Navratri is a vibrant 9 nights festival held in India to honour the Mother Goddess Durga. Fasting is a part of its celebration. Usually, people keep the fast for religious reasons but there are some who find an auspicious way to detoxify their body. I know a lot of people who observe the fast just to lose weight. But the problem is instead of fasting, most of them end up fasting on high-calorie food. Some people literally starve aimlessly during these 9 days and as soon as the fast is over, they binge on food like anything and end up putting on so much weight. While others, unknowingly consume much more calories than their daily normal intake of food. Do you think it is the right way of Fasting? No, not at all!! So, DON’T MAKE YOUR FAST FATTENING and follow these tips on how to keep healthy Navratri fast:
Also Read- Amla Diet- Different Ways To Eat Amla
Healthy Navratri Fast Tips
Stay Hydrated
Keep yourself well-hydrated and maintain an optimum level of fluidity in your body. Consume as many liquid calories as you can. Try to make a habit of having 1 glass of water every hour. Apart from water, you can have coconut water and other fresh fruit juices of orange, pomegranate, apple, pineapple etc. Some other beverages that you must opt for during your happy Navratri Fast are Lassi and Herbals Teas like Lemongrass, Jasmine, Peppermint, etc. Better to start your day with green tea along with 2 dates or almonds. Avoid consuming drinks like coffee and tea in excess which can dehydrate you.
Also Read- 10 Best Healthy Weight Loss Drinks To Lose Fat Fast
Don’t Starve Yourself For Long
Fasting could be tiring for your stomach, so avoid long gaps between your meals. Long fasting hours may lead to weakness, anaemia, fatigue, and headaches. But that doesn’t mean gorging on market-bought sweets, namkeen which are deep fried and not healthy at all. They are often processed and made out of sub-standard, refined oil. Instead keep eating small healthy snacks like nuts, seeds, roasted chana, and makhana at short intervals of time. It would not only prevent acidity and heartburn but also keep your metabolism intact.
It is essential to plan your meals in advance so that you eat on time and don’t resort to unhealthy food items. Here is a complete Navratri Diet Plan- Navratri Fasting Diet Plan By Kareena Kapoor’s Nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar
Say No To Oily & Fried Foods
Fasting is a form of detoxification for the body. After such thorough detoxification, your body needs nutritious food to reenergize itself, not greasy fried food to destroy the long process of detoxification. Oily food causes more harm to the body than it does good. If you can’t control your craving for deep-fried foods, restrict to a small portion.
Potatoes and sabudana are the two most commonly used ingredients during these 9 days. Replace your all-fried aloo recipes with boiled potatoes like instead of fried aloo chat, opt for boiled ones. Sabudana (pure source of carbs) when drenched in oil in the forms of vada and pappad become highly unhealthy. Sabudana khichdi is a better option.
Strictly avoid namkeen, chips, pakoras and other fried items as they are fattening and loaded with cholesterol. They can also make you feel bloated. Rather than frying, try to steam, boil, bake or grill your food items.
Also Read- Absolute And Quickest Ways to Reduce Belly Bloating
Get Enough Sleep
During any fasting season, the body is detoxifying or cleansing itself and it needs plenty of rest. Hence, make sure you sleep for 7-8 hours every day. You may also take a nap of 15-20 minutes during the day. Try to relax and go for some mindful meditative exercise to completely detoxify your body. This will prevent dizziness and keep you refreshed and energised throughout the day.
Also Read- Bhumi Pednekar Detox Water Recipe Helped Her In Losing Weight
Healthy Navratri Fast With Nuts & Fruits
Keep on munching nuts and fruits for mid-meal snacks.
NUTS
You can have a handful of roasted makhanas, almonds, walnuts or hazelnuts. They offer satiety and keep you full and are a good source of proteins & fats too. By consuming nuts, you can ensure that you are feeding your body with goodness while fasting.
FRUITS
Fruits will keep you hydrated while keeping you active throughout the day. They have healthy sugar fructose. Just add them to your salad, smoothies and raita.
Basically, the rule is to keep eating something every few hours. You can also mix fruits with some dry fruits to add a pinch of taste and serve yourself with this healthy meal.
Also Read- Fruits Facts: Amazing Facts of Fruits You Probably Did Not Know
Choose Sweets Wisely
Everybody loves to indulge in sweets and desserts during Navratri Fast but these are generally packed with refined white sugar. Refined white sugar is not at all the healthiest food item to put in your body, especially during fasting. So substitute it with low-calorie sweeteners or natural sugars like honey and jaggery.
Also Read- Top Nutritionists Of India On How To Enjoy Eating Sweets And Still Stay Slim
For your sweet tooth, indulge in fruit yoghurt which cools you down and makes you feel refreshed. But still, if you can’t resist from gorging on sweet delights like sabudana or makhana kheer and pumpkin or lauki halwa, try to use skimmed or double-toned milk. You may opt for natural sugars- 7 Best Natural Healthy Sugar Substitutes With Low Calories
EAT SENSIBLY, FIND HEALTHY OPTIONS AND DON’T LET FASTING RUIN YOUR DIET…
HAPPY NAVRATRI !!!