The phrase “Ala Matwala Barfi” possibly will spark all Bollywood lovers’ memories with Ranbir Kapoor’s amazing acting and melodious Arijit Singh’s songs from the famous Anurag Basu’s movie named “Barfi”. But Barfi is not just a movie that has made us go “matwala” with its melodious songs and superb screenplay. Barfi is also one of India’s most famous and traditional sweet delicacy which has the power to make sweet lovers go “matwala” with its taste.
Over centuries, barfi has been part of Indian traditions. It is a symbol of celebration which is regularly eaten. In today’s times when we are bound to spend an extended time working on the desk and get a limited opportunity for physical activities, a large percentage of the city population suffers from lifestyle diseases like diabetes and obesity. Should we forget to celebrate with our favourite Barfi for the sake of our health?
India’s most celebrated Nutritionist and Dietician Avni Kaul says “No, because though barfi has high carbohydrate levels, the sweet has many good nutrients too. Most importantly, it’s a far better food compared to any commercially made fast or junk food”. In this article, Nutritionist Avni Kaul shares some of the health benefits of barfi and decodes the secret if barfi and weight loss can go hand in hand.
Nutritionist Avni Kaul shares that if you are fond of barfi, try to opt for homemade coconut barfi made with jaggery instead of refined sugar. She shares that Coconut contains a considerable amount of healthy minerals like manganese, copper, and iron.
Coconut Barfi is a good source of proteins, fibre, and good fats. Also, much of the fat in coconut comes in the form of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which can possibly help you lose excess body fat. So, it is unlikely that eating the sweet dish will impact your weight loss, if it’s taken in moderate quantity occasionally.
Some health benefits of eating coconut barfi include:
- Barfi made of coconut may help improving anaemia: Coconut is rich in iron, which plays an important role in the production of haemoglobin. Hence, homemade coconut barfi can prove beneficial in improving haemoglobin level in the body.
- Barfi made of coconut is good for 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.
- Coconut barfi is good for bowel movement: This sweet dish can help people who are suffering from constipation and irregular bowel movement due to the rich fibre content in coconut.
