Navratri Fasting: Understanding The Traditions And Managing Your Diet

Navratri is a nine-day Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. During Navratri, people fast, pray, and perform traditional rituals to honor the goddess Durga and her nine forms and also to seek her blessings. 

As the festival is finally here, many of us will fast with deep religious sentiments and discipline. 

BUT DO YOU KNOW THIS FASTING HAS DEEP MEANING AND SCIENCE BEHIND  IT ?

Keep reading to know the logicals of keeping navratri fasts and how to do it the right way.

It is done primarily to detoxify your body and mind as we are entering a change in season. A change in season demands a stronger and cleaner body and hence fasting during navratri prepares our body for the seasonal change.

This is the reason that it is celebrated twice in a year, once at the beginning of summer and second in the beginning of winter.

Navratri fasting has several benefits, which are not only physical but spiritual as well. Here are some of the benefits of Navratri fasting:

1. Detoxification and Improved digestion:

Fasting occasionally during festivals is good for your digestive system and all other organs. The extra energy saved due to absence of digestive process during fasting is spent on healing and detoxification.  By avoiding certain foods, the body is able to eliminate toxins more efficiently and relieve digestive issues such as bloating and constipation.

2. Weight loss:

 Navratri fasting can help with weight loss as it involves eating light, low-calorie meals.

3. Improved mental clarity and Spiritual growth : 

Fasting can improve mental clarity and focus, allowing individuals to concentrate better. Navratri fasting can help individuals connect with their spiritual side, leading to personal growth and a greater sense of purpose.

If you too are fasting and are looking for healthy food options that will make you feel satiated and energetic throughout the day, here are some things to keep in mind and some unbeatable foods that can help, recommended by nutritionist Manmeet Kaur

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FOOD ITEMS TO AVOID DURING NAVRATRI

There are certain foods that are avoided to maintain purity and to help individuals stay focused on their spiritual goals. Let us have a look at those food items and why they are not consumed.

1. Non-vegetarian food

Non-vegetarian food, including meat, fish, and eggs, are avoided during Navratri. 

REASON – Meat is considered tamasic, which means it can induce negative emotions like anger, violence, and ignorance. During Navratri, individuals are encouraged to stay away from these negative emotions and instead focus on purity and spirituality.

2. Grains and legumes

Another set of food items that are avoided during Navratri are grains and legumes like wheat, rice, lentils, and chickpeas. 

REASON – These foods are also considered tamasic and can make the body lethargic and dull. During Navratri, it is believed that by avoiding these foods, one can remain alert and focused.

3. Onions and garlic

Onions and garlic are something that are avoided during Navratri 

REASON – They are believed to stimulate the senses and create heat in the body. According to Ayurveda, onions and garlic have rajasic properties, which means they can make the mind restless and interfere with meditation and spiritual practices.

4. Alcohol and caffeine

Alcohol and caffeine are also avoided during Navratri as they are believed to disrupt the mind-body balance. They are considered to be tamasic and can affect an individual’s ability to concentrate and stay focused.

That means NO COFFEE, NO MAGGIE, NO COLD DRINK, NO CHOCOLATES, NO FROOTI AND ALL YOUR OTHER FAVORITE JUNK FOR THE ENTIRE FAST PERIOD !!!! 

THEN HOW ARE YOU GOING TO  MANAGE YOUR CRAVINGS ???

Let’s look at the food items that are recommended by our nutritionist and you can consider.

While fasting, it is important to consume nutritious and wholesome foods that provide the body with the necessary energy and nutrients. Some of the food options are : 

1. Fruits and nuts

Fruits and nuts are an excellent source of energy and nutrients. During Navratri, people often consume fruits like bananas, apples, and pomegranates, along with nuts like almonds and cashews. These foods are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats, and can help keep the body nourished during the fast.

2. Milk and dairy products

Milk and dairy products like yogurt and buttermilk are also commonly consumed during Navratri. These foods are rich in calcium, protein, and other essential nutrients, and can help maintain bone health and promote muscle growth.

3. Sabudana

Sabudana, or tapioca pearls, is a popular food during Navratri. It is rich in carbohydrates and provides the body with a good source of energy. Sabudana can be consumed in the form of khichdi, vada, or kheer, and is a tasty and nutritious option during the fast.

