Fasting during Navratri is more than a tradition—it’s a way to detox your body, renew your energy, and celebrate with purpose. But to stay truly active and healthy during the nine auspicious days, it’s important to eat right. Here are five fasting-friendly foods that not only taste great but also provide essential nutrition to keep you going strong.
🥗 1. Beetroot Salad: A Colorful Energy Booster
Beetroot salad is a refreshing, low-calorie fasting meal rich in antioxidants, fiber, and minerals. Add grated cucumber, carrot, or radish for extra crunch. A dash of lemon juice enhances flavor and provides a vitamin C boost. Sprinkle some roasted pumpkin seeds or sprouts to elevate the protein and healthy fat content.
✅ High in fiber
✅ Packed with antioxidants
✅ Supports digestion
🌾 2. Buckwheat Paratha: Hearty and Wholesome
Buckwheat (kuttu) flour is a powerhouse grain that’s allowed during fasting. Use it to make soft, delicious parathas, best served with curd or a simple potato curry. Cooking it in desi ghee adds flavor and boosts nutrition.
✅ Gluten-free grain
✅ Keeps you full longer
✅ Rich in protein and fiber
🥔 3. Curd Potatoes: Classic Comfort
This simple dish combines boiled potatoes with cooling yogurt. The starch from the potatoes provides energy, while yogurt adds protein and beneficial probiotics. Season with fasting rock salt and herbs like coriander for a delightful taste.
✅ Excellent source of energy
✅ Aids digestion
✅ Cooling and satisfying
🍚 4. Sabudana Poha: Light Yet Filling
Sabudana (sago) is a staple during fasting. Sabudana Poha is made with soaked sago pearls, peanuts, ghee, and mild spices. It’s light on the stomach yet high in carbohydrates, making it a perfect breakfast or snack during fasts.
✅ Easily digestible
✅ High in carbs and good fats
✅ Ideal for an energy boost
🥜 5. Sabudana Tikki: Crispy, Nutritious Snacks
Sabudana Tikkis are made from sago, boiled potatoes, and crushed peanuts. These can be shallow-fried or baked, offering a crispy exterior and soft inside. They’re a flavorful and protein-rich fasting snack.
✅ Great for evening hunger pangs
✅ Crunchy and delicious
✅ Rich in protein and carbs
Navratri fasting is not just a religious practice; it’s a mindful way to cleanse and nourish your body. Including foods like curd potatoes, buckwheat paratha, sabudana snacks, and beetroot salad ensures you stay healthy, energetic, and festive throughout the nine days. Balance your meals, hydrate well, and enjoy the spirit of Navratri with wellness and vitality.
