On the first day of the Cannes Film Festival 2026 red carpet, Bollywood actor Alia Bhatt shared details about her unique skin snack, which includes jaggery, ghee, coconut, and peanut. The following day, when British Vogue asked her about the one Indian dish she misses while in Cannes, Alia smiled and replied, "I am obsessed with Indian food, and wherever I go, I just take that with me in my soul. It would have to be everything from my dal chawal to my homemade achar, to my sabzi, to my makhana. Although I've carried my makhana, so I'm good." Alia's dedication to carrying her desi Indian snack all the way to Cannes highlights her strict diet routine. Makhana is a healthy snack that nutritionists and dietitians often recommend. Let us explore how you can incorporate it into your daily food regimen.
What is Makhana?
Makhana, also known as fox nuts or lotus seeds, comes from the seeds of the Euryale Fox plant, which grows in water and is primarily found in India and China. These seeds are harvested, dried, and roasted to create a light, crunchy, and nutritious snack. It is widely used in Ayurveda and is known for its anti-aging, digestion-boosting, and heart-friendly properties. Popular during fasting, makhana can be eaten roasted, added to curries, or used in desserts.
Nutritional Value of Makhana
Per 100 grams of makhana contains 347 calories, 9.7 grams of protein, 76.9 grams of carbohydrates, 14.5 grams of fiber, 0.1 grams of fat, 60 mg of calcium, 1.4 mg of iron, 67 mg of magnesium, 500 mg of potassium, and 200 mg of phosphorus.
Benefits of Eating Makhana
Makhana, also known as fox nut or lotus seed, is a white-colored dry snack that is low in calories. According to nutritionists and health experts, it makes for a healthy snack that can keep you full for longer. It is loaded with nutrients and provides a wholesome dose of calcium, magnesium, iron, and phosphorus. The rich amount of protein and fiber helps prevent hunger cravings. Makhana is also said to have anti-aging properties, as it is rich in amino acids, glutamine, and arginine. Studies suggest that makhana helps stabilize cholesterol levels and decreases blood glucose levels. Below are five simple and easy recipes that you may add to your weight loss diet.
Makhana Kheer
Roast 1 cup of makhana in a deep saucepan using 1 teaspoon of ghee. Once done, empty the pan, add 2 cups of skimmed milk, bring it to a boil, add 2 tablespoons of powdered jaggery, and mix well. Stir well, then add roasted makhana and stir. Keep the flame medium and let the mixture cook for 20 minutes. Once the milk attains a thicker consistency, switch off the flame and add chopped nuts. Serve hot.
Makhana Curry
Roast 1 cup of makhana in a non-stick pan using 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Add a few almonds and allow them to cool down. In the same pan, add 1 teaspoon of oil, cumin seeds, 2 green chilies, 1 chopped onion, 1 chopped tomato, 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder, and 1 teaspoon of coriander powder. Cook until the mixture turns translucent. Now, blend the mixture along with the nuts to a fine puree. Cook it in the same pan for 5-7 minutes, add salt, and this curry can be used to make any side dish using paneer, tofu, or sautéed sweet potato, which you can enjoy with brown rice or millet roti for lunch or dinner.
Makhana Chaat
Roast 1 cup of makhana along with 1 tablespoon of oil or ghee in a non-stick pan. Place it on a plate, add boiled and diced 1 sweet potato, half an onion, half a tomato, 2 teaspoons of roasted peanuts, salt, pepper, red chili powder, 2 tablespoons of curd, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, 2 teaspoons of coriander leaves, and 1 teaspoon of sev.
Makhana Yogurt
This can be a mid-day snack to calm down hunger pangs. All you need to do is take plain or flavored yogurt, add half a cup of roasted makhana to it, and add 1 tablespoon of jaggery powder. Mix well and enjoy. If you prefer savory, replace jaggery with pink salt and freshly crushed black pepper.
Masala Makhana
To make this easiest recipe, either dry roast makhana in a non-stick pan or use 1 tablespoon of oil or ghee for 1 cup of makhana. Once done, add red chili powder, salt, black pepper, and black salt. Mix well and store in an airtight container. According to health experts, it is one of the healthiest evening snacks that you can enjoy with tea as well.
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