Navratri 2016: What to Eat While Fasting

It's that time of the year again when festivities are in the air and millions across the country get down to celebrate the nine avataars of goddess Durga. If you plan to fast this holy season, here is a quick lowdown on food items that you can consume during fasting.

Amaranth

Popularly known as ramdana or chaulai, amaranth seeds are considered as the new super food. Not only are these extremely nutritious and low in calorie, but sensational on taste buds as well. Roll heart-warming laddoos or make rotis out of amaranth
flour. Make fasting fun!

Potatoes

One of the most versatile veggies, potatoes assume center-place during navratri. Boil and mash these and mix with yogurt with a sprinkling of coriander leaves, rock salt and green chillies. Aloo ki tikki, plain potato chips are also staples during navratri.

NutsSeeds & Dry Fruits

Throw these in your kheer, roll them while making ladoos, chikkis or simply use them while making smoothies or shakes. These are nutritious and will replenish you with an instant energy fix.

Yogurt & Dairy

Yogurt and other milk products like paneer, chenna are absolutely vrat friendly. Whip up lassi, buttermilk, smoothies, shakes and much more!

Tapioca Pearls

Also known as Sabudana, these are enjoyed best in form of kheer or savoury khichdi.

Buckwheat

Popularly known as kuttu, this is one of the best love ingredients to cook with for those who fast during navratri. Kuttu ka atta (buckwheat flour) can be used to make an array of preparations - from rotis, pooris, halwa to even vrat friendly noodles!

Singhara

Water Chestnuts can be eaten raw or curried. You can also get singhara flour and use it to prepare a host of delicacies.

Rock Salt (Sendha Namak)

For those who can't live without the savoury dishes, use rock salt (sendha namak) in your preparations.

Fruits

Your favourite fruits can come together to create splendid chaats, rejuvenating shakes, smoothies and fruit juices as well. Fruits can serve as a great option to curb those untimely hunger pangs and keep your energy level up throughout the day.

Coconut

From coconut shavings, dried coconut to coconut water and the raw fruit itself - coconut can be incorporated in your regular vrat meals. It is hydrating, nutritious, light on stomach and easy to digest.

Just in case you need some inspiration to make fasting fun, here are some of our best vrat recipes curated exclusively for you.