The festival of lights, Diwali is just round the corner and it’s time to celebrate it with your friends, Family and loved ones. This festival is the ultimate festival of food, from sweets to snacks, the festive spread is often rich, indulgent, and calorie-heavy. But there is always a way to enjoy all the yummy treats in a healthy way. What if you could enjoy all the flavours of Diwali without compromising on your health? Here’s a list of seven healthy Diwali recipes that will let you indulge guilt-free, while keeping your wellness goals in check. Let’s dive in!

No Diwali is complete without a bowl of kheer, but this healthy twist uses quinoa instead of rice for a protein-packed dessert.

 Ingredients: 

• ½ cup quinoa

• 2 cups low-fat milk (or almond milk for a vegan version)

• 2 tbsp jaggery powder

• 1 tsp cardamom powder

• A pinch of saffron

• 1 tbsp chopped almonds and pistachios for garnish

 Instructions: 

1. Rinse the quinoa thoroughly and cook it in 1 cup of water until soft.

2. In another pan, bring the milk to a boil. Add the cooked quinoa.

3. Stir in jaggery, cardamom, and saffron, and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes.

4. Garnish with nuts and serve warm.

 Health Benefits:  Quinoa is a complete protein, making this kheer not only delicious but also a nutrient-dense dessert option.

Ladoos are synonymous with Diwali, but they’re often made with sugar and ghee. These Oats and Almond Ladoos are made with jaggery and use heart-healthy oats for a wholesome treat.

 Ingredients: 

• 1 cup rolled oats

• ½ cup almonds

• ¼ cup jaggery powder

• 1 tsp cardamom powder

• 1 tbsp ghee (optional, for binding)

 Instructions: 

1. Dry roast the oats and almonds separately until golden and aromatic.

2. Grind them into a coarse powder.

3. In a pan, melt the jaggery with 1-2 tablespoons of water.

4. Mix the jaggery syrup with the oats-almond mixture and cardamom powder.

5. Roll the mixture into small laddoos. Use a little ghee if needed for binding.

 Health Benefits:  Oats are a rich source of soluble fibre, which helps reduce cholesterol levels, while almonds provide healthy fats and vitamin E.

Chaklis are a Diwali must-have, but the traditional deep-fried version can weigh heavy on your health. Enter the Baked Multigrain Chakli—crispy, crunchy, and full of flavour, without the excess oil.

 Ingredients: 

• 1 cup jowar flour

• ½ cup bajra flour

• ½ cup whole wheat flour

• 1 tbsp sesame seeds

• 1 tbsp carom seeds

• 1 tsp cumin powder

• 1 tsp red chilli powder

• Salt to taste

• Water for kneading

 Instructions: 

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine all the flours, spices, and seeds.

2. Add water gradually to make a firm dough.

3. Preheat the oven to 180°C.

4. Shape the dough into spirals using a chakli press and place them on a greased baking tray.

5. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until crispy.

 Health Benefits:  Multigrain flours pack this chakli with fibre, essential minerals, and slow-digesting carbs, keeping you full and satisfied without the calorie overload of frying.

Besan Barfi is a classic Diwali sweet, but traditional recipes can be high in sugar. This version uses jaggery for a lower-glycemic and more nutritious option.

 Ingredients: 

• 1 cup besan (gram flour)

• ½ cup jaggery powder

• ¼ cup ghee

• 1 tsp cardamom powder

• 2 tbsp chopped nuts for garnish

 Instructions: 

1. Heat ghee in a pan, add the besan, and roast on low heat until fragrant.

2. In another pan, melt jaggery with a little water until it forms a syrup.

3. Mix the jaggery syrup into the roasted besan, add cardamom powder, and stir until well combined.

4. Pour the mixture into a greased tray, garnish with nuts, and let it set.

 Health Benefits:  Using jaggery instead of refined sugar adds iron and other trace minerals, while besan is high in protein and fibre.

Give the classic aloo chaat a nutritious upgrade with sweet potatoes! This Sweet Potato Chaat is packed with vitamins, fibre, and antioxidants.

 Ingredients: 

• 2 medium-sized sweet potatoes

• 1 tsp chaat masala

• 1 tsp cumin powder

• A pinch of black salt

• Lemon juice

• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

 Instructions: 

1. Boil or roast the sweet potatoes until tender.

2. Peel and chop them into bite-sized cubes.

3. Toss the sweet potato cubes with chaat masala, cumin powder, black salt, and lemon juice.

4. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve.

 Health Benefits:  Sweet potatoes are a fantastic source of beta-carotene, fibre, and complex carbohydrates, making this chaat a nutrient-dense snack.

Samosas are one of Diwali’s most-loved snacks, but they can be loaded with oil. Try these Baked Vegetable Samosas for a healthier yet equally tasty alternative.

 Ingredients: 

• 1 cup whole wheat flour

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 2 boiled potatoes, mashed

• ½ cup green peas

• 1 tsp cumin seeds

• 1 tsp garam masala

• Salt to taste

 Instructions: 

1. Mix the whole wheat flour, olive oil, and a pinch of salt. Add water to make a firm dough.

2. For the filling, sauté cumin seeds in a pan, add the mashed potatoes, peas, and spices. Cook for a few minutes and set aside.

3. Roll the dough into small circles, fill with the potato-pea mixture, and fold into samosas.

4. Preheat the oven to 200°C. Bake the samosas for 20-25 minutes or until golden and crispy.

 Health Benefits:  Baking instead of frying cuts down the calorie count significantly, while the use of whole wheat flour adds fibre.

Dhokla is a favourite savoury treat during Diwali. This Millet Dhokla recipe swaps out refined grains for nutrient-rich millet, making it a perfect healthy snack.

 Ingredients: 

• 1 cup millet flour (any variety)

• 1 cup dahi

• 1 tsp ginger paste

• 1 tsp green chili paste

• 1 tsp baking soda

• Salt to taste

• Fresh coriander for garnish

 Instructions: 

1. Mix the millet flour with yoghurt, ginger paste, green chilli paste, and salt to form a smooth batter.

2. Let it rest for 15-20 minutes.

3. Stir in the baking soda and pour the batter into a greased steaming tray.

4. Steam for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

5. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve with chutney.

 Health Benefits:  Millets are gluten-free, high in fibre, and packed with essential nutrients like magnesium, calcium, and iron.

This Diwali, treat yourself and your loved ones to delicious yet nutritious alternatives to traditional sweets and snacks. These seven healthy recipes strike a balance between indulgence and wellness, ensuring that you enjoy the festive spirit without worrying about extra calories or health concerns. Plus, they are easy to make, packed with flavours, and provide a variety of nutrients that your body will thank you for. So light those lamps, decorate your home, and indulge in these guilt-free, healthy Diwali treats!