Wondering how to savour your meals during Navratri and yet stay Fit?

Fasting during navratri is a common practice in Indian Households. Indians follow this festival with pure devotion, belief and values. What most people these days believe is fasting means they will also shed some kilos but let me correct you…Navratri fasting is not weight loss but worship and dance celebrated throughout India in different ways. Navratri means “nine nights” wherein 9 forms of Devi are worshipped. This festival is observed twice a year, once at the beginning of summer and other as winter is about to begin. By fasting or following a light and clean diet you can help yourself fortify and nourish from within.

Fasting during navratri if done correctly helps cleanse the body as you do not consume unwanted food; it provides the rest needed to our body organs thus giving you a light, happy feeling! Yet some of us feel very restricted as to what to eat and not eat during fasting..

During such period your immunity tends to be low and your body is more prone to sickness in these intervals..Ever thought fasting can be fun and also delicious and you do not gain weight too? Yes its possible..

Look for alternatives to cereals and grains instead of wheat and rice, consume buckwheat flour (kuttu ka atta) or singhare ka atta (chestnut flour), rajgira atta (amaranth flour), samak chawal (barnyard millet) which can be used to make puris, roti, dhokla,kheer or khichdi. Kuttu ka atta (Buckwheat flour) – highly nutritious cereal and also aids weight loss as rich in fibre, protein, iron and magnesium with very little calories. It helps in curbing the appetite thus controlling blood sugar levels and maintain good digestion. Cook them like normal rotis with minimal oil.

Make use of Paneer for stuffing and kheer or eaten raw with sendha namak - Power packed protein and calcium.

Makhana –Not commonly consumed but yet extremely healthy and low calorie low fat snack .These are lotus seeds which are rich sources of fibre and proteins. Also richest source of calcium. Just dry roast them for 3-4 minutes and season with salt. Munch anytime mid morning or mid evening.

Fruit yogurt-have a sweet tooth and craving ..Blender fruit of your choice with curds and chill//Voila your desert is ready in minutes! Fruits- contain fibre, which help in lowering cholesterol levels thus cleansing blood vessels of impurities.  Rich source of antioxidants thus improving immunity too..

Baked sabudana tikki –be it young or old we all love sabudana tikkis…But afraid of consuming those fried round tikkis..Dont worry ; go for a small change- bake or air fry them instead of deep frying and have crispy tikkis ready to be consumed..But just stick to 2-3 to control your portion size.

Here is a diet plan for fasting during navratri, which will also provide you a good state of health:-

Early morning – 5-6 pcs soaked almonds and 1-2 munakkha with a glass of warm water and ½ lemon juice in it.

Breakfast -1 bowl of curd or 1 glass skimmed milk with a dash of cinnamon powder or 1 small katori rajgira-makhana porridge or 1 glass almond milk with 1pc rajgira chikki

Mid-morning – Coconut water or 1 fruit

Lunch- Buckwheat flour or rajgira flour chilla/dosa with peanut chutney/Kuttu chilla with paneer stuffing/sabudana khichdi or baked sabudana tikkis/ dahi vale aloo with kuttu chapatti and pomegranate raita/samak rice pulao with cucumber raita/rajgira roti with dudhi sabzi and apple raita/baked arbi

Post lunch-15 mins walk at home

Teatime- 1 glass buttermilk with roasted jeera powder or green tea/lemon tea (no sugar)

Evening- 1 fruit or shakarkandi (sweet potato) chaat

WALK FOR 30 MINS

Dinner- 1 glass Milk and walnut shake or 1 bowl  makhana or samak kheer(use sugar free instead of sugar) + 1 bowl diced papaya or dudhi kheer or fruits - curd parfrait/paneer kheer/rajgira kheer

Bedtime(optional) – 1 glass lukewarm skimmed milk

Tips:-

·       Starting your day with nuts will increase your metabolic rate and help keep off extra kilos! At the same time you will give your body a boost of minerals!

·       Taking lemon water will help increase your immunity as well as antioxidants will help detoxify your body.

·       Avoid eating fried chips and salted peanuts.

·       Choose healthier options like dry roasted makhana which make up to yummy snacking option.

·       Eat 3-4 fruits during the day. Avoid fruit juices.

·       Choose simple sweets like rasgulla instead of other heavy fat laden sweets. You can squeeze out the sugar water and then consume which saves a lot of calories yet giving you the satisfaction!

·       Avoid using potato which will help cut down the extra calories.

·       Remember to drink lots of water and keep yourself hydrated thus preventing headaches and weakness.

As the saying goes-To EAT is a necessity but to eat intelligently is an ART..Learn this art and have the best of you. Enjoy life!

If you observe any different type of fasting please let me know and “Nutrition Garage” will help you accordingly!