Navratri is a prominent festival celebrated across India, dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga in her nine powerful forms over the course of nine days. Hindus observe fasting during this period & express deep devotion & reverence towards the Goddess.

Fasting During Navratri Festival

During this sacred period, both men & women observe fasting as a way to express their devotion & love for Goddess Durga. The fast begins on the first day & is continued until the seventh or eighth day of Navratri. The most devout individuals break their Navratri fast on the ninth day, also known as 'Navami'.

During the partial Navratri vrat, followers observe certain dietary restrictions & rituals. The fast is broken after evening prayers or puja. Throughout these nine days, worshippers abstain from consuming non-vegetarian food such as meat, fish, eggs, & onions. Additionally, they avoid garlic, alcohol, dishes made with common salt, & any kind of spice.

The fasting period often involves a limited diet that primarily includes milk, fruits, & fruit juices. Some individuals also incorporate tea, coffee, milk products, dry fruits, sago, & potato cooked with rock salt into their meals during this time. It is believed that adhering to a strict vegetarian & sattvic diet during Navratri promotes inner peace & aligns with the spiritual significance of the festival. By following these dietary guidelines & engaging in appropriate behavior & actions, followers seek to enhance their spiritual experience during Navratri.

Furthermore, there exists a third group of individuals who take advantage of fasting as an excuse to indulge excessively. This behavior often results in weight gain due to consuming excess calories & indulging in celebratory foods. It is crucial that we steer clear of this approach as it is detrimental to our health. Let's explore some strategies to avoid falling into this trap.

During the Navratri Fast:

Fasting is a practice that is recognized across various religions as a way to purify the heart & soul. Beyond its spiritual significance, fasting also provides numerous health benefits. It aids in detoxifying the body, enhancing the digestive system, regulating blood sugar levels, & notably, supporting weight loss efforts.

When you are fasting, your stomach's capacity to consume large amounts of food decreases. It is important to note that eating more than necessary during a fast can lead to feelings of laziness & tiredness. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid overindulging & instead focus on consuming meals in appropriate & suitable proportions while fasting.

The following are few essential diet tips to eat healthy in a sustainable manner during your fasting period :

• Eat after every 3 hours even on fasts. Small meals at regular intervals keep the metabolism intact.

• Have more yogurt, smoothies & fruits etc which will keep you satiated & maintain the required fluid level in the body.

• Make boiled sweet potato or regular potato chaat with green chutney, curd & boiled aloo. Add some rock salt & black pepper.

• Replace kheer with mixed fruit curd.

• Instead of making kuttu (buckwheat) pakodas & puri, opt for kuttu roti.

• Those who have the patience & the energy can try making idlis & dosas from sama (also called barnyard millet).

• Drink milk twice a day but instead replace whole milk with skimmed milk. If you are making kheer then use skimmed milk only.

• Drink coconut water & lemonade to avoid dehydration. You can also opt for fruit or lemon infused water or herbal tea.

• Instead of making potatoe bhaji all the time, make pumpkin/ ghiya/ lauki subji (bottle gourd).

• Eat veggies like pumpkin & dudhi (bottle guard) in different form like soups to fill you up with a fewer calories.

• Find a partner who is ready to fast with you. This helps in maintaining your determination.

• If you feel extremely hungry or experience cravings, then opt for sweets or pakodas but only in a moderate amount.

• Above tips will reduce your calories intake, In fact, you are bound to reduce weight too without affecting the metabolism.

• Eat a lot of fruits like apples, papayas, bananas or pomegranates.

• Nuts soaked overnight are nourishing for your body.

• Drink a lot of water & fruit or vegetable juices throughout the day. Coconut water is also a great option.

Stay energized for garba

Eating an hour before garba will not make you feel heavy during the dance & will also ensure that you are not low on energy. It is important to make sure that you create a balance. Have a combination of proteins & carbohydrates to keep you going for long. You can opt for some dry fruit milkshake or a buckwheat pancake with some cottage cheese cubes.

Do not starve for a long time

Fasting has been a traditional practice for religious reasons & occasionally used as a weight loss method. However, it is important to acknowledge that fasting is not a typical lifestyle habit for the present generation & may have potential long-term health risks.

Experts generally agree that prolonged & highly restrictive fasting is not healthy. Such fasting practices can lead to fluid loss & a decrease in the body's metabolic rate. Individuals who do not prioritize a balanced diet & choose to fast for extended periods may risk compromising their immunity, experiencing dehydration, & developing deficiencies in essential vitamins & minerals.

Ill-effects of not fasting properly:
Many people who fast also go to play garba or dandiya in the evenings. Since this requires stamina & energy, it is crucial that you fast in a proper manner in order to enjoy the festivities & not strain your health. Some of the ill-effects of fasting stringently are:

• Weakness & fatigue

• Fainting due to drop in blood sugar level

• Unable to sleep properly

• Lack of stamina

• Tiredness

"The significance lies not only in the food you consume during Navratri but primarily in the intention & mindfulness behind your choices."