Navratri fasting tips 2024: Chaitra Navratri fast is starting from today i.e. 9th April 2024 which will end with Kanya Puja on 17th April on Navami. During this Hindu festival, many people fast for nine days while some people choose the first and last day to fast. Talking about Navratri fasting, those who follow it take a 'fruitarian' diet in which they eat things made from millet, buckwheat flour, sago, Rajgira, and water chestnut flour. Apart from this, potato, sweet potato, gourd, colocasia, pumpkin, spinach, gourd, cucumber, carrot, and all fruits can also be included in the fruit diet. 

Eating wheat, rice, semolina, flour, corn flour, beans, and pulses is considered prohibited during the Navratri fast. If fruits are eaten in the right way and in the right quantity during fasting days, weight can be reduced healthily. At the same time, experts believe that there are many benefits of fasting.

Benefits of fasting

Nutrition consultant Dr. Meghna Pasi says, ‘Apart from the spiritual aspect, fasting the right way has many health benefits. Research has shown that fasting can be very helpful in burning fat and losing weight. Apart from this, diseases like high cholesterol, heart disease, and high BP can also be improved by consuming limited food during fasting. During fasting hours our body is in a relaxed state which signals our digestive system to start the detox process in the body and cleanse our intestine.’

Dr. Pasi also told some ways to observe Navratri fast which can help in reducing weight.

Khichdi or roti instead of puri and pagoda

During fasting, everyday grains like rice and wheat are not consumed but other grains like buckwheat flour, water chestnut flour, Rajgira flour, and Samai flour are consumed. Instead of making their puris, pakodas, vadas, or halwa, make khichdi or roti and eat them. Due to this, extra calories will not enter the body.

Boiled potatoes instead of potato fries

Eating fried potatoes tastes good but it contains a lot of calories. Therefore, instead of frying potatoes, you can boil them and eat them or eat fruits instead.

eat fruit

Eat plenty of fruits as they not only provide you with plenty of vitamins, minerals, and fiber but will also keep you energetic throughout the day.

eat root vegetables

Many people include root vegetables like potato, sweet potato, pumpkin, and taro in their diet which is a very good option. They are rich in Vitamin B, minerals, and fiber. But these contain high calories, so eat them in limited quantity.

eat milk and dairy products

To fulfill the need for protein and calcium, you can eat milk and dairy products. For this, milk and dairy items like curd, buttermilk and cheese, and ghee can be included in the diet.

Avoid tea and coffee

Drinking tea/coffee dehydrates the body and if it is summer season, it can lead to weakness. Therefore, instead of tea and coffee, take coconut water, lemon water, buttermilk, milkshake, or just plain water.

eat less sugar

Avoid using processed sugar in kheer and halwa. Whatever you make during the fast, you can add dates, honey, cinnamon, and fresh fruits for sweetness. Avoid using white sugar.