Craving desserts while staying fit? Influencer suggests 90-calorie calcium balls

Fitness and desserts rarely go together, often forcing people with a sweet tooth to compromise while trying to eat healthy. But a growing wave of nutrition-led recipes on Instagram is changing that narrative. Fitness influencer Vanshika Khurana has shared a simple homemade dessert recipe that combines taste with nutrition, offering a healthier alternative to traditional sweets.

Khrana named this recipe calcium balls. This has gained attention for being low in calories while packing essential minerals.

“With just 90 calories in each serving, you can support your bone health, joint health, hormones, and heart health,” Khurana said while sharing the recipe. She added that while most ladoos are “ghee and sugar bombs,” these calcium balls are a “calcium, magnesium and zinc powerhouse with no refined sugar and less than one tablespoon of ghee.”

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A nutrient-packed alternative to traditional sweets

The calcium balls are made using ingredients like black sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, dry coconut, makhana and dried figs (anjeer). Together, these ingredients provide a natural source of minerals, healthy fats and fibre. Black and white sesame seeds are especially rich in calcium, while makhana adds crunch with minimal calories. Anjeer and kishmish replace refined sugar, giving the dessert natural sweetness.

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The preparation involves dry roasting the nuts and seeds, grinding them into a smooth paste with a small amount of ghee, and combining them with powdered makhana and dried fruits. The mixture is then shaped into small laddoos, each portioned to roughly 90 calories, making it easier to control intake without giving up on desserts.

Why calcium-rich desserts matter

According to studies published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), adequate calcium intake is essential not only for bone strength but also for muscle function, nerve signalling and heart health. The research also suggests that magnesium and zinc, both present in this recipe, play a key role in hormone balance and immune support. Diets that rely on whole foods instead of refined sugar and excess saturated fats are linked to better long-term metabolic health.

By combining traditional ingredients with modern nutrition awareness, recipes like these calcium balls offer a practical solution for those looking to stay fit without cutting out sweets entirely. It’s a reminder that healthy eating doesn’t always mean giving up comfort; it can simply mean choosing smarter alternatives to revive a better lifestyle.