Did you know sugarcane was the first thing Gautam Buddha ate after he attained enlightenment? Sugarcane is used to make jaggery today. A natural sweetener, jaggery is as Indian as sugar can get.

At some or the other point of our lives, all of us have thought about our weight. Some of us want to lose; some of us want to gain. Losing weight is something 5 out of 10 urban Indians are trying to do, according to an NDTV report.

If you too are trying to lose weight, here’s a secret – jaggery is good for weight loss. Yes, really! It may not be something that has come to your mind ever, but you can use jaggery or gur for weight loss.

How is Jaggery Made?

Jaggery can be made with date palm or sugarcane juice. Usually made with sugarcane, the whole sugarcane is pressed to extract the juice. Extraction is the first step. The second step is filtering or clarification, where the impurities settle at the bottom or are removed. The third step is the process of concentration where the juice or sap is boiled in a large pan. The last step is where the juice is poured into moulds and allowed to cool.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size: 10g

Source

Is Jaggery Good For Weight Loss?

Let’s finally answer – “Is gur good for weight loss?” Yes, jaggery is good for weight loss. Here’s how:

• It has no trans fats or any other kind of fat. Trans fats lead to weight gain. According to the journal, ‘Obesity‘, trans fats can induce abdominal obesity.
• Jaggery has fewer calories than sugar, says an article in The Times of India. It’s simple math, lower calories = more weight loss.
• It can aid in digestion. Better digestion facilitates efficient elimination. This can help in reducing belly fat.
• Jaggery is known to help in the removal of harmful toxins. Often due to bad lifestyle or eating habits, toxins get accumulated in our intestines, making us appear obese. Jaggery helps in the process of detoxification.

Now that we know for sure that jaggery is good for weight loss, let’s learn about how we can use it.

How to Use Jaggery For Weight Loss?

It is true that jaggery is good for weight loss, but you must consume it the right way to shed some weight. Do not consume it in large amounts that will not offer any benefits.

Make yourself a drink with jaggery, water and lemon. This is the best way to use jaggery for weight loss. You can drink this at any time of the day but try to drink it on an empty stomach. When you drink it on an empty stomach, it can help in the cleansing of your intestines.

It is the good old lemon juice but without the sugar. Make sure the water is lukewarm. Add a small piece of jaggery and at least half a lemon. Stir it, and that’s all! It’s ready in five minutes!

This drink boosts your metabolism. It’s rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants. Recommended by Ayurveda, this drink can be made tastier by adding mint or Tulsi leaves.

This age-old recipe can be consumed by anyone. If you have diabetes type 2 then add a smaller piece of jaggery. It is a healthy sweetener and when consumed in moderation, it won’t spike your blood sugar levels.

Consume this drink every day and see the benefits in a really short time. You will feel more energetic too!

I Feel Fat  I Eat Jaggery!

Jaggery is good for weight loss — in fact, it is great. It has been used for centuries in South Asia and is a stape in all Indian homes. You can use jaggery as a natural sweetener in almost everything where you add sugar.

Replace the sugar in all your desserts, vegetables, dals or anything else with jaggery to take better care of your health. Opt for organic jaggery that is free of chemicals to get maximum benefits. Don’t aim for purchasing jaggery that looks whitish in colour as the colour might be artificial. Natural jaggery is usually brownish. Thus, opt for trusted brands.

Who said you have to eat foods that don’t taste delicious when you are losing weight? Have a little meetha because you deserve it. And this meetha won’t add to your waistline! Three cheers for jaggery! It offers health + taste.

Try 24 Mantra Organics’s Jaggery Powder and taste the goodness of organic food.