Fasting, as one of the most important rituals of Navratri, is celebrated by many people in India. While some people fast for 9 days consecutively others fast for 2 days out of 9, most commonly, first and last day. Fasting cannot be simply defined, but it depends on the person's willpower and dedication.
While some people only drink water/ juices (liquid), others take fruit and milk during fasts. But, these kinds of fasts are very difficult to see through, so we will give you a few meal options you can have, filling your appetite and following the fasts as well.
We are told to avoid anna (wheat flour), all-purpose flour (Maida) which makes it very difficult to have chapatis(tortillas) with vegetables (a common Indian meal). So, we have some alternatives which are fasting-friendly such as kuttu ka atta (buckwheat flour), singhare ka atta (chestnut flour).
Some people avoid normal table salts and use sendha namak (rock salt) as an alternative. This can be adjusted according to availability too. Rock salts create a cooling effect and are very light on the stomach, giving multiple benefits and keeping us grounded.
Regular grain like rice is also not allowed during fasts, thus we use samvat chawal (barnyard millet) or Sabudana (sago) as an alternative in different dishes, such as khichdi, kheer, etc.
One of the strictest traditions is avoiding onions and garlic during this time and eating vegetables like potato, radish, sweet potato, yam, etc. to bring a sense of grounding. These products are very high in minerals and are easy to digest. Giving a better chance for our body to heal itself.
Fasting can make your Navratri a more blissful and joyful time, all while trying new kinds of tasty, healthy food.
Gargi Harjai
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Fasting cannot be simply defined, but it depends on the person's willpower and dedication.
While some people only drink water/ juices (liquid), others take fruit and milk during fasts. But, these kinds of fasts are very difficult to see through, so we will give you a few meal options you can have, filling your appetite and following the fasts as well.
We are told to avoid anna (wheat flour), all-purpose flour (Maida) which makes it very difficult to have chapatis(tortillas) with vegetables (a common Indian meal). So, we have some alternatives which are fasting-friendly such as kuttu ka atta (buckwheat flour), singhare ka atta (chestnut flour).
Some people avoid normal table salts and use sendha namak (rock salt) as an alternative. This can be adjusted according to availability too. Rock salts create a cooling effect and are very light on the stomach, giving multiple benefits and keeping us grounded.
Regular grain like rice is also not allowed during fasts, thus we use samvat chawal (barnyard millet) or Sabudana (sago) as an alternative in different dishes, such as khichdi, kheer, etc.
One of the strictest traditions is avoiding onions and garlic during this time and eating vegetables like potato, radish, sweet potato, yam, etc. to bring a sense of grounding. These products are very high in minerals and are easy to digest. Giving a better chance for our body to heal itself.
Fasting can make your Navratri a more blissful and joyful time, all while trying new kinds of tasty, healthy food.