Chaitra Navratri 2023: Foods to Eat and Avoid During Fasting, 9 Days to Keep in Mind
Navratri 2023: Navratri is a sacred Hindu festival honoring Goddess Durga. It is a 9-day festival celebrated symbolically across North and East India. With various special dishes and prayers dedicated to Goddess Durga, the celebration is a joyous one.
Fasting during Navratri is a traditional belief passed down from generation to generation. It is said that during this time, the body and mind undergo a cleansing process, and fasting is one way to do that.
Some devotees may choose to fast for the entire nine days, while others may fast twice—on the first and last days, or on the final two days. When it comes to your daily diet, there are certain dos and don’ts that you should definitely follow. For example, you can include fasting foods like Samak Ke Chawal, Singara Ka Atta, Guttu Ka Atta, fruits and some vegetables in your diet when you are fasting. However, some of us may not know which vegetables to eat and which to avoid during fasting.
While avoiding foods like wheat, rice, semolina, maida, maize flour, pulses and pulses, those fasting during Navratri can opt for fasting-friendly flours, vegetables, fruits and spices. Foods eaten by people during fasting include samak ke chaval (palm millet), kuttu ke atta (buckwheat flour), sabutana or sago, rajgira, singhara ka atta (water chestnut flour), potato, sweet potato, guppi (lauki), arbi, pumpkin, Spinach, zucchini, cucumber, and carrot.
Foods to eat during Navratri
– Potatoes
– Sweet potatoes
– Pumpkin
— Colocasia
– Green banana
– Green papaya
– Zucchini
– Tomatoes (which are technically considered a fruit)
– Ginger
– Lemon
— Yam or Suran
– Cucumber
– Carrot
These vegetables are mild in taste, sattvic in nature, give you more energy and keep you hydrated.
Foods to Avoid During Navratri
– Onions and garlic
– Wheat, rice
– Salt
– Wine, eggs, meat
Other vegetables considered tamasic include leeks, onions and mushrooms.
Also Read: Chaitra Navratri 2023: 7 Health Benefits of Fasting Here
Things to keep in mind while fasting during Navratri
One of the most important festivals, Navratri is a time when people all over the country come together and celebrate. Throughout this nine-day event everyone engages in chanting, celebrating and worshiping Goddess Durga.
On Navratri, a large number of individuals across the country observe fast. Everyone approaches fasting differently these days.
1. Drink lots of fluids
2. Eat healthy foods
3. Avoid unhealthy and fried foods
4. Don’t starve yourself
5. Get enough sleep
6. Exercise
7. Switch from refined sugar to healthier alternatives
8. Non-vegetarian food, eggs, alcohol, smoking and aerated drinks are also strict no-no.