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Navratri 2018: 5 Navratri Fasting Favourites And Their

Health Benefits
7 / 24

Durga and try to please their beloved deity to take shelters in their homes. A variety of
offerings in terms of flowers, fruits and food is given to the Goddess. Some of the devotees
also observe ritualistic Navratri fasts or vrat  to seek the goddess' divine blessings. There are
4 Navratris in an year, out of which only Chaitra Navratri and Sharad Navratri are celebrated
widely. The idea of fasting dates back to ancient times; apart from the religious reasons, the
fasting was primarily done to detox and keep the body light during the major seasonal
change. Both Chaitra Navratri and Sharad Navratri fall on the cusp of spring/summer and
autumn/winter. During this major season change, your immunity tends to takes a dip. It is
best to resort to light and clean eating at this point of time.

With Navratri, come the festive special foods too. Here are 5 Navratri favourites and their
health benefits which will make you stock them up for the fasting season too.

1. Kuttu or Buckwheat
Those who have been observing the ritualistic fasts must be aware that the regular maida(all
purpose flour) or atta (wheat flour) is prohibited for consumption during Navratri fasting.
Kuttu ka atta or buckwheat flour is a favourite amongst those who observe the vrat.
Buckwheat contains most essential amino acids, making it a good quality protein source. It
is rich in arginine and lysine, amino acids that are generally deficient in most cereal grains.
Buckwheat has high fibre content which is good for cholesterol levels and also keeps
satiated
NDTV for long. Buckwheat is also rich in various minerals such as phosphorous, selenium,
NDTV
zinc, Food Desk
copper and potassium.

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2. Sendha Namak

As you bid good bye to your regular table salt for Navratri fasting, here's something you
must know about that 'vrat wala namak'. Turns out, that it is much more than just a vrat
alternative to your regular salt. Sendha namak or rock salt is packed with innumerable
health benefits. Sendha namak is a highly crystalline salt. It is made by evaporating sea
water
NDTV
and does not contain high amounts of sodium chloride. According to 'The Complete
Book
NDTVofFood
Ayurvedic
Desk Home Remedies' by Dr. Vasant Lad, "Rock salt improves digestion and is
a natural way to relieve stomach pain. You can add a few crystals of rock salt and fresh mint
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to a glass of lassi  TWEET Bangalorebased
and reap the benefits.  EMAIL
SHAREnutritionist Dr. Anju Sood
says, "Rock salt can also be used to cure stomach infections, and aids in deworming as
well". Rock salt also fastens body's metabolism, stabilizes blood pressure (due to its decent
potassium content), exfoliates skin and aids weight loss.

© Provided by NDTV 24x7 rock salt or sendha namak

Chaitra Navratri 2018: Sendha namak is a highly crystalline salt.

3. Jeera or Cumin

Not many spices are permissible to consume during the fasting. The idea of Navratri fasting
is to eat light and detox your body of all the junk and toxins. During season change, it is
highly recommended to eat light and stay away from very greasy and spicy food. Jeera or
cumin is one spice that is not so heavy on the stomach and also helps keep your tummy
healthy. Jeera helps digestion, prevents bloating and abdominal pain. Jeera is an excellent
source of iron and dietary fibre. Jeera can also do wonders for your immunity system.

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NDTV Food Desk

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4. Potato

For the longest time, potatoes have been seen in a rather poor light in the health and
fitness circuit. But not most of it is true. Potato, if cooked well can be quite a healthy veggie
too. Navratri is the best time to experiment with the ever-so-delicious veggie. Ditch fried
potato chips and make way for the soothing aloo kadhi, aloo halwa, low-fat aloo cutlets.
Potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C, Potassium, fibre, B vitamins copper,
tryptophan, manganese and even lutein. It also helps curb inflammation in the body and
boost immunity.
 NDTV
NDTV Food Desk

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© Provided by NDTV 24x7 boiled potato

Navratri 2018: Potato, if cooked well can be quite a healthy veggie too

5. Sabudana

Sabudana or tapioca pearls is one Navratri staple you are going to see in so many forms
around the festive season. From sabudana papad, sabudana kheer, sabudana khichdi to
sabudana vada, sabudana's versatility in Indian cuisine is worth appreciation. The superfood

sabudana

Navratri 2018: The superfood is packed with various antioxidants and minerals like calcium
and iron 

Here's wishing all of you a very Happy Navratri 2018!

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article are the author's own and MSN does not endorse
them in any way. Neither can MSN independently verify any claims made in the article. You
should consult your physician before starting any weight loss or health management
programme to determine if it is right for your needs.

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