Ladoo Calories Calculator
Ladoo (also spelled laddoo or ladu) is India's most ubiquitous festival sweet — spherical balls of sweetened gram flour (besan), semolina (rava), or fried boondi pearls bound with ghee and sugar, flavoured with cardamom and garnished with nuts and raisins. There are dozens of regional varieties: besan ladoo, motichoor ladoo, boondi ladoo, rava ladoo, churma ladoo, til (sesame) ladoo. Calorie content varies significantly by type and ghee quantity. Average ladoo is approximately 420 kcal per 100g. A standard piece is 40–60g, equalling 168–252 kcal per ladoo.
Ladoo Calculator
To burn about 210 kcal you may need roughly:
📊 Data source note: Nutrition values are estimates based on standard food composition databases and common recipe data. Actual values vary by cooking method, oil quantity, ingredient brand, and serving size. See our Data Sources and Methodology pages.
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Ladoo — Complete India Calorie Guide
Ladoo (also spelled laddoo or ladu) is India's most ubiquitous festival sweet — spherical balls of sweetened gram flour (besan), semolina (rava), or fried boondi pearls bound with ghee and sugar, flavoured with cardamom and garnished with nuts and raisins. There are dozens of regional varieties: besan ladoo, motichoor ladoo, boondi ladoo, rava ladoo, churma ladoo, til (sesame) ladoo. Calorie content varies significantly by type and ghee quantity. Average ladoo is approximately 420 kcal per 100g. A standard piece is 40–60g, equalling 168–252 kcal per ladoo.
Portion Size Guide
| Portion | Estimated Calories | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Small ladoo (~40g) | ~168 kcal | Small serving |
| Standard ladoo (~50g) | ~210 kcal | Typical piece |
| Large ladoo (~70g) | ~294 kcal | Festival/prasad size |
| 2 ladoos (~100g) | ~420 kcal | Larger serving |
Macronutrient Breakdown per 100g
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Per 1 serving (~50g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 420 kcal | 210 kcal |
| Protein | 6g | 3.0g |
| Carbohydrates | 56g | 28.0g |
| Fat | 18g | 9.0g |
| Fibre | 2g | 1.0g |
Weight Loss Tips for Ladoo
Ladoo is calorie-dense due to ghee and sugar content. The smallest ladoos (40g) are the most manageable at 168 kcal. For festivals, limit to one ladoo, eat it mindfully as a genuine treat rather than a grab-and-go snack, and account for it in your daily calorie budget. Motichoor and rava ladoos are slightly lighter than ghee-heavy besan ladoo varieties.
Active Lifestyle and Muscle Gain
Ladoo's besan (chickpea flour) base provides 6g of protein per 100g — higher than most Indian sweets. Besan ladoos are sometimes given to new mothers and convalescents for their nourishing properties. For active users, one ladoo post-workout provides a quick 210 kcal carb-fat combination for glycogen replenishment, but add a dedicated protein source alongside.
Ladoo in Indian Food Culture
Ladoo holds a special place in Hindu religious and cultural life — it is the prasad (sacred food offering) most closely associated with Lord Ganesha (who is depicted with a ladoo in temple iconography). No festival, wedding, birth, or religious ceremony in North and Central India is complete without ladoos. Different regions have their signature ladoo: Tirupati temple's famous large besan ladoos are arguably India's most famous prasad; Rajasthan is known for churma ladoo; Maharashtra for modak-style ladoos during Ganesh Chaturthi. Ladoos are also given at births as a celebration announcement (munh meetha karana).
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FAQs
How many calories in a ladoo?
A standard-sized ladoo (~50g) contains approximately 210 kcal. Small ladoos (~40g) are 168 kcal; large festival or prasad ladoos (~70g) are around 294 kcal. Type matters: rava ladoos are slightly lighter than ghee-heavy besan ladoos.
Which type of ladoo has the fewest calories?
Rava (semolina) ladoo and til (sesame) ladoo are generally lighter than besan ladoo or motichoor ladoo because they use less ghee. Approximate comparison: rava ladoo ~350 kcal/100g, til ladoo ~380 kcal/100g, besan ladoo ~420 kcal/100g, motichoor ladoo ~400 kcal/100g.
Is ladoo good for weight loss?
Ladoo is high in sugar and fat — not suitable for regular eating during weight loss. During festivals, limit to one small ladoo and account for the ~210 kcal in your daily budget. Avoid the habit of eating multiple ladoos at family events.
What is the difference between motichoor and besan ladoo?
Motichoor ladoo is made from tiny fried boondi pearls (similar to besan ladoo but processed into micro-pearls) and is softer, more delicate, and slightly orange in color. Besan ladoo is made from roasted besan directly and is firmer. Both are similarly calorie-dense.
Nutritional data based on standard Indian recipes and ICMR food composition tables. Values vary by preparation method, regional variation, and portion size. Use as a general guide only.