The fasting season has already begun and people have been observing the Somvar Sawan Vrat for weeks now. During this time, several food items are believed to be avoided while some others are preferred. In place of regular salt, rock salt or sendha namak is used in making dishes and sabudana-based foods are commonly eaten. This year, the Sawan month began on July 14 and it will go on until August 12.
The devotees of Lord Shiva observe fasts during this time, and Monday is considered an auspicious day to do so. While fast-related rules and regulations are quite specific, there are certain foods that need to be avoided throughout the month. Here are some things that you can include in your diet while observing the Monday fasts.
1. Dairy Products
Since you are observing a fast, you would need energy to function throughout the day. Dairy products like milk provide you with the necessary nutrition. During Somvar Sawan, you can consume items like lassi, chhachh and curd as part of your meals. Salt-based dairy products like processed cheese should be avoided.
2. Grains
While rice and wheat are to be avoided during this time, grains like sabudana are a hit during the fasting season. Several vrat-friendly dishes can be made with sabudana, be it the savouries like Khichdi, Sabudana Tikki and more or sweet meats like sabudana kheer. Rice is replaced by sabudana during Somvar Sawan fasts and these treats are enjoyed. Other grains that can be consumed include buckwheat, singhara, and rajgira, etc.
3. Vegetables
While the vrat largely follows a phalahari diet, certain vegetables can also be eaten during this time. Take potatoes, for instance. Potatoes as well as sweet potatoes can be eaten during the vrat, in the form of Aloo Ki Sabzi, cutlets and other snacks. Other vegetables include parwal, bottle gourd or lauki and arbi that are either eaten in the form of a curry or as a sweet halwa. Green leafy vegetables are also included in the diet.
4. Spices
In terms of spices, salt is the most important component of a lot of dishes. However, during the Sawan fasts, regular salt or table salt is prohibited. Sendha namak or rock salt acts as a substitute for the same. Coriander, green chillies, black pepper, cloves, coriander, and cumin can be consumed and added to foods for additional flavour. Onions and garlic are strictly avoided during this time.
5. Nuts And More
Since you need energy to stay active for a long time and a lot of people have only one meal throughout the day, nuts like cashews, almonds, and pistachios can be eaten as a snack. Similarly, dates and raisins can also be included in one’s diet during vrat. Munch on them during the day or add them to your bowl of halwa or main meals.