Fast in a Healthy Way for Navratri

Navratri is one of the most important festivals celebrated with great joy, enthusiasm and traditional rituals in Indian culture. It is celebrated twice a year–during the spring (Vasant) and fall (Sharadiya), the two major seasonal changes when our bodies become more susceptible to imbalances. During this seasonal shift, our Doshas experience an internal variation in the body, and if we take care of our food habits and lifestyle, we can easily improve our immunity and strength, whilst detoxifying ourselves- physically, emotionally and spiritually. Read on to discover more about this auspicious festival that spans across nine nights. 

Why People Observe Fasts During Navratri?

Observing fasts during this period of time is considered auspicious as it appeases Maa Durga. As per Indian Mythology, Goddess Durga herself explained the rules of fasting to one of her ardent devotees. It is also believed that fasting in a healthy way can restore the glow and luminosity of the skin. It is a perfect time to do a detox to eliminate toxins from the body. As per the science of Ayurveda, if you follow healthy fasting tips and take light and easily digestible foods during these days, it will help to improve the digestive fire, detoxify the body of all the impurities and build the Ojas of the body which ultimately reflects as an outer radiance or Tejas.

Here are a few tips for Navratri to align your internal body with external changes:

• Replace Grains With Gluten-Free Options: Use grains like Water Chestnut flour (Singhare Ka Atta), Buckwheat flour (Kuttu Ka Atta), Tapioca Pearls (Sabudana), Amaranth flour (Rajgira Ka Atta), Barnyard millet (Vrat Ke Chawal). These grains are gluten-free and contain various nutrients, and Navratri is the best time of the year to include them in your diet. Avoid Grains, especially whole grains like millets, wheat, rice, etc. as they slow down the process of digestion. So you can avoid them for some time.

• Spices & Seasonal Vegetables: Use spices like Cumin, Black pepper, Coriander powder, Rock salt (Sendha Namak), Green cardamom, Ginger, Green chili. These spices will boost your metabolism and improve digestion. Seasonal vegetables including Bottle guard, Potatoes (in moderation), Pumpkin, Sweet Potatoes, Cucumber, Lemon, Raw Banana would enhance the benefits of the fast. Add Curry leaves and Mint leaves for flavorsome food.

• Fresh Fruits & Dry Fruits: Eat at least 3-5 fruits per day. Switch to fruit juices, if you’re on the go. Add little Black salt, Black pepper and Lemon to your fruits to add a boost of energy.  Dry fruits are also a good option for snacks. However, eat them in moderation- a handful of 20-22 pieces.

While these are wonderful for the body, fruits and dry fruits are excellent sources of vitamins for the skin too. We suggest detoxifying the skin with the Forest Essentials Handpounded Organic Fruit Scrub that deeply yet gently exfoliates the skin, to unravel a fresh glow.

• Declutter & Meditate: Take out some time to sit in quiet and practice some meditation. Detox your mind of extra and unwanted thoughts by practicing breathing exercises to regain your emotional energy.

• Health Drinks: Liquids such as Coconut Water, fruit juices and smoothies help flush toxins out of the body. You may take Lemon water, fruit juices, diluted Buttermilk, Coconut water, cooling herbal teas made with Mint and Fennel, to facilitate the same.

Food items to avoid during Navratri

Avoid Processed Food Items: Use unprocessed rock salt (Sendha Namak), over the regular, iodized table salt, as it helps absorb minerals better than common salt. Switch to Fox Nuts and fresh fruits, instead of fried foods available in the market.

Consider Detox For The Skin

While you care for the body during this transition, indulge in some extra care for the skin. May we suggest the Forest Essentials Ubtans, as per your skin type. Use these with the right mixers for your skin type- Aloe Vera Juice, Yogurt, or Milk and let the Ubtan sit for a few minutes, to be able to absorb the mixer. This will help in deep cleansing and healing of your skin. After cleansing/masking with the Ubtan, spritz a Forest Essentials hydrating Facial Tonic Mist, for rejuvenated skin.