Nothing feels like a Diwali celebration better than having some kaju katli, hot gulab jamun or crispy jalebi. However, have you ever thought about how many calories these mithais actually contain?
Most popular Diwali sweets have about 60-190 calories a piece, and many are 40-57% sugar.
This chart shows the amount of calories in 15 popular Indian sweets, as well as the amount of sugar contained within them. This will help you to make informed decisions regarding these treats, whether you are losing weight, monitoring your sugar levels or just want to be informed.
Key Takeaways
- Kaju katli and peda are among the lowest-calorie sweets in this chart containing around 60 and 85 calories.
- Gujiya and rasmalai are among the highest-calorie sweets in this chart containing around 185 and 165 calories.
- Gulab jamun, rasgulla and jalebi can contain high amounts of sugar due to the syrup.
- Portion size matters: two pieces of some sweets can contain over 25 g of sugar, which is the daily limit ICMR-NIN suggests (25-30 g).
- You can enjoy mithai during weight loss by being mindful of your portions and your overall eating pattern.
Diwali Sweets Calories Chart (Per Piece and Per 100 g)
How many calories are in one piece of Indian mithai?
The chart below shows the approximate amount of calories and sugar found in popular Diwali sweets. The nutrition information has been taken from Indian packaged food labels.
| Sweet | Typical serving | Calories per piece | Sugar per piece | Calories per 100 g |
| Kaju katli | 1 piece (13 g) | 60 kcal | 6 g | 465 |
| Peda | 1 peda (20 g) | 85 kcal | 9 g | 413 |
| Rasgulla with syrup | 1 piece (40 g) | 95 kcal | 20 g | 242 |
| Soan papdi | 1 piece (20 g) | 105 kcal | 10 g | 524 |
| Peanut/til chikki | 1 piece (20 g) | 105 kcal | 7 g | 513 |
| Milk cake/barfi | 1 piece (25 g) | 105 kcal | 12 g | 427 |
| Jalebi | 1 medium (25 g) | 110 kcal | 14 g | 440 |
| Gulab jamun with syrup | 1 piece (40 g) | 120 kcal | 23 g | 304 |
| Motichoor laddu | 1 laddu (30 g) | 120 kcal | 14 g | 407 |
| Besan/moong dal barfi | 1 piece (25 g) | 125 kcal | 12 g | 508 |
| Mysore pak | 1 piece (25 g) | 140 kcal | Not available | 561 |
| Besan laddu | 1 laddu (30 g) | 145 kcal | 9 g | 481 |
| Dry fruit laddu | 1 laddu (30 g) | 160 kcal | 9 g | 535 |
| Rasmalai with rabri | 1 serving (60 g) | 165 kcal | 17 g | 277 |
| Gujiya | 1 piece (40 g) | 185 kcal | 14 g | 468 |
Note: Values are approximate. Actual calories depend on the recipe, brand, amount of ghee or sugar, and serving size. Syrup-based values include syrup in the measured serving.
Lowest-Calorie Diwali Sweets (Per Piece)
Want something sweet while keeping your calories in check? Choosing smaller pieces can make a difference.
Here are the 5 lowest-calorie sweets from our comparison:
1. Kaju Katli – 60 Calories
This sweet contains around 60 calories and 6 g of sugar per 13 g piece.
The sweet is made mostly from cashews and sugar so it will be calorific; however the portion size is quite small so it is one of the lowest.
2. Peda – 85 Calories
This sweet has around 85 calories and 9 g of sugar in a 20 g piece.
This sweet is made from milk solids and sugar; however they can be higher in calories if extra ghee/nuts are added.
3. Rasgulla – 95 Calories
A 40 g serving of rasgulla with syrup contains approximately 95 calories and 20 g of sugar.
Although rasgulla has fewer calories per 100 g than many dry sweets, its syrup can contribute a considerable amount of sugar.
4. Soan Papdi – 105 Calories
This sweet contains around 105 calories and 10 g of sugar in a 20 g piece.
