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Navratri dedicated to Goddess have some religious beliefs in which Navratari devotees meticulously follow some restrictions in their food choices for 9 days and it becomes a boon for many to lose their unnecessary pounds if right choices of food are made .This Hindu festival is widely followed in North India with certain food restrictions . The grains are totally prohibited during this period, only certain flours and grains are allowed for making navratri recipes for people, who observe fast during these 9 days.
During these days, the food has to be cooked without onion and garlic and has to be pure vegetarian meal. The thing about fast is that the best available food that will give you satisfaction are starch based. There is no escaping from that. Of course there is an option of being on fruits and veggies diet but when one is fasting continuously for 8-9 days, then that is not much of an option. Diet based solely on fruits and vegetables tends to make one feel weak. The body gets devoid of some essential vitamins and minerals when such a diet is followed. The various options during these fast days are
Singhara ka Atta is an ideal food choice as it has high vitamin and fiber contents. It is gluten and cholesterol free. It is also low in fat, low in sodium, high in potassium, rich in minerals calcium, iron, zinc and phosphorus and a good source of energy.
The best way to eat singhara atta is to put lots of radish and spinach leaves in the flour. Then prepare the plain chapattis out of it instead of paranthas. You may even make dhoklas from singhara atta. Make sure that you don’t indulge in fatty foods such as deep fried pooris and pakoras .
Buck wheat is very rich in its proteins content and B vitamins apart from minerals like phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper and manganese. Kuttu Atta cannot be kneaded with just simple water. Potato or Arbi is used to knead the flour.
A yoghurt and buckwheat flour curry, low fat buckwheat chilla with vegetables a crispy chapaties with low fat yoghurt can be a better choice above fried puris.
Soups can be prepared out of vegetables allowed like tomato, bottle gourd, Cucumber or carrot during the fasts and taken as a small mid meal. Soups are filling, natural diuretics, healthy and low fat of course. Buckwheat tomato soup or buckwheat spinach soups are the yummy dinner options.
Sabudana is extremely low in fat, low in protein but full of carbohydrates and an immediate source of energy. As it is just starch, other than the carbohydrates, nutrition-wise, sabudana has very low amounts of calcium, iron, and fiber.
However, you can make up for this by using other ingredients with it, such as milk for making sabudana kheer with raisins or dates, vegetables and peanuts for making sabudana khichdi, vadas can be made and can be enjoyed with low fat curd, pappadums can be made out of it and can be used as snacks, breads can be made with sago flour.
During Naavratras cereal and grains are restricted .Samvat or sama grains are used instead of rice. They are from millet family. They are good sources of phytochemicals.
Sama rice are small in size and are healthy option during fasting days. They also make a good gluten free grain.
Samvat pulao is made during navratri fasting. Lots of green veggies can be used in it. Try out eating them with curd and they can be a healthy option. Sama dosa and chilla can be made with green vegetables.
Tea, Green tea, coconut water and healthy shakes are more important in these fasting days. They are not only refreshing but make one more energetic instantly. A careful selection is required so that they may not add up to your unnecessary calories.
Khajoor (dates) shake is very delicious and also very nutritious. Khajoor shake is complete blend of vitamins, sugar, proteins, carbohydrates and minerals and is hence named as tonic shake. Likewise low calorie milk, lemon water and of course plain water
fits into your weight loss plan.
They are low in calories, fat and high in fiber so can be a good food during Navratras. They are high in fibre, so help to avoid constipation during these days and help the body to remove the waste and thus prevent the accumulation of toxins. Some benefits of Makhana are that they are rich in calcium and fiber and low in calories. They are nutritious, organic, low Cal and healthy nuts. Also rich in minerals and antioxidants. Regular eating of lotus seeds curbs arthritis, joint pain, aids digestion. It balances the energy system in body known to fight against cancer. Mostly it is given to pregnant ladies.
Makhana chapattis and makhana curry can be served in main course whereas roasted makhanas can be a healthy snack in between. Makhana kheer with less sugar can be relished.
Therefore, the best way to maintain or lose weight during fasting is to make wise choices and eat starch at a moderate amount keeping an eye on their nutritional values.
