Laddoos, a beloved Indian sweet often associated with high sugar, ghee, and refined flour, have traditionally been viewed as an unhealthy treat. However, certified nutritionist Rachna Mohan is challenging this notion with a nutritious take on the classic dessert. In a viral Instagram Reel, Rachna’s mother makes her social media debut, demonstrating a simple, health-focused recipe for laddoos. The video, titled ‘Meri maa ki debut reel’ (My mother’s debut reel), has attracted significant attention, amassing over 4.5 million views in just three weeks.
In the video, Rachna’s mother prepares the laddoos by dry-roasting a mixture of ajwain (carom seeds), saunf (fennel seeds), pumpkin seeds, black pepper, cashews, almonds, and fox nuts, which are then ground into a fine powder. Besan (chickpea flour) and chana flour are added to ghee, forming the laddoo mixture. A text overlay reads, “Grandma’s weight loss recipe without sacrificing sweets,” highlighting the health benefits of the dessert.
Rachna’s caption further explains the laddoo’s versatility: “One laddoo every day, whether you’re dealing with infections, joint pains, digestion issues, studying, or just had a baby.” The post’s positive reception is evident, with many users asking for the full recipe. One user requested, “Would you please share the recipe with the proper ratio of all ingredients?” Another commented, “Welcome to your mom—please could you share the exact quantities of each ingredient? Looks yummy and very healthy. Would like to make it for my son who leaves for boarding school in 5 days.”
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Despite the overall praise, some viewers expressed concerns about the recipe’s calorie content. One person wrote, “But calories bahoot hai (It has a lot of calories), ghee is a lot.” Another asked, “Ma’am, diabetic wale bhi kha sakte hai kya? (Can people with diabetes eat this?)”
Several users appreciated the heartwarming family aspect, with one commenting, “Finally, mother is here, you say how did you feed me like this?” Another wrote, “Wow…moms are amazing. Could you please ask Auntie to share some recipes for weight gain for boys? Thank you.”
However, not everyone was convinced of the recipe’s health benefits. One user expressed doubts, saying, “Reason for increased cholesterol, high blood pressure, triglycerides, high sugar too. The only benefit is the high fiber from the lentils.”