Chaitra Navratri is a nine-day Hindu festival that involves fasting, prayer, and worship of the goddess Durga. Many observe a fast during this time, abstaining from grains, lentils, and certain vegetables. Consuming fresh, nourishing juices is an excellent way to get vital nutrients while fasting.
When preparing juices for a Navratri fast, choose fresh, organic ingredients to retain fibre and nutrients. Combining fruits and vegetables blends different flavours and textures for satisfying juices. Avoid processed or bottled juices high in sugar and preservatives. With an abundance of fresh produce, Chaitra Navratri juices can provide hydration, nourishment, and purity throughout the days of fasting.
According to Nutritionist Sabeena Mirza, "green juices made from leafy greens which provide antioxidants and minerals like calcium, iron, and magnesium during fasting to our body" Additionally she also adds that "fresh fruit juices like apple, pineapple, orange, grapefruit, or pomegranate are also a great option. Blend fruits with herbs like mint, basil, or cinnamon and spices like turmeric or ginger for additional nutrients and flavour. Melons like watermelon and muskmelon also make stellar juices packed with hydration. You can combine fruits like apples, grapes, mangoes or peaches with veggies like spinach, celery, or cucumber for a more balanced fruit and veggie juice."
Below are some of the healthy juices that can be consumed while fasting for Chaitra Navratri.
Black Grape Juice
Grape juice has lots of antioxidants. These are good for your eyes. So, wash them well before making juice. Put the grapes in a blender. Blend until smooth. Then filter out the juice. You can add water if it is too thick. Or add sugar if you want it sweeter. You can even add a teaspoon of sendha salt. Black grape juice is very healthy.
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Carrot Juice
Carrots are a healthy vegetable that has beta-carotene, which can help get oxygen to your blood, brain, and body tissues. To make carrot juice, you need around 5-10 carrots, depending on how big they are. Put the carrots, one at a time, into a juicer and blend them up. This makes a juice that is very good for your health.
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Amla Juice
Amla, also known as Indian gooseberry, has long been prized in Ayurvedic medicine for its healing properties. Rich in vitamin C, amla juice offers various health benefits. A lesser-known advantage is that amla juice can be refrigerated and stored for up to a week without losing its potency. The vitamin C in amla nourishes skin and hair. To make amla juice, blend amla with water, then strain. Sweeten it with sugar or honey and add cardamom and sendha salt for flavour. Serve chilled over ice for a refreshing beverage that provides antioxidant benefits.
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Apple, Celery And Lemon Juice
Apples have a sweet taste and help thicken juice. For apple juice, use 2 apples, 1 peeled lemon, 3 celery stalks, 2 peeled carrots, and 5 parsley stems. Celery has few calories and provides fibre and vitamins A, C, and K. Lemons cleanse the body so adding lemon makes the juice even healthier.
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Orange Juice
Oranges are packed with vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps build collagen and promote skin elasticity. To make orange juice at home, start by thoroughly washing several oranges and cutting them into pieces after peeling off the rind. Remove any seeds, then put the orange chunks into a blender with a bit of water. Blend until smooth. For a touch of sweetness, add a spoonful of honey or sugar. Drink the refreshing juice right away to get the most nutrition.
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Watermelon And Lychee Juice
This is a highly nourishing, refreshing and healthy fruit juice, perfect for fasting. It not only helps beat the heat but is also very easy on the stomach if you add in a few mint leaves and a small piece of ginger to further enhance the taste. Simply deseed the watermelon and lychee and blend the ingredients together to make a refreshing drink. Top it up with ice to consume chilled.
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Ginger And Pineapple Juice
Take a fresh pineapple and cut it up. Put the pineapple chunks and ginger in a juicer to squeeze out the sweet, tangy juice. Pour the fresh, cool pineapple juice into a glass. Drop a few of the cut-up pineapple chunks into the glass so you get tasty bites of fruit. Fill the glass the rest of the way with ice cubes to make it extra chilled. The sweet pineapple and spicy ginger ale are a delicious combination.
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Green Grape Juice
All you need to make this juice is green grapes - no extra ingredients are required! Wash and blend the grapes in the blender.
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This juice tastes sweet and tart, like the grapes themselves. Drinking grape juice is very hydrating because grapes have a high water content. The juice provides natural hydration and nutrients from the grapes.