Tips to prep your body nutritionally for upcoming Navratri fasts

Navratri, the nine-day festival celebrating the divine feminine, is a time for spiritual reflection and often includes fasting. But fasting shouldn’t come at the cost of your health.

Maitry Gala, a senior nutrition therapist at Fortis Mulund, emphasised achieving a balance between “health and celebrations.” Here’s how to prepare your body nutritionally for a smooth and healthy Navratri experience:

Pre-fast: How to fuel up your body for fasting

Gala recommended the following to advise fueling up for the fast.

Balanced Meals for Strength: Don’t skip meals in the lead-up to Navratri. Focus on balanced plates rich in calories and protein to prevent weakness, mood swings, or illness.

Millet Mania: Millets like ragi are powerhouses of energy. Incorporate them into ladoos and bars, adding nuts and seeds for extra protein and healthy fats.

Protein Powerhouses: Include protein-rich vegetarian options like soya chunks, flour-based dishes, and paneer to keep you feeling full and energized.

Fibre Frenzy: Keep your system running smoothly. Aim for 5-6 servings of vegetables daily. Fibre keeps you satiated and supports digestion, crucial during fasting periods.

Mindful Munching: Practice mindful eating throughout the day to avoid overeating or undereating.

Gala advised on stacking up on your protein needs before and while fasting. (Source: Freepik)

Nourishment you need while fasting

This is what Gala recommends you should eat while fasting.

Millet Magic: Celebrate traditions while nourishing your body. Millets like kuttu, rajgeera, and samo are excellent replacements for wheat during fasting. Enjoy them in various forms like rice, uttapam, ladoos, and thalipeeth.

Starchy Delights: Include starchy fruits and vegetables like bananas, yams, sweet potatoes, and colocasia in your diet. These provide sustained energy and valuable fibre.

Nutty & Seedy Goodness: Don’t forget nuts and seeds like almonds and walnuts for healthy fats and additional protein.

Water works wonders: Staying hydrated is paramount during fasting. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. You can also include buttermilk, soups, lassi, and shikanji (lemonade) in your diet.

Gala advised on stacking up on your protein needs before and while fasting.

Dairy Delights: Dairy products like milk and curd are excellent sources of protein. Make them a part of your daily routine before and while fasting.

Creative Culinary Delights: Explore recipes like shakarkandi chaat (sweet potato savory snack) and sabudana (tapioca pearls) with dahi (yogurt) for delicious and nutritious fasting meals.

By following these tips and incorporating the suggested foods, you can prepare your body for a healthy and fulfilling Navratri experience. Remember, fasting is a time for spiritual cleansing, so focus on nourishing your body alongside your soul. Happy Fasting!

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