Navratras are believed to be the most powerful and auspicious days in the Hindu religion. In order to empower oneself with the blessings of Devi Durga, devotees stick to certain strict fasting & yet feasting rules for full length of 9 days period.
In my experience of being a diet & nutrition consultant for the last 15 years, I have a strong conviction that diet pattern followed during Navratri is very effective and can make you lose weight faster. And yes, ’Fasting does not mean “Say No to Food”. So start fasting and consider the following diet tips to lose your excessive weight and attain the divine grace of your worshipped God.
It becomes more important if you're fasting, to take care of the nutrients and fluid intakes to gain energy, feel energetic and stay healthy. These simple healthy foods will not only go with your fasting rituals but also help to keep you to lose weight and help you to enjoy the festival to the fullest.
Go ‘Sattvic’
The Sattvic diet means very simple, pure and light meal that helps you to achieve the purity of body and mind. Sattvic diet is very effective in losing weight too. Sattvic diet mainly comprises of fruits, milk and veggies. It helps in both cleansing and detoxifying the body. So, sticking to Sattvic diet is a great idea! Follow Sattvic diet at least during Navratri and see the positive effects on your body. Eat fruits such as bananas, apples, oranges and guavas as they will keep your energy levels and morale high during fasting. Have dairy products such as milk, paneer, curd and lassi in order to fulfil your protein needs. Consuming nuts like almonds, peanuts, walnuts and figs (anjeer) is also a great idea.
Relish on different flours, cereals and legumes and reap health benefits
- Kuttu atta or buckwheat flour is power packed with high fibre that helps detoxify the body and helps to keep hunger pangs at bay and thus, making us crave less while fasting. It is also rich in proteins, B-complex vitamins and minerals like phosphorus, magnesium, iron, copper and manganese. Buckwheat reduces the risk of diabetes by lowering glucose, optimises blood pressure, cholesterol and reduce haemorrhage caused by high blood pressure.
- Sabudana is an excellent source of carbohydrates which uplifts the much-needed energy during fasts and gives a soothing effect to the body and is easy to digest. It is low in fat and low in protein, it can be used with other ingredients, such as milk and dals, for making kheer, payasam or vegetables and peanuts for making sabudana khichdi.
- Samak/Sama Chawal can be a perfect replacer for rice as it tastes almost similar to broken brown rice when cooked, so it is also called sanwa rice. It provides energy, contains a high amount of fibre, B-complex vitamins and important minerals like iron, zinc and magnesium. It is also said to be rich in phytochemicals which help in lowering cholesterol.
- Makhana is a very popular food during the fasting, as it is packed with antioxidants and acts as an anti-ageing food by preventing white hair, wrinkles and premature ageing. It is rich in fibre and helps one to avoid constipation, helps the body to flush out waste and excess water and prevents the accumulation of toxins. These nuts are high in magnesium and potassium which certainly help in controlling high blood pressure but low in saturated fats as well as. It helps in relieving arthritis-numbness and joint pains. Makhana is too good to quench thirst during fast.
- Pulses are an excellent source of protein and fibre and are a significant source of vitamins and minerals.
Let’s go nuts these Navratras!
Dry fruits are a storehouse to gain energy with very little quantity. Almonds, pistachio, cashew nuts and kishmish are commonly eaten during fasts. These dry fruits are most used to flavour desserts like halwas or payasams, and other sweet dishes prepared during Navratri.
Pump up nutrients and taste with fruits and vegetables
A bowl of fresh fruits and boiled vegetables provides you with fullness and satiety and supports your fasting regime. Vegetables like bottle gourd, potato, pumpkin, colocasia, yam, sweet potato, cucumber, tomato, carrot, raw papaya and spinach are vegetables which help to keep up energy during Navratri.
Say yes to low-fat dairy products
Dairy products are considered undoubtedly holy during Navratri fasts. But if aiming for weight loss, you can definitely consume natural products such as skimmed milk, curd, paneer, buttermilk.
Spice up your fast
Sendha namak (rock salt) is consumed during Navratras, being low in Sodium, it helps to reduce water retention and blood pressure. Other flavours like that of tamarind, cumin seeds, green cardamom, cloves, black pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon and green chilli can add flavour to your food. Also lemon, coriander leaves, curry leaves, ginger etc. can also be consumed during Navratras/fasting season.
In conclusion, if a sattvic diet is followed correctly during Navratras, it makes for a good detox program for the body and the soul. It not only helps you lose weight the right way, but also keeps your energy levels high and your skin healthy and glowing. Make sure your navratri thali has a little of every dish so that you get all the goodness from sattvic ingredients and have lots of water without which this nine day detox will be incomplete.
May this navratri bring joy, health and wealth to you, friends and family!