Navratri is a festival celebrated in India, and during this time, people fast for nine days. Fasting is a way to detoxify the body and mind and reinforce faith in the Almighty. There is no approved or written norm on what all to eat and what to avoid during Navratri fast. People follow as per their own beliefs, borrowed from their parents or community. However, there are some foods that are commonly eaten during Navratri fasts, and they include:
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Sabudana: Sabudana is a popular ingredient during Navratri fasts. It is used to make dishes like Sabudana Khichdi, Sabudana Vada, and Sabudana Kheer.
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Kuttu: Kuttu is a type of flour made from buckwheat. It is used to make dishes like Kuttu Ki Puri, Kuttu Ka Dosa, and Kuttu Ki Roti.
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Singhara: Singhara is a type of flour made from water chestnuts. It is used to make dishes like Singhara Atta Halwa, Singhara Cheela, and Singhara Pakora.
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Fruits and Vegetables: Fruits and vegetables are an essential part of Navratri fasting. Some commonly eaten fruits and vegetables include potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, cucumber, and bananas.
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Milk and Milk Products: Milk and milk products like yogurt, paneer, and buttermilk are also allowed during Navratri fasts.
It is important to note that people avoid eating meat, whole grains, alcohol, onion, garlic, etc. during Navratri fasts as these foods are believed to attract negative energies and should be avoided during a seasonal change when our bodies tend to have low immunity. The idea behind fasting is to consume healthy foods with healthy thoughts and detoxify the mind and body.