Fasting during Navratri appears very easy until you start doing it. One day you will realize that you haven’t bought sendha namak, and the other day you will figure out that you are consuming the same food again and again. There are some days when you will get hungry despite having a good fasting meal.
The point is that fasting isn’t just about the foods that you mustn’t consume.
Here are some common mistakes to avoid during Navratri fasting.
Excessive Consumption of Fries
Poori, pakoda, or the crispy fasting foods like chivda can be quite appetizing; particularly so during the festival of Navratri. But an excessive intake of fried foods will make you feel bloated.
Rather than going in for fried foods for all meals, you can try to include roasted makhana or prepared sabudana in your diet.
A useful trick is to have some AKB Makhana with you whenever you get the craving for a bite.
Overlooking the Importance of Drinking Adequate Water
As your pattern of eating changes, so does the need for drinking enough water. This may make you feel tired or dehydrated.
It would help to drink water on a regular basis and not wait until you feel thirsty. You can even drink coconut water, provided it is allowed under your fasting rules.
Tea and coffee must not substitute for your regular water intake.
Relying Solely on Potatoes and Sabudana
While potatoes and sabudana form important components of fasting foods, relying completely on them will reduce the variety of your diet.
Make an effort to use other fasting-friendly foods like makhana, peanuts, almonds, curd, or paneer in case dairy products are acceptable according to your fasting tradition. This variety will be beneficial from a nutritional point of view.
There is no need to cook some fancy food every day. Small variations may also add variety to your fasts.
Using Incorrect Type of Flour/Salt
This can be one of the easiest errors to commit, especially if it’s your first time fasting during Navratri.
Common practice avoids using the ordinary wheat flour in many traditional vrat methods. Instead, Kuttu atta and singhara atta are used. Likewise, some people prefer using sendha namak instead of the usual table salt.
When purchasing any packaged snacks/foods intended for vrat, ensure that you have checked the ingredients beforehand. Not all foods/snacks marked as such are suitable for all types of vrats.
Make sure that you have the following essentials: Kuttu atta, singhara atta and sendha namak, based on your preferences.
Ignoring Protein and Other Nutrients
Fasting does not mean you should eat only starchy foods. Your body still needs protein, fats, vitamins and minerals.
Depending on your fasting rules, you can include nuts, peanuts, dairy products and other permitted foods to improve variety.
If you follow a strict or prolonged fast, have a medical condition or take regular medication, speak with a healthcare professional about fasting safely.
Skipping Meals Just to Follow the Fast Strictly
Some people believe that eating less automatically means observing a better fast. But severe hunger, weakness or dizziness should not be ignored.
Eat enough of the foods permitted during your fast and pay attention to how your body feels. If you experience significant weakness, fainting or persistent dizziness, stop fasting and seek appropriate medical advice.
People with diabetes, pregnant women and those with certain medical conditions may need individual guidance before fasting.
Conclusion
The process of fasting during Navratri is never going to be a hassle as long as you keep yourself hydrated, maintain diversity in the meals you consume and watch out for labels that indicate high levels of frying of your meal.
More importantly, fasting rituals vary from family to family and you should therefore ensure that you observe those that suit you, but most importantly, be healthy.
When you are properly prepared in advance with the right groceries, all you need is to concentrate on the celebrations and not on the meals.
Buy your basic grocery requirements at Aap Ka Bazar and be ready for Navratri festivities with less hustle.
