fasting

Navratri 2023: Every year, during the Hindu festival of Navratri, followers fast in order to offer prayers to Goddess Durga. Some people observe a fast during this holiday for the first one to two days and the last one to two days, while others observe it for the full nine days. Fasting is not only thought to be lucky during Navratri; it is also a great technique to detoxify your body because it helps your body get rid of dangerous pollutants. Fasting may also cause you to feel weary or lethargic due to the nutritional changes, though. We will provide you some advice on fasting during Navratri.

Advice for the fasting festival of Navratri

If you want to take full advantage of the celebration, it is imperative to maintain a good energy level during fasting. So, if you are fasting during Navratri, you need to keep in mind a few important things.

Anupama Menon, a Bengaluru-based certified nutritionist and food coach, created a fasting meal plan that will keep you healthy and active throughout the Navratri fast, according to an interview with Health Shots.

Read More:NAVRATRI 2023: CELEBRATE THE FESTIVE SPIRIT WITH SATVIK DELIGHTS AND NUTTY MAKHANA DESSERTS

Here are 9 suggestions for food preparation during the Navratri fast:

  1. Fasting window: Every day, observe a 14–16 hour fasting window and eat during the remaining time. The 16/8 method is a well-known illustration of intermittent fasting. There is a daily 16-hour fast and an 8-hour window for eating, during which you can consume two, three, or more meals. Additionally, you could observe a 14-hour window of fasting for six days and a 16-hour window for three days.
     
  2. Eating window: Doing 16/8 is straightforward, secure, and sustainable. If you have already started your eating window, try to avoid going more than 2.5 hours between meals, regardless of how big or tiny they are.
  3. Eat healthy: Make sure to eat a filling breakfast after a 14 or 16-hour window, such as sabudana khichdi or potato-based kuttu atta paratha with a glass of milk or buttermilk. Fruits that aid in detoxification are also available for consumption. Try to avoid eating any sweets with this meal.
  4. Staying hydrated is essential: It is crucial to stay hydrated during fasting because it can considerably lessen hunger pangs. Additionally, drinking water can prevent weariness and even fainting from occurring quickly. Always carry a bottle of water with you and continue to sip regularly.
  5. Cold milk for acidity: Your body will undoubtedly benefit from nine days of fasting to purify itself, but for some people, changing their diet during this time can cause acidity or constipation. Drink cold milk to combat it and avoid becoming acidic. Drinking it at or after 4 of the clock in the afternoon may be beneficial. Lemonade and curd are some options you can include in your diet to solve this issue.
  6. Fruits for fibre: We typically consume more snacks when we are fasting. But try to limit your snacking to mainly healthy options, like fruit. Two to three portions of fruit each day aid with bowel movements and keep you hydrated. Include fruits like oranges, bananas, papayas, and apples, as well as citrus fruits. It is a good idea to drink lemon juice throughout the day, especially to help with iron absorption from food.

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  7. Add sugar but in limits: A bowl or serving of something sweet once every two to three days may satisfy your sweet tooth and may also aid with low energy brought on by lowering blood sugar levels. It tricks your mind into thinking that you are fasting, which also helps to eliminate any potential feelings of deprivation. So a serving of sabudana or makhana kheer may be wonderful! Keep in mind to only consume it seldom.

     

  8. Nuts for fats: Last but not least, for your beneficial fats, be sure to consume a handful of unsalted nuts throughout the day, such as almonds, walnuts, and pistachios. The ideal option is to add one or two teaspoons of ghee/cold pressed coconut oil to your fast in the morning before breakfast. You might also include dry fruits like dates, figs, and raisins in your diet. Since this diet contains no vegetables, overnight soaking of dried fruits may aid the digestive system.

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  9. Coconut water: Sendha namak, commonly known as rock salt, can be used to season food when consuming table salt is prohibited during a fast. Apart from that, it is a good idea to consume banana or coconut water at some point during the day.