Is Gajar ka Halwa healthy?

Gajar Halwa is a very popular Indian sweet and is a popular sweet offered to god on holy days. Gajar Halwa is made of carrots, mawa, ghee, sugar and cardamom powder. 

Let's understand what's good.

Carrots : 3 cups carrot is used. Carrots have the nutrient Beta Carotene which is a form of Vitamin A, helps prevent deterioration of the eye as one gets older and prevents night blindness. Carrot is great for the eyes.They relieve constipation, lower blood pressure, have fibre. Read the 11 super benefiits of carrots and why to include in your daily diet.

Milk and Low Fat Milk : Mawa is made from milk. 1 cup of milk provides 70% of the Recommended Daily Allowance of Calcium. Milk promotes strong bones. The Calcium in Milk helps to protect your teeth against gum disease and keeps your jaw bone strong and healthy. Milk is low in carbs and therefore does not raise blood glucose levels. However diabetics must consider including low fat milk as advised by their dietitian only so as to avoid any fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Protein is another key nutrient which milk is rich in - 8.6 g from a cup. So all those looking to build protein stores can add milk and its products like curd and paneer to their diet. One cup of Milk gives 10 grams of carbs.  Low fat milk has lower fat and the same benefits of milk. 

What's the problem :

Sugar : Sugar is also called white poison. It is a simple carbohydrate with zero nutritional value. On intake, sugar will cause inflammtion of the body which will last for many hours. It will spike your blood sugar level and shut down the fat burning process. To live a healthy life, try and cut sugar which from your diet. It requires a slow and deliberate attempt to do it. Find hidden sugar in packaged foods and drinks and stop having those products. Did you know that a can of your favourite soft drink is estimated to have 1/2 cup of sugar. 

Can Diabetics, heart patients and weight loss individuals have Gajar Halwa

Since there is lots of sugar, this recipe should not be had by diabetics. Also the heavy usage of ghee makes this recipe not good for heart and obese individuals. Mawa is made of full fat milk which not good for weight loss. 

What is a healthier Indian dessert option ?

We suggest you try low fat gajjar halwa recipe which uses dates as a sweetener and low fat milk which works well for diabetics.

Low Fat Carrot Halwa, Healthy Gajar Halwa

Gajar ka Halwa is high in

1. Vitamin A :  Vitamin A is crucial for healthy vision, cell growth and healthy skin.

2. Calcium : Calcium  is a mineral that makes bones stay strong. Required from kids to adults

3. Phosphorous : Phosphorous works closely with calcium to build bones. 

Note : a recipe is deemed high in a Vitamin or mineral if it meets 20% and above the recommended daily allowance based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

How to burn 386 calories that come from one serving of Gajar ka Halwa?

Walking (6 kmph) = 1 hr 56 mins

Running (11 kmph) = 39 mins

Cycling (30 kmph) = 51 mins       

Swimming (2 kmph) = 1 hr 6 mins

Note: These values are approximate and calorie burning differs in each individual.