Eid-Ul-Fitr marks the end of holy Ramadan (also called Ramazan in a few popular cultures) that is characterized by continuous fasting right from the first light of dawn to sunset, spanning over a month (more precisely, till the time of sighting of the crescent moon in the sky). Like other festivities in any part of the world (be it Christmas or Durga Puja), Ramadan, leading up to Eid, is a time to be spent with family and other relatives, obviously followed by some of the most appetizing foods and desserts.

As much as it is the time to gorge on some of the sweetest delicacies you will ever get to taste, you should still listen to your body and pay heed to good health. However, the fact that you should not forego health doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll have to miss out on the ‘Seheri’ and ‘Iftar’ delicacies. After all, it isn’t a great deal if you want to slurp after a day-long fast.

Listed below are 5 of the best sugar-free delights that you can savor, guilt free with your family and loved ones during the grand festivities that Eid is. Read on:

1. Kleicha (Date cookies)

Cinnamon and dates can never really go wrong; this Iraqi delicacy is usually a regular fixture when it’s time to break the fast with Iftar. The fact that it can also be made gluten-free makes it a top notch dessert among Muslim households all across Asia.

Kleicha Nutrition Fact Box (for 1 cookie)

• Calories- 150
• Total fat- 8g (0 Trans-fats)
• Cholesterol- 19mg
• Total Carbs- 19grams
• Protein- 2grams
• Dietary Fiber- 1-2 grams

Ingredients 

1. Ground almonds (1 cup)
2. Rice flour (approximately 140 grams)
3. Salt (1 tsp.)
4. Coconut oil (melted- 6tbsp.)
5. Honey (4 tbsp.)
6. Cinnamon (1/2 tsp.)
7. Cardamom powder (1/2 tsp.)
8. Milk
9. Dates (1 cup)
10. Cocoa powder (1-1.5 tsp.)
11. Water (1/2 cup)
12. Sesame seeds for topping

Recipe

1. Mix the almonds (ground) with flour, rice, spices and salt
2. Mix the honey and melted coconut oil
3. Add 1 tbsp. of milk at a time if the dough doesn’t look well done
4. Keep it inside the refrigerator and let it cool for 45 minutes to an hour
5. Add the spices, cocoa and dates in a pan and then pour in water (the quantity of water will be determined by the dryness of the dates). Mash these dates well and put the pan to heat. Keep on adding water till the mixture becomes sticky and thick.
6. Preheat the oven
7. Take the dough out from the refrigerator and put it on top of a parchment paper.
8. Spread the filling of dates on top of the dough but remember to leave its edges clear.
9. Take a side of that dough and roll the same along the parchment paper to make a log.
10. Slice it into thick pieces, each of 1 inch approximately.
11. Sprinkle the sesame seeds on the top of the cookies and continue baking till the cookies are golden brown in color.
12. Cool it for some time and gorge!

2. Sevaiiyaan (Vermicelli)

You can make a few healthy swaps while making this Indian delicacy; use skimmed Milk instead of condensed milk, take more of nuts and cut back on dry fruits and dry roast the dish instead of frying it.

Sevaiiyaan Nutrition Fact Box (every 100 grams)

Calories- 330 (approx.)

Total Fat- 0.1g

Total Carbs- 82 grams

Cholesterol- 0mg

Protein-0.1-0.2 grams

Ingredients

1. Vermicelli (1/2 cup)
2. Skimmed milk (3 cups)
3. Milk powder (2tsp)
4. Sugar (4 tsp.)
5. Cardamom powder (1/4 tsp.)
6. Few saffron strands

Recipe

1. Cook the sevai (vermicelli) inside a pan and cook till the sevai becomes golden brown in color.
2. Pour in milk and boil the mixture on a low flame till the entire quantity reduces to almost half.
3. Add the cardamom powder, sugar, milk powder and saffron. Mix it well.
4. You could either serve it chilled or warm.
5. Add chopped pistachios, cashews and almonds to increase its nutritional value

3. Cardamom Cookies

Among the abundant desserts flavored with cardamom, these cookies made of butter, flour and nothing but a hint of elaichi (cardamom), stand out for sure. This delight is more of a hit during this time of the year. A healthier version of these cookies are usually made from ground almonds (rich source of vitamin E, B2, biotin, fiber and magnesium), flaxseeds (loaded with Omega-3, anti-oxidants and other phytonutrients) and Coconut sugar (with a lower glycemic index as compared to its refined and whiter counterparts).

Ingredients 

1. Flour (gluten free, ½ a cup)
2. Ground almonds (1/2 a cup)
3. Coconut sugar (1/4 of a cup)
4. Cardamom powder (1/2 tsp.)
5. Baking powder (1/2 tsp.)
6. Flax egg (1) and hot water (3 tbsp.)
7. Melted coconut oil (4 tbsp.)

4. Date truffles

Dates are a hit with the oriental cuisines. Date truffles are healthy yet make a great tease for your taste buds.

Date truffles nutrition fact box (for 1 serving)

Calories- 50 (approx.)

Total fat- 2.7 grams

Cholesterol- 0mg

Total carbs- 7.2 grams

Fiber- 2.1 grams

Protein- 1.3 grams

Ingredients

1. Pistachios (200grams)
2. Finely chopped dates (1 and a 1/2 cups)
3. 1 tbsp. honey
4. Shredded coconut (1 cup)

Recipe

1. Roast the pistachios
2. Mix the dates and pistachios and grind them until they make a thick and fine paste
3. Add water and a little honey to the mixture
4. Then finely shape the resultant mixture in the form of small balls and roll them in the shredded coconut.
5. Put them in a plate and refrigerate it for 1-2 hours.

5. Shahi Tukda

This is fried bread slices dipped in condensed milk, along with spices such as cardamom and saffron. In India, Shahi Tukda has come to be synonymous with the festival of Eid, owing to its popularity among every strata of the society. And yes, it is slurp, personified.

Shahi Tukda Nutrition Fact Box (1 serving)

• Calories- 170 (approx.)
• Total fat- 11 grams (no Trans fats)
• Cholesterol- 0mg
• Total carbs- 16-17 grams
• Protein-2-3 grams
• Dietary Fiber- 1 gram

Ingredients

1. Bread slices- 6
2. Low fat or skimmed milk- 3 cups
3. Sugar-free- ½ cup
4. 4-5 strands of saffron in lukewarm milk
5. Grated paneer- 150 grams
6. Almonds- 5 slices
7. Powdered cardamom

Recipe

1. Toast the bread slices after removing its sides.
2. Dip these bread slices in chilled (or cold) milk, remove it instantly and put them on a plate.
3. Heat some milk along with cardamom and sugar free till it attains a thick consistency.
4. Stir in the cottage cheese and cook the mixture for 5 minutes till it attains a consistency similar to ‘rabri’.
5. Put this mixture inside the refrigerator and pour it on the bread slices after some time.
6. Serve and see how they vanish in a jiffy.

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