We have celebrated the nine-day festival of Navratri and Durga Puja with a lot of enthusiasm! Now, the wait for Karwa Chauth and Diwali has already begun. Karwa Chauth is an auspicious Hindu festival of North India. It is the day-long nirjala fast observed by many married women for the safety and longevity of their husbands. You all lovely ladies must have decided on all the clothes, jewellery and niceties for the day. But have you also given a thought on how to keep healthy Karwa Chauth fasting so that it gets satisfactorily and not become a painful experience?
Well, depriving yourself of food and water for one whole day sounds difficult! Acidity, nausea and low blood pressure are often the complaints of women who undertake the Karva Chauth fast. But by following a few diet tips, you can fast in a healthy way without putting any extra strain on your body.
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Begin this day with a healthy ‘sargi.’
Healthy Karwa Chauth Fasting- Eat Fresh Juicy Fruits
Fruits are full of vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants that are good for us. A healthy sargi should comprise of fresh fruits like berries, apples, bananas, oranges, pomegranate, papaya, pears etc. Having fruits, especially pomegranates for sargi will help you avoid feeling thirsty the entire day. Being high in water content, fruits help in keeping the body hydrated till the evening. Also, they are high in fibre that will keep you full and provide energy throughout the day.
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Munch On Nuts
This nutritious high-fibre treat is a rich source of protein and other essential fats. You can have a variety of nuts like walnuts, almonds and pistachios in your sargi as they are the great energy reservoirs. Nuts are one of the great ways to avoid the pangs of hunger throughout the day as they leave you feeling full for a longer time. Go for a handful of nuts but eat them one at a time, and chew slowly.
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Stay Away From Oily & Fried Foods
Avoid or lower your intake of deep-fried and oily stuff as they are hard to digest. Eating foods like oily paranthas and pakoras in the morning is heavy on the stomach and may make you dizzy. They also increase the acidity level in the body and leave you bloated.
Instead, try eating protein-rich foods such as a good portion of homemade paneer or an oatmeal or bran roti. Being rich in protein, this will keep you filled up for longer. You can also try multigrain chapati with vegetables. Having a light and healthy meals in sargi will keep you satiated throughout the day.
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Eat Sweets In Moderation
Want to avoid feeling hungry? Avoid eating sweets in the morning. In case you totally can’t avoid having sweets, at least eat them in moderation. Too much-refined sugar in the mithai and other calorie-laden desserts can leave you dehydrated and can also trigger hunger pangs.
Better to have your homemade sweets. Make sure to prepare them with natural sugar such as coconut palm sugar, honey or jaggery etc. You can also opt for dates, figs or apricots. Traditionally, sargi includes ‘pheni’ or ‘sevai’ which is good in small portions.
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Avoid Tea Or Coffee
To avoid acidity, do not take tea or coffee during your sargi. Both of them tend to dehydrate your body and make it even more difficult for you to go through the day.
You can start your day with a cup of green tea or amla juice. A glass of fresh juice, milk or buttermilk is some other healthier options that will keep you energised throughout the day.
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Be A Busy Bee
The best way to not think about food is to keep yourself occupied the whole day. After having sargi, rest for a while and don’t exert yourself too much on that day.
It is better to divert your attention to the fact that you are not eating. The more you think about that, the more it will gnaw at your feeling of hunger. So, keep yourself busy with friends and family, do some low energy work or household chores. Take a nice long nap in the afternoon before the puja or go for a spa session to pamper yourself for the evening. You can also go to a movie with your friends who are also fasting. Give and get moral support and strength. It will surely keep you busy.
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How To Break The Karva Chauth Fast?
Due to lack of food and water all day, the stomach’s acidity is high in the evening at the time of breaking fast. Don’t shock your system with caffeine-based drinks (tea or coffee) or high-calorie fried foods as that can disrupt your digestive system, leading to constipation and other digestive problems.
- Break your fast with a plain glass of water, or lemonade or fresh fruit juice to counter any sign of dehydration during the day.
- To replenish the lost energy stores in your body, consume light, low-calorie food which is high in good quality protein, fibre and carbohydrates with the low glycemic index.
- Make sure to avoid overeating! Overeating after fasting is common but that can cause severe stomach issues.
Karva Chauth is a symbol of love and dedication. Implement these tips in order to have a healthy Karwa Chauth fasting.
Stay Healthy! Happy Fasting!