Soan papdi is light and flaky, so the pieces feel small, but at about 524 kcal per 100 g it is one of the most calorie-dense sweets on the chart.
5. Chikki – 105 Calories
This sweet contains around 105 calories and 7 g of sugar in a 20 g piece of peanut or sesame chikki.
Peanuts and sesame seeds add lots of fat and some protein, while the jaggery or sugar adds sweetness and calories.
Remember: Just because a sweet contains fewer calories per piece doesn’t mean that it will be low in sugar or calories per 100 g.
Highest-Calorie Diwali Sweets (Per Piece)
Some Diwali sweets are higher calorie due to larger portions or being fried or using high-calorie ingredients.
| Sweet | Serving size | Approximate calories |
| Gujiya | 40 g | 185 kcal |
| Rasmalai | 60 g | 165 kcal |
| Dry fruit laddu | 30 g | 160 kcal |
| Besan laddu | 30 g | 145 kcal |
| Mysore pak | 25 g | 140 kcal |
Gujiya contains a rich filling and rasmalai can be eaten with sweet milk. Laddus and Mysore pak can often be very rich in ghee, nuts, and other high-calorie foods.
That doesn’t mean you need to avoid them altogether. Just have a portion that suits your appetite and nutritional needs.
Diwali Namkeen Calories: How Much Are You Eating?
While Diwali isn’t all about mithai, there are many types of savoury and crunchy treats you can eat such as namkeen, chakli, mathri and bhujia.
Many of these foods are fried and therefore can be quite high in calories.
| Diwali snack | Serving size | Calories per serving | Calories per 100 g |
| Bhujia/sev | 30 g | 175 kcal | 580 |
| Fried chivda | 30 g | 165 kcal | 550 |
| Chakli/murukku | 15 g | 75 kcal | 500 |
| Mathri | 15 g | 80 kcal | 540 |
| Shakarpara | 30 g | 155 kcal | 520 |
A small 30 g portion of bhujia can contain around 175 calories. This is more than a small serving of kaju katli. Try eating some roasted makhana or baking your own treats for a lighter option.
Check out 12 healthy Diwali snacks from Fitelo.
Homemade Low-Sugar Diwali Sweets From Fitelo
A great benefit of making your own Diwali sweets is that you can modify the ingredients and portions.
Fitelo has a range of recipes you can try. Some of these include using natural sweeteners such as dates and fruit.
| Homemade sweet | Serving | Approximate calories |
| Kaju katli | 1 piece | 51 kcal |
| Kalakand | 1 piece | 90 kcal |
| Til ke laddu | 1 small laddu | 80 kcal |
| Dry fruit laddu | 1 small laddu | 100 kcal |
| Makhana phirni | 1 small katori | 105 kcal |
| Gajar ka halwa | 1 small katori | 130 kcal |
| Baked gujiya | 1 piece (50 g) | 185 kcal |
Calories are calculated from the ingredients in each Fitelo recipe. Actual values depend on ingredients, yields and serving sizes.
For more inspiration explore Fitelo’s healthy Diwali sweets recipes.
People managing diabetes can also read about sugar-free sweets for diabetics. Remember that sugar-free does not always mean carbohydrate-free or calorie-free.
How to Enjoy Diwali Sweets Without Overdoing It
You can still enjoy your favourite mithai while keeping your diet healthy. Here are 6 tips to help:
1. Choose Your Favourite Sweet
Try not to eat all the sweets. Choose the ones that you actually like.
Depending on your needs, having just a small piece or two may be enough to satisfy your sweet tooth.
2. Watch Your Portions
Large laddus and barfis can be much higher in calories. Try splitting them up or sharing.
3. Avoid Extra Syrup
Many desserts such as gulab jamun and rasgulla are served in syrup. Try leaving some of the extra syrup to reduce how much sugar you’re eating.
