Enjoy these delightful sweets while staying mindful of your health and taste buds! Yes, they contribute calories but also provide nutrients – the best way to enjoy a sweet.

1. Seed-Filled Dates with Peanut Butter

INGREDIENTS:
10 Dates (pitted)
1/4 cup Mix seeds (chia seeds, flaxseeds, sunflower seeds)
2 tablespoons Peanut butter (natural, no added sugar)
INSTRUCTIONS:
Slice dates lengthwise and remove pits.
In a blender, blend 1/4 cup seeds of your choice with 2 tablespoons of peanut butter until well combined.
Fill each date with the blended seed and peanut butter mixture.
Chill in the refrigerator before serving.
TIME TO PREPARE: 15 minutes
PORTION: 2 dates
CALORIES: Per portion (1 date)- Approximately 65 calorie

2. Millet Laddoo with Dates

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup Millet flour
1 cup Dates (pureed, for binding)
1/4 cup Ghee (clarified butter) (or use a reduced amount or substitute with oil for a lighter version)
1/4 cup Nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios – finely chopped)
INSTRUCTIONS:
Roast 1 cup millet flour in 1/4 cup ghee until it’s fragrant.
Add 1 cup pureed dates for binding and mix well.
Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then shape into laddoos.
Roll ladoos in 1/4 cup finely chopped nuts for added texture.
Let them set before serving.
TIME TO PREPARE: 20 minutes
YIELD: 10 laddoos
CALORIES: 157 calories per laddoo

3. Date and Almond Popsicles

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup Dates (softened and pitted) (reduced from 1 cup)
1/2 cup Almonds (blanched and chopped)
2 cups Milk (dairy or plant-based)
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract (optional)
2 teaspoons Honey (added for sweetness)
INSTRUCTIONS:
Blend 1/2 cup softened dates, 1/2 cup chopped almonds, 2 cups milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth.
Add 2 teaspoons of honey for sweetness and blend again.
Pour the mixture into popsicle molds.
Freeze until solid, preferably overnight.
Serve as a refreshing and nutritious popsicle.
TIME TO PREPARE: Approximately 15-20 minutes (excluding freezing time)
YIELD: Depends on the size of your popsicle molds
CALORIES: 106 calories per popsicle.

4. Chia Seed and Berry Pudding

INGREDIENTS:
2 tbsp Chia seeds
1 cup Mixed berries (fresh or frozen)
2 cups Unsweetened almond milk
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon Honey (added for sweetness)
INSTRUCTIONS:
Mix 2 tbsp chia seeds, 1 cup berries, 2 cups almond milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoons of honey in a bowl.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight, stirring occasionally.
Once the chia seeds have absorbed the liquid, the pudding is ready.
Top with additional berries before serving.
TIME TO PREPARE: 5 minutes (plus chilling time)
YIELD: 2 servings
CALORIES: 123 calories per serving

5. Sugar-Free Gulab Jamun

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup Khoya (reduced milk)
1/2 cup Almond flour
1 cup Dates (pureed, for sweetness)
1/2 teaspoon Cardamom powder
Ghee (for frying)
For Syrup:
1/2 teaspoon Arrowroot powder (reduced from 2 tablespoons)
1 cup Water
Stevia or any sugar substitute, to taste
INSTRUCTIONS:
Mix 1 cup khoya, 1/2 cup almond flour, 1 cup pureed dates, and 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder to form a dough.
Shape the dough into small balls (gulab jamuns).
Fry the balls in ghee until golden brown.
Prepare a syrup by dissolving 1/2 teaspoon of arrowroot powder in 1 cup of water, thickening it slightly on a low flame, and sweetening it with stevia or any sugar substitute to taste.
Soak the fried gulab jamuns in the arrowroot syrup before serving.
TIME TO PREPARE: 30 minutes
YIELD: 2 gulab jamuns
CALORIES: 113 calories per piece

The Art of Mindful Indulgence:

While the festivities encourage us to savor the sweetness of life, it’s crucial to approach our indulgences mindfully. Here are a few tips to ensure a balance between enjoying traditional treats and maintaining a healthy lifestyle:

