representative image
Navratri is a nine-day festival of Goddess Durga which is celebrated with great enthusiasm. To mark the festival, devotees observe a fast for nine days in honor of the goddess. This year Chaitra Navratri is starting from 2nd April. If you are planning to fast for nine days, do not forget to keep an eye on your fasting patterns. It is important to avoid health problems. Here are some tips to conquer the fasting period and stay healthy:
don’t starve yourself
Fasting should not mean that you are starving yourself. It should be ensured that you eat enough food for the whole day. It is often advised to eat smaller meals to maintain stamina. When it comes to fried food, try to limit yourself and opt for cooked, grilled or roasted food instead. Fasting is a good way to detoxify your body from regular junk and alcohol, which helps in maintaining the sugar level in the body. Staying hungry for a long time can cause acidity.
say no to sugar
It is advised to stay away from refined sugar. You can replace it with healthier alternatives like jaggery or honey. In addition, sugar cravings can be curbed with various fruits or salads, as they are light and easy to digest. Regular snacking can help prevent feeling low and maintain adequate sugar levels.
keep yourself hydrated
If you are not going to do ‘Nirjala Vrat’, it is important to keep yourself hydrated at all times. Apart from water, there are many other fluids that can be consumed like coconut water, buttermilk, green tea, lemonade etc. Also, do not consume alcohol as it can lead to dehydration and slow down metabolism.
plan your meals
While it’s easy to get carried away and eat too much of your regular meals, plan them accordingly. Make sure you don’t overeat, especially packaged snack foods as they contain high amounts of iodine. Don’t focus too much on snacks, eating nuts and dry fruits is a healthy option. Plan heavy lunches and light dinners.
avoid caffeinated drinks
Tea and coffee can help reduce hunger pangs in the long run. However, make sure you do not consume them on an empty stomach; This can greatly affect your digestive system. Consuming too much tea or coffee can often make you feel bloated or dehydrated. Insomnia can also occur which is not healthy.
Avoid fasting if you are pregnant
If a normal and healthy delivery is indicated, fasting within limits will not have much effect on you or your baby. However, if your pregnancy is indicative of complications, it is advisable to avoid fasting during this period. It is best to consult your doctor before taking any step. Make sure you drink enough fluids during this time.
— with agency input