Diwali is the festival of joy, fun, celebrations, and most importantly, the Diwali sweets and snacks. Diwali is just a few days away, and the super moms in the house might have started making the grocery lists for the same. It would sound like lots of sugar, whole wheat flour (maida), seed oils, etc. You might have already started thinking about the sweets and snacks now, as sweets are the key part of these celebrations that symbolize the joy of sharing and the spirit of giving.

However, for those who are diabetic, managing diabetes this festive season can often feel bittersweet. Visiting markets full of colorful treats, the thought of having traditional sweets might evoke feelings of sadness. But iThrive understands what you will be going through. Popular Diwali treats like sugary laddoos, rich barfis, and halwa are loaded with high sugar, which makes it challenging for diabetic people.

But what if we say, “we have a solution for your cravings.” This Diwali we are here to embrace your festivities with a collection of diabetic-friendly sweet recipes that are just designed for you. 

But these recipes are not just for diabetic people; they are for all of us. Why? According to the Economic Times, sugar consumption during Diwali 2023 hit an all-time high, soaring by 32%. The excess sugar consumption and lack of exercise caused men to gain an average weight of 1.7 kg, while women gained 1.28 kg in just one week. High sugar consumption can cause a lot of health issues, and at iThrive we know how serious these health concerns can impact your body and your overall health. So it is high time to change your grocery shopping list and opt for healthy options this Diwali.

4 Diabetes-Friendly Sweets Recipes

1. Baked Gluten-free Karanji

Our baked gluten-free karanji recipe is the healthier option for the traditional festive sweet. Karanji is normally made with refined wheat flour and deep-fried. But in our recipe, we have used gluten-free flours and natural sweeteners like dates to make it nutrient-dense and diabetes-friendly.

Ingredients

• 50 grams of organic oats flour
• 50 grams of organic quinoa flour
• 15 grams tapioca flour
• 1 pinch salt
• Water (to make dough)

For filling

• 20 grams of freshly grated coconut
• 10 Kimia dates
• ½  tsp cardamom and nutmeg powder
• 1 pinch salt

Procedure: Check out the full recipe and fulfill your cravings.

Benefits

• Using kimia dates as a natural sweetener helps in managing blood sugar levels more effectively as they have a high fiber content.
• Oats flour and quinoa flour are rich in fiber, which helps in stabilizing blood sugar levels and slowing down the absorption of carbohydrates. They also help prevent insulin spikes.
• Karanji is baked instead of deep-fried, which potentially reduces the amount of fat and calories. The traditional method of making karanji includes frying, which increases the risk of insulin resistance and obesity.
• Kimia dates are a good source of iron, which is important for blood health. They also contain antioxidants that fight inflammation and oxidative stress.

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2. Ragi laddoos

Ragi laddoo is a nutritious dessert option made for Diwali. We have used ragi flour, which is an excellent source of fiber, calcium, and protein, along with dates, which is a natural sweetener. This recipe is not only quick to prepare but also a healthy alternative to traditional sweets, which makes it suitable for diabetics as well as small children who seek nutrient-packed snacks. 

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Ingredients

• 50 grams organic ragi flour
• 5 Kimia dates

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Procedure: Check out the full recipe and fulfill your cravings.

Benefits

• For the moms out there, ragi laddoos are highly nutritious, which makes them an ideal go to snack for children as well as adults.
• Ragi is one of the best source of plant-based calcium, essential for bone health. It also supports bone health, aids in weight management, and helps regulate blood sugar levels. 
• The sweetener used in this recipe is dates, which is considered to be the best healthy natural sweetener and alternative to refined sugar.

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3. Sweet Shakkarpara

Sweet Shakkarpara is a popular festive treat that is traditionally made with refined flour and sugar. In our diabetic-friendly recipe, we have created a healthier version that includes organic oats flour, quinoa flour, and date paste, which offers a nutritious alternative to traditional sweets.

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Ingredients

• 50 grams organic oats flour
• 50 grams organic quinoa flour
• 15 grams tapioca starch
• 10 kimia dates (made into a paste)
• 1 pinch of cardamom powder
• 1 pinch nutmeg powder
• 1 pinch salt
• Water (to make dough)

Procedure: Check out the full recipe and fulfill your cravings.

Benefits

• Traditional Shakkarpara is deep-fried, which adds excess unhealthy fats and leads to insulin resistance. Baking Shakkarpara helps reduce the fat content and makes it a diabetes-friendly snack.
• Oats and quinoa flour have a low glycemic index and are rich in fiber, which helps in preventing blood sugar spikes and is an ideal snack for diabetes patients.
• Dates act as a natural alternative to sugar and provide sweetness without the harmful effects of refined sugar.

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4. Gulab Jamun

Our Gulab Jamun recipe is a healthier version of an Indian beloved dessert. We have used sweet potatoes, oats flour, and dates to create a delicious, yummy, and nutrient-packed treat for the festive season. Regular gulab jamuns are made with refined wheat flour and are soaked in sugar syrup. But we have used honey for syrup instead of white sugar. All the alternatives used in this recipe offer more nutrients and make this dish a better choice for people with diabetes.

Ingredients

• 100 grams sweet potato
• 10 grams oats flour
• 50 grams Kimia dates
• 1 pinch nutmeg
• 1 pinch cardamom
• 50 ml raw organic honey
• 1 pinch agar agar

Procedure: Check out the full recipe and fulfill your cravings.

Benefits

• The use of sweet potatoes and dates provides natural sweetness. Oats flour and dates are also rich in fiber, helping in slowing down digestion.
• Honey contains a lower glycemic index compared to refined sugar.
• Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They help in stabilising blood sugar and make them a better alternative to refined flours. 
• Agar agar is a plant-based gelatin alternative that is rich in fiber and promotes gut health. Using agar agar in this recipe helps in providing satisfying consistency to the syrup.

This Diwali, gift the sweetness of the festival without guilt, knowing these sweet recipes are not only delicious but also supportive of your blood sugar management. 

This Diwali, celebrate your health, tradition, and taste all in one. #GrowupHealthy