Time of the year when Goddess Durga and her nine avataars are worshiped is approaching soon. Yes, you got it right; we are talking about Navratri. This is the time of the year, when people all across the country worship goddess Durga and observe fasts. Some observe only first and last fast while others choose to go on a healthy diet and observe fast for all nine days of Navratri. Some observe fast to get their wishes fulfilled while other observe nine days’ fast to cleanse and detoxify their bodies.
During Navratri, our perception of eating food changes completely. People bring changes in their food consumption and look for pure vegetarian or vegan diets. As people stop eating onion, garlic, non-vegetarian food and other regular food items, they look for some interesting and healthy food options. Whether one observes fasts for detoxification or for any other reason, eating healthy food in Navratri fast is essential for everyone.
In addition to the fasts, Durga Puja festivals and Dandiya Nights are other major attractions of Navratri, where women actively participate in the celebrations. They try their best to look gorgeous on all nine days. From the stylish outfits to the designer jewelry and beautiful makeup, they want everything to be the best to become trendsetter in Navratri. But when you observe fast for nine days, in addition to the materialistic things you also need internal beauty to look beautiful. To ensure that you steal the show in every dandiya night, you should eat healthy food in Navratri fast. You need to include nutritious fasting food in your diet during Navratri.
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Also check: 5 Quick Ways to Become a Trendsetter This Navratri
What to eat during Navratri Fast?
Here are some options to help you know what to eat during Navratri fast to stay healthy and look beautiful while observing fasts:
Buckwheat flour (Kuttu Atta)
Kuttu atta is rich in fiber and helps in detoxification of the body. So those observing fast to cleanse their body must include this in their fasting diet. This not just provides your body the required protein but also keeps food cravings at bay. Additionally, kuttu atta is full of B-complex vitamins, minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc and manganese. Fatty acids in the flour keep your blood pressure in control during fasts.
Topical pearls (Sabudana/sago)
This Navratri fast food item is full of carbohydrates and helps your body stay energetci during fasts. This easy to digest food option for Navratri fast tastes amazing when cooked in different ways like kheer, payasam, khichdi etc.
Herbs and spices
Though processes salt is not allowed during Navratri fast, you can still include other herbs and spices in your food. Sendha namak, peanuts, cumin seeds, green cardamom, cinnamon, green chili, black pepper, cloves and nutmeg are some of the things you can add in your food for flavor and a better test.
Barnyard Millet (Samak Chawal)
Those who love rice and can’t control the cravings can include samak rice in their diet. It fills your body with energy due to availability of B-complex vitamin, minerals like iron and magnesium. It also lowers down cholesterol in the body as it is rich in phytochemicals.
Dry fruits
Dry fruits make a great source of energy by taking a little amount. You can include dry fruits like almonds, raisins, pistachio and cashew in your Navratri fast diet. You can also use dry fruits in dishes like halwa, laddoos and payasams.
What to Eat in Breakfast during Navratri Fast?
- Fruits
- Skimmed milk
- Amaranth porridge
- Nuts
- Fruit shake
- Soaked Almonds
What to Eat in Lunch during Navratri Fast?
- Grilled or roasted sabudana vadas
- Kuttu atta (buckwheat flour) roti with vegetable and raita
- Salad
- Baked sabudana tikkes with curd
- Samak rice with curd and salad
What to Eat in Evening Snacks during Navratri Fast?
- Coconut water
- Fruit juice
- Green tea
- Baked chips
- Roasted makhana
- Baked namkeen
What to Eat in Dinner during Navratri Fast?
- Paneer sabzi
- Paneer tikka
- Milk Shake
- Vegetables and salad
- Kuttu roti
- Vegetable soup
- Bottle guard, pumpkin or spinach sabji
- Arbi Kadhi
- Samak rice
Tips to stay healthy during Navratri fast:
Don’t skip meals
Observing fast doesn’t mean you have to completely skip your meals and starve yourself. You just need to change your diet. Have small and frequent Navratri fast food items throughout the day to keep your blood sugar controlled.
