Chaitra Navratri is celebrated with much fervour and devotion, marked by fasting and abstinence from certain foods for the devotees. While fasting during Navratri can be a spiritually enriching experience, it's essential to prioritise your health by making informed dietary choices.
Being mindful of food choices during fasting is crucial for maintaining nutritional balance, stable energy levels, and digestive health. It helps prevent abrupt changes in diet that can lead to digestive discomfort and supports weight management goals by avoiding overeating.
Additionally, mindful eating promotes overall health, supporting immune function, gut health, and vitality. For many, fasting is accompanied by spiritual or mental practices, and mindful food choices can enhance these benefits, promoting a sense of mindfulness and awareness.
By avoiding certain food groups and opting for healthier alternatives, you can ensure that your Navratri fasting is spiritually uplifting and beneficial for your overall well-being.
1. Highly processed foods Foods like instant juices, packaged snacks, and sugary beverages should be avoided during Navratri fasting. These foods are high in unhealthy fats, sugars, and additives, which can harm health. Instead, focus on whole, unprocessed foods to support your overall well-being.
2. Deep-fried foods Lots of deep-fried foods like chips, puris, and more should be avoided during Navratri fasts due to their high-fat content. Consuming too many fried foods can lead to weight gain and increase the risk of heart disease. Choose baked or roasted alternatives to reduce the amount of fat in your diet.
3. Food with excessive Himalayan pink salt Himalayan pink salt./Wiki Commons
While a moderate amount of salt is essential for health and Himalayan pink salt or
Sendha namak comes to the rescue in this situation, an excessive amount of it should be avoided. Large amounts of any kind of salt, including the Himalayan pink salt, should be avoided, especially during fasting. High salt intake can lead to bloating, blood pressure fluctuation, and other health issues. Use rock salt in moderation to flavour your food during Navratri.
4. Artificial Sweetener While it's important to limit refined sugar intake during Navratri, it's also wise to avoid artificial sweeteners. These sweeteners can disrupt the gut microbiota and may have negative long-term health effects. Instead, opt for natural sweeteners like honey, or jaggery in the sweets you're planning to consume.
4. Heavy dairy products While dairy products like milk, yoghurt, and paneer are allowed during Navratri fasts, it is advisable to consume them in moderation. Heavy dairy products can be difficult to digest, especially during fasting when the digestive system may be more sensitive. Always opt for lighter dairy foods or dairy alternatives if you experience digestive discomfort.
6. Excessive tea or coffee When you are changing your eating pattern, you're likely to consume more tea or coffee to retain your energy and fill the gaps between two meals. However, too much tea, coffee, or any caffeinated beverages can have dehydrating effects on the body. During fasting, it's essential to stay hydrated and avoid beverages that can further deplete water levels. So, choose herbal teas or infused water to stay hydrated and support detoxification.
