Navratri Special - Guide to Food and Health

It's now time for Navratri,  particularly: Sharad Navratri (Oct - Nov)  and this festive season has begun. Fast will be followed by feasts of Dussehra and then Diwali. But wait,  you don't have to risk your health. Healthy fasting should be done to avoid any health issues. So, if you are anyways thinking of fasting,  do read below.

In Vedic literature,  food has been believed to cast an impact on body,  brain and soul health.  Also,  food is classified as Rajsik, Tamsik, and Sattvik.   
Rajsik food is royal food consisting of varieties of dishes and food made with grains and cereals and eaten on daily basis. 
Sattvik food: consists of very few food items such as fruits and some tubers and is followed in Vrat or fast.
 In Navratri, we follow Sattvik food and this consists of :

1) All fruits 
2) Vegetables:
      -Potato or Aloo
      -Bottle gourd or Lauki 
      -Pumpkin or kaddu 
      -Cucumber or kheera 
      -Suran or jimikand
      -Tomatoes or tamatar 
      - Green chilli or Hari mirch 
      -Sweet Potato or Shakarkand 
3) Flour or atta :
     -Kuttu ka atta ( buckwheat flour) 
     -Rajgire ka atta( amaranth flour) 
     -Singhare ka atta (water chestnut Flour)
     - Sama ke chawal ka atta ( barnyard millet flour) 
4) Spices & Herbs 
    -Jeera ( cumin seeds) 
    - Black Pepper ( kali mirch) 
    -Green Cardamom ( Chhoti Elaichi) 
    -Cinnamon ( Dalchini) 
    -Cloves (Laung) 
    -Nutmeg (Jaiphal) 
    -Coriander (Dhaniya) 
    -Red chilli ( Laal mirch) 
    - Mint leaves ( Pudina) 
    - Tulsi leaves
5) Tapioca or Sabudaana can be used.  
6) Sama Rice or Barnyard millet can be used like rice.
7) Only Rock Salt can be used
8) All dairy products are allowed. 
9) All kinds of tea are allowed. 
10) Fats to be used are: Groundnut oil and ghee. 
11) Groundnut is allowed to be eaten. 
12) All dry fruits are allowed along with 'Makhaana '

Foods strictly prohibited during Navratra fast are :

1) All cereals and pulses. 
2) Garlic and onion 
3) Coffee 
4) Common Salt 
5) Chia seeds,  flax seeds etc 
6) Alcohol 
7) Non- vegetarian foods 

Now,  after the basic rules about food during fast, we need to know some Do's and Don'ts to take care during Navratri fast.  Especially those who have decided to fast for 9 days,  need to take a good care.  Do follow for avoiding health issues.

DON'TS-
1) Don't plunge a lot of Vrat dishes on the name of fast: 
People often miss their usual cereal diet during fasts and end up having more than their usual diets on the fast days.  This slows down metabolism and may upset stomach. 
2) Don't trust Sugars a lot: 
People find no variety of dishes to cover up for their sweet tooth so they include more kheer in their food. But,  this ain't good for your body. 
3) Don't drink too much of tea :
Your body is already supposed tone a little less hydrated during fasts,  so don't add up to dehydration by having frequent cups of tea. 
4) Don't spill every food in oil :
Not including all forms of carbohydrates and fats during fasts has a reason.  Don't fill up your liver with inconvenience due to oil. Maintain a limited fat dosage. 
5) Don't overburden your body,  with physical and mental stress:
Avoid gymming and over-exercising to avoid muscle pain.
6) Avoid stress and anger :
Anger and stress adds to the toxicity of your body,  so avoid it during fasts for a calmer ( Shant)  and Pavitra ( Pure)  man ( soul) 

DO'S-
1) Keep yourself Hydrated :
Keep drinking water frequently as it will pace up your metabolism as well as keep your stomach and body healthy. 
2) Replace Tea with Fruit juices: Go for a healthier drink,  influxed with vitamins and minerals to help your body do good instead of caffeinated tea.
3) Have trust on Yoga: If fasting disturbs your gymming schedule,  switch to Yoga for a healthier day without overexertion. 
4) Replace too much of Aloo ( Potato)  dishes with Lauki (Bottle Gourd): Bottle Gourd is a better option over too much of Potato as it is more nutritious. 
5) Have Faith on Fibres: Include natural fibers and fruits during Navratra for better detoxification of your body. 
6) Eat seasonal fruits: Seasonal fruits will not put your body prone to hazardous chemicals used during storage. 

Navratri fasts if followed up with proper instructions and care will not weaken your body but will inspire detoxification of all ills of your body.  If you are planning to fast,  choose a wiser diet plan and eating habits for a healthy body and soul.  Worship Goddess Durga and Welcome 9 forms of 'Devi ' with purity in your heart and Happiness in your health. 

Happy Navratri

Tags: Navratri Vrat Food, Navratri fasting, Vrat Food, Food in Vrat, Festival Foods

About Swati Dubey

I am a reading and writing enthusiast, a science geek and a multitasker. My definition comes under the phrase of 'Jack of all'. I am an ascetic being, a thinker and nature lover. I entrust, trying to bring change rather than lamenting over problems. I believe in living life to the fullest.