Sesame seeds have been used for centuries in the traditional medicine of India and China. Its good oil, high protein, fiber, low carbohydrate properties, and many other beneficial vitamins and minerals make it an excellent healthy and energetic food. Besides providing good energy, sesame seeds also offer many health benefits like cardiovascular protection, digestive health, and healthy blood cell formation. Sesame seeds dishes are especially very popular in India during winter due to their warming capacity per Ayurveda (the ancient traditional medicine of India).
You can make these quick sesame seeds balls in about 30 minutes to enjoy a super healthy energy snack when you need it.
Ingredients:
Preparation:
Dry roast 2 cups of sesame seeds on a heavy bottom pan in medium heat for about 10 minutes. Seeds become crunchy after roasting. Turn off the heat and let it cool completely. Add jaggery or the same amount of brown sugar in a different pan and add water. Cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes. It turns into bubbly, frothy syrup. Do water test as below. If you pass the water test, then your syrup is ready. Pour this into the roasted sesame seeds and mix well with a spoon. Wait until lukewarm, then make small balls and enjoy.
Water test: Put a drop of syrup into a cup filled with some water. The syrup stays in the bottom without dissolving.
This website has a good illustration of how to make jaggery syrup along with the water test.
Note: Jaggery is an Indian sugar that is less processed than white table sugar. It can be purchased in any Indian or Asian store.
Recipe Profile: Vegan, Gluten-free, Can fit into the Mediterranean diet
NutriPledge Food Rating:
These sesame energy balls are rated as Green Dot; Health-Promoting in our food rating system (Food Coach) due to the following qualities, which are known to promote positive health if consumed as an overall healthy diet.
- Low in calories per serving
- A healthy balance of fat, protein, carbohydrates, and dietary fiber
- Low in saturated fat,
- Contain zero trans fats and zero sodium
- Healthy balance of added sugars
- Great source of calcium (15% daily value per ball)
- Good source of iron (10% daily value per ball)
- No food additives, artificial flavor, or color
Therapeutic Health Benefits:
These super healthy sesame energy balls contain a healthy balance of macronutrients (Carbohydrates, proteins, and fat) along with many health-promoting vitamins, minerals, and other compounds. Just one sesame ball meets about 1 oz of MyPlate protein daily requirement. Each ball also provides about 65% of RDA for copper, 10% RDA for iron, and 15% RDA for Calcium. Calcium is vital for bone health and prevents osteoporosis. Copper and iron together enable the body to form healthy red blood cells. Copper is also known for reducing some pain and swelling related to rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, sesame seeds contain two critical nutrients (sesamin and sesamolin) known as lignans, which have been shown to have a cholesterol-lowering effect in humans and to prevent high blood pressure.
Here is another sesame seeds ball recipe with no added sugar (Please register or sign in to access the recipe card)
Disclaimer: Please note that this food rating is not medical advice. This can be only used as general guidance to a healthy and balanced diet for your health and wellness. This food does not ensure an adequate or inadequate and safe level of intake for a single person. Consult your health care provider prior to following any diet plan to ensure your personal medical, nutritional needs. Thank you!