4. Enjoy Sweets With a Balanced Meal
Don’t swap meals for mithai. Continue eating your meals throughout the day with plenty of vegetables, proteins and healthy foods. If you want, you can have a small amount of dessert.
5. Watch Your Total Calorie Intake
Managing your weight is down to your overall eating habits and keeping your energy balance in check.
Fitelo’s calorie deficit calculator can help you understand how many calories you should be eating.
6. Be Active
Having a quick walk after your festive meal can help keep you active. However, don’t feel like you’re punishing yourself. Try to keep it fun and something you enjoy doing.
If you do end up eating more than you planned, just go back to your normal balanced routine. There is no need to go into a crazy fast or detox diet.
Check out our post-Diwali reset guide for more practical ideas.
Want to Enjoy Diwali Without Losing Track of Your Health Goals?
You do not have to give up your favourite Indian foods to work towards a healthier lifestyle.
Fitelo’s nutritionists can help you plan balanced meals around your preferences, routines, and celebrations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Indian Sweet Has The Lowest Calories?
Small sweets like kaju katli (around 60 kcal) and peda (around 85 kcal) have the fewest calories per piece. Per 100 g, syrup sweets like rasgulla have the fewest calories, but they are high in sugar. Lower-sugar homemade sweets such as sugar-free rasgulla or makhana phirni are lower still.
How Many Calories Are In 1 Gulab Jamun?
A small gulab jamun (around 40 g) with a little syrup contains around 120 kcal and 23 g of sugar. Squeezing out the syrup reduces the sugar. Larger gulab jamuns like the ones made by halwais may contain more.
How Many Calories Are In 1 Rasgulla?
One tinned rasgulla (around 40 g) with syrup contains around 95 kcal and 20 g of sugar. Squeezing out the syrup reduces this a lot as most of the sugar is in the syrup.
How Many Calories Do 2 Jalebis Have?
Two medium jalebis (around 25 g each) contain around 220 kcal and 28 g of sugar. Jalebis are deep-fried and then soaked in sugar syrup so they are among the highest-sugar Diwali sweets.
How Many Calories Are In 1 Kaju Katli?
A store-bought kaju katli (around 13 g) contains around 55-65 kcal and around 6 g of sugar depending on the brand. Fitelo’s low-sugar version contains around 51 kcal and less than 1 g of sugar.
How Many Calories Are In A Piece Of Soan Papdi?
A small piece of soan papdi (20 g) contains around 105 kcal and 10 g of sugar. It is light and flaky so it is easy to eat a few pieces.
Can I Eat Mithai During Weight Loss?
Yes, as long as you count it in your daily calories. Stick to 1-2 small pieces on festive days, eat them after a meal and choose smaller, less syrupy sweets.
Which Diwali Sweet Has The Most Sugar?
Syrup sweets have the most sugar: jalebi, gulab jamun, and rasgulla are around 45-57% sugar by weight. Peda, soan papdi and kaju katli are also high at around 30-55%.
How Many Calories Are In 1 Chakli?
A store-bought chakli or murukku (around 15 g) contains around 75 kcal. It is deep-fried so most of its calories come from oil.
Sources
- 1. Open Food Facts – Nutrition Labels of Packaged Indian Sweets and Namkeen (October 2026)
https://world.openfoodfacts.org/
Nutrition-label data for packaged sweets and namkeen from brands such as Haldiram’s, Bikaji, Lal, Amul, and Nandini. - 2. ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition – Dietary Guidelines for Indians (2024)
https://www.nin.res.in/dietaryguidelines/ - 3. USDA FoodData Central – Food Composition Database
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/
Reference database for Fitelo’s ingredient-based calorie calculations for homemade sweets.
Disclaimer: All nutritional values are approximate and may vary by recipe, brand, and serving size. This article is for general informational purposes and does not replace personalised medical or nutritional advice. People with diabetes or other health conditions should consult their healthcare professional or registered dietitian for individual dietary recommendations.
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