PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
With devotees observing fasts during Navratri, nutrition experts have stressed on the importance of balanced meals, adequate hydration and mindful eating to maintain energy levels during the nine-day festival. They have cautioned against excessive consumption of starchy and fried foods, including Sabudana, potatoes and fried snacks.
Nutritionist Deepshikha Garg said that fasting can encourage mindful eating, but it does not automatically improve health or detoxify the body. The liver and kidneys already perform the body’s natural detoxification functions, she said.
“One common mistake is replacing regular meals with potatoes, Sabudana, fried snacks and sweets. These foods provide energy, but a diet dominated by them may lack sufficient protein, fibre and certain micronutrients,” Garg said. She recommended including milk, curd, paneer, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds in fasting meals, wherever permitted. Kuttu, Rajgira, Singhara flour and Samak rice can also be included in moderate portions, depending on individual fasting practices.
Garg said that Sabudana is primarily a source of starch and contains little protein or fibre. While it provides quick energy, she advised against relying on it for every meal. Pairing it with curd or peanuts can improve the nutritional balance of a meal. She also recommended limiting fried foods and drinking adequate water wherever fasting rules permit.
Meanwhile, some residents are adjusting their eating habits during Navratri to maintain their fitness routines.
Resident Pooja Yadav said that she prefers fruits, curd, nuts and traditional fasting foods while continuing to work out at the gym. “I do not like staying hungry for too long because it affects my energy levels. I try to eat proper meals during the eating window rather than just snacking on whatever is available,” she said. Yadav said that she also includes milk, curd and paneer in her diet to maintain protein intake and support her workouts. She has become more conscious of portion sizes and the amount of oil or ghee used in fasting preparations.
Garg cautioned that relying on a single meal a day may make it difficult to meet nutritional requirements and could cause weakness, headaches or dizziness in some people. She advised devotees to focus on nutritional balance rather than simply reducing food intake during Navratri.
