Chaitra Navratri Fasting Tips

The Hindus have four Navratris throughout the year, but the two most popular ones, Chaitra and Sharad Navratri are observed by the majority of Hindus across the nation. Chaitra Navratri is a Hindu festival that occurs on the eve of Spring and Summer, in the months of March and April. Chaitra Navratri will commence on April 2nd, 2022. As a mark of devotion, Hindus fast during Navratri and eat dishes specifically prepared for them with just a few ingredients.

Though followers are permitted to consume particular foods and observe a fast, not all of these meals are inherently healthful. You can remain healthy even over the holidays if you follow these guidelines. It's important to keep hydrated and eat a balanced meal when fasting in order to be healthy and active. Fasting may also help you detox, but only if you do it in a healthy manner.

Fasting during Navratri should be done in a healthy manner.

1. Drink lots of fluids: It's critical to stay hydrated during fasting. Lemon water, coconut water, buttermilk, and green tea are all good options. Avoid caffeinated drinks. They might help you feel fuller for longer, but consuming them on an empty stomach can harm your digestive system and lead to leaky gut syndrome.

2. Eat nutritious meals: When you do eat, choose nutritious foods that will provide you with energy and nutrition. Processed meals and sugary snacks should be avoided. Fasting diets should include a lot of fruits and vegetables. Nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables help keep you active and engaged throughout the day. Don't eat fried meals.

3. Avoid deep-fried and unhealthy foods: The holiday season calls for joyous dining. Fried chaat, sabudana vada, puris, and potato chips are all popular foods, however, they are harmful. Maintain your healthy eating plan. If you can't resist the urge to consume certain items, eat them in moderation.

4. Don't get hungry: Avoid fasting for lengthy periods of time. At regular intervals, take small nutritious snacks like almonds, seeds, roasted chana, and makhana. Long periods of fasting may cause weakness, anaemia, weariness, and headaches.

5. Get adequate sleep: Fasting may be stressful on your body, so get enough rest. Dizziness and throbbing headaches will be avoided as a result of this. Make sure you sleep for at least 8 hours every day and feel fresh.

6. Exercise: Keeping active during Navratri is a great way to stay healthy. It will benefit you not just physically, but psychologically and emotionally as well.

7. Stay energetic: If you're a working professional, bringing some nuts like almonds, walnuts, and pistachios with you will help you stay motivated. Curd, buttermilk, paneer, and all plant protein smoothies are excellent sources of protein.

8. Replace refined sugar with healthy alternatives: Fasting during the Navratri festival may be the most effective method to fight sugar cravings. Begin by eating two black dates every day. If you have sugar cravings, satisfy them by including protein-rich foods in each of your meals. Avoid sugary treats throughout the holidays. Eat fruit instead.

9. Meditation: During Navratri, meditation is an excellent technique to calm and concentrate your thoughts.

10. Be patient: Fasting may be challenging, so be kind to yourself. Simply begin over, focusing on the good.

11. Maintain Mindful Eating

While fasting for Navratris, individuals observe a variety of rules around the nation. One such requirement is that devotees may only have a substantial meal after sundown, with snacks or fruits available during the day.

One thing to keep in mind is that you can't eat everything at once; even if you only eat once a day, it doesn't mean you can eat for all of your missed meals. If you don't watch your portion sizes, you can wind up overeating.

If you are diabetic (who should avoid fasting), here are some fasting tips during Navratri.

• At the start of the day, drink some coconut water, milk, or simply plain water to stay hydrated.

• To prevent a Hypoglycemia attack, check your blood sugar levels many times during the day.

• If you're fasting, don't forget to take your medications. Patients should alter their insulin dosage according to their blood glucose levels and meals while using insulin. Before doing so, talk to your diabetes educator or doctor.

• Throughout the day, eat small meals every two to three hours. Acidity may be caused by prolonged stomach emptying.

• Choose foods with a low glycemic index, such as baked snacks or fruits, yoghurt, and milk. Foods with a high glycemic index raise your blood sugar levels, which might create difficulties.

• Avoid high-carbohydrate items like refined flour and potatoes in favour of healthier options like amaranth flour, which can be used to create Rotis and baked snacks.

• During the day, eat high-energy meals like fruits, nuts and seeds, paneer, and makhanas. Excess caffeine may stress your body and disrupt your sleep pattern, so don't drink too much coffee or tea.

• During the fasting season, avoid vigorous exertion to avoid hypoglycemia.

• Sugary and fried meals should be avoided. To fulfil cravings, go for healthy options like nuts, roasted, or baked foods.

• Choose meals that are heavy in fibre and protein since they are slowly digested and offer you a longer sensation of fullness.

• If your blood sugar levels dropped below 70 mg/dl, you should immediately break your fast or take glucose pills.

Take Away

You must not overlook your water consumption whether you are fasting or not and also you must stay away from alcohol and other unhealthy food items. The importance of hydration in the body's optimal functioning cannot be overstated. There are several limits on what you may eat and drink when fasting. Keeping a supply of delicious and hydrating liquids on your hands, such as coconut water, milk, or fruit juices, may help you keep hydrated throughout the day. Plus, with the danger of infection already present, keeping hydrated is essential. Avoid consuming excessive amounts of tea or coffee.