Navratri Fasting 2020: Here is what you should do and avoid during Navratri fast – Times of India

One of India’s biggest festivals is finally here. Navratri begins today and will continue till October 25. People celebrate this grand festival with great pomp and show all over the country. From preparing delish dishes to wearing new clothes and enjoying Garba to keeping a fast, people celebrate the festival in several different ways. If you have planned to keep a 9-day-fast this Navratri, here are some tips for you.

Pick healthy vrat items
Navratri brings along with itself an opportunity to fast and worship the supreme Goddess Durga. If you fast during the entire duration of Navratri, make sure you are feeding yourself healthy food items. Eat fruits, makhana, kuttu dosa, samak rice and baked potatoes. Avoid deep fried snacks or sugar loaded sweets, as such food items will only add to your waistline and provide no health benefit.

Avoid overeating
Even if you are consuming vrat food items, avoid overeating. Instead, break your meals into small portions and consume them 5-6 times a day. This way you will keep feeding your body with energy and will also prevent the feeling of fullness you might get after eating a heavy meal.

Avoid packaged foods

Packaged foods like fried chips and namkeen, which are especially made for the purpose of vrat are loaded with sodium and refined oil. These food items are usually prepared using substandard oil which can even make you sick. Take the healthier route during fasting and opt for fruits and natural food items.

Eat nuts

Consuming nuts is an amazing way to ensure that you are eating healthy while fasting. They will keep your energy levels high and will also keep you full during the day. You can easily consume almonds, cashews, pistachios and raisins in moderate qualities. You can also roast some makhanas, along with these dry fruits and prepare a nutritious chat for yourself. Roasted dry fruits could also be added to milk shakes or fruit salads, as they too are some amazing foods to consume during Navratri.

Stay hydrated

While you are fasting, keeping yourself hydrated is of utmost importance. While you cut down on food, you must ensure that you do not dehydrate yourself. Always keep a bottle full of water with yourself and keep sipping from time to time. You can also drink buttermilk and coconut water to replenish yourself.

Catch good sleep

While you are fasting, your body goes under detox mode. In such a scenario, if you do not get good hours of sleep, you will most likely feel dizzy or experience throbbing headaches. In order to prevent this, rest well and catch at least 7-8 hours of sleep on a daily basis during Navratri.

Go easy on yourself

Last but not the least, go easy on yourself. If you have recently recovered from any illness or are currently going through a health issue, it is best to avoid fasting. You can offer your prayers to the Goddess but fasting while you are ill can only worsen your condition.

Similarly, keep drinking water and consume healthy vrat items at regular intervals. Avoid doing strict fasts (without food or water), if you know that your body cannot take it.

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