Portion Control:
Embrace the joy of moderation by savoring small portions of your favorite sweets. This way, you can relish the flavors without compromising your well-being.
Healthy Meal Recipes:
Balance your festive indulgences with nourishing meals. Incorporate plenty of vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains into your diet to ensure a well-rounded nutritional intake.
Stay Active:
Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine, especially during the festive season. A brisk walk or a fun dance session with family can help burn off those extra calories.
Hydration is Key:
Stay hydrated during the festivities by drinking plenty of water. Proper hydration can help control cravings and prevent overindulgence in sweets.
Choose Wisely:
Opt for desserts made with healthier ingredients like whole grains, nuts, and seeds. Avoid excessive consumption of deep-fried or overly sugary treats.
Create Healthier Versions:
Experiment with alternative ingredients to make traditional sweets healthier. For example, use whole wheat flour, oats, or almond flour instead of refined flour.
Mindful Eating Practices:
Take the time to savor each bite and appreciate the flavors. Eating slowly allows your body to recognize when it’s full, reducing the likelihood of overeating.
Include Nutrient-Rich Snacks:
Integrate nutrient-dense snacks like roasted chickpeas, trail mix, or fresh fruit into your festive spread. This ensures a balance of flavors and helps manage overall calorie intake.

Celebrate with Loved Ones

Beyond the delightful array of sweets and treats, the true essence of the festivities lies in the joy of togetherness. The holiday season is a time to create lasting memories with friends and family. So, gather around, share laughter, and create moments that will be cherished for years to come.

Let’s celebrate not just with delicious treats but also with a commitment to our well-being. Indulge in the sweetness of life, savoring every moment, and nurturing your health along the way.

Stay Blessed!

Stay Nourished!

Author

Ms. Vibha Hasija

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Ms. Vibha Hasija

Contributor

MSc (Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics);
P.G. Diploma in Dietetics and Applied Nutrition;
Registered Dietitian

A strong believer in the power of preventive and therapeutic nutrition, the role of holistic healing and the integration of Body, Mind and the Soul, Ms. Vibha Hasija is an academician (Department of Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Home Science, Nirmala Niketan, University of Mumbai) since 23 years. An expert in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics and Nutritional Meal Planning, she is known for her powerful and highly effective teaching techniques in the field of Nutrition and Dietetics. She believes firmly in that – All changes happen first in the mind and this has been the guiding principle in her life as well as in applications in the field of Nutrition. Vibha has worked with her mentees in researching and creating Nutrition Communication Solutions and Educational Aids in the field of Clinical Nutrition which has won multiple awards including a National Award for Excellence in Innovation in Clinical Nutrition. She is a resource person for academic nutritional events and for talks on Health and Well Being. Associated with the Registered Dietitian Board of the Indian Dietetic Association as well as part of the executive committee of the Indian Association of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (Mumbai Chapter), she drives various nutrition education initiatives. An ardent poet and a prolific writer, she works to create a Health Mindset and make good health, good nutrition and lifestyle a human value. Through her Blog – Nutrition with Vibha, she is involved in making a positive difference to the nutritional and lifestyle choices of the community. With her mind on the multifaceted and multidisciplinary aspects of health and life, she brings her unique ideas to create a wave of Holistic Dietetic Choices. Through her unmistakable communication style of words and verses blended with evidence-based research, practicality and spiritual wisdom she dedicates herself to bettering the health of our Nation

Dr. Anuradha Mitra

Associate

MSc (Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics);
Ph. D (Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics).

Dr. Anuradha Mitra (Head of the Department of Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Home Science, Nirmala Niketan) holds more than three decades of experience in the field of Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics both as an academician as well as in the field of Community Nutrition. She has been the Chairperson of the Adhoc Board of Studies of Home Science and the Research Recognition Committee of the University of Mumbai and is highly appreciated as a wonderful and wise teacher who opens up minds to the varied aspects of Nutrition and builds up a desire in her students to better the community with their contributions at the grassroot level especially to the vulnerable and marginalized. Her pioneering work in the field of Adolescent Nutrition as part of her Doctoral Thesis, wherein she has made a detailed study of over 2000 adolescent girls in Mumbai has won the Mumbai University Gold Medal for exemplary research in ‘Avishkar’, the Inter-university Research Fest.

Her special passion and forte lies in Product development; creative recipes that are a blend of the delicious, and the nourishing… Her unique recipe conceptions, adaptations and innovations have made her a sought-out expert by various top brands like Kelloggs, Tata’s Heinz and so on as well as by Government Organisations like Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) for the underprivileged. Along with being a resource person for academic events she has presented papers both at national and international level, and judged a number of Recipe competitions.

Dr. Anuradha Mitra enriches this venture with her special magic of being able to formulate recipes for the varied needs of individuals, keeping in mind the nutritional requirements, albeit laced with her special practical approach and her own brand of life and nutrition wisdom. She dedicates her expertise to empower the world to revel in the joys of nourishing and love filled cooking. She envisions creating homes with a bustling kitchen where all members of the family fall in love with food that nourishes and rise into good health and nutrition; it is this aim that pushes her to create more treasures of recipes that will both satiate the palate as well as nourish the body.