Is modakam healthy? The surprising truth about this festive sweet

December 17, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutrition experts, the traditional steamed modakam is considered one of the healthier Indian sweets, offering benefits from its natural ingredients like jaggery, coconut, and ghee. But can all versions be considered healthy, and how can you make conscious choices?

Quick Summary

Traditional steamed modakam, made with wholesome ingredients and prepared without frying, offers surprising health benefits. However, its overall health profile depends heavily on the preparation method and ingredients used.

Key Points

Preparation Matters: Steamed (Ukadiche Modak) is healthier than fried versions, preserving nutrients and keeping fat low.
Nutrient-Rich Ingredients: Traditional modakam uses wholesome ingredients like jaggery, coconut, and ghee, offering benefits for digestion, heart health, and immunity.
Gluten-Free Option: The rice flour shell makes traditional modakam suitable for those avoiding gluten.
Moderation is Essential: Even the healthiest modakam is calorie-dense, so portion control is crucial, especially for managing weight or blood sugar.
Easy Modifications: You can enhance the nutritional value further by swapping rice flour with millets or replacing jaggery with dates.
Diabetic-Friendly Options: Diabetics should exercise caution but can enjoy healthier versions made with natural sweeteners like dates and lower-glycemic flours.

Modakam, a delicious dumpling revered in Indian culture, is a staple during festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi. Its healthiness, however, depends heavily on how it's prepared and the ingredients chosen. The traditional recipe, known as Ukadiche Modak, relies on steaming, while other versions are deep-fried, altering their nutritional profile significantly.

Understanding the Ingredients in Modakam

Traditional Ukadiche Modak is made from a few core ingredients, each contributing to its nutritional value:

Rice Flour

This provides carbohydrates and is a gluten-free option. It can cause blood sugar spikes, so moderation is advised, especially for diabetics.

Jaggery

As a natural sweetener, jaggery contains trace minerals like iron and folate, making it a better option than refined sugar, but portion control is still important.

Coconut

Rich in healthy fats (MCTs), fiber, and beneficial for heart health and digestion.

Ghee

Ghee contains butyric acid, known for anti-inflammatory properties, and supports digestive health.

Nuts and Seeds

Additions like poppy seeds and cardamom enhance flavor and add healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants.

The Health Comparison: Steamed vs. Fried Modakam

The cooking method significantly impacts modakam's health profile. Steaming keeps it low in fat and calories, unlike deep-frying, which adds considerable unhealthy fat.


Feature	Ukadiche Modak (Steamed)	Fried Modak
Cooking Method	Steamed	Deep-fried in oil or ghee
Fat Content	Low	High
Calories	Approximately 126 kcal per piece	Significantly higher due to oil absorption
Digestibility	Lighter and easier to digest	Heavier and harder to digest
Nutritional Retention	Preserves most nutrients	Nutrient loss can occur during frying
Overall Health Impact	Healthier choice in moderation	Less healthy, best enjoyed occasionally

Health Benefits of Traditional Modakam

Traditional steamed modakam offers several health benefits:

Aids Digestion: Fiber from coconut and the lubricating effect of ghee support healthy bowel movements.
Supports Heart Health: Coconut's MCTs can increase good cholesterol, while plant sterols may help lower bad cholesterol.
Boosts Immunity: Jaggery provides iron and folate, essential for immunity.
Strengthens Bones and Joints: Manganese in coconut supports bone health, and ghee's butyric acid can reduce joint inflammation.

How to Make Modakam Even Healthier

Consider these modifications for a healthier modakam:

Alternative flours: Use high-fiber flours like ragi or millet.
Natural sweeteners: Replace jaggery with dates or figs for natural sweetness and more fiber.
Enhance filling: Add nuts, seeds, or protein powder.
Steaming or baking: Avoid frying to keep calorie and fat content low.

Conclusion: Moderation and Conscious Choices are Key

Traditional steamed modakam is a nutritious sweet due to its natural ingredients and preparation, offering benefits for digestion, heart health, and immunity. Fried versions or those with refined ingredients are less healthy. Those with dietary concerns should practice portion control and consider healthier substitutions like using millets or dates. Being mindful of preparation and ingredients allows for healthy enjoyment of this festive treat. For more tips on healthier festival foods, see this resource from Kokilaben Hospital.

Key Takeaways

Preparation Matters: Steamed modakam is healthier than fried.
Nutrient-Rich Ingredients: Traditional modakam uses ingredients beneficial for digestion, heart health, and immunity.
Gluten-Free Option: Rice flour makes it suitable for gluten sensitivities.
Moderation is Essential: Even healthy modakam is calorie-dense, requiring portion control.
Easy Modifications: Enhance nutrition with millet flour or dates.
Diabetic-Friendly Options: Diabetics should be cautious but can enjoy healthier versions with natural sweeteners and lower-glycemic flours.

FAQs

Question: Is steamed modak healthier than fried modak? Answer: Yes, steamed modak is significantly healthier due to lower fat and calories.

Question: Can people with diabetes eat modakam? Answer: Diabetics should be cautious due to sugar content. Healthier versions with dates or stevia and strict portion control are recommended.

Question: What are the health benefits of eating traditional modakam? Answer: Benefits include improved digestion, heart health, and immune support.

Question: What's a good alternative to rice flour in modakam? Answer: Ragi or other millet flours are healthier alternatives.

Question: How can I reduce the calories in a modakam? Answer: Use natural sweeteners like dates, add nuts and seeds, and steam instead of frying.

Question: Is modakam good for digestion? Answer: Yes, traditional steamed modakam can aid digestion due to fiber from coconut and ghee.

Question: Is it safe to eat multiple modakam pieces? Answer: It is best to eat in moderation, limiting intake to one or two pieces due to their calorie density.

Citations

Modak: Not just a sweet delicacy-but packed with nutrition too! (Times of India, 2022)
Ukadiche Modak: Sweet, Steamed & Super Healthy! (Kokilaben Hospital)
Ukadiche Modak vs Fried Modak (Traditional & Creative ...) (Cookpad, 2025)
How to manage your diabetes this Ganesh Chaturthi (Happiest Health, 2024)
This diabetes-friendly and gut-supportive modak recipe lets you ... (obnews.co, 2025)

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, steamed modak, also known as Ukadiche Modak, is significantly healthier as it is cooked without deep frying, resulting in lower fat and calorie content.

Those with diabetes should exercise caution due to the sugar content, even from jaggery. It is best to opt for healthier versions using dates or stevia and practice strict portion control, as recommended by a nutritionist.

Benefits include improved digestion due to fiber and ghee, support for heart health from coconut's MCTs, and immune system boosting from the iron in jaggery.

Healthier alternatives to rice flour include ragi (finger millet) flour or other millet flours, which add more fiber and nutrients.

To reduce calories, use natural sweeteners like dates instead of jaggery, incorporate more nuts and seeds into the filling, and always choose to steam rather than fry.

Yes, traditional steamed modakam can aid digestion. The fiber from coconut promotes healthy bowel movements, while the ghee helps lubricate the digestive tract and stimulate gut health.

It is best to practice moderation. Even the healthier steamed versions are calorie-dense. Nutritionists recommend limiting intake to one or two pieces to enjoy mindfully and avoid excess calorie or sugar consumption.