It’s that time of the year again. We know festivities are around the corner when the month of October hits the calendar. The mere mention brightens up every face, and such is the power and light of festivals. Navratri sets the festive mood and the ambience of the whole country. The Hindu festival is usually celebrated extravagantly but differently in India’s several States. Some Hindu devotees observe fast during these nine days, wherein they refrain from consuming essential everyday ingredients, including certain vegetables, meat, regular salt, flour, etc. Due to this, some of the vital nutrition for the body fails to reach it. However, it is essential to eat healthily while you are fasting. People need to incorporate certain foods with essential nutrition to ensure that the body is not deprived of energy during the Navratri fasting season. Bearing this in mind, we have included essential Navratri food-specific items and ingredients that are usually expected to be eaten during the festive (fasting) season, which also simultaneously keeps the body energetic during all nine days through fasting.
Some of those ingredients are described by Kumar Setu, co-founder and CCO, Sprink.Online below.
- Kuttu or buckwheat flour: This gluten-free flour has often been termed a superfood due to its high mineral and antioxidant content. It is particularly beneficial in controlling blood sugar. During Navratri, it is used in the making of Indian bread. In addition, buckwheat flour is full of fibre that aids in controlling the gastrointestinal hormones, assisting with improved digestion. This can be tremendously helpful to people who experience bloating and indigestion.
- Makhana or fox nut: It is a kind of seed derived from the Euryale Ferox plant. At times, it is also referred to as lotus seed. Rich in calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, and other micronutrients, makhana is one of the most favourite snacks in the country. It also aids in stabilizing blood sugars and is high in antioxidants.
- Sabudana (sago): Usually, no Navratri fasting is ever complete without a dish made of sabudana. Extracted from the tropical palm tree root's edible part, its high starch and carbohydrate content make it an excellent energy source. Consider it a great source of carb as well that provides you with instant energy.
- Rock Salt: Fasting emphasises consuming foods that place a minimum burden on the gastric tract: Rock Salt or sendha namak functions like a coolant that assists the body to cool from within. Rock salt provides potassium, calcium and magnesium to the body, all essential nutrients, especially at fasting.
- Rajgira or amaranth flour: Often, this flour is used in making certain desserts and some Indian bread. It's protein as well as fibre-rich, boasting anti-inflammatory properties. Amaranth grains are also high in minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, folate, and selenium.
- Selective vegetables: Some vegetables permitted during Navratri include sweet potato, arbi, raw banana, potato and bottle gourd. These vegetables are Satvik in nature but provide plenty of nutrition, hydration and energy to the body.