Barfi

Coconut barfi is a popular Indian sweet made from grated coconut, cardamom, milk, and sugar or jaggery. It has three popular variants that are made either with jaggery or milk or condensed milk. Coconut contains a considerable amount of healthy minerals like manganese, copper, and iron. It is also a good source of proteins, fiber, and good fats.

What are the health benefits of coconut barfi?

Homemade coconut barfi is packed with many health benefits. Its main ingredient, coconut, is rich in dietary fiber, manganese, copper,  iron, and healthy fats. Some health benefits of eating coconut barfi include:

1. It may help treat anemia: Coconut is rich in iron, which plays an important role in the production of hemoglobin. Hence, coconut barfi can prove beneficial for people with anemic conditions.
2. It can boost brain health: It is believed that coconut can boost the production of neurotransmitters as well as myelin, which helps in transmitting electrical signals that come from or to the brain more efficiently. Thus, adding coconut to your diet can boost brain health and help people suffering from neurological issues like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
3. It can improve bowel movement: This sweet dish can help people who are suffering from constipation and irregular bowel movement due to the rich fiber content in coconut. Coconut is low in carbs but high in fiber, so, it may help stabilize blood sugar levels.

Can you eat coconut barfi on a weight loss diet?

Yes, if the coconut barfi is made from home with freshly grated coconut and jaggery instead of refined sugar. Also, much of the fat in coconut comes in the form of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). Which may help you lose excess body fat. So, it is unlikely that having the sweet dish will impact your weight loss, if it’s taken in moderate quantity and occasionally.

The bottom line

The fact is, sweets are identified as a major factor for weight gain. They can cause a spike in sugar levels in the body and increase bad cholesterol. This is especially true for a lot of sweets that are made with maida (refined flour), vanaspati, refined sugar, and generally, are deep-fried and are soaked in sugar syrups. So, no matter how much you love sweet dishes, remember, moderation is the key here.

Always opt for homemade coconut barfi prepared using healthy ingredients like jaggery loaded with antioxidants. And other nutrients, instead of commercially made barfi that may contain excess amounts of vanaspati and sugar. Also, people with certain health conditions like diabetes or obesity are advised to consult a medical expert prior to taking any sweet dish.