Take a balanced diet
Make a diet plan that has a perfect combination of carbohydrates like potatoes and sabudana with other protein and fiber rich foods like spinach, tomatoes, bottle guard etc. If you don’t want to add extra calories by eating deep-fried fast food, take baked or roasted vegetables and kutu rotis.
Eat properly
Whether you are observing fast or not, following a balanced diet is essential for a healthy body. Though there are limited Navratri fast food options, you can still get a balanced diet by choosing the options wisely. Makhane ki sabji, spinach, Chironji ki dal and arbi are some healthy food options for those confused about what to eat in Navratri.
Stay hydrated
While observing fast, we tend to feel less requirement of water, which directly affects the hydration in body. Make sure you stay hydrated by regularly taking different liquids like juice, water, milk, shikanji, coconut water and buttermilk. Avoid taking too much tea or coffee during fast as it makes your body more dehydrated.
Say no to sugar for some time
People don’t include processed salt in their meal during Navratri. They use pure rock salt in vegetable they want to eat in Navratri fast. When taking a break from salt, try to avoid sugar as well. Though there is no fasting ritual to skip sugar, but you can prefer natural sweet things like jaggery or honey during your fast.
Stick to these food options during Navratri fast and you will be able to not just stay healthy but also look awesome at all the functions. These nutritious and healthy foods for Navratri fast keep your body energetic.
FAQ?
Can We Eat Haldi in Navratri Fast?
It varies from region to region. While some people eat Haldi in Navratri Fast, others avoid it.
Can We Eat Honey in Navratri Fast?
Yes, you can easy honey in Navratri Fast. Rather, I would say, you should use honey or jaggery only instead of chemically cleaned sugar.
Can I Eat Chocolate in Navratri Fast?
No, you can’t eat chocolate in Navratri Fast.
Can We Eat Ice Cream in Navratri Fast?
You can east homemade ice cream in the fast, but avoid taking the products available in the market.
Can We Eat Jeera in Navratri Fast?
Yes, you can use jeera (Cumin seeds) in vegetables for Navratri Fast.
Can We Eat Kaju in Navratri Fast?
Yes, of course you can enjoy Kaju in fast. This is a dry fruit and you can use it in multiple ways like you can either eat it directly or can use it in sweet dishes made for Navratri Fast.
Can We Eat Kaju Katli in Navratri Fast?
Only if made at home.
Can We Eat Lemon in Navratri Fast?
Yes, there is no problem is using lemon in fast. This is like a fruit only.
Can We Eat Lauki in Navratri Fast?
Yes, you can include lauki (bottle guard) in your Navratri Fast food. You can make various dishes from it like raita, vegetable, kheer or halwa.
Can We Eat Medicine in Navratri Fast?
If you are on some regular medicines, I would suggest you should continue them to avoid any health issues. Ultimately, our health is more important.
Can We Eat Oats in Navratri Fast?
No, you can’t eat oats in fast. This is like wheat, rice and other grains that we have to avoid in Navratri Fasts.
Can We Eat Olive Oil in Navratri Fast?
Yes, you can use olive oil to cook your Navratri Fast food.
Can We Eat Refined Oil in Navratri Fast?
Yes, you can use refined oil in fast. Try using Peanut or sunflower refined oil only.
Can We Eat Peanuts in Navratri Fast?
Yes, you can eat peanuts, can use peanut refined oil and can also use it in different dishes.
Can We Eat Paneer in Navratri Fast?
Yes, you can include paneer in your Navratri Fast diet.
Can We Eat Saunf in Navratri Fast?
Yes, you can eat saunf (fennel seeds) in fast.
Can We Eat Soya in Navratri Fast?
No, you can’t eat soya in fast.
Can We Eat Sauce in Navratri Fast?
Only if you have made it at home without using onion or garlic.
Can I Eat Cheese in Navratri Fast?
I wouldn’t suggest you to use cheeze in fast.