Navratri vrat made easy—no more tummy troubles!
Navratri fasting is a time of spiritual cleansing, self-discipline, and sattvik eating. But let’s be honest—many
of us end up with uncomfortable bloating, acidity, or heaviness after our vrat meals. Isn’t fasting supposed to make us feel lighter instead of sluggish?
The good news: bloating during Navratri is not inevitable. With the right food choices, mindful eating, and doctor-backed habits, you can enjoy your vrat meals without discomfort. Let’s explore how.
Don’t Overdo Sabudana
Sabudana khichdi, vada, or kheer—sabudana is the star of Navratri. But it’s also starchy, carb-heavy, and low in fibre, which can lead to bloating if eaten in excess.
Doctor’s Tip: Pair sabudana with peanuts or curd to balance it with protein and probiotics. Keep your portion small and avoid eating it for all meals in one day.
Go Easy on Fried Foods
Kuttu puris, deep-fried pakoras, and aloo chips may taste divine, but they’re notorious for causing gas and acidity. Oil-heavy meals slow down digestion, leaving you bloated.
Doctor’s Tip: Try air-fried or roasted versions. For example, roasted makhana or baked aloo tikki can replace fried snacks without compromising taste.
Stay Hydrated—But the Right Way
Dehydration is one of the biggest culprits behind bloating. Many people reduce water intake during fasting hours, leading to sluggish digestion.
Doctor’s Tip: Sip on warm water, coconut water, or jeera-infused water throughout the day. Avoid fizzy or carbonated drinks, which trap gas and make bloating worse.
Say Yes to Probiotics
Curd, chaas, and lassi (without added sugar) are excellent probiotics that aid digestion and reduce gas formation. Doctors often recommend them as they keep your gut flora healthy during vrat.
Doctor’s Tip: Add a pinch of roasted cumin powder to your chaas for a natural anti-bloating effect.
Mind Your Portion Sizes
Navratri fasting can sometimes turn into feasting—multiple plates of kuttu puri, sabudana vadas, and sweets. Overeating, even sattvik food, can overload your digestive system.
Doctor’s Tip: Practice portion control. Eat small meals every 3–4 hours instead of one heavy meal.
Limit Potato Overload
Potatoes are versatile, affordable, and filling—but also high in starch, which can slow down digestion when eaten in excess.
Doctor’s Tip: Replace some of the potato with pumpkin, lauki, or sweet potato, which are easier on the stomach and equally delicious.
Herbal Helpers to the Rescue
Certain herbs and spices are bloating busters. Ginger, ajwain (carom seeds), and jeera (cumin) naturally ease gas and aid digestion.
Doctor’s Tip: End your meal with a cup of warm ginger tea or chew on roasted ajwain with sendha namak for instant relief.
Avoid Processed “Navratri Snacks”
Those packaged chips and namkeens labelled “vrat special” are often fried in refined oils and spiced with non-sattvik ingredients. Apart from bloating, they may cause acidity and water retention.
Doctor’s Tip: Stick to home-cooked, clean meals to keep your gut happy.
Eat Slowly, Chew Thoroughly
Fast eating equals poor digestion, leading to gas and bloating. Chewing well helps break down food, making it easier for your stomach to process.
Doctor’s Tip: Take 20–25 minutes to finish a meal. Put your spoon down between bites and avoid distractions like scrolling on your phone while eating.
Navratri fasting is not just about what you eat, but how you eat. By skipping fried overloads, hydrating well, eating slowly, and including doctor-approved digestion aids, you can ensure your body feels as light and sattvik as your spirit.
So this Navratri, let your fast truly uplift you—physically, mentally, and spiritually. No more bloating, only blessings!