4. Flours and grains 

Kuttu atta or Buckwheat flour is packed with high fiber that helps detox the body. Also, fiber helps to keep hunger pangs at bay thereby, making us crave less while fasting. “You can also use singhare ka atta (water chestnut flour) and rajgira ka atta (amaranth flour). Instead of rice, you can have samay ke chawal or samvat ke chawal (barnyard millet) that can be used to make khichdi, dhoklas or kheer.

5. Potatoes and sweet potatoes

Potatoes are a staple during Navratri, and are often consumed in the form of boiled potatoes, potato chips, or aloo chaat. Potatoes are rich in carbohydrates and provide the body with a good source of energy.

Sweet potatoes  are a rich source of complex carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. 

6. Makhana 

Foxnut is a very popular fasting food. It is loaded with antioxidants, and acts as an anti-ageing food by preventing white hair, wrinkles, and premature aging.

OTHER  ITEMS THAT CAN BE CONSUMED : 

• Peanuts
• Lemon
• Curry leaves
• Coriander
• All type of vegetables
• Coconut/ coconut milk
• Sugar 
• Tea 
• Green chili 
• Ajwain 
• Rock salt (sendha namak)
• Spice and herbs (Generally used are black pepper, green chilies and ginger.)

The list is not exhaustive but suggestive.

With this amount of food options, you have ample to choose from and stay nourished during your fasts but yet sometimes we can see a dip in our energy levels, a feeling of exhaustion and you even might have witnessed someone fainting due to fasting.

Ever wondered why this happens?

There’s a very simple explanation behind this phenomenon that can be understood as something called ‘ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE’ .

Sodium and Potassium are such two electrolytes, if not consumed enough or have fluctuations in their level will lead to a feeling of dizziness and spinning in your head. You must be wondering what can be done to prevent this then?

Let’s have a look at some tips to maintain your optimal energy levels during navratri fasts.

1. Avoid excess simple sugar

It can cause a rapid spike in insulin levels, but those levels go down as rapidly as they go up and will not keep you satiated for a long time.

2. Stay hydrated 

Keeping yourself hydrated is the key for efficient fasting. We don’t need to stress enough on the fact that you should drink plenty of water and stay hydrated throughout the day.

TIP:  Add coconut water to your diet as it is a rich source of antioxidants and electrolytes and you can easily say goodbye to your dizziness!

3. Add fibers

Fibers give you a feeling of fulfillment for a longer period and you are not induced to eat often.

4. Increase your protein intake 

You should aim to keep your protein intake high in every meal. The thermogenic effect of protein is higher as compared to other nutrients. Let’s say you consume 200 calories of protein  against 200 calories of carbs, you’ll feel satiated for nearly 2-3 hours approx as compared to 1 hour of fulfillment provided by carbs.

This raises a very important question in one’s mind. 

CAN YOU CONSUME WHEY PROTEIN  DURING YOUR FASTS ??

THE ANSWER IS ABSOLUTELY YESSS !!!

As long as your whey protein is genuine and does not contain any added artificial sweetener and the ingredients doesn’t contradict with your daily beliefs it is absolute and 100% safe to include whey protein in your fasting diet.

Check out our products to see which ones you can add in your diet.

5. A Proper Good-night Sleep 

Sleeping for 7-8 hours daily  is non-negotiable for proper functioning of the body. Sleep is important during fasting because it helps the body rest and recover as the body enters a state of ketosis.

Sleeping for 7-8 hours is not only limited to your fasting days but should be a part of your daily sleep cycle to function effectively.

6. Lemon water 

Try to consume a glass of lemon water daily to feel refreshed and energetic.

Having learnt so much about the DO’S and DON’TS of Navratri, we should also remember that Navratri fasting is not just about avoiding certain foods or consuming others. 

It is also a time for prayer, meditation, and introspection. Many people spend time in prayer and meditation during Navratri to connect with the divine and to seek inner peace and guidance.

The practices you follow in your 9 days long journey are the ones that can be adopted for a lifetime and made into a healthy lifestyle.

TEAM BEAST NUTRITION WISHES YOU HAPPY NAVRATRI AND A HAPPY FASTING.