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Written by Navneet Kaur, M.Sc. Nutrition & Dietetics
Diet
Fasting is an integral part of our culture. Most of us fast for religious reasons, whereas a lot of us fast to detoxify our bodies and cut back on unwanted calories.
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Try to maintain your water intake for the day, at least 10-12 glasses/day. Along with plain water, you can also include coconut water, buttermilk, and lemon water.
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Don't eat fried snacks throughout the day, like papad, pakodas, etc, instead opt for fresh fruits, nuts, and roasted makhanas for the same.
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Fasting does not mean that you need to starve yourself throughout the day. Small and frequent meals can be the day's agenda, like fresh fruits and nuts. This can help in providing energy throughout the day.
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Some find changing their diet daunting. Plan your meals a day before so that you don't rely on ready-to-eat options or order from outside. You can opt for: Jeera aloo, Sabudana Khichdi, Sama Rice Pulao, Pineapple raita, Mix fruit raita, etc.
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Dishes like kheer and halwa are quite popular during Navratri. However, they are filled with refined sugar. They will give you an instant energy spike, but once that spike goes down, you might feel lazier than before. So, prefer to opt for fruits, dates, raisins, etc.,
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Opt for raw fruits and vegetables, as they will help keep you full for longer because of the fiber content. Fruits can also help to manage your sugar cravings.
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As we are taking care of our diet during these 9 days, it is also important to manage our stress levels, and what is better than to meditate and relax.
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Many people fast for various reasons; however, it is important to take care of your health during this time. So keep yourself well hydrated, plan your meals in advance, do not rely on packaged food items, and focus on fruit and vegetable intake